It’s a two-for-one deal. Visit Brownsville and see two countries separated by a famed river…the Rio Grande, and get your choice of an extensive menu of attractions on both sides of the river. An international bridge, only five minutes away, takes you to. Matamoros, filled with markets, architecture, great restaurants, and intriguing old world culture.

Only thirty minutes away, Gulf of Mexico offers two fabulous white sand beaches: renowned South Padre Island, or Boca Chica’s pristine, undeveloped beaches at the mouth of the Rio Grande River.

Founded in 1848 by local businessman Charles Stillman, Brownsville offers the best of both worlds in language, culture, traditions, history, and attractions. Museums take the visitor back in time. See World War II vintage aircraft at the Rio Grande Valley Wing of Commemorative Air Force. Visit the Stillman House and Brownsville Heritage Museum at the Brownsville Heritage Complex, located in the heart of the original town site. The Heritage Trail contains a great number of historic buildings, beginning in the 1850s.

At Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site, learn how the Mexican-American War affected both countries. The Historic Brownsville Museum presents extensive displays of artifacts from this war as well as from the last Civil War fought at Palmito Ranch. The museum contains historic exhibits from the earliest military fort in the area, the arrival of French teaching nuns, and displays of agricultural and ranching tools, and a Baldwin wood-burning narrow gauge locomotive.

The Costumes of America Museum exhibits more than 400 complete outfits, individual pieces, artifacts, and books from most Western Hemisphere countries. Some costumes and textiles are more than 100 years old. Children will enjoy the Children’s Museum, a hands-on learning experience on many subjects.

Brownsville’s Art League features a Museum of Fine Art that exhibits Rio Grande art work as well as the old masters. Art classes are available.

After conquering Mexico, Spain began exploration and colonization of the Lower Rio Grande Valley in 1748, and colonized Tamaulipas, now known as Brownsville. The Spaniards recognized the fertile valley as a treasure trove, ripe for agriculture. For many years Rio Grande Valley’s farmers have shipped agricultural products around the world.

Entrepreneurs in other fields have recently recognized the value of Brownsville’s semi-tropical environment. Lush vegetation, stunning flora and fauna, exotic birds and year round warm Gulf breezes year attract artists, nature enthusiasts, writers, and during winter, thousands of “winter Texans,” retirees looking for a warm place to settle in during northern winter blasts.

At least 500 bird species, butterfly farms, Audubon’s Sabal Palm Sanctuary and Los Ebanos Nature Preserve bring thousands annually to observe and study wild life. Winter brings thousands more who exchange northern snow and ice for lush golf courses, fishing, boating, and watching rare birds and butterflies.

The Texas Coastal Birding Trail begins in Brownsville, making it an ideal birding destination. Spring and fall migrations bring rare birds to the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV). Brownsville International Birding & Nature Festival includes bird watching in local centers as well as those across the border in Mexico.

Golfers will appreciate the lush settings (with palm trees) of seven golf courses, some links alongside resacas (old tributaries left when the Rio Grande changed course) and lakes.

Visitors find the (world class) Port of Brownsville a major center of shipping and industrial development, especially between Mexico and the United States. Tours available.

Mexicans in big hats and bright colored costumes provide irresistible music and dances of this area’s culture. Look for them at festivals such as: Charro Days Fiesta, Gulf Shrimp Fiesta, and Brownsville Latin Jazz Festival. Other celebrations, and some restaurants, feature native music and dancing.

City restaurants present unforgettable South Texas flavor in fine dining establishments or small family owned eateries. Broad selections of national, regional and international cuisine will satisfy the most discriminating diner. Feel like testing authentic Mexican cuisine? You’ll find it in Matamoros, across the border.

When the sun goes down, nightlife awakens at many restaurants, bars and dance club patios or outdoor decks.
Accommodations range from RV Parks and camp sites to Motel 8 or Sheraton Four Points. Specialty and department stores offer a variety of merchandise; Sunrise Mall and Sunrise Commons offer complete shopping experiences in national name stores. Don’t leave this semi-tropical area without sampling at least one of the farmers markets where you can experience locally grown grapefruit, oranges, avacados, pecans, and other tropical products.

Written by: Gerry Watkins