ATTRACTIONS

Historic Homes & Buildings

Stillman House Museum (circa 1850)
1305 East Washington • Brownsville, TX 78520
956-542-3929
Built by Charles Stillman, the founder of Brownsville, this beautifully restored Southern Colonial home is constructed of handmade brick and is filled with period furnishings, as well as photographs, relics, and weapons of Brownsville's colorful past. Many historical items are on display including the Raphael Collection which is composed of family pieces, furniture, and artifacts from France and Scotland collected by Gabriel Matthews Raphael during his years in the import business, beginning in 1866, in Brownsville and Matamoros, Tamaulipas. map

Palmito Ranch Battlefield
Located East of Brownsville
The last land engagement of the Civil War was fought at this historical site that is found by the historical marker 12 miles east on TX 4. Confederates commanded by Colonel John S. Ford had not heard of Lee's surrender a month earlier and captured Federal forces in a running encounter on May 12-13, 1865. After the battle, the Confederates learned from their prisoners of the South's capitulation and the victors then became the captives of their formal prisoners. map
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site
1623 Central Boulevard • Brownsville, TX 78520
956-541-2785
The first battle of a two year war between Mexico and the United States that ended in 1848, this historic site is where an artillery duel opened the Mexican War on May 8, 1846. The 3,400 acre site is the only unit of the National Park Service with a primary focus on the U.S.-Mexican War and the entire conflict is interpreted here. more... map

Brownsville Heritage Complex
1325 East Washington Street • Brownsville, TX 78520
956-541-5560
Visitors will get a glimpse of an almost forgotten 19th century lifestyle frozen in time while at this complex that includes the Stillman House Museum, the Brownsville Heritage Museum, and the Heritage Resource Center. The complex documents Brownsville's past and you will find historical records and a pictorial history of Brownsville while here. map
Brownsville Museum of Fine Art
230 Neale Drive • Brownsville, TX 78520
956-542-0941
Located in the historic Neale House by Fort Brown, this museum is dedicated to exhibiting the arts of the Rio Grande Valley and features a permanent collection including works by Chagall, Daumier, Samuelson, and Whistler. Local artists are often seen painting inside the complex and the museum offers art classes and art shows. more... map
Historic Brownsville Museum
641 East Madison Street • Brownsville, TX 78520
956-548-1313
Located in the old Southern Pacific Railroad Depot that was built in 1928, this historical museum is dedicated to telling the history of Brownsville and features many antiques items, including a military display from the old Fort Brown era, that interpret events from Brownsville's past. map

Gladys Porter Zoo
500 Ringgold Street • Brownsville, TX 78523
956-546-7187
Built on an old channel of the Rio Grande River, this 31 acre zoological preserve features over 250 species and subspecies of tropical and neo-tropical plants, as well as over 1,600 animals that represent 464 species, 47 of which are endangered. All of the animals live in open exhibits surrounded by natural flowing waterways. more... map
Sabal Palm Audubon Center & Sanctuary
Located Off of Southmost Road
956-541-8034
One of the best preserved Sabal Palm forests in the United States, this 172 acre wildlife sanctuary is owned by the National Audubon Society and features three nature trails and numerous wildlife and birds. Plant tours are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from October to April and birding tours are available on Saturday mornings. more... map

Historic Brownsville Trolley Tours
4697 FM 802 • Brownsville, TX 78523
Convention and Visitors Bureau Information Center
956-546-3721
Step aboard a replica of a turn-of-the-century trolley for this two hour narrated tour of Historic Brownsville and the world class Port of Brownsville.