Harlingen for Groups

Hotels in Harlingen

The Rio Grande Valley is well known among many Canadians and northern US travelers because of its temperate climate; thousands of “Winter Texans” populate the region during the season.

One of the top winter destinations is the community of Harlingen, favored by groups looking for a south of the border atmosphere with the ease of a Texas meeting.

“We have the same Tex-Mex appeal of popular meeting destinations like San Antonio--the authentic Mexican culture, foods, music, and flavor, but at more reasonable prices, and without the crowds,” points out Cheryl LaBerge, Executive Vice President. “Plus, we have great ‘tropical playground of Texas’ atmosphere here; the weather is warm here even in the winter, the palm trees sway in the breeze, the golf is very value priced, the beach is close by, and Mexico is just minutes away. Even small groups get personalized attention from the CVB and the community, often with a photographer and reporter from the newspaper and/or the local TV stations on hand for some of the events, if desired by the group. Basically, groups get to be big fish in a small pond, so to speak, as opposed to going to a bigger city where out-of-town groups coming in is more routine.”

Harlingen’s newest meeting space is found at the Regional Academic Health Center, a branch of the UT/San Antonio Health Science Center. This three-story building offers an auditorium and meeting space. Also of interest to medical groups is the city’s Forever Aloe Plantations. Group tours are available at this site which processes the aloe plant, used for everything from skin care to treatment of arthritis.

Many groups use Harlingen as a base to explore both sides of the border. “We often suggest that groups have a banquet in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico, just 20 minutes from Harlingen, as they can have a very elegant meal, drinks, and live entertainment ranging from mariachis to folkloric dancers for a fraction of what they would pay in the US,” notes LaBerge. “It really adds a lot to the meeting to be able to take people across the border for the evening, or for a shopping trip. Nuevo Progreso is very tourist-oriented, safe, and friendly.”

Shoppers also find free time fun in downtown Harlingen along the historic Jackson Street District; shops here have been restored to their 1930s and 1940s appearance. Groups can rent San Francisco-type trolleys to tour the district and to view historic Harlingen.

Harlingen is also home to several museums including the Rio Grande Valley Museum, a local history museum as well as a collection of historic buildings. The Rio Grande Valley Museum includes a 650-square-foot theater that can accommodate 100 theater style or 300 for receptions. The museum’s outdoor courtyard can also be used for up to 300 attendees.

Nearby Rio Hondo is a favorite with historic aircraft buffs; as home to the Texas Air Museum, a privately-owned museum filled with historic aircraft. The museum can host 150-175 for a banquet or a meeting. Military buffs also enjoy the Marine Military Academy Museum and the Iwo Jima Monument, the original full-sized creation used for the casting of the monument at Arlington Cemetery. The museum includes 1444 square feet of classroom space, a 4224-square-foot great room, and a 1254-square-foot hall.

For attendees looking for activity, the Treasure Hills Country Club, a Robert Trent Jones, Sr.-designed course, has recently reopened. The 18-hole club, which is open to the public, includes a restaurant as well as two meeting rooms. And meeting delegates can try their luck at live greyhound races from December through April and simulcast dog and horse races year around at the recently reopened Valley Race Park. It can host large events for up to 9,000 people. During the summer the facility can also utilize the restaurant for banquets of up to 500 people.

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