BROWNSVILLE, THE CROWN JEWEL OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

Historic Rabb House, Brownsville

Brownsville, the major municipality of the Rio Grande Delta north of the Rio Bravo/Rio Grande, shares its beauty and history with its sister city across the river, Matamoros.

Both cities feature a system of water features, resacas, finger-like lakes filling gouged out channels created long ago by the river separating them.

Unfortunately, the ruthless, savage, inhumane drug cartels control Matamoros, making trips to and through that once-heroic city unsafe and unwise.

The cartels fight for control of the border crossings to traffic drugs into the United States, a country whose insatiable appetite for illicit drugs fuels this horrible industry.

Alonso Building, Brownsville

Yet, Brownsville itself is a safe city, with violent crimes among the country's lowest.

Historic buildings with New Orleans style architecture decorate the city's downtown. 

As for weather, Brownsville enjoys mild winters, but hot summers, tempered by the southwesterly winds emanating from the adjacent Gulf of Mexico, reminding us of the city's legendary slogan, On the Border, By the Sea.

The downtown area features a smattering of trendy bars interspersed with Mexican food eateries, craft and used clothing stores, jewelry and fabric stores.

La Plaza Parking Garage

Parking downtown would be difficult if not for the recently completed four story La Plaza Parking Garage.

Brownsville is a unique city, over 90% Hispanic, with Spanish spoken predominantly, but English understood in most businesses.

There is no other city quite like Brownsville, the crown jewel of the Rio Grande Valley.

South Padre Island

Brownsville's Resacas

Market Square, Brownsville