Mercedes, Texas

The first thing you will notice when arriving in Mercedes, TX, are the 5.5-foot tall cowboy boots dispersed throughout the town, each painted with different college logos and colors from around the state. Next on your list needs to be the World Birding Center – Estero Llano Grande, one of the most critical areas for migrating birds in North America. Explore the 230-acre refuge on foot and admire the varied landscapes of the shallow lake, woodlands and thorn forrest. Keep an eye out for some of the 500 species that have been documented in this unique area.