Brownsville

Dancers wearing colorful folklorico dresses sway to the upbeat rhythms of plucked guitar strings and trumpeted horns; adobe-walled buildings with colonial Spanish-style archways sit on wide palm tree-lined roads; and people gather at the local theater for an elaborate Broadway musical. Welcome to Brownsville, a vibrant town where Mexican and American influences converge to create something entirely unique.

Brownsville is Texas’ southernmost city and is located across the Rio Grande from the Mexican town of Matamoros and within minutes of South Padre Island and the Gulf of Mexico. Thousands of acres of fertile farmland and untamed wilderness surround the town; lands that are as rich with incredible biodiversity as they are with historical significance.

Some of the most notable moments in American history occurred near Brownsville. The first major battle of the Mexican-American War, the Battle of Palo Alto, was fought on May 8, 1846, just a few miles from where the town is today. Ultimately, this conflict would bring California into the Union and establish the modern-day boundaries of the two nations. In 1865, the final battle of the Civil War took place at Palmito Ranch, which ironically resulted in a victory for the Confederacy.

Over the years, Brownsville has survived the struggles of a frontier border town to become an international hub of transportation, culture, and tourism. The Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park, one of Brownsville’s top attractions, preserves the battleground and has various exhibits that examine the history, causes, and effects of the Mexican-American War. Other fascinating parts of the town’s history can be explored in the Mitte Cultural District, located in downtown Brownsville.

Mitte Cultural District

The Mitte Cultural District includes some of the most exciting and fascinating cultural entities in Brownsville, all within walking distance of each other. These popular attractions are representative of the town’s culture and diversity, including the world-famous Gladys Porter Zoo, Dean Porter Park, Washington Park, and the Linear Park, along with many historical and cultural museums.

Dean Porter Park is home to the Children’s Museum of Brownsville, Costumes of the Americas Museum, The Camille Playhouse, and Holiday Village. The Historic Brownsville Museum and Old City Cemetery, and the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art is a short walk away, as well.

There’s so much to see and do in the Mitte Cultural District, you could spend days exploring each attraction.

The Great Outdoors in Brownsville

Brownsville has much more to offer than its fascinating history, however. Its tropical climate and location within a major migratory bird path makes it home to as many as 500 species of birds throughout the year, including parrots and falcons. Some of the best birding spots in Brownsville include the Sabal Palm Sanctuary, one of the few remaining natural palm groves in the region, Resaca de la Palma State Park, and the Laguna Atascosa Wildlife Refuge, which is also home to the endangered ocelot. The Gladys Porter Zoo, located in the heart of Brownsville, offers visitors an up-close look at animals from around the world.

There are many other ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Brownsville. More than 64 miles of bicycle trails weave through the town, and the pristine beaches of South Padre Island and Boca Chica Beach are just a short drive away.

Brownsville’s unique culture, fascinating history, spectacular wealth of wildlife, and location near two beautiful beaches makes it a compelling vacation destination for just about anyone. Discover everything that makes this border town great on your next adventure.