Del Rio can be explored through several clearly distinct themes: theater and art, historic sites, wildlife watching and water activities. When planning your trip, it is especially helpful to decide which focus matters most to you. Cultural and historical connections raise different questions than an early walk to watch birds or water activities at San Felipe Creek.
Art, Theater and Historic Sites
Val Verde Winery was founded in 1883 by Italian immigrant Frank Qualia. The founding year and the founder’s biography give the winery a specific historical connection. The theater group The Upstagers offers a different perspective on the passage of time: it has been performing live theater in Del Rio since 1977 and was named Texas State Champion twice in the American Association of Community Theaters competition. The winery’s founding and the group’s performance history offer distinct points of interest for those interested in cultural history.
The Firehouse Gallery hosts a First Friday Art Walk on the first Friday of every month. It also offers affordable art education and entertainment in Del Rio. The monthly event gives you a specific point of reference for planning. If the Art Walk is important to your trip, check the event dates in advance.
The Del Rio Main Street Program preserves and showcases Del Rio’s historic downtown. The Main Street district brings together shopping, entertainment, art and education in a pedestrian-friendly setting. For many years, the Paul Poag Theatre was a movie theater called “The Rita Theater.” Its former use adds a chapter in the building’s history to the area’s cultural story, while the Main Street Program focuses on the historic downtown.
The general entrance to the Whitehead Memorial Museum is located in the two-story stone Perry Mercantile building. The building provides a specific landmark for your museum visit.
Wildlife Watching and Water at San Felipe Creek
On an early-morning walk along San Felipe Creek, you can spot kingfishers and golden-fronted woodpeckers. The Paseo de Los Ninos Nature Trail gives visitors the opportunity to observe birds and other wildlife in the desert scrub communities. A covered area with benches is available for wildlife watching. In the early morning, you can look specifically for kingfishers and golden-fronted woodpeckers along San Felipe Creek; the Nature Trail focuses on birds and other wildlife in the desert scrub communities.
Along the Creek Walk, visitors can float, swim and kayak in the crystal-clear waters of San Felipe Creek. Alongside wildlife watching, water activities are another distinct focus to consider when planning your trip.
The Story of a Local Institution
The Laughlin Heritage Foundation in Del Rio tells the story of Laughlin Air Force Base from its founding in 1943. This offers a different historical perspective from the winery, theater or downtown: here, the focus is on the history of the base. You can therefore get to know Del Rio not only through its art, local history and nature, but also through the history of this institution.
Discover more destinations: Laughlin Afb.
See the broader travel overview: Val Verde County.
