Brownsville (Texas)

Air force museum displaying collections of aircraft from World War II. Hosts the annual AirFiesta in mid-February.

Museum housing one of the largest collections of traditional clothing worn by indigenous people in Latin American countries.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 placed in the parameter of the site.

A French and Spanish influence building popular for rentals and events. Includes an art gallery inside, a pool and tables outside for dining.

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.

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.

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.

Beach north of Boca Chica State Park. Great for camping and fishing.

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.

Situated in nearby La Feria, is a popular birding and wildlife sanctuary with over of dedicated land for animals and other species to live in. Resacas (or floodplains) can be found throughout the site.

Butterfly and birdwatching center. One of the last locations in the Rio Grande Valley with an abundance in profuse grove of Sabal Palms.

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.

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.

Popular performing arts venue featuring plays and musicals. Features adaptations of both local and popular acts.

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.

Performing arts venue belonging to Texas Southmost College. Popular for performances in music and theatre.

Professional pilots perform beautiful synchronized flybys in a variety of aircraft dating from the 1950s.

Oktoberfest-style festival with many different beers from around the world. Includes a performance from Los Angeles-based group, Metalachi.

Popular festival created by Latin Jazz legend, Tito Puente, celebrating local artists of the genre.

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.

A longstanding tradition which many schools participate in by making floats and performing songs based on pop culture and traditional Mexican music.

A run with vibrant colors involved.

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.

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.

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.

Cottages decorated with lights and live performances celebrating Christmas. Event starts from the first of November until the first of January.

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.

A live auction event with wine and other entertainment. The Peacock Ticket features a performance from a known country artist.

Beautiful golf courses in an isolated location.

Voted the best golf course in the city by The Brownsville Herald.

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.

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.

Mile-long trail connecting West Brownsville to other commercial areas. Pedestrian and family-friendly.

9-mile-long trail running north-south in the middle of the city.

A trail in the Brownsville Sports Park with access to a lake, boardwalk and hiking pathways.

Trails around the Wildlife Refuge leading to tall, grassy areas. Watch out for any wild animals such as Ocelots and Cougars.

A 6.2-mile-long trail in the outskirts of the city. The trail also includes a 21-hole Disc Golf Course.

A 76-mile-long trail running through over 4 miles of resacas and of parkland.

7-mile trail offering binoculars and bicycles for rent. The trail has the largest native habitat part of the World Birding Center.

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.

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.

Sports park with baseball and soccer stadiums. It also has a new fitness center and a volleyball court. Very family friendly.

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.

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.

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.

Family-friendly park next to Gladys Porter Zoo and the Brownsville Museum of Fine Arts.

Large park in the heart of Downtown. Perfect for strolls at night, bicycle rides and picnics. Features a fountain at the center.

Pavilion great for family events and meetings. Next to a clean park, museums and a playhouse.

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 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.

Great place to shop for locally grown foods like fruits and vegetables. Vendors set up shop each week of the year every Saturday.

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.