Brownsville (Texas)

Located at the southernmost tip of Texas, Brownsville is a popular location for Mexican and American beach tourists. It is part of the Rio Grande Valley, a four-county region known for its abundance in citrus fruit production and Winter Texan population. The city features a combination of different climate regimes: Gulf Coast plains and the Great Plains. There is a lot to do in this city: historical museums, art galleries, beaches, birding locations and natural wildlife refuges. As Brownsville is a border town, its culture is predominantly Hispanic.

Understand
Brownsville sits in the southernmost tip of Texas, is a border town and is also bordered by the Gulf Coast. These qualities make Brownsville a thriving city in the manufacturing industry. For this reason, Brownsville adopted the motto, "On the Border, By the Sea" in 1966. Since the early 1990s, the city has experienced a steel boom, leading to fast population growth. The area had around 98,000 residents in 1990, and has grown to 183,000 as of 2016.

Despite being in Texas, Brownsville doesn't live up to the common stereotypes of most Texas cities (western, rural). Instead, it has its own distinct culture. One common thing to notice about Brownsville is that it is influenced by the behavior of South Padre Island residents (laid-back, casual). The presence of an island so near to Brownsville has rubbed off on the locals.

Culturally, Brownsville's residents are predominantly Hispanic. It's common to hear people mix Spanish and English in their speech given the presence of Mexico being so close to Brownsville. For this reason, the city holds many festivals and parades celebrating the traditions from Mexico that have been integrated into American culture.

As you make the drive from Kingsville, you will start to see an abundance in palm trees. The area is known to tourists as "The Green City" for having more lush, green vegetation and plants than other cities in the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas. Sabal palms are dotted all around the city. The city has a strong focus on greener resources. Wind turbines, bike trails and solar panels are becoming more common in the Brownsville area.

The sunrises and sunsets in Brownsville are quite exquisite. Be sure to grab your camera and snap photos of these events. The area is known colloquially as the "Sunrise Capital of South Texas".

History
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.

Climate


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, the humidity makes heat indices go up to 105 °F. 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.

Tourism information
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.

By plane
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.

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

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

By car
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.
 * I-169.svg 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.
 * I-69E.svg Interstate 69E connects with Harlingen and Corpus Christi. Shares part of their highway with US 77/83.
 * US 77.svg US 83.svg 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 100.svg 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 281.svg 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.
 * Carretera_federal_180.svg Mexico's Federal Highway 180 is easily accessible across the Veterans International Bridge into Matamoros, Tampico, and leads to Tampico and eventually to Cancún.

International bridges

 * 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.

By boat
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.

By car
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.

By bus
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.

By taxi
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.

By foot or bicycle
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.

See
Brownsville is home to many historic homes, battlefield sites, state parks, museums, art galleries and even a zoo. The presence of SpaceX has pushed the area to focus more on educating the public on the aerospace industry, which has dedicated several sites for locals to use to heighten their knowledge on rockets and space exploration.

Battlefield sites are sporadic in the city: you will find some to be in the outskirts and others in the center of highly commercial areas. These locations blend in with its surrounding areas. The state parks are included here because they are preserved by the state of Texas, thereby restricting major developments from occurring in the area. They also resemble sanctuaries for endangered wildlife and marine life that are only common in Brownsville.

Historic homes
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.

Festivals and events
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.

