Brownsville (Texas)

What many do not know about Brownsville is how rich in history the city actually is. It has been named the second-most historic city in the state of Texas, after San Antonio. Brownsville was part of many significant battles during the Mexican-American and Civil War. The Siege of Fort Texas and the Battle of Palo Alto were both fought between Brownsville and Matamoros. Major Jacob Brown (not to be confused with hero Jacob Brown in the War of 1812) has many sites and buildings dedicated to his name. For this reason, you will find many streets in the Mitte Cultural District named after important figures in American history.

Major Zachary Taylor (who later became the 12th president of the United States), played a crucial role in the Battle of Palo Alto. This marked the first major battle that started the Mexican-American War. Taylor's army successful defeated the Mexican forces on May 8th, 1846, with American troops suffering few casualties, compared to the Mexican side.

The city was also the site of the First Cortina Troubles, a war between Mexican rancher Juan Nepomuceno Cortina and American forces. Fighting emerged after a Brownsville marshal shot a former ranch hand of Cortina's. Cortina then took control of Brownsville for more than two months after many residents in Matamoros urged Cortina to evacuate the whole town. The fighting extended all the way to Starr County, in what is referred to as the Battle of Rio Grande City.

Things were relatively quiet in the city until troops took control of Brownsville, this time by Confederates after they found out the city was smuggling their goods into Mexico. This led to the Battle of Brownsville, during which the Confederates blew up more than 8,000 lbs of explosives. A month later, the Battle of Palmito Ranch was fought and won by Confederates.

Several decades later, the Brownsville Affair occurred. This was a racial conflict between black infantrymen stationed at Fort Brown and white townsfolk. After several white police officers and a bartender were shot, president Theodore Roosevelt discharged the regiment for "conspiracy of silence." During the 1970s, an investigation led by the Nixon Administration found that the black infantrymen were not guilty of the crime and had any dishonorable discharge reversed.

The weather in Brownsville can get very hot during the summer months. Temperatures in the low to mid 90s are not uncommon to see. While the city rarely sees temperatures over 100 °F (38 °C), the humidity makes heat indices go up to 105 °F (41 °C). Temperatures will rise above 90 from May through September. Winters are usually not felt with the exception of a short cold snap or cold front that comes by. Usually, these events don't last too long.

As in most of South Texas, snow is a rare event. The previous snowfall that didn't melt right away happened in 2004, which coincidentally occurred during Christmas Eve, making it the first White Christmas in the city, and a similar snow event happened in 2017. Brownsville had not witnessed such a snow event since the late 1800s. The number of days with temperatures below freezing varies from year to year. Some years will lack a freeze event while others will bring several days of ice to the area. Make sure you bring a thin sweater when visiting during January or February, when the temperatures tend to drop more frequently.

While hurricanes tend to be a threat to Brownsville, most come in weaker categories than those that hit other nearby states. This is due to the Yucatan Peninsula acting as a barrier for storms that travel from the south to north. A 'major' hurricane to make landfall in the area was Hurricane Dolly in 2008, which left mostly moderate damage to weak structures and flooding.

Brownsville Convention & Visitors Bureau - Main office at 650 Ruben M Torres Sr Blvd. Scale House at 1700 E 6th St. For visitors coming into Brownsville, a good place to first visit would be the Main Office, clearly visible from Highway 77. The roof of the building is shaped to form a pyramid. A representative can assist you with any questions, local hot spots and anything related to Brownsville. If you have further questions about events in the city, look at their website, which is kept up to date with any events for the whole calendar year. Also, for those visiting from Mexico, the Scale House is the perfect place to visit for questions on any attractions in the city. It is across the Gladys Porter Zoo and the Brownsville Museum of Fine Arts.

🌍 Brownsville/South Padre Island Airport (BRO  ^IATA), 700 Emilia Earhart Dr, ☏ +1 956 542-4373. It is served by the following airlines:
* American Eagle (non-stop service between Dallas and Brownsville)
* Avelo (Burbank, Orlando)
* United Express (non-stop passenger service from Houston)
The city have already replaced the terminal at the end of 2020. (updated Oct 2020) The next nearest commercial airport in the US with Delta (to Minneapolis St Paul), Southwest Airlines, and Sun Country is Harlingen Valley International Airport, 35 min northwest on I-69E & Loop 499 (S Ed Carey Dr). Both United & American/American Eagle serve the area via Valley International Airport, McAllen International Airport and Brownsville from their respective hubs in Houston and Dallas-Ft Worth. The nearest airports for onward flights into Mexico are in Matamoros or further east from Harlingen in McAllen and Reynosa.

The main bus station for local public transportation and intercity buses is at the 🌍 La Plaza Brownsville Terminal at 755 International Blvd which is along International Blvd & S Adams in downtown:

• El Expreso, Tornado, 755 International Blvd, ☏ +1 713 325-8010, toll-free: +1 800 601-6559. Connects Matamoros/Brownsville to Houston and Dallas (updated Mar 2018)
• Greyhound, Autobus Americanos and Valley Transit Co (VTC), 755 International Blvd, ☏ +1 956 546-2264, toll-free: +1-800-231-2222. They have an additional location 215 E Monroe St in Harlingen. Goes up towards San Antonio via Harlingen, McAllen and Falfurrias. Some variations of the route continue north towards Dallas-Ft Worth from San Antonio via Austin. Another route goes up towards Houston through Harlingen, Raymondville, Riviera, Kingsville, Robstown, Corpus Christi, Odem Sinton, Refugio, Victoria, El Campo, Wharton, Rosenberg and SW Houston. Some of their buses going towards Houston may make fewer stops. (updated Mar 2018)
• Omnibus Express, toll-free: +1-800-923-1799. Goes up towards Dallas via Harlingen, Robstown, San Antonio, San Marcos, Austin, Temple and Waco. Another route goes up towards Houston through Harlingen, Refugio, Victoria and Hillcroft. Some of their buses going towards Houston may make fewer stops. Passengers going towards Florida change buses in Houston and those going into Mexico change buses in Matamoros. (updated Mar 2018)

