Beaumont is a charming, young community bursting at the seams with vitality and a genuine love for their town. Unique museums, eco tours, green spaces, family adventures, and of course Texas-sized food and fun can all be had just by showing up as was the case for some friends of mine who’s company offers garbage bin rentals north of the 49th parallel. One of the things you’ll be struck by in Beaumont is the local’s appreciation for their past, that’s why you’ll find so many museums here. One of such is the McFadden Ward House, it is spectacular outside but what’s on the inside is even more interesting. Walking through the halls of this fully restored 1906 beaux-arts colonial mansion instantly brings you back to the time of its famous residence. Tiffany glass, gleaming silver, and the architecture itself make this a must-see.
Beaumont has been called the museum capital of Texas because you’ll find museums and historic sights on just about every corner. The Thomas Edison Museum celebrates the numerous inventions of America’s inventors, the Art Museum of Southeast Texas houses over a thousand works of art, and the Tyrrell Historical Library is a genealogy library, so maybe you can find yourself. The Fire Museum of Texas is a one-of-a-kind experience with much of the artifacts on display dating back to 19th century firefighter.
We can’t talk Beaumont without talking about the food, and Rao’s is the perfect place to start your day. Now this is an authentic bakery, they have been knocking out the baked goods since 1941. A couple of rules here when you visit Beaumont, you have to bring your sunscreen and you also need to visit the Gator country to see Big Al, he’s the largest alligator in Texas and he’s over 13 feet. At the Gator country theme park and restaurant, you can pet an alligator. This interactive alligator park is home to over 130 American alligators, crocodiles, snakes, and snapping turtles.
On January 10th 1901, something very special happened – Texas gold, oil sprang up and today it’s affectionately referred to as Spindletop. The Spindletop Gladys city boomtown museum gives us a better understanding of this remarkable era in history and the industrial developments are followed. After spending some quality time at Spindletop, bringing the family to the Texas Energy Museum is an easy decision. Interactive exhibits and galleries depict the unique history of oil exploration, production, and refining here in Texas.
Just outside Beaumont, you’ll find a unique culinary experience called Larry’s French market. Every night Larry serves up his specialty crawfish by the bucket and the locals love it. The dancing is customary, the ambiance is welcoming, and the food is out of this world. Another exciting place you should visit while in this city is the Shangri-la Nature Center and Botanical Garden. Here, you can spend an afternoon by reflection or you can bring the family to learn more about our planet’s natural beauty.
While we are discussing beauty, the Neches River is where you can spend an afternoon just taking in the natural scenery. For a unique and delectable culinary experience, one of the places the locals go is a place called Easy, and it’s easy to see why – you have got tapas and martini. You know some have said Beaumont is Texas with a little something extra and you know what they are right, you will love it here.
