The cruises are an hour and a half long and lots of fun. Take the Queen Isabella Causeway to South Padre Island Established as a town after the Mexican War of Independence, Port Isabel became an important cotton-exporting port before the American Civil War. The harbor, town and lighthouse all were fought over and exchanged hands during the Civil War. [8] [9] Setting: Port Isabel is on the coast at the southern tip of Texas, 8mi (13km) from Mexico (24mi (39km) by car). The 2.6-mile-long (4 km) Queen Isabella Causeway across the Laguna Madre connects it to South Padre Island and the Gulf of Mexico. The gated community of Long Island Village is across a short swing-bridge to the south. A few miles westward along the shore of the Laguna Madre is the settlement of Laguna Heights and the Village of Laguna Vista. This group of communities are collectively known as the “Laguna Madre Community” or “Laguna Madre Area.” The four counties at the southern tip of Texas are called "The Rio Grande Valley" (the "Valley").

Known as the Champion building, the structure was first built as a dry goods store and home and is a historic building in itself. This is the bustling center of the town and you will find a variety of souvenir shops, restaurants, fishing charters, dolphin tours, bars, and art galleries surrounding the square.

Port Isabel is 366.4 miles away from Austin, which takes around 5 hours and 30 minutes to reach by car or more with stops. Layout of Port Isabel Port Isabel Event & Cultural Center, 309 Railroad Ave.( just beyond the southwest corner of Lighthouse Square and next to the Port Isabel Historical Museum on Tarnava St.), ☏ +1 956-433-7195, [email protected]. The Port Isabel Event & Cultural Center has capacity for small groups and groups up to 1,200. The prices are also quite low due to the small distance of trips and light traffic most of the day. Driving Valley International Airport ( HRL IATA), 3002 Heritage Way, Harlingen, +1 956 430-8600. Take Ed Cary Drive exit from US-77/83/69E and follow it north. It is served by the following airlines: AVISO COMBINADO DE HALLAZGO SIN IMPACTO SIGNIFICATIVO y AVISO INTENCION DE DOLICITAR LIBERACION DE FONDOS see document)

During the early part of the Second World War, German U-Boats were sinking ships in the Gulf of Mexico (eventually sinking 56), and there was an oil refinery at Port Isabel. Because of this, the U.S. Navy established lookouts along the coast, and a group of Port Isabel residents were enlisted into a militia and trained to respond against possible land intrusion by Germans. these terms and conditions in full. If you disagree with any part of these terms and conditions, do The museum has a hands-on Children’s Discovery Lab for the kids. Understand history of the area at Port Isabel Historical MuseumPort Isabel Service Processing Center." U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Retrieved on July 21, 2010.

El Papa's( Papa's Restaurant), 814 S Garcia St( before arriving at the Causeway, turn left at S Garcia St and drive before reaching bridge that leads to Long Island), ☏ +1 956 943-7133. The Sea Life Center is located across the street from Lighthouse Square. This is a delightful place, especially for kids. There are numerous aquariums and touch tanks where you can get up close to many different species of marine animals native to the area. You might even get an opportunity to feed Domino, the large rescued tortoise that wanders about the center. The nonprofit is managed by husband and wife George and Scarlett Colley. Laguna Madre Art Gallery, 403 East Maxan St.( north side of Lighthouse Square), ☏ +1 956 943-1407. Non-profit gallery and outlet for 21 local artists. Provides a venue for art education, workshops, demonstrations, and other fine art activities, including music, theatre, and dance. ( updated May 2017) The new U.S. President James K. Polk sent General Zachary Taylor and his Army of Occupation to Port Isabel to start the U.S.-Mexican War. Port Isabel-Brazos Island harbor was a strategic asset for Mexico because it was the only safe harborage along nearly 300mi (480km) of the then Mexican coast. General Taylor established Fort Polk at Port Isabel on March 24, 1846, and used it as a supply base for his operations in Texas until 1850. During that period, several important U.S. officers who would eventually face each other in the Civil War served at Port Isabel. The second floor of the Port Isabel Historical Museum is devoted to the war. You’ll find free parking on the street or in the Pirate’s Landing Fishing Pier parking lot. There’s also a large parking lot at the museums on Railroad Street. Everything on this list is within easy walking distance except Fins to Feathers which is located in the Navigation District just a short drive away. 2. Port (Point) Isabel Lighthouse – A Must See in Port Isabel

Cameron County and its coastline has a long and colorful history. The Treasures of the Gulf Museum tells the story of three Spanish ships that met their fate just off the coast in 1554. The Port Isabel Historical Museum houses local artifacts and relics, including a large collection of items from the U.S.-Mexican War. This museum is housed in the 1899 Charles Champion building and sports a fish mural two-stories tall. For more history, stroll around the downtown area to take in the historical markers, including Fort Polk, Port of Matamoros, Queen Isabel Inn, and the Port Isabel Cemetery. Highway 100 - This is generally the preferred highway access from the north. It connects to US Highway 77/83/69E about 13mi (21km) south of Harlingen. It is 30mi (48km) long and passes through the City of Los Fresnos and Village of Laguna Vista (6mi (9.7km) from Port Isabel). Coastal Winds, 406 E Queen Isabella Blvd( south side of Lighthouse Square on corner of Queen Isabella Blvd. and Tarnava St), ☏ +1 956 943-1989. Specializes in custom-framing and sells handcrafted jewelry from around the world and unique chainsaw-carved pelicans in various sizes. Port Isabel is located in eastern Cameron County at 26°4'25" North, 97°12'48" West (26.073675, –97.213234), [11] on the western side of the south end of Laguna Madre, an estuary of the Gulf of Mexico. The Queen Isabella Causeway crosses Laguna Madre to South Padre Island on the Gulf shore. To the southwest it is 23 miles (37km) to Brownsville, the Cameron County seat. This will be a fun-filled afternoon, brimming with family delights. The Sea Life Center is a top Port Isabel attraction, and it offers unique encounters with local starfish, crabs, octopus, and more. Touch tanks allow visitors to get hands-on with these fishy friends.

There are several bait stands selling live bait along channels and associated with most public marinas in addition to these listingsIf you simply are looking to visit Port Isabel to escape the hustle and bustle of every day, then a beach day on South Padre may be the perfect idea for you. The best part of spending time in Port Isabel is that you can simply park the car and walk to the major attractions as they’re located quite close to each other. In September 1967, Hurricane Beulah caused extensive damage to much of the city. [10] On July 23, 2008 Hurricane Dolly, a category 2 storm, also caused extensive damage to the city. There were 1,649 households, out of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 16.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.7% were non-families. 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.95 and the average family size was 3.46.