The following services provide rides to most cities in the Rio Grande Valley:

• Brownsville Metro, ☏ +1 956-548-6050. Operates local public transportation in and around Brownsville on 13 routes from La Plaza Terminal. $1 per boarding, $0.25 additional for a 2-hr transfer ticket; $2.50 for a day pass. (updated Mar 2018)
• Valley Metro (RGV Metro), ☏ +1 956 681-3550. local bus service acting as an intercity and regional bus. Routes stretch from Hidalgo and Cameron Counties. There are three bus lines: Orange (Edinburg to Brownsville), Red (McAllen to Brownsville) and Blue (Brownsville to South Padre Island). Free Wi-Fi is also provided. 
• The Wave, ☏ +1 956-761-3864. provides rides from South Padre Island to Brownsville, Port Isabel and Laguna Heights. Service runs from 7AM through 9PM. It is available Monday through Sunday and is free of charge. 

The highway system in the Rio Grande Valley is complicated. Most interstates have multiple number names, confusing first-time travellers. It is strongly advised to research the geography and transportation routes before flying/driving here.

• Interstate 169 leads to SH 48, the main road towards South Padre Island. The road partially splits sideways, then meets with SH 550, then splitting into two routes: one leading to the Port of Brownsville and SH 48.
• Interstate 69E connects with Harlingen and Corpus Christi. Shares part of their highway with US 77/83.
• US Highway 77/83 a co-signed road that goes to Harlingen, where it splits into US 77 heading toward Dallas and US 83 towards Laredo. The road is also known as Interstate 2, going west from Harlingen.
• US Highway 100 is a road connected with US 77 leading to Los Fresnos. One of the two main roads leading to South Padre Island. F.M. 803 is another road that is being constructed to attach with Highway 100, in order to decongest incoming traffic and provide an alternative route for tourists driving east for the SpaceX monthly rocket launches.
• US Highway 281 leads to Hidalgo County and then San Antonio. This road is also known as Interstate 69C, as one drives north of Hidalgo. It is referred to as Interstate 2 when driving west towards McAllen.
• SH 550 is a new toll-road in the outskirts of the city leading to SH 48. It is the only toll road operating in the Rio Grande Valley. While 18-wheeler trucks tend to use this road, tourists can also use this as a way to reach Padre Island Hwy at a faster rate.
• Mexico's Federal Highway 180 is easily accessible across the Veterans International Bridge into Matamoros, Tampico, and leads to Tampico and eventually to Cancún.

• Brownsville & Matamoros International Bridge meets at Mexico Blvd and into Palm Blvd, bridge is intended for passengers travelling from the West of Brownsville.
• Gateway International Bridge connects to International Blvd, eventually leads to US Highway 77. It is next to the Mitte Cultural District.
• Veteran's International Bridge at Los Tomates connects directly to US Highway 77. Easy way to cross into Mexico. Informally called Los Tomates or Veteran's by locals.

The addition of a fourth international bridge has been proposed with local government officials.

Every bridge sees traffic ranging from the average family car to freight trucks on a daily basis. Freight trucks are usually more common during weekends when shipments are released from factories in Brownsville.

You can arrive by boat on South Padre Island. Though there are no ferries to take you to the island, if you own a boat, simply direct yourself to the southernmost Texas coast. When arriving, there should be buses that can take you to Brownsville. The distance between the island and Brownsville is not that far apart so you should arrive no later than 25 minutes to the city.

The best way to get around Brownsville is by car. If you don't have a car, there are multiple rental car agencies dotted around the city.

Brownsville Metro (B-Metro) - Main bus service providing rides within thirteen different routes throughout the city's major arteries. The system operates M-Sa 6AM-8PM. The terminal center, called La Plaza at Brownsville, is at 755 International Blvd close to the Gateway International Bridge. The center was completed in 2013 and also provides several restaurants with both indoor and outdoor seating.

There are several taxi services provided right outside of the Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport. They are easily accessible once arriving here (by plane). Prices depend on type of cab service.

• City Taxi, 1135 E Adams St, ☏ +1 956 544-3030. 24 hours. Only accepts cash, no debit cards. Also known as Brownsville Cab. 
• Yellow Express Taxi, 2370 North Expy Ste 1, ☏ +1 956 320-8294. 24 hours. Provides taxi service to Los Fresnos, Rancho Viejo and across the border to Matamoros, Tamaulipas. Accepts payments in Visa, Mastercard. 

The city is known as the "Bicycling Capital of the Rio Grande Valley" so there will be several trails spanning long distances of the city. They connect to major arteries and other commercial areas. There are seven bike trails you can take to explore Brownsville (listed in the Do section of the article).

A BikeShare Program by Zagster has six bike stations around Brownsville, including several in the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Other locations include La Plaza Terminal, CityPlaza, Linear Park, Washington Park, Dean Porter Park and the Belden Connect. Membership for the program costs $35 per year, $15 per month and $2 an hour.

Brownsville and nine other cities in Cameron County have developed a hike-and-bike network plan to connecting these cities with one another. Paddle trails will be included connecting Brownsville to other cities near the coast.

