Port Isabel

城市概覽

Setting: Port Isabel is on the coast at the southern tip of Texas, 8 mi (13 km) from Mexico (24 mi (39 km) 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"). Commercial-industrial: The Port Isabel-Brownsville shrimping fleet is highest dollar-value commercial fishery on the east coast of the United States. The Port Isabel - San Benito Navigation District (end of Port Road) mainly supports the offshore oil and gas industry and the industrial area on its property. The Subsea-7 “Spoolbase" prepares pipe on 5,000-foot-long (1,500 m) and spools it onto special ships for pipeline installation throughout the Gulf and Caribbean Basin. Sports fishing: The Port Isabel - South Padre Island sports fishing industry directly serves anglers from other parts of the Rio Grande Valley and supports the tourism industry, retirement community, and winter residents. There are several marinas, tackle shops, bait stands, and fishing guides to serve anglers. Several fishing tournaments, including the large Texas International Fishing Tournament, bring anglers to the area for fun, comradery, and friendly competition. Tourism seasons: Traffic tends to stand still during “Texas Week” when Texas schools are on Spring Break in mid-March. Visitors from Mexico fill the area during about two weeks of Semana Santa, for about a week around Cinco de Mayo, and sometimes during late summer to escape the stifling heat of northern Mexico. Sports fishing activities increase in spring, especially for anglers h

如何抵達

By plane Brownsville/South Padre Island Airport (BRO IATA), 700 Emilia Earhart Dr, +1 956 542-4373. Take Minnesota Avenue (FM 313) from FM-48 and follow it south for two miles. It is serviced by the following airlines: American Eagle (non-stop service between Dallas and Brownsville) United Express (non-stop passenger service from Houston) 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: Southwest Airlines (non-sptop service from Austin and Houston-Hobby) United Express Airlines (Non-stop service to/from Houston-Intercontinental) 1 Port Isabel–Cameron County Airport (FAA LID: PIL), 27617 Buena Vista Blvd, Los Fresnos, ☏ +1 956 233-4424. No commercial airline service.

By bus Metro Connect Blue Line (Connects with Island Metro across Highway 100 from HEB southeast of Church's Chicken), ☏ +1 956 681-3550. Provides service to Brownsville - South Padre Island Airport and connects in downtown Brownsville to routes extending to Harlingen and McAllen. South Padre Shuttle, toll-free: +1-877-774-0050. Provides door-to-door, non-stop service to/from Harlingen International Airport. Per person, $35 (one-way); $50 (round trip)

By car Highway 100 - This is generally the preferred highway access from the north. It connects to US Highway 77/83/69E about 13 mi (21 km) south of Harlingen. It is 30 mi (48 km) long and passes through the City of Los Fresnos and Village of Laguna Vista (6 mi (9.7 km) from Port Isabel). Highway 48 - it is 23 mi (37 km) long and connects US Highway 77/83/69E in Brownsville to Port Isabel. It passes the Port of Brownsville and the Brownsville Shrimp docks and continues along the Browsville Ship Channel to join Highway 100 in Port Isabel. Two-mile long Minnesota Avenue (FM 313) connects the Brownsville - South Padre Island Airport to Highway 48. FM-510- It is 24 mi (39 km) long and connects US Highway 7

當地交通

By car Ample parking is usually available at nearly all locations. Traffic is light to moderate most of the time, but Highway 100 through the city and across the causeway can be extremely slow during holidays and summer week-end afternoons. Rental car services are limited.

By bus Island Metro (formerly "The Wave.") (connects with Metro Connect Blue Line service to Brownsville downtown and airport across TX-100 from H.E.B. supermarket), ☏ +1 956 761-3864. Provides free rides on three different routes to multiple locations in Port Isabel and South Padre Island every half-hour from about 7AM to about 9PM, depending on location.

By foot or bicycle The town is relatively small, so taking a bicycle would get you around most of the area within minutes. There is much to see and do in the few square blocks of the Lighthouse District. The Island Metro buses (free) make it convenient for visitors on foot to move between districts and to South Padre Island. Some Island Metro buses have bicycle racks. However, bicycle racks for parking bicycles are found at only few locations.

必看景點

Museums The Port Isabel Historical Museum Board administers three museum facilities: Lighthouse, Treasures of the Gulf Museum and Port Isabel Historical Museum. Combination tickets (all three sites) are $9 for adults, $7 for Seniors 55 yrs and older, and $4 for students with ID cards. There are discounted tickets for patrons interested in only one site. There is no admission charge for the Keeper’s Cottage.

Port Isabel Historical Museum, 317 E. Railroad Ave. (just south of southwest corner of Lighthouse Square on Tarvana St), ☏ +1 956 943-7602. Housed in the historic Key to the Gulf Champion Building built in 1899 as a dry goods store. The facade features the famous ‘fish mural’ painted in 1906. The first floor interprets Port Isabel history with interactive exhibits and video presentations. The second floor is dedicated to the U.S.-Mexican War with many locally salvaged artifacts. Treasures of the Gulf Museum (just east of southwest corner of Lighthouse Square on Queen Isabella Blvd (TX-100) next door to Cameron County Insurance Company or via wooden walkway from parking area in rear shared with the event center and Port Isabel Historical Museum), ☏ +1 956 943-7602. Last ticket sold at 3:30PM. Interprets three Spanish treasure ships that wrecked 30 mi (48 km) north of Port Isabel in 1554. They are brought to life with murals, artifacts and hands-on activities. Also featured is a Children’s Discovery Lab, Ship theater and Nautical Gift Shop. 1 Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historical site. The Port Isabel Lighthouse was constructed in 1852. It was opened to the public in 1952 as a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department state historical site. Lighthouse summer hours are Sunday-Thursday, 9AM-6PM (Saturday until 7PM). On Friday Movie Night (see in “Events”) it closes at 5PM. During the winter, the Lighthouse is open 10AM-5PM.

Lighthouse Keepers Cottage museum (on the southea