| We enjoyed a fairly inexpensive seven-day spring | | | | Food. The busy main streets here, like, Boca Chica, |
| visit to this semi-tropical town in 2009. Some of its | | | | Central, and other major boulevards offer many |
| highlights are listed below. | | | | world-class dining choices, including, casual, fine, |
| Culture and history. These two features are the | | | | well-known chain, fast, mixed variety, International, |
| most outstanding ones we experienced. The place is | | | | Oriental, American, Southwestern, seafood, Texas |
| definitely Spanish and Mexican, both traditional and | | | | BBQ, Mexican and so forth. |
| modern. We liked it, and did not mind being in an | | | | Their authentic casual Mexican meals are tasty treats. |
| English-only-speaking minority here. | | | | For example, the soft-shell tacos contain a meat of |
| Recreation. All kinds, both indoor and outdoor. The | | | | choice, white cheese, and a big slice of avocado, |
| zoo, for example, has many animal and bird species | | | | which are served with fresh lime slices (for squeezing |
| of all kinds and sizes, including alligators, rhinos, | | | | out the juice) and hot grilled or sauteed onions. Their |
| camels, storks, swans, and butterflies. It is also | | | | regular three-course dinners are served with the |
| compact and well-arranged, making it easy to walk | | | | following |
| through with several rest and refreshment spots | | | | - hot soup (starter) |
| spread about. Open: Mon-Sun, 9-5. Cost: adults-$9.50; | | | | - thick crisp corn chips and soft corn or flour tortillas |
| seniors-$8; children-$6.50, under 2-free. | | | | with green salsa |
| Other activities include tours (local and across the | | | | - main course (mixed cold and hot items of choice) |
| border), golfing, boating, swimming, sunning, surfing, | | | | plus fresh lime slices |
| sea-shelling, fishing, walking, birding (all kinds), fine | | | | - dessert (sometimes a huge cookie). |
| arts, festivals, parades, beaches, shopping, dining, | | | | These dinners are similar to but not the same as the |
| public parks, lakes and waterways, camping, movies, | | | | four-to-five course Spanish ones served in certain |
| museums, old Fort Brown, architecture, galleries, | | | | southern restaurants. Also, the local groceries and |
| colleges, and hospitality services. | | | | open-air markets offer large selections of fresh fruit, |
| Mexico itself (passports please!). It is just over the | | | | melons, papaya, pineapples, peppers, and other |
| Rio Grande River border, one block south of | | | | vegetables. |
| Brownsville's historical old town. Our one-day | | | | Port Isabel and South Padre Island. These are popular |
| very-informative guided tour of Matamoros there | | | | dining and vacationing spots 19-miles NE of |
| was well worth the $25/person cost. This tour also | | | | Brownsville. They are easy to get to diagonally on |
| stopped at a popular combined five-star restaurant | | | | Hwy-48. These places offer family entertainment, |
| and souvenir-general-goods-outlet store located within | | | | like, pirate ships, dock or boat fishing, camping, |
| walking distance of the old-town border bridge. Some | | | | boating, beaches, deep sea fishing, dining, shopping, |
| of our tour compadres ordered steak dinners there; | | | | and other attractions. |
| cost: about $10 each, with salad bar, drink and | | | | Winter-Texan places. Brownsville and its neighboring |
| dessert included. | | | | communities in the Rio Grande Valley have endless |
| Museums. | | | | rentals in recreational vehicle (RV) parks for visitors |
| | | | from the colder northern climates who want to |
| 1. Brownsville Historical. A must see for history buffs; | | | | spend time here during the winter months. Their |
| it has many artifacts and old photographs. Learn | | | | winters are mild and pleasant. |
| about the early settlers, big-shot businessmen, | | | | In summary, this |
| ranchers and railroaders, the early missions, priests, | | | | palm-and-year-round-fruit-bearing-tree climate in |
| and nuns, and the town's early politics. Open: | | | | southern Texas is peasant and enjoyable along with |
| Tues-Sat, 10-4. Cost: adults-$2; children under | | | | its varied and affordable attractions and activities. |
| 15-$0.50 | | | | The non-summer months appear to be the most |
| 2. Palo Alto Battlefield. This large field is where the | | | | ambient ones for the guests from the far north. |
| first battle of the Mexican-American War (1846) took | | | | Also, its visitors do not need to speak Spanish to get |
| place. It is located on the far north side of town, and | | | | around well unless they want to know everything |
| is operated under the U.S. National Parks Service | | | | said. But, it helps to have an appreciation for the |
| (NPS). It has a visitors center. Open: year-round, 8-5. | | | | Mexican culture, and for the sprinkling of lime juice on |
| Arrive well before 5-pm. Cost: free. | | | | some of the food items served at the local cantinas |
| Lodging. Plenty of hotels, motels, rentals, apartments, | | | | and restaurantes. |
| and timeshares are available in the Brownsville area. | | | | Further information and photos on the Brownsville |
| The area is also built-up with modern stores and | | | | region can be found below. |
| shopping centers. | | | | |