• 🌍 SpaceX South Texas Launch Site (Starbase), 54298 Boca Chica Blvd (get off ramp on Boca Chica Blvd, drive straight until reaching the end of the street, which meets several feet near the ocean), ☏ +1 310-363-6000. Aerospace facility launching Starship from Boca Chica State Park. Although the launch frequency has been lower than in early 2021, there are a lot of Starships and Super Heavy on display there. Many launch equipments can also be seen, such as the launch tower with steel arms and eight white tanks holding propellants, liquid oxygen and water. (updated Oct 2021)
• 🌍 Spacecraft Tracking and Astronomical Research into Gigahertz Astrophysical Transient Emission (Acronym is STARGATE), 52448-54298 Boca Chica Blvd, ☏ +1 956 882-5131. In collaboration with SpaceX, this will be a radio frequency technology park directly across the SpaceX facility which is expected to commence construction in 2018. The facility will be used by researchers for technology and scientific research. (updated Oct 2021)

• 🌍 Galeria 409, 409 E 13th St (get off ramp on Highway 77 past Boca Chica Blvd, turn right on E 13th St, stop after passing Elizabeth St), ☏ +1 956 455-3599. Art gallery showcasing work from artists in the Rio Grande Valley. It is a two-story building with multiple doors painted in green. Windows are also painted in said color. 
• 🌍 Rusteberg Art Gallery, Gorgas Dr (within the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley), ☏ +1 956 882-7097. Gallery with monthly installations and exhibitions. Primarily used by local artists. Most artwork draw influence from the Spanish culture that is integrated in the city. 
• 🌍 Puente Art Studio, 741 E Elizabeth St (near the Palm Lounge), ☏ +1 956 592-4390. M-Sa 10AM-6PM. Studio used to teach art classes to children. Admission for this is $20. Also has a gallery with exhibitions. To its exterior, windows and doors are paint in brown, a similar trend with galleries and bars in this area. Free. 

• 🌍 Brownsville Historical Association, 1325 E Washington St, ☏ +1 956 541-5560. Main office in charge of operating five historical buildings in Downtown Brownsville. Buildings include the Heritage Museum & Preservation Center, Stillman House, Market Square Research Center, Old City Cemetery Center and The Historic Alonso Building. 
• 🌍 Brownsville Museum of Fine Arts, 660 E Ringgold St, ☏ +1 956 542-0941. Beautiful arts museum focused on the works of local and Latin American painters. 
• 🌍 Children's Museum of Brownsville, 501 E Ringgold St #5 (take US Highway 77, get off ramp on Boca Chica Blvd, turn right at E 6th St and turn right at E Pierce St), ☏ +1 956 548-9300, fax: +1 956 504-1348. Museum involving hands-on activities, events and workshops for children. $8; free for children 1 and under. 
• 🌍 Commemorative Air Force Museum, 955 S Minnesota Ave (Drive along Boca Chica Blvd and turn at Billy Mitchell then right towards Minnesota Ave), ☏ +1 956 541-8585. Air force museum displaying collections of aircraft from World War II. Hosts the annual AirFiesta in mid-February. Adults: $6, seniors (55+): $5, kids 12-18: $3, kids under 11: Free. 

• 🌍 Costumes of the Americas, 501 E Ringgold St #5 (drive south on Highway 77 and take the 6th St exit), ☏ +1 956 547-6890. Museum housing one of the largest collections of traditional clothing worn by indigenous people in Latin American countries. $2 per person, children under 10: free. 
• 🌍 Fort Brown (Fort Brown Memorial Center), Fort Brown St (take International Blvd and enter at Texas Southmost College). A military post used during the late 19th century and early 20th century. It is regarded as one of the most haunted sites in the city. Free. 
• 🌍 Historic Brownsville Museum, 641 E Madison St, ☏ +1 956 541-5560, fax: +1 956 435-0020. Museum displaying the history of Brownsville up to the first half of the 20th century. It uses pictures, maps, along with other visuals to document different aspects of the city from street views to education. Adults: $5, seniors: $4, students: $2, children under 6 and BHA members: free. 
• 🌍 Market Square Research Center, ☏ +1 956 541-5560. The predecessor to La Plaza at Brownsville, the current terminal center in Brownsville. It used to be a terminal center for buses and an open air market. The building was constructed in 1850 and provides many photographs, costumes and an art collection. It is undergoing a multi-million renovation that will include a walkable street, life-size chess boards, fountains and bike stations. 

• 🌍 Old City Cemetery Center, ☏ +1 956 541-5560. One of the oldest cemeteries in the city. This was the burial location for many soldiers during the Civil War and Mexican-American War as early as the 1830s. Ghost tours are available. Free; tours: $7 (for groups of 14 or less), $4 (for groups 15 or more). 

• 🌍 Palmito Ranch Battlefield, Boca Chica Blvd (on the way to Boca Chica State Park). The last battle of the American Civil War. It is close to the US-Mexico border. There is much speculation that the site is haunted. Free. 
• 🌍 Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Park, 7200 Paredes Line Rd, ☏ +1 956 541-2785, fax: +1 956 541-6356. The site of Battle of Palo Alto. Indoor museum includes artillery and a gift shop. A tour is provided along a walkway to the actual battle site with replicas of the artillery used in the war scattered throughout the place. Free. 
• 🌍 Resaca de la Palma National Battlefield, 1024 Paredes Line Rd, ☏ +1 956 541-2785. The site of Battle of Resaca de la Palma. A beautiful candle-lighting ceremony takes place each year around mid-November to honor the fallen victims of the war. Each candle is place in the parameter of the site. Free. 

The city of Brownsville has an endless list of historic buildings in Downtown. Many buildings include French, Spanish and sometimes a mix of both architecture styles. Take a walk through Downtown and visit these locations. Due to the large number of historic homes in Downtown, not every home is listed on here. For more information, please visit the visitor's website.

• 🌍 The Historic Alonso Building, 510 E St Charles St. A French and Spanish influence building popular for rentals and events. Includes an art gallery inside, a pool and tables outside for dining. 
• 🌍 The Stillman House, 1325 E Washington St (same address as the Brownsville Historical Association), ☏ +1 956 541-5560, fax: +1 956 435 0028. The home of several important figures in Brownsville and Mexico. Charles Stillman, the settler who founded Brownsville lived here, as well as Mexican presidents and generals. Free. 
• 🌍 Old Brulay Plantation (Plantation House No. 1), east of TX 4. A cotton-turned-sugar plantation used during the American Civil War. It closed approximately in 1910 when a Cuban tariff was removed. The home belonged to a French immigrant named George Paul Bruley. 

