7 Warmest Texas Towns For A Winter Visit
Falling just short of Florida as the southernmost contiguous state, Texas is hot—both in temperature and amusement. Of course, as also the largest contiguous state, Texas's heat can vary depending on location. Its northern, Oklahoma-adjacent plains can be snowy and dreary while its southern, Mexico-adjacent valley can be fun and sunny. This is especially apparent from December to March. As such, many Americans head south for the winter, exploring parks in Weslaco and beaches in South Padre Island. Join us in exploring the warmest small communities in Texas worthy of a winter visit.
Hidalgo
With a yearly mean of 74.72°F, Hidalgo is the 16th hottest community in Texas, according to USA.com. It sits so deep in the Rio Grande Valley that Mexico is in kicking distance, making it a refuge from both the south and the north. Those visiting from the north can escape the chill of winter, because, at its coldest, Hidalgo stays above 50 degrees. On an average winter afternoon, you can enjoy 70-degree temps while touring such sites as Paula's Tea House & Deli, the World's Largest Killer Bee landmark, and the Old Hidalgo Pump House Museum and World Birding Center. But Hidalgo does have traditional winter fare, notably the Hidalgo Festival of Lights, which has been supplying holiday splendor for 33 years. This winter's festival is to run from December 7 to January 5 with the theme "Under the Sea."
Weslaco
Ever so slightly cooler than Hidalgo—a difference undetectable by human senses—is Weslaco, which was ranked by USA.com as Texas's 27th warmest community. Though relatively populous by Rio Grande Valley standards, Weslaco is known for its nature. Snow-flakes can escape to several subtropical preserves, including the Valley Nature Center, Frontera Audubon Society, and Estero Llano Grande State Park, the last of which, like the preserve in Hidalgo, is part of the World Birding Center. Then they can go Christmas shopping in nearby Mercedes, naturally choosing Rio Grande Valley Premium Outlets for its 130ish stores in a 600,000ish-square-foot space.
Port Isabel
A coastal city in extreme South Texas, Port Isabel is one of the top 250 warmest TX communities. Though there may seem to be a huge gap between Port Isabel and Hidalgo/Weslaco, Port Isabel's annual average temp is less than one-degree cooler. Thus, you can spend winter in the warm, wet embrace of this subtropical paradise. After cruising for dolphins with Dolphin Docks or fishing for sharks on Pirate’s Landing Fishing Pier (perhaps the longest lighted pier in Texas), refuel at Joe's Oyster Bar and relax at the Museums of Port Isabel. They comprise the Port Isabel Historic Museum, Treasures of the Gulf Museum, and Point Isabel Lighthouse. If looking for traces of a traditional Christmas atmosphere, Port Isabel has been hosting a tree lighting ceremony and holiday parade for 16 years.
Rio Grande City
Located along the Rio Grande in the western part of the Valley, Rio Grande City blends nature, history, and holiday cheer in a ~74-degree climate. A winter visitor can get stunning views of the Grande while traveling to Falcon State Park for boating and fishing on the Falcon International Reservoir before returning to RGC for historic sightseeing on the Bessie III Trolley. After admiring relics like Fort Ringgold and the Kelsey Bass Museum, bathe in the extra warm glow of RGC's Christmas tree, which is annually lit during a ceremony enhanced with carols, cheerleader performances, and a visit from Santa Claus. Make sure to chow on tacos, perhaps from La Taqueria De Guanajuato, between stops.
Los Fresnos
Another top-250 Texas hotspot, Los Fresnos can warm you up and then cool you off with numerous oases. This small city, like all communities in the Rio Grande Valley, is close to the Rio Grande. But it is closer to the Resaca de los Cuates, an ancient distributary of the Rio Grande that periodically refills with water. Los Fresnos also neighbors the Gulf of Mexico and a much smaller lagoon called the Laguna Atascosa, which centers "the largest protected area of natural habitat left in the Lower Rio Grande Valley." If wishing for a more commercial winter vacation, hit up Bobz World, a family fun center, or Fragile Planet Wildlife Park, a safari park with December-long Pancakes with Santa events.
Port Mansfield
The northernmost community on this list (but still sizzling with an average temp of just under 74 degrees), Port Mansfield is a gateway to Gulf dreams. Jerry's Fishing Charters, Fairwater Charters, and Reel Obsession Sport Fishing are among the companies that can take you fishing and sightseeing in the Laguna Madre, a lagoon off the Gulf of Mexico. On land, you can dine at Windjammer, stay at the Sunset House, and go wildlife watching at nearby preserves like the aforementioned Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. Though you won't find reindeer, white-tailed deer are abundant in Port Mansfield. Don't leave out carrots! (Feeding deer is prohibited.)
South Padre Island
South Padre Island is a town at the southern end of what was once the world's longest barrier island, but is now split in two by the Port Mansfield Channel. Though home to just around 2,000 people, SPI is overflowing with attractions, especially during the Christmas season. Expect temperatures in the low 70s or high 60s as you visit the Holiday Sandcastle Village on West Ling Street, Winter Wonderland on Laguna Boulevard, Christmas Street Parade on Padre Boulevard, and Lighted Boat Parade in the Laguna Madre. Of course, you can also tour all-season attractions like Sea Turtle, Inc. and Isla Blanca Beach.
Everything's warmer in Texas in the Rio Grande Valley. Though it's scorching in the summer, the valley feels like a climate-controlled hotel room in the winter. Seventy-degree temperatures blanket such small, spectacular communities as Hidalgo, Weslaco, Port Isabel, Rio Grande City, Los Fresnos, Port Mansfield, and South Padre Island—even while blizzards are ravaging the rest of America. Fly with the rest of the snowbirds to those warm Texas refuges.
