quinta mazatlan

RickSusanB

Located close to the McAllen Airport in south McAllen, Quinta Mazatlan is an urban oasis. A nature program is presented every Thursday evening. Several weekday mornings sponsored nature walks are available. There are miles of woodland trails on the property as well as a restored mansion. A stone sitting area is situated on the property where one can sit and watch the birds and butterflies flit and flutter among the feeders. A must go to place when visiting the Rio Grande Valley.

599KarenB

We visited Quinta Mazatlan on a Friday afternoon. The place was very quiet, the day was windy and cool. The architecture and tile work in the Casa was beautiful. We walked around the grounds and sat in the bird watching area. We saw many birds we had never seen before. It is a very tranquil place.

270bryng

Went for a wedding event and loved it, the outdoors decor and ambiance is a totally different and lovely experience. We had a great time and I highly recommend it if you are planning your event!

173jasonp

Nice blend of history, architecture, and nature. Expect to spend an hour or so. Lots of photographic opportunities amongst the mansion, the flowers, and the chacalacas

tjy06070

An attractive, well-maintained 1930's adobe estate that preserves native plants and animals of the Rio Grande Valley. A strong educational emphasis is readily apparent with videos in the visitor center and sculptures throughout the manicured grounds. Birds (Plain Chachalaca, Green Jay, Clay-colored Thrush, Long-billed and Curve-billed Thrasher, migrating warblers - including a Tropical Parula) were there when I visited in early November. A peaceful place!

kenfults

We own two condos at the Fairway in McAllen (look for us on Trip Advisor) and we had invited our two nieces (ages 4 and 7) to spend the weekend. The fist day we spent too much time in the pool and decided to take the girls outside for a nature walk. We usually go to a local park or one of the nearby State parks. However, since the Quinta Mazatlan is only about a mile from the Fairway we decided to take them there. It was a nice partly cloudy day and just right for a short stroll. We saw birds, rabbits, turtles, and only a few other people. It is a very special place and fit the bill for two active nieces.

tajkd

This is a bird sanctuary/ garden in the middle of McAllen. There are hummingbirds and all types of local birds and many desert plants. The area is quite wooded and has several paths to walk along in the shade. I went on a very hot day but I was pretty comfortable walking around. The house has some special exhibits and a store as well as the information center. All in all it was an enjoyable afternoon. I would say that the site could use some refreshments or food as I would have liked to sit and eat there.

RGVbirdwatcher

If you are an avid birder do not visit here expecting much. This is by far and away the smallest of the "World" Birding centers in the Valley. And while small doesn't always equate with poor birding, it does in this case. While the property is pretty and the mansion is interesting, it is not a birding site any more than any typically well-maintained and forested yard in the Valley. More than anything, McAllen's poor record for maintaining native flora throughout the city (due to poorly regulated and unplanned development) makes this small remnant of native trees all the more unique. Unfortunately, most people that visit this place want a convenient, quick and easy (read little walking and effort as possible) to "see the wildlife." Kudos to the management's attempt at education and outreach activities for kids, but besides that and the above mentioned qualities, spend your valuable time at the larger, more representative, and bird-rich sites - particularly Estero Llano Grande, Laguna Atascosa, and Resca de La Palma in Brownsville. The diversity and abundance of birds is typically much greater in the eastern side of the LRGV anyway.

Debm1018

Great field trip experience for my special needs students. We have elected this to be our annual field trip. The students are able to be outside with binoculars to view various birds, butterflies and animals. The staff is very accommodating to our needs. It is wheelchair accessible. It is our favorite place!

DebL759

The house had a whole room of colorful Mexican folk art; even the ceiling is covered! The birding trails are fantastic, and mostly in shade which is nice in the summer heat. There are informative signs and statues of wildlife along the trails and trees are marked with common and scientific names. Our only problem was that the trail map did not match the trails and there were no markers or signs at junctions. Otherwise, they were well maintained and smooth and we saw many bird species we had never seen before. The chachalacas let us walk right up to them!

WGPu

For birds, there's no reason to go here. The gardens are beautiful, as is the old house. But if your looking for "birdy" places, this one is not worth the fee. In the McAllen/Weslaco area, Estero Llano Grande park, and Santa Ana NWR are MUCH better.

benw841

This is a beautiful old mansion in the center of Mcallen. The house itself gives a good deal of history and is exciting to see if you are a history buff or like architecture. Also they have wild over growth and you can see many kinds of birds including Chachalacas. It's a great place to go walking.

dnimages

There are some interesting species but it does take some effort to get quality photos. The grounds are extensive and bushy and while the staff sets out hummingbird feeders there is a lack of seed feeders for the other species. With the exception of one area near the amphitheatre bird photography is dicey. The amphitheatre area has a water feature and some species do visit for baths etc. Overall I found the bird photography to be disappointing. In the area try Santa Ana NWR and further away (in migration season) the Convention Center grounds on South Padre Island. Similar experiences to the Mansion at Edinburgh Scenic wetlands.

Austin720

The old house is interesting. McAllen does not have a lot to offer, so if you have limited time, go here first. Note the doors, and incredible tile work throughout the house. The grounds are very beautiful, lots of birds, etc. nice walk, take it

marthao534

Majestic house with beautiful pictures and old furniture...Beautiful paths, rocks, water, birds...I felt relaxed and in peace...The place is great and the price is great...I loved it.