• 🌍 Boca Chica State Park. Isolated beach across South Padre Island. It is known for its sandy dunes, quiet atmosphere and scenery. Regarded as a hidden gem by many tourists. Known as Boca Chica Beach to locals. 
• 🌍 Brazos Island State Park. Beach north of Boca Chica State Park. Great for camping and fishing. 

• 🌍 Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, 22688 Buena Vista Rd. Daily 7AM-7:30PM. In nearby Los Fresnos. Very popular wildlife refuge where many different species can be spotted from the bobcat to the endangered ocelot. The refuge area is protected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 
• 🌍 Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Clark/W Cantu Rd, ☏ +1 956 784-7500. Situated in nearby La Feria, is a popular birding and wildlife sanctuary with over 90,000 acres (36,000 hectares) of dedicated land for animals and other species to live in. Resacas (or floodplains) can be found throughout the site. Free. 

• 🌍 Sabal Palm Sanctuary, 8435 Sabal Palm Grove Rd, ☏ +1 956 541-8034. Butterfly and birdwatching center. One of the last locations in the Rio Grande Valley with an abundance in profuse grove of Sabal Palms. Adults $5, children under 12 $3. 
• 🌍 Gladys Porter Zoo, 500 E Ringgold St, ☏ +1 956 546-7187. Popular zoo among locals and tourists. Showcases a variety of species from around the world and features a reptile house and an aquatic center. It is the only zoo south of Corpus Christi and the Rio Grande Valley. Adults $11, children (2-13) $8, children (under 2) free, seniors (over 65) $9.50. 
• 🌍 University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 1 W University Blvd, ☏ +1-888-882-4026. 24 hours. Beautiful campus with a bridge overlooking a resaca (or floodplain) and many palm trees. The bridge is a popular photography landmark for tourists and locals. Campus was founded in 2015 after University of Texas at Brownsville and University of Texas Pan-American merged. There are trails going through the university. Check their website for any events or activities happening around the city. Most events are held in Downtown Brownsville and focus on the arts along with musical performances. 

• 🌍 Camille Lightner Playhouse, 1 Dean Porter Park (take same route as Children's Museum of Brownsville), ☏ +1 956-542-8900. Popular performing arts venue featuring plays and musicals. Features adaptations of both local and popular acts. Plays: adults $15, students (with school ID) $10, children under 12 $5; Musicals: adults $20, students (with school ID) $12, children under 12 $12; season tickets: $85; Winter Texan tickets: $50. 
• 🌍 Jacob Brown Auditorium, 600 International Blvd (drive along Highway 77, exit off ramp on International Blvd, drive straight until approaching Texas Southmost College), ☏ +1 956 882-7945. Open-floor auditorium with a 1,500-person capacity. Popular for graduation and theater events. Also features concerts involving musicians playing a range of instruments from the cello to the clarinet. Depends on event. 
• 🌍 TSC Performing Arts Center, 90 Taylor Ave (Take International Blvd, drive until approaching Texas Southmost College. Building is in back of Jacob Brown Auditorium), ☏ +1 956 295-3695. Performing arts venue belonging to Texas Southmost College. Popular for performances in music and theatre. 

The city is home to many festivals and events with different variety for tourists and locals. Make sure to search the visitor's website for more information on upcoming events, as some events tend to be held at multiple times during the year.

• 🌍 AirFiesta, 955 S Minnesota Ave (takes place in the Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport), ☏ +1 956 541-8585. February 13-14. Professional pilots perform beautiful synchronized flybys in a variety of aircraft dating from the 1950s. Check website one to two months before event for prices.. 
• 🌍 Brownsville Beer Fest, 501 E Ringgold St (Held at Dean Porter Park), ☏ +1 956 878-6489. October 1st. Oktoberfest-style festival with many different beers from around the world. Includes a performance from Los Angeles-based group, Metalachi. GA Tickets: $25, pre-sale tickets: $75. 
• Brownsville Latin Jazz Festival, ☏ +1 956 831-9590. Popular festival created by Latin Jazz legend, Tito Puente, celebrating local artists of the genre. Free. 
• 🌍 Charro Days Fiesta, 455 E Elizabeth St (event uses most of the street), ☏ +1 956 542-4245. Unique event celebrating the friendship between Brownsville and its next door neighbor Matamoros. Celebration starts in the end of February and features people dressed in Charro costumes, food, music and a parade. Free. 
• 🌍 Christmas Parade, E Elizabeth Street (uses most of the street), ☏ +1 956 542-4245. A longstanding tradition which many schools participate in by making floats and performing songs based on pop culture and traditional Mexican music. Free. 
• Color Vibe 5K Run. A run with vibrant colors involved. 
• 🌍 CycloBia Nights, 1034 E Levee St, ☏ +1 956 547-6531. Event where several streets in Downtown close to allow bicyclists to ride their bicycles around the area. Participants are also allowed to walk, skate, etc. Takes place three times a year: in June, August and October. Free. 
• 🌍 Fourth of July Parade, 1000 Sports Park Blvd (same route as Charro Days event), ☏ +1 956 574-6650. Parade starting in Downtown Brownsville and ending with a firework celebration (the largest in South Texas) in the Brownsville Sports Park. Includes food, music and Glow Dash. 
• 🌍 Heart of America Shows, 1370 N Expressway (next to Sunrise Mall). Late October through late November. Carnival tour with traditional games, rides, live performances from local bands, a fire show and food stands. The event is held in the parking lot of Sunrise Mall. 1 ticket: $1.25; Unlimited rides bracelet: $20. 
• 🌍 Holiday Village, 1 Dean Porter Park. Cottages decorated with lights and live performances celebrating Christmas. Event starts from the first of November until the first of January. Free. 
• 🌍 Memorial Illumination, 1024 Paredes Line Rd (held at Resaca de la Palma Battlefield), ☏ +1 956 541-2785. November 14. A beautiful display of 8,000 candles lit up to honor the fallen US and Mexican soldiers of the 1846 battles that took place there. Ceremony begins at sunset. 
• 🌍 Zoofari, 500 Ringgold St (held in Gladys Porter Zoo), ☏ +1 956 546-7187. October 1st. A live auction event with wine and other entertainment. The Peacock Ticket features a performance from a known country artist. Premiere Ticket: $135, Peacock Ticket: $10. 

