A riverside town at the crossroads of southern Texas and Mexico, Brownsville is a melting pot of culture, music and cuisine. It’s also surrounded by farmlands and wildlife sanctuaries ideal for nature lovers, birdwatchers, cyclists and hikers.

Things to do

Brownsville has more than 100 kilometres of bike trails, including the 14-kilometre Brownsville Historic Battlefield Trail from downtown Brownsville to the Palo Alto Battlefield, where you can watch re-enactments of the Battle of Palo in 1846. You’ll also find historic sites, museums and parks in the Mitte Cultural District of downtown Brownsville.

About 500 tropical bird species populate Brownsville every year, with many taking refuge in the Laguna Atascosa Wildlife Refuge. Bring your binoculars to spot redheads ducks, aplomado falcons and Altamira orioles. You can also take a guided tour at Sabal Palm Audubon Center and Sanctuary to see fascinating birds, reptiles and mammals in natural habitats.

In the heart of downtown, Gladys Porter Zoo gives little ones a chance to discover animals from far-flung locales, such as Africa and Indo-Australia. Get a fascinating glimpse into mixed cultures at Costumes of the Americas Museum, which is full of traditional crafts, clothing, tribal gear and religious ceremonial attire.

As part of the Rio Grande Valley, fresh produce dominates fertile farmlands. Get your fill at the Saturday Brownsville Farmers’ Market in Linear Park, where you can scoop up sugarcane, raw honey, homemade jams, baked goods and fresh Gulf shrimp.

Getting around

The large number of dedicated bike trails in Brownsville make cycling a popular way to get around. Brownsville Metro operates bus routes, while tour companies offer narrated trips into Mexico. You can rent a car at Brownsville/South Padre International Airport, about eight kilometres from the city centre.