Located about 90 minutes east of Houston and just 30 minutes from the Louisiana border, Beaumont is primarily characterized by the large looming petrochemical plants along its periphery, and is bolstered into a busy shipping port. The town may look a little rough around the edges, but a bit of scratching under the surface will uncover an interesting discovery worth stopping along the I-10.
Cajun-Texas Culture blends here to create a warm, family-friendly, casual atmosphere. Packed with carefree attitude with jeans (or shorts) and get ready to savor the hospitality of this Bayou destination.
Things to do
Celebrate with locals
Visitors don’t feel like they’re celebrating with locals alongside Beaumont festivals throughout the year, from Mardi Gras, featuring nightly family parades, to Mardi Gras, featuring live painting from artists from National Murals along with vendors, music, arts and crafts.
Do yoga in the wild
The city of Beaumont sponsors a free Saturday morning yoga class on the Cat’s Marsh Scenic Wetlands and boardwalks. Here you can enjoy restoration classes overlooking the wetlands while listening to birds chirping (mats are provided). You can then get stuck and ask the naturalists to help you find the resident bald eagle nest, or lead them to the nearest crocodile (shy, but maybe you’ll have them take a quick photo).
nps.gov/places/cattail-marsh.htm; 4233 Dr. Beaumont
Take history lessons
When prospectors finally struck oil near Beaumont in 1901 at a place called Spindletop, the town’s population increased from 9,000 to 50,000 almost overnight. This led to the formation of the modern US petrochemical industry. Learn all about this history at the Spindletop Gladys-City Boomtown Museum run by Lamar University. For an additional fee, you can experience “Gusher recreation.” In this case, the water tower is blown over 100 feet of a 65-foot oil derrick.
lamar.edu/spindletop-boomtown-museum; 5550 Jimmy Simmons Blvd., Beaumont
See the wonders of Beaumont’s Golden Age
The troubling oil boom days may be over, but the remnants of Beaumont’s golden age still exist. Some local historic homes offer public tours and events throughout the year. The 1906 viewer art style McFadinward House is unique in that all of the original artifacts stayed at home. Check out our calendar for free public events such as live music from the pouch. Visitors can bring chairs and drinks and enjoy music, as people may have done in the 20th century.
McFaddin-ward.org; 1906 Calder Avenue, Beaumont
Feed the gator
Ask most residents of southeastern Texas and they confirm that they saw their share of crocodiles. Mostly shy and harmless problems can arise when people feed them. Input: Gary Saurage, owner of Gator Country Adventure Park and star of the 2010 show “Gator 911”, and his mission to capture “annoying crocodile” in his home and neighbourhood, and to score his mission to acquire his facility to get regular food in addition to treating hot dogs from visitors. People can also pity snakes and other reptiles at the on-site petting zoo.
gatorrescue.com; 21159 FM 365, Beaumont
Try a big bush adventure
Beaumont is located on the border of Big Bush National Reserve, the first national reserve designated in the United States in 1974. People can kayaking and canoeing on several miles of paddling trails, but one of the easiest ways to see Beaumont’s big bushes is to take a tour of the Ivory Bill through the Necks River Adventure. Saturday morning public tours run from late March to late October and cost $26.50 for adults. Proceeds are directed towards the education mission of the Big Pechette Association, a nonprofit organization that advocates for the National Reserve.
nechesriveradventures.org; 5390 Pine St. Beaumont
Where to eat
Bring me a crayfish
One of the biggest draws to Beaumont in the spring is the rich crayfish crops that actually explode in May and June. The industry isn’t as big as Louisiana, but smallholder farmers in southeastern Texas take pride in the meticulous care of their spinning rice and clawfish fields, where roadside farms produce plump crayfish that roadside farms sell directly to consumers. Stop by a farm in the southeastern part of Texas crayfish to search for bags to cook themselves, or head to your local main stay Floyd where you can serve them in a bucket.
Experience the heritage of Patillo’s Bar-Bq
The distinction is Patilo Bar BQ, which has been operating in Beaumont since 1912, as it is the oldest and oldest black-owned restaurant in Texas. The humble setting of dark wooden paneled walls, vintage signs and manual registers convey a welcoming atmosphere where friendly weight staff will delight you to walk through the menu. One Mate Plate (selection of pepper absorbing ribs, beef, pork, chicken, or ham) has three homemade sides, including Mac, cheese, and jambalaya, which you can steal for under $10.
patillosbbqtx.com; 2775 Washington Blvd., Beaumont
Traveling the West End
Redevelopment of the downtown area is still underway in Beaumont, but the western edge of the city has increased significantly. For lunch or dinner, head to Buckstin Brewing Co.’s latest location. It samples homemade IPA, pilsner and sours, and samples creative pizzas like sweet heat. Spin a seasonal pies like a “holiday feast” topped with turkey and gravy, either spilling pepperoni with hot honey on a marinaras liracha base. For dessert, head next to Michoacan style desserts, snacks and homemade ice cream Michoacananara Potosina (the tequila flavor is outstanding).
buckstinbrewing.com; 6280 Phelan Blvd., Beaumont
Bake your own Korean BBQ
From Vietnam to Thailand, you can find several Asian cuisine options in Beaumont, but the Korean grill is the first Korean barbecue in the city. Opened in 2021 by homemade young entrepreneur Minh Dai, Beaumont champion, sponsoring the city’s annual mural festival, his restaurant exudes an Instagrammable funky charm with neon tongue signs and vibrant artwork. Go to a ventbox or DIY for lunch and make Soju’s selection of Korean meat experiences with short ribs, burgogi, shrimp, or lobster tails. Next to you, roll the Good Times at Pour 09 Bar & Rooftop, an indoor/outdoor bar with craft cocktails and an open mic night.
kokoreangrill.com; 6165 Muela Creek Dr., Beaumont
Eat king cake all year round
King cakes are traditionally a snack reserved for the Mardi Gras season, but this New Orleans dessert can be served year-round at the Bakery in Lao, a family-run restaurant since 1941. Alternatively, order a chocolate voodoo style filled with chocolate chips, coconut and cream cheese and topped with fudge. All cakes have their own plastic baby and Mardi Gras beads inserted. You can also ship them to your home.
raosbakery.com; 4440 Dowlen Rd. Beaumont