• 🌍 Riverbend Resort & Country Club, 4541 Military Highway 281, ☏ +1 956 465-1141. Beautiful golf courses in an isolated location. 
• 🌍 Brownsville Golf Center, 1800 W San Marcelo Blvd, ☏ +1 956 541-2582. 
• 🌍 Valley International Country Club, 95 Country Club Rd, ☏ +1 956 546-5331. Voted the best golf course in the city by The Brownsville Herald. 

• 🌍 Rancho Viejo Resort & Country Club, 1 Rancho Viejo Drive, ☏ +1 956 350-4000, toll-free: +1-800-531-7400. Elegant golfing courses including El Angel and El Diablo Course along with a PGA Junior Golf League. Resort hosts wedding and meeting events, and sports entertainment such as tennis, swimming and a fitness center. Varies. 

• 🌍 Massey's Gun Shop and Range, 1 Massey Way, ☏ +1 956 838-0926. Daily 10AM-6PM. In the outskirts of the city. An outdoor shooting range also doubling as a gun shop with a wide selection of guns to shop from. Offers free online courses. Depends. 

• 🌍 Belden Trail, W 3rd St, ☏ +1 956 542-2064. Mile-long trail connecting West Brownsville to other commercial areas. Pedestrian and family-friendly. Free. 
• 🌍 Historic Battlefield Trail, Brownsville Historic Battlefield Hike and Bike Trail, ☏ +1 956-542-2064. 9-mile-long trail running north-south in the middle of the city. Free. 
• 🌍 Brownsville Sports Park Hike & Bike Trail, 1000 Sports Park Blvd, ☏ +1 956-574-6650. A trail in the Brownsville Sports Park with access to a lake, boardwalk and hiking pathways. Free. 
• 🌍 Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge Trails. Trails around the Wildlife Refuge leading to tall, grassy areas. Watch out for any wild animals such as Ocelots and Cougars. Free. 
• 🌍 Monte Bella Mountain Bike Trail, W Alton Gloor Blvd, ☏ +1 956 542-2064. A 6.2-mile-long trail in the outskirts of the city. The trail also includes a 21-hole Disc Golf Course. Free. 
• 🌍 Paseo de la Resaca Trails, ☏ +1 956 547-6860. A 76-mile-long trail running through over 4 miles of resacas and 128 acres (52 hectares) of parkland. Free. 
• 🌍 Resaca de la Palma State Park Trails, 1000 New Carmen Ave, ☏ +1 956 350-2920. 7-mile trail offering binoculars and bicycles for rent. The trail has the largest native habitat part of the World Birding Center. Free. 

• 🌍 Brownsville Event Center, 1 Event Center, ☏ +1 956 547-6531. Popular center for city events, weddings and other festivities. Rooms are named after important city buildings. The main ballroom has over 1,200 seats in a theater style setting. It also divides into five other rooms which features a classic seating style. Outside features a trail next to a resaca with Victorian-influenced lights. 
• 🌍 Venezzia The Venue, 5 Event Center Blvd, ☏ +1 956 455-8259. Lavish venue center used mainly for weddings. This was once a miniature golf course and go-kart place. It has incorporated the miniature golf course as a setting for weddings with an arbor in the center. The building is usually illuminated at night in different colors from pink, purple and blue. 

• 🌍 Brownsville Sports Park, 1000 Sports Park Blvd, ☏ +1 956 574-6650. Sports park with baseball and soccer stadiums. It also has a new fitness center and a volleyball court. Very family friendly. Free. 
• 🌍 Dean Porter Park, Dean Porter Park Dr. Clean park with many museums and a playhouse in a walking distance. It includes a pavilion and a playground. Park is next to a resaca. Free. 
• 🌍 Lincoln Park, 2100 University Blvd, ☏ +1 956 542-2064. Park next to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Great for picnics or family events. A stone's throw from the U.S.-Mexico border. Free. 
• 🌍 North Brownsville Park & Tennis Center (Known as the Brownsville Tennis Center), #3 Event Center, ☏ +1 956547-8326. Park next to a canal. Beautiful trails with Victorian style lights spanning a large portion with small bridges along the way and 16 tennis courts for tournaments. 
• 🌍 Southern Pacific Linear Park, E 6th St, ☏ +1 956 542-2064. Family-friendly park next to Gladys Porter Zoo and the Brownsville Museum of Fine Arts. Free. 
• 🌍 Washington Park, E 7th St (intersection of E 7th and Madison St), ☏ +1 956 542-2064. Large park in the heart of Downtown. Perfect for strolls at night, bicycle rides and picnics. Features a fountain at the center. Free. 

• 🌍 Ringgold Civic Pavilion, 501 E Ringgold St Suite 5, ☏ +1 956 542-2064. Pavilion great for family events and meetings. Next to a clean park, museums and a playhouse. Large: $75/hr, small: $25/hr, barbecue oven: $5/hr. 

• 🌍 77 Flea Market, 5955 N Expressway, ☏ +1 956 350-9425. Sa Su 8AM-6PM. Large open flea market with food trucks and vendors selling authentic Mexican goods, ranging from fruits, vegetables, plants, artifacts and other collectibles. Free parking. The number derives from its location on U.S. Highway 77. It is the one of the first attractions you will see when arriving through Brownsville. Wear walking shoes, as it tends to get hot when walking through the area. 
• 🌍 Brownsville Farmers' Market, E 6th St (inside Linear Park), ☏ +1 956 755-0614. Sa 9AM-noon. Great place to shop for locally grown foods like fruits and vegetables. Vendors set up shop each week of the year every Saturday. 

