For only the second time in its 2,000-mile journey from the Canadian border to the Gulf of Mexico, US-83 continues as a full-fledged, multi-lane freeway between McAllen and Harlingen (pop. 57,564). At the junction of US-83 and US-77 you’ll find a Texas Travel Information Center, the best source of tourist information for this part of the state.
Harlingen’s Rio Grande Valley Historical Museum Complex (closed Mon.; $2; 956/430-8500), three miles north of town at Boxwood and Raintree near the Harlingen airport, contains exhibits interpreting the history of the valley. At the private Marine Military Academy, next to the airport, the Iwo Jima Memorial is the original sculpture (first made of plaster, now protected in fiberglass) from which the famous bronze statue of the flag-raising WW II Marines was made. There’s also a small museum (Mon.–Fri.; donations; 800/365-6006) documenting the experience of Iwo Jima veterans.
