Region: Gulf Coast
Brownsville's roots are as deep as Texas is big. The southernmost city in the state, Brownsville offers the history, culture, traditions, language and people of two great countries all in one border destination. Brownsville, named by the Texas Historical Society as "the second most important city, historically, in Texas," was founded in 1846 after Gen. Zachary Taylor established Fort Brown to claim the Rio Grande as the official U.S./Mexico border. It was this border dispute that touched off the Mexican-American War, 1846–48. Fort Brown remained an important part of Brownsville's development until it was closed in the 1940s. Today, several existing buildings of Fort Brown are now part of the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College.
Brownsville's stately palm trees, purple bougainvilleas, warm Gulf breezes and charming resacas create an inviting atmosphere for visitors to enjoy activities that include tennis, fishing, nature viewing, wildlife viewing, swimming and going to the beach. Boca Chica Beach offers visitors a chance to experience the natural beauty of pristine, undeveloped 7.5-mile stretch of beach, where the Rio Grande flows into the Gulf of Mexico and visitors can see the natural boundary between the U.S. and Mexico.
Matamoros, Mexico, is located just across the Rio Grande from Brownsville. Access via Gateway Bridge (toll) at terminus of E. 14th St., the B&M Railroad Bridge (toll), or the Veterans International Bridge at Los Tomates (toll) at the beginning of U.S. 77/83. Metered parking is available throughout downtown Brownsville for pedestrians who wish to walk to Matamoros.
This "On the Border, By the Sea" city is also a bird watcher's paradise with more than 500 counted bird species sharing the refuges and wild places in and around the area. The convergence of two major flyways afford the birder an abundance of northern species migrating for the winter.
Charro Days, a major annual event held the last week of February, is a spectacular fiesta that features three parades, costumes, music, dancing, contests and foods. Other popular festivals include the Brownsville International Birding Festival in February, Commemorative Air Fiesta in March and the Latin Jazz Festival in October.