• 🌍 Texas Gulf Trawling Shrimp Boil & Tour, 1430 Everglades Rd, ☏ +1 956 831-7828. Relaxing boat tour around the South Padre Island and Port Isabel waters. The purpose of the tour is for shrimp enthusiasts who want to catch fresh shrimp straight off the ocean. 

• 🌍 BookBee, 1757 Boca Chica Blvd, ☏ +1 956 542-1902, fax: +1 956 542-1867. Local bookstore selling school accessories such as medical and laboratory equipment. It used to be near the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, until it moved in 2016. 
• 🌍 University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Bookstore, 83 Fort Brown St, ☏ +1 956 882-8249. Near the entrance from Texas Southmost College. Bookstore sells shirts, souvenirs with the university logo and has a coffee shop serving Starbucks drinks. 

Brownsville's proximity to Matamoros introduced a "market" scene in Downtown. Many of the shops are local and sell a variety of items, including jewelry, dresses and shoes. Most businesses have operated in this area for several decades. As mentioned, the northern portion of the city has spurred economic development that has created several small business stores.

• 🌍 Mercado Juarez (Little Mexico), 1008 E Elizabeth St, ☏ +1 956 346-3171. Artisan goods store selling clothes, jewelry and pottery from Mexico. The arts and crafts sold are also authentic. Several Mexican vendors also set up shop at the Majestic Theater. 
• 🌍 Craftland, 1100 E Washington St, ☏ +1 956 504-1115. Craft items store selling yarn, ribbons and variety of different home decor items such as wreaths, mason jars and Christmas decorations. The windows of the stores have shiplap, a type of wood used in barns. 
• 🌍 Jewelry Corner, 1201 E Elizabeth St, ☏ +1 956 544-1786. Sells lavish jewelry, from stones to gold and other valuable relics. Most of the jewelry is made in the form of rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets. The store imports jewelry from foreign countries such as Italy, India and Mexico. 

• 🌍 Sunrise Mall, 2370 North Expressway (take ramp off Highway 77 near Pablo Kisel Blvd), ☏ +1 956 541-5302. Popular mall featuring over 100 stores and four department stores (Dillard's, Sears, JCPenney and Bealls). The mall received a multi-million renovation in 2015 which added new tile, restroom signs, an updated light fixture and Dick's Sporting Goods. H&M opened its first location in the Rio Grande Valley at this mall. 

Good for breakfast before visiting the nearby Sabal Palm Sanctuary, and then lunch afterwards.

• 🌍 Vera's Backyard Bar-B-Que, 2404 Southmost Rd, ☏ +1 956 546-4159. Th F 5:30 AM-2:30 PM, Sa Su 5AM-2:30PM. The James Beard Foundation recognizes Vera's as an "American Classic," a “locally owned restaurant that [has] timeless appeal and [is] beloved regionally.” It's the only restaurant in Texas allowed to operate a pit barbecue, in which it smokes whole cow heads (barbacoa de cabeza). Note the weekend-only, breakfast-and-lunch hours. 

• 🌍 Sylvia's, 1843 Southmost Rd. Stuffed to the gills with Dallas Cowboys memorabilia, Sylvia's is the perfect place for an RGV-style giant breakfast taco. Or perhaps machacado con huevo, scrambled egg with salt pork, a local specialty. Note to gluten-free eaters: their corn tortillas may be contaminated. 

• 🌍 Taco El Compadre, 3915 Southmost Rd, ☏ +1 956 542-5727. Famous for its bistek tacos and its fried-potato tacos dorados. Like many Rio Grande Valley restaurants, it serves delicious frijoles charro, beans with bacon, as an appetizer. 

• 🌍 Marcelo's Tacos, 3305 E 26th St, but fronts on Southmost Rd. You don't have to be vegetarian to enjoy the tacos with rajas con queso, poblano chile strips slow-cooked in a savory cream sauce. 

• 🌍 C&C Wings, 6550 Ruben M Torres Blvd, ☏ +1 956 831-3460. Very popular local restaurant known for its buffalo chips and unique wing flavors. Has several TVs set up for weekend sporting events. Local bands perform here on the weekends and also host celebrations. $3-8. 
• 🌍 Chopstix, 7102 Padre Island Hwy, ☏ +1 956 832-0700. Asian restaurant that provides Japanese, Chinese and Mongolian meals. Serves sushi rolls, rice and is known for its noodles. $2.50-7.25. 
• 🌍 Mariscos De La Rosa, 7738 Padre Island Hwy (take SH550 and drive until reaching Padre Island Hwy), ☏ +1 956 550-0024. Restaurant serving cocktails, seafood, wine and beer. It is in the outskirts of Brownsville, as one heads towards South Padre Island. The owners were based in Matamoros but ended up migrating to Brownsville after the city experienced violence regarding its drug war. 
• 🌍 The Oyster Bar, 153 Paredes Line Rd, ☏ +1 956 542-9511. Long-running seafood restaurant offering common seafood dishes. Two locations in the city. 
• 🌍 The Vermillion Restaurant & Watering Hole, 115 Paredes Line Rd, ☏ +1 956 542-9893. Popular local restaurant known for its Tex-Mex meals. The place has operated since the 1930s. 
• 🌍 Wing Barn, 3025 Boca Chica Blvd, Suite I-1, ☏ +1 956 541-2276. Barn-style eatery serving burgers, wings and beer. Popular among locals. There are several locations around the city. 

