South Texas Plains

When in Roma: The nearly 300-year-old city on the South Texas border is a multicultural getaway

By Danielle Lopez

Roma, a town of 11,500 people on the western edge of the Rio Grande Valley, has a story to tell. It’s a tale of two towns, best experienced while perched atop the World Birding Center’s Roma Bluffs. From here you can see Roma’s sister city, Ciudad Miguel Alemán, just across the border with Mexico. The cities are split on the boundary of the Rio Grande. Originally founded in 1765 by Spanish explorers, Roma served as a port for steamers and flatboats transporting goods up and down the river. Travelers may recognize the historical structures as the setting of the 1952 film Viva Zapata! featuring Marlon Brando. The town’s brick-paved plaza features architectural marvels, a one-of-a-kind agave distillery, and the world-famous birding site. Roma is a must-stop destination for history buffs in search of South Texas’ distinctive charms.

STAY

Las Casitas at Rancho Lomitas
Founded by ethnobotanist and nature enthusiast Benito Treviño, this private ranch offers native plant education, birdwatching, and quiet, cozy accommodations. Located in Rio Grande City, roughly 28 miles from Roma, the casitas provide a place to rest among South Texas’ flora and fauna. Rooms start at $75/night.

SEE

Falcon State Park
This 572-acre park northwest of town sits at the southern end of the Falcon International Reservoir. Not only does the 84,000-surface-acre lake provide water and power for the region, it’s also one of the best freshwater fishing lakes in South Texas.

Petrified Wood Collection
Twenty-seven million years ago, volcanic ash rained down over what is now Starr County, burying the landscape. This event resulted in an abundance of petrified wood. The largest collection of fossilized tree specimens in Texas can be seen at the Peña house on US 83 in Roma.

Trolley Tour
About 20 minutes east of Roma is Rio Grande City, the area’s county seat. Take a ride on the Bessie III, an air- conditioned trolley that takes guests on a tour through the former trade hub’s historic downtown.

LEARN

Roma Bluffs World Birding Center
A 3-acre nature preserve overlooking the Rio Grande is home to local species such as the red-billed pigeon and white-collared seedeater. The visitor center near City Hall has more info on local critters, a small collection of Roma artifacts, and historical exhibits.

Fort Ringgold
Roam the grounds of this former military outpost. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, this fort was occupied from 1848 to 1944 and played an important role during the Civil War.

EAT & DRINK

Ancestral Craft Spirits Distillery
Opened in 2021 by Leonardo Sanchez and his business partner Eduardo Ocampo, the distillery is at the forefront of the RGV’s innovative cuisine. The two Roma natives have created their own line of agave-based spirits inside a century-old building.

Rio Brewing Co.
Brewer Oscar Gonzalez moved the business into one of Roma’s historic plaza buildings in fall 2023. The Roma-made offerings include the Coyota Hefeweizen, Gladiator Golden Ale, and Javelina Hard Seltzer.

EVENT

Party on the Plaza
Join Roma for a monthly market in the historic city center on the first Saturday of each month. Locals partake in a centuries-old tradition by gathering on the downtown plaza, a National Historic Landmark. Moonlight Market starts at 6 p.m. and features live music, libations, and booths selling food and handmade goods. Restored buildings include the Manuel Guerra Residence and Store, designed by German architect Heinrich Portscheller, who blended Mexican architecture with New Orleans-style accents using local materials. An evening celebration on the plaza overlooking the river transports visitors back in time.

RV INFO

Falcon State Park, located about 20 minutes from the heart of downtown Roma, offers more than 60 sites with electric and water hookups. tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/falcon/fees-facilities/campsites