Best hotels in Brownsville
Residence Inn by Marriott
3975 N Expressway 83, TX, 78520
Just off Highway 77 / I-69E, this Marriott is also about eight miles from the airport. Rooms are large and all come with two rooms. There’s a full kitchen, making this ideal for longer stays and self-catering. There’s a complimentary hot breakfast, as well as numerous places to eat nearby.
Homewood Suites by Hilton
3759 N Expressway, TX, 78520
The ideal base for South Padre Island or Matamoros day trips, this modern Hilton is also close to the airport, mall and main sights in Brownsville itself. It’s pet-friendly, has an outdoor pool and centers for both business and fitness.
Isla Grand Beach Resort
500 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX, 78597
To be in pole position for the beaches and resorts of South Padre Island, there are few better choices than the Isla. It has its own lovely pools but is also a short saunter to the soft sand and warm sea. Grab a beachfront cabana and, after the sun goes down, wager on hermit crab races and dine al fresco.
Best restaurants in Brownsville
El Ultimo Taco
938 North Expy, TX, 78521
It might not look much from the outside – or indeed, inside – but there’s a reason for the lines at this taqueria. In an area full of exceptional Mexican and Tex-Mex eateries, this consistently tops polls for the Valley’s very best tacos. They’re addictive, as are the frijoles especiales.
Vermillion Restaurant and Watering Hole
115 Paredes Line Rd, TX, 78521
Visitors and locals have been flocking to this reliable Tex-Mex spot since it first opened its doors in 1934. Start with chicken nachos deluxe, then fill up on enchiladas, chicken-fried steak and stacked burgers.
Daddy’s Seafood & Cajun Restaurant
1808 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX, 78597
There’s a surfeit of seafood restaurants out on South Padre Island, but at Daddy’s the Cajun flavors elevate it above much of the competition. Appetizers range from oysters to popcorn shrimp, but the Cajun boil entrees are the main attraction. Crawfish, shrimp, sausage and vegetables work together to deliver some southern delight.
What to do in Brownsville
Palo Alto Battlefield
7200 Paredes Line Rd, TX, 78526
The Battle of Palo Alto took place in 1846, one of the earliest skirmishes between America and Mexico that precluded full-on war. This site, just to Brownsville’s north, has a visitor center and exhibits that will take you through this history and how important the battle was in terms of how the map of America was eventually redrawn.
Boca Chica State Park
Boca Chica Blvd, TX, 78521
A world away from the Spring Break vibe that can sometimes take over South Padre Island, Boca Chica is a world of relative hush. Here you’ll find unspoiled beaches and undisturbed nature, while birdwatchers can look out for egrets, plover and pelicans. There are few better places in the area for a barbecue or camp-out.
South Padre Island
South Padre Island, TX, 78597
This island, close to Brownsville, runs for miles, with the resort town occupying the southern end. The resort varies hugely with the seasons – raucous and youthful during Spring Break, hot with a Gulf breeze in summer, more contemplative in winter. Visit the lighthouse, chill on the beach or join the party.