• 🌍 Cobbleheads, 3154 Central Blvd, ☏ +1 956 592-9313. Popular local restaurant known for its live music. Serves an array of meals from Philly-cheese steaks, salads, Mexican and custom-made meals from the region. It also has an outdoor patio next to a resaca. Perfect for night dinners. 
• 🌍 Geko's Trattoria Italian, 2155 S Frontage Rd, ☏ +1 956 554-7000. Local Italian eatery serving brick oven pizzas, wines, panini sandwiches and more traditional meals. Every item on the menu is written in Italian. $7-20. 
• 🌍 Gio's Villa, 2325 Central Blvd, ☏ +1 956 542-5054. Long-time eatery serving Italian meals in an ambient atmosphere. $11-30. 
• 🌍 Khan's Grill, 2701 Ruben M Torres Sr Blvd, ☏ +1 956 542-8881. The only local Mongolian restaurant in the city. It has an open concept kitchen, where customers can watch their meals be prepared. Noodles, white rice and shrimp are the common plates served here. 
• 🌍 Madeira Restaurant, 805 Media Luna, Suite 800, ☏ +1 956 504-3100. Upscale, romantic restaurant next to a resaca. Serves Argentine meals and seafood. 

• 🌍 Pitti's Ristorante Italian Village, 1400 Palm Blvd, ☏ +1 956 982-1616. Modest eatery known for its extra large pizzas. Serves Mexican meals, pasta and calzones. Small: $7.99, Medium: $14.99, Mega: $26.99. 
• 🌍 Spanky's Burgers, 1355 Palm Blvd, ☏ +1 956 347-1995. Inexpensive burger joint in a modern, hip setting. Serves custom made meals with such as grilled onions, jalapeños and tomatoes in their burgers. No website. $4-7. 
• 🌍 Taqueria Siberia, 2915 International Blvd, ☏ +1 956 542-9357. Popular local eatery known for its unique tostadas. Also serves traditional Mexican meals. Has several locations around the city. 
• 🌍 Terras Urban Mexican Kitchen, 1212 E Washington St, ☏ +1 956 621-0886. Restaurant perfect for a date night. Features live music and is decorated with many art paintings, paying homage to the Hispanic culture. 

• 🌍 Dirty Al's Seafood Market & Cajun Kitchen, 4495 N Expressway 77, ☏ +1 956 621-3452. Popular bait-style restaurant serving seafood with a tropical atmosphere. Serves burgers and specializes in cajun-style meals. Originated from South Padre Island. $9-13. 
• 🌍 Gazpacho's Restaurant, 2451 Pablo Kisel Blvd, ☏ +1 956 546-9200. Elegant restaurant serving a variety of sandwiches from different Latin American and European flavors. Has a cozy atmosphere with fine dining. 
• 🌍 Mi Pueblito Restaurant, 3101 Pablo Kisel Blvd,, ☏ +1 956 350-9696. Mexican restaurant serving margaritas, spirits and more. Has an elegant outdoor patio set up with TVs to watch sporting events. (updated Oct 2021)
• 🌍 Toscafino Restaurant, 3001 Pablo Kisel Blvd, ☏ +1 956 574-9888. Upscale wine bar with outdoor patio serving Italian dishes. Popular for a weekend hangout. 
• 🌍 La Pampa Argentine Steakhouse, 3230 Pablo Kisel Blvd Ste F-102, ☏ +1 956 504-5858, fax: +1 956 504-5875. Steakhouse serving Argentine meals and winery. Very elegant setting with a rodeo-influenced decor. Provides big meals at expensive prices. Since the restaurant blends with its surroundings, look out for this place when driving. $7-45. 

• 🌍 Adolios, 2370 N Expressway (inside Sunrise Mall), ☏ +1 956 982-0491. Upscale local bar with an outdoor patio. Serves traditional Mexican cuisine and spirits. $7-17. 
• 🌍 The Dive, 600 Springmart Blvd (take Highway 77, use ramp near Morrison, take a right at Pablo Kisel, then turn at Springmart; bar is inside a plaza), ☏ +1 956 338-6815. Some little karaoke and professional sports viewing on TV to go along with refreshments. 
• 🌍 Public House Brownsville, 3254 Boca Chica Blvd (get off ramp on Boca Chica Blvd, drive south along Boca Chica until reaching Tower Centre), ☏ +1 956 579-2020. Bar specializing in drafts, meals and drinks. Range from $10-20. 
• 🌍 The Bar, 1900 N Expressway (take Highway 77, get off ramp on Ruben Torres Blvd, look for Boot Jack Plaza), ☏ +1 956 548-2277. Popular barn-style bar with two floors. Very popular for billiards and music events. 
• 🌍 The Palm Lounge, 757 E Elizabeth St (take same route as El Hueso De Fraile), ☏ +1 956 621-0793. Cozy, modern bar also acting as a lounge. Known as Historic Palm Lounge, adopting the name for being in the Historic Downtown District. 

• 🌍 Dog House Pub & Grill, 568 Springmart Blvd Suite 700, ☏ +1 956 521-8663. Popular pub with spirit selection changing each season. Four locations, one in Brownsville, three in San Antonio. Provides live music and weekly specials. $2-6. 
• 🌍 Shenanigan's Irish Pub & Grill, 2451 Pablo Kisel Blvd, ☏ +1 956 986-2337. Irish-style pub with a collection of beers. Popular for a weekend hangout. 

• 🌍 Billiard Room, 2104 Central Blvd (take US Highway 77, then use ramp off Ruben Torres Blvd, turn left on Central Blvd and drive a little further from Rental World), ☏ +1 956 542-4542. Long-standing billiard bar perfect for a weekend hangout. Pool: $7.50/hr, $3.75/hr after 7PM. 

• 🌍 7th & Park, 1554 E. 7th St. (to the left of the Brownsville Museum of Fine Arts), ☏ +1 956 335-5598. Daily 7AM-9PM. Acts as both a coffee and bicycle shop. Great for tourists looking for an active transportation plan. Location is situated next to a bicycle lane as well. 
• 🌍 Bubbly Brew TeaHouse, 3340 Pablo Kisel Blvd (in Morrison Plaza), ☏ +1 956 621-0211. The only teahouse in the city. Serves bubble tea and smoothies. Popular for young locals and students. 
• 🌍 El Hueso De Fraile, 837 E Elizabeth St #D (take Highway 77, turn at 6th St, then make a right turn at Elizabeth), ☏ +1 956 372-1415. One of the most popular local eateries in the city. Popular with locals and tourists. Serves Latin American meals and provides soothing, live music at night. Specializes in a variety of coffee and tea flavors. 
• 🌍 Fina's Coffee Shop, 435 Old Port Isabel Rd (take Boca Chica Blvd, then turn right on Old Port Isabel Rd), ☏ +1 956 541-7550. Local restaurant serving Mexican dishes and coffee. Layout is very traditional with other eateries. 
• 🌍 The Roast House, 1393 E Alton Gloor Blvd Suite 5. M-Sa 7:30-10AM, 5-10PM; Su 9AM-noon, 5-10PM. The only locally owned coffee-roasting shop in the city. Serves pastries and a collection of coffees from around the world. 

