harlingen has excellent golf courses and museums, a historic downtown, antiques galore. it's just minutes away from dozens of world-famous birding hot spots and south padre island, the premiere beach on the texas coast. must-see attractions include: south padre island beaches, mexico shopping, gladys porter zoo, laguna atascosa national wildlife refuge and national shrine of our lady of san juan del valle. harlingen is also home to: the iwo jima monument & museum, jackson street historic district, valley race park, rio grande valley museum and valley international airport.