Brownsville, Texas is located along the western Gulf Coast of South Texas, near the border with Matamoros, Mexico. The city covers 145.2 square miles and has a population of 186,738. Brownsville is home to several important museums and historic sites.

Gladys Porter Zoo

The Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, TX is a zoological and botanical park. It was founded in 1971 and averages 424,000 visitors per year. It’s located on 31 acres and houses 400 species of animals, including 250 species from the tropics.

There are many different exhibits for visitors to enjoy, including the free-flight Aviary, Herpetarium, Bear Grottos, and Komodo dragon exhibit. The zoo also includes the Russell Aquatic Ecology Center, which offers a look into the aquatic habitats of South Texas. Visitors will be able to feed and pet giraffes and other animals.

The Gladys Porter Zoo is a wildlife preserve that takes advantage of the subtropical climate in the area. This allows the zoo to have exotic animals that are not normally seen in the area. Additionally, it also contains a botanical garden, which displays the flora of different countries. This zoo is one of the city’s most popular attractions.

A new master plan for the Gladys Porter Zoo has been revealed. The plan includes improvements as well as the possibility of expansion. The master plan outlines new exhibits and new viewing areas. The zoo plans to add a zip line, a new lion exhibit, nocturnal exhibit, a cape hunting dog exhibit, and a restaurant. Other projects include a kudu pavilion, sable/giraffe feeding platform, and hotel. In addition to these new features, the master plan includes new viewing areas and a new ocelot encounter.

Fort Brown

Fort Brown is a historic site that dates back to 1836. The Fort was home to the First Battalion, Twenty-fifth Infantry, a unit made up of 167 black men, who were stationed in Brownsville. During the yellow fever epidemic in the area, Dr. William Crawford Gorgas was assigned to Fort Brown. The doctor would go on to study the disease for several years. After that, he would be sent to Cuba during the Spanish-American War.

The Fort still has some buildings and is now part of the Texas Southmost College campus. The original reports are kept at the Brownsville Historical Association’s Market Square Research Center. Researchers are encouraged to contact the organization for access to the collection. The Fort Brown National Cemetery has more than 3,000 burials, according to military burial records.

During the Civil War, the Fort saw its share of trouble. Confederate and Federal forces would take turns holding the fort. During one period in 1864, 33 men were buried in the fort. However, only three of these soldiers were U.S. Colored troops. The rest of the dead were white Federal soldiers.

The Stillman House Museum

The Stillman House Museum is an historic home built in the 1850s by the city’s founder. It is furnished with period furnishings and has exhibits on local history. It also has a gift shop. The museum’s gift shop features many locally made items.

The Stillman House Museum is located at East Washington Street, just 18 miles south of downtown Brownsville. Its mission is to promote education and research. It offers educational programs and hosts special events. It is a non-profit organization and supports itself through membership, donations, and fundraisers.

The Stillman House Museum is one of the best places to visit in Brownsville. This Spanish-style building is filled with photos and artifacts. If you love nature, you should also visit the Laguna Atascosa Wildlife Refuge, which spans 97,000 acres and contains a variety of ecosystems. Among its residents is the endangered ocelot. Nature trails are available to visitors of the museum.

Inside the Stillman House, you can view the collection of paintings, photographs, maps, costumes, and artifacts. The museum is administered by the Brownsville Historical Association. It also features a gift shop and offers programs.

The Costumes of the Americas Museum

This museum features indigenous costumes from all around the world. Costumes from the Americas, Africa, and Asia are among the collections on display. The museum also hosts special exhibits that showcase the costumes’ cultural significance. Whether you’re interested in the history of dress or the art of costume-making, the Costumes of the Americas Museum is the perfect place to visit.

Once located at Dean Porter Park, the Costumes of the Americas Museum has moved to a new location at 1004 Sixth St. It offers free admission on Saturdays through Oct. 15. The museum houses a collection of indigenous costumes and hand-woven textiles.

Located in Brownsville, Texas, the Costumes of the Americas Museum celebrates indigenous clothing from North, Central, and South America. The museum also displays jewelry, accessories, and traditional foods. You can take a guided tour of the museum and explore the collection on your own. If you’re traveling with a group, you can book an audio tour or join a group tour.

The Costumes of the Americas Museum is a nonprofit organization operated by the Friends of the Museum and board members. It has been around for 70 years and is dedicated to preserving the culture, art, and history of the Americas.

Boca Chica State Park

The 1,000-acre Boca Chica State Park in Brownsville is a perfect getaway for families looking for a place to relax. You’ll find sand dunes, fishing, and surfing among other activities. There are also picnic areas and birding areas to make your trip a complete experience.

Boca Chica State Park is easily accessible, with parking available around the clock. Access is from Texas Highway 4 and a dead-end road. Vehicles with street licenses can drive on the sand. The beach is also open 24 hours a day. Parking is easy, with plenty of room.

For nature lovers, the beach here is an unspoiled stretch of sandy peninsula on the Rio Grande River. It stretches over eight miles between the Lower Laguna Madre and the Rio Grande delta. There is very little traffic, making it a tranquil getaway. You can also spot wildlife, such as pelicans, herons, and osprey.

In addition to shorebirds, the park also provides habitat for various endangered species. During spring migration, you may spot a Brown Booby and a Piping Plover. Red Knots are also commonly seen on the beach. You can also observe Bonaparte’s Gull, which resides at the mouth of the Rio Grande. These birds accumulate on the beach after southern winds blow in.

The Camille Lightner Playhouse

The Camille Lightner Playhouse is an arts venue in Brownsville, Texas. It has been running productions since 1964. The theatre’s mission is to foster interest in the arts by staging plays and musicals, promoting the development of the arts necessary for these productions, and cultivating the next generation of stage actors.