• 🌍 La Capital, 1655 Ruben M Torres Sr Blvd, ☏ +1 956 777-5566. Popular modern nightclub with live music. Famous musicians from Tejano, Banda and Latin genres perform here on the weekends. (updated Sep 2021)

• 🌍 Stilettos Cabaret, 1480 N Expressway 83, ☏ +1 956 504-0653. M-Th 8PM-2AM; F noon-2AM; Sa Su 8PM-2AM. Strip club with dining and party rooms. Also hosts pay-per-view events equipped with 5 plasma screens. 

• 🌍 Americas Best Value Inn, 7364 South Padre Island Hwy, ☏ +1 956 832-0202. Affordable hotel providing an outdoor pool, business center, free Wi-Fi, and free continental breakfast. $55. 
• 🌍 Magnuson Hotel Brownsville, 715 North Dr #77/83, ☏ +1 956 541-2201. Modest hotel offering Wi-Fi, parking and meeting rooms. $64 (Dec 2021). 
• 🌍 Motel 6, 2255 North Expressway, ☏ +1 956 546-4699, fax: +1 956 546-8982. Cheap hotel with an outdoor pool, free parking and coffee. $45. 
• 🌍 Quality Inn, 7051 S Padre Island Hwy, 845 North Expressway 77, ☏ +1 956 621-3299, +1 956 542-5501. Simple hotel providing free continental breakfast and an outdoor pool. Two locations in the city. $93 (Dec 2021). 

• 🌍 Holiday Inn Brownsville, 651 Sunrise Blvd, ☏ +1 956 541-3332, fax: +1 956 621-2993. 2-star hotel with an outdoor pool, gym and free breakfast. $89. 
• 🌍 Courtyard Brownsville, 3955 North Expressway 77/83, ☏ +1 956 350-4600, fax: +1 956 350-4678. 3-star hotel providing contemporary rooms, an outdoor pool, a business center and a free local shuttle. $116. 
• 🌍 Hampton Inn & Suites, 3000 N Expressway, ☏ +1 956 548-0005. 2-star traditional hotel with an outdoor pool, free parking, Wi-Fi and breakfast. $84-93. 
• 🌍 Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 1985 North Expressway 83, ☏ +1 956 550-0666. 2-star hotel offers relaxed lodging, an outdoor pool, a gym and free Wi-Fi plus parking. $80-86. 
• 🌍 Homewood Suites by Hilton, 3759 N Expressway, ☏ +1 956 574-6900, fax: +1 956 574-6910. 3-star hotel with extended-stay, a pool, a fitness center and free grocery shopping service. $98. 
• 🌍 La Quinta Inn & Suites, 5051 North Expressway, ☏ +1 956 350-2118. 3-star hotel providing straightforward lodging, an outdoor pool and free Wi-Fi. $99. 
• 🌍 Residence Inn Brownsville, 3975 N Expressway 83, ☏ +1 956 350-8100, toll-free: +1-888-267-8927, fax: +1 956 350-8101. 3-star hotel with modern atmosphere. Provides fully-equipped kitchens with free Wi-Fi. $159-174. 

• 🌍 Rancho Viejo Resort & Country Club, 1 Rancho Viejo Dr (in Brownsville City Limits), ☏ +1 956 350-4000, toll-free: +1-800-531-7400. Golf course resort with suites. Includes a bar, fitness center, tennis course, rounds of golf and a pool. $139. 
• 🌍 Staybridge Suites, 2900 Pablo Kisel Blvd, ☏ +1 956 504-9500. 4-star hotel provides outdoor pool and a gym. Free breakfast, parking and Wi-Fi. $89-91. 
• 🌍 Fairfield Inn & Suites, 804 E Morrison Rd, ☏ +1 956 667-5278. Barn-style mid-tier hotel known for its focus on business travellers. The site is built in a highly commercial area and will be a 3-story building. (updated Oct 2021)
• 🌍 Home2 Suites by Hilton, 747 Springmart Blvd, ☏ +1 956 465-4811. Modern mid-tier hotel belonging to the Hilton brand. It is a 4-story building. (updated Oct 2021)

Several hotels listed here provide free Wi-Fi service, as do many local and chain restaurants.

• Mexico, 301 Mexico Blvd, Suite F2 (Located in TSC ITEC Center), ☏ +1 956 542-4431, fax: +1 956 542-7267. M-F 8:30AM-5PM. Mexico maintains additional consulates in McAllen, Houston, San Antonio, and Laredo 

Brownsville has two public libraries, including a main library and a branch library.

• Main Branch - at 2600 Central Blvd. Large array of books to purchase and check-out. Also has a coffee shop, modern computer atmosphere and a study room.
• Southmost Branch - at 4320 Southmost Blvd. Good for studying. Provides a computer room, movie theatre, planetarium and a small coffee shop.

• 🌍 The Carriage House Day Spa, 319 E Elizabeth St, ☏ +1 956 544-4111. Elegant spa center in the heart of Downtown. Provides an array of other services such as tanning, wraps and manicures/pedicures. $10-60, Packages: $140-260. 
• 🌍 Spa La Posada, 2370 North Expressway, Suite 1056 (inside Merle Norman in Sunrise Mall), ☏ +1 956 687-7544. Spa with bridal, boutique, waxing, nails and other services. Packages: $55-325.