Buy

 * Ruben M. Torres Blvd is a street that is developing a highly commercial scene in the city. Many shopping centers (or plazas) have set up here in the past couple of years. One portion of the street is commercial while the other half is industrial based. It is the main road, other than the expressway, that leads to Sunrise Mall. With the addition of two hypermarkets at close proximity from each other, several chain restaurants and retail stores have moved into the area.
 * Pablo Kisel Blvd/Morrison Rd is the new commercial hot spot in Brownsville. Many national eateries and retailers have either moved from previous locations or have set up shop for the first time here. There are also many hotels in a short walking distance. Much of the success of both streets is owed to the proximity of the mall and the expressway.
 * Boca Chica Blvd is known regionally as "Four Corners" for its wide street lanes meeting with another major artery in the city. The intersection has shaped all four sides to look like corners. With the arrival of the new SpaceX facility is less than a year, the street will be the main route to see the rockets being launched. The street experienced an economic decline years ago but has been bringing back national retailers and chain restaurants to the area.
 * Boca Chica Blvd is known regionally as "Four Corners" for its wide street lanes meeting with another major artery in the city. The intersection has shaped all four sides to look like corners. With the arrival of the new SpaceX facility is less than a year, the street will be the main route to see the rockets being launched. The street experienced an economic decline years ago but has been bringing back national retailers and chain restaurants to the area.

Local stores
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.



Eat
Brownsville's local restaurant scene has become more exciting, with La Southmost in particular receiving statewide and even national media attention for the quality and diversity of its tacos. Most of the eateries mentioned are newly constructed or have operated for a couple of years. Mexican is the most popular, as is Tex-Mex and seafood but different options have been introduced such as Italian and Thai cuisines. Coordinate points are approximate, not exact. The bold names divide each section based on highly commercial areas in Brownsville.

For tourists in the mood for authentic Mexican food, it is best to locate a restaurant in the Mitte Cultural District or La Southmost. Since those parts of town are closer to Mexico, there is a stronger chance of finding these kinds of eateries, not to mention the countless number of taquerias (or taco stands) in the city. Just be aware that the restaurant staff may not speak much English, and same for the menus. As Boca Chica is the main road leading to Boca Chica Beach, more seafood restaurants tend to be found here. Ruben M. Torres is a central part of the city, which has built several restaurants along its resacas, giving locals and tourists the option to dine by these water bodies. The northern portion of Brownsville, referred to as Pablo Kisel/Morrison, features more fine-dining restaurants, since it happens to be the wealthier part of town.

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









Stay safe
Despite Brownsville's reputation as a border town, the city is relatively safe. According to an FBI report conducted in early 2015, the Brownsville-Harlingen metropolitan area ranked last in a list of most dangerous cities. This makes Brownsville the safest metro area in Texas.

As long as you stay in the more commercial side of town and take precautions you will be safe. It is advised not to travel to Downtown around midnight. Most of the area is quiet and lonely around this time, raising the chances of theft or robberies. You should also lock your car when shopping, especially at night. While the city rarely experiences any major crimes, petty crimes like attempted robbery or vandalism are quite common.

If you are a victim of a crime or see one, please report it by calling the Brownsville Police Department at or 911. Their main building is at 600 E Jackson St.

Connect
It is important to understand how close Brownsville is to Mexico. When making a call or walking or driving around Downtown Brownsville or near the international bridges, expect your phone to change cell provider. Several Mexican cellphone providers that end up appearing in American phones include Telcel and Movistar. Locals have observed their phone changing cell phone provider throughout many parts of the city. If this happens to you, do not panic. It is very common for this to occur. A change in cell provider does not indicate Roaming is activated and it will not lead to overcharges in your account. This goes for any cell phone provider that operates in the United States.

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

Consulates

 * 🇲🇽 Mexico

Public libraries
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.

Go next

 * South Padre Island is a 20-minute drive east of Brownsville and is home to Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark, beautiful coastlines for end to end, local restaurants, bars, condominiums/hotels, beaches, boat rides, bird watching, and concerts.
 * Matamoros, Mexico, Brownsville's border town, can be easily accessed by foot or car by crossing one of three bridges and offers a nightlife for many young tourists. Also has a popular market scene and historic buildings.
 * Monterrey, Mexico is a four-hour drive west of Brownsville near the Cerro de la Silla mountains and home to many museums, art galleries, sport stadiums and lots of historical architecture.
 * Port Isabel is directly across South Padre Island. Offers a quiet scene, nice local restaurants, fishing, boating/sailing charters, piers, museums, dolphin watch and the Port Isabel Lighthouse.