Visit Weslaco

Stay In Weslaco

Find a comfortable place to stay close to shopping, dining, nature, events and everything else Weslaco has to offer.

Find Your Stay in Weslaco

Browse places to stay throughout Weslaco. Select a property from the list or choose a map pin to learn more.

10 Places to Stay

Discover Weslaco Events

From live music and local festivals to holiday traditions and community celebrations, there’s always another reason to get out and discover Weslaco.

Signature events hosted by the Weslaco Chamber include the Texas Onion Fest, the Weslaco Lighted Christmas Parade and More!

Festival entrance sign and visitors in Downtown Weslaco

Texas Onion Fest

The Texas Onion Fest celebrates the development of the world famous Texas 1015 Onion which was developed in Weslaco and is also the State Vegetable of Texas! The festivities include live entertainment on two stages, the exciting Onion Eating Contest, delicious food, commercial booths, kiddie rides, Dancing Horses, 1015 Market, Car Show, cooking demonstrations, and so much more!

Festival Details Watch a past festival

Santa and a holiday helper waving from the front of a lighted fire truck

Lighted Christmas Parade

Celebrate the holidays with this local Christmas Parade featuring a variety of floats, and a special appearance from Santa himself! Featuring over 100 float entries, music and great fun!

Learn More About The Parade

Two young entrepreneurs at a yellow and white lemonade stand

Lemonade Day Weslaco

Support Weslaco’s young entrepreneurs, one cup at a time. Lemonade Day helps local youth build business and financial skills by creating and operating their own lemonade stands.

Learn More About Lemonade Day

Check out our Events Calendar for more events in Weslaco!

Discover Nature In Weslaco

▶

Estero Llano Grande State Park

Explore wetlands, wildlife viewing areas and some of the best birding opportunities in South Texas at this unique state park in Weslaco.

📍 3301 S. International Blvd., Weslaco, TX

Discover Estero Llano Grande

▶

Valley Nature Center

Discover native plants, wildlife and peaceful nature trails at this urban nature center located in the heart of Weslaco.

📍 301 S. Border Ave., Weslaco, TX

Discover Valley Nature Center

▶

Frontera Audubon

Explore native Tamaulipan thornscrub, historic grounds and birding trails at this hidden nature sanctuary near Downtown Weslaco.

📍 1101 S. Texas Blvd., Weslaco, TX

Discover Frontera Audubon

Plan a Nature Day Explore Weslaco City Parks

Weslaco History

Founded in 1919, Weslaco is a city rich in history, rooted in agriculture and community traditions that have shaped the region for over a century. From its early days as a farming hub to its role in cross-border commerce and culture, Weslaco continues to honor its past while embracing the future.

Texas Historical Commission Historical Marker Medallion

Discover Weslaco’s Rich History, One Marker at a Time

Weslaco is home to several Texas Historical Markers recognized by the Texas Historical Commission, highlighting the people, places and events that helped shape our community. From early pioneers and landmark buildings to important moments in local industry and education, each marker tells a piece of Weslaco’s story.

Explore the Historical Marker Map

Historical Timeline

1919-1935 1938-1983 1984-2020

1919-1935

The City of Weslaco was founded by Ed C. Couch and R.L Reeves in September of 1919. Shortly after in December 1919, the two held an auction for residential and business land ranging from $50 to $400 per lot. By today’s standards, that’s about $748 to $6,229.

At the start of 1920, the city offices and the first store, “The Peoples Store,” by the S.M Mattar family were established. Just one year later, the Weslaco Independent School District was formed. In 1923, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Center was established. In 1926 the Beautification Committee was formed; they were responsible for purchasing the first of many palm trees down Texas Boulevard.

On New Year’s Eve 1928, The Cortez Hotel opened its doors with a banquet and dance. In 1932, the Texsun and Tex Maid companies started production. At the time, the Texsun juice plant was the largest orange juice plant in the world!

On October 21, 1935, the official charter for the Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce was filed. The founding directors were C.L. Skaggs, T.G. Cressner, J.M. Sewell, L.M. Burton, Sam R. Weems, Everett Knapp, Judson Friday, J.J. Poinbeouf & Grant Montgomery.

1938-1983

In 1938, the U.S. Department of Agriculture was established, which led to the study of crops, soil, water conservation, fertilizer use, insects, plant diseases, and the effects of climate.

The construction of the overhead tank of Weslaco’s water storage reservoir was completed in 1941, making it one of the city’s iconic landmarks.

In 1945, the Chamber of Commerce deposited $1,012.50 on land for the airport; it was named the Mid Valley Airport. The first Miss Weslaco pageant was held, naming Linda Link Hunt as the first Miss Weslaco.

Knapp Medical Center opened in Weslaco on January 2, 1962, as Knapp Memorial Methodist Hospital.

A 50^th Anniversary celebration was held on December 4th-7th 1969!

On April 2, 1970, the first performance of the Mid-Valley Civic Theatre was held at The Tower Theatre. During the 1960s, a collection of stories and artifacts from prominent businesses and families served as the basis for a book published on the City’s 50^th anniversary. In 1971, The Weslaco Museum was formed to give the collection a permanent home!

In 1983, Dr. Leonard Pike developed the 1015 Sweet Onion at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Center!!

1984-2020

In 1984, the Valley Nature Center was established as a non-profit organization, making it the oldest nature center in the Rio Grande Valley.

The first Texas Onion Festival was held at Harlon Block Park (now Isaac Rodriguez Park) in 1989.

In 1992, Bebe Skaggs James, daughter of early Weslaco residents C.L. “Lester” and Florence Skaggs, donated property to the Frontera Audubon Society for conservation and preservation. This led to the opening of this current location in 2000.

In 1997, the 1015 Sweet Onion was named the State Vegetable of Texas by the 75^th Legislature of the State of Texas.

In 2002, Weslaco received the All-America City Award, which was presented by the National Civic League. Weslaco was one of 10 municipalities to receive this award nationwide.

In 2006, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department began piecing together land that would become Estero Llano Grande State Park. The grand opening for the State Park was held in June of 2006

In 2011, the Weslaco Economic Development Corporation held its first Alfresco Weslaco in Downtown Weslaco.

The city of Weslaco renamed “Paso Del Norte” to “Dolores Huerta Blvd” in 2012, making it the first street in Texas to be named after the United Farm Workers Co-Founder.

The year 2019 marked Weslaco’s 100^th Anniversary, the celebrations included the annual parade held by the Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce, a multi-day festival, and the creation of a new time capsule with items donated by families from all over Weslaco!

The COVID-19 pandemic presented Weslaco with new challenges during 2020 where businesses had to adapt and learn new ways of offering their services. The city proved just how #WeslacoStrong we really are!