A Valley day trip

Small discoveries, close to home.

A nature morning in Weslaco and a short public-art outing in Mercedes make an approachable day without crossing the entire Valley.

Wetlands at Estero Llano Grande State Park.
Wetlands at Estero Llano Grande State Park. Photo credit

Self-guided · Flexible pace · One day

Morning

Weslaco: give the wetlands your attention

Start at Estero Llano Grande State Park. Choose a route from the current visitor map, bring water, and make observation the purpose of the walk. A shorter, slower visit can be more rewarding than covering every trail.

Explore Weslaco →
Midday

Pause in town

Leave time for lunch and a rest. If the weather makes an outdoor morning unsuitable, change the plan rather than treating a suggested route as a schedule you must complete.

Explore Weslaco →
Afternoon

Mercedes: follow the boot trail

Use the Big Boots of Mercedes map to choose several sculptures. Drive between areas as needed and park appropriately. Finish with a look at the town and its railroad-era history.

Explore Mercedes →

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