Did you know Brownsville is known as the Chess Capital of Texas because of the town’s dedication to the game? But winning multiple state chess championships isn’t all that Brownsville is known for — it’s also known as the Bicycling Capital of the Rio Grande Valley for its 32 miles of bike lanes and bike-friendly celebrations. Plus, there’s the Gulf of Mexico and numerous wildlife refuges and beaches that draw tourists by the thousands.
Brownsville is one of the southernmost cities in the United States with over 300 days of semi-tropical weather, and its proximity to the coast draws tourists all year long for biking, birding, sailing, fishing, hiking and outdoor activities.
Boca Chica Beach and South Padre Island are just a short distance away, as are the 65,096-acre Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge and the 90,788-acre Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
Brownsville is one of the oldest cities in Texas and has multiple areas and battle sites listed under the National Register of Historic Places.
In addition to historical landmarks, Brownsville is famous for hosting the Charro Days Festival, one of the largest and oldest festivals in Texas, dating back to the mid-1800s when the citizens of Matamoros and Brownsville began coming together in celebration.