Birding and Nature…in Texas?
With access to 28 of Texas’s Coastal Birding Trails within a few miles of the city, Beaumont is set on two migratory flyways. Over 250 species can be seen year-round and even more during the spring and fall migration seasons. Grab your binoculars and head to Cattail Marsh, a reclaimed wastewater treatment plant repurposed as a wildlife refuge and wetlands boardwalk; Cattail Marsh is the pride and joy of the city and a nature escape right in our backyard. The Wetlands Education Center offers free yoga classes, binoculars to borrow, kids activities, and other events.

The Origins of Oil
Black gold, Texas tea, petroleum, whatever you call it, Beaumont is ground zero for oil production in America. To learn how oil changed the US economy forever, start at the Spindletop/Gladys City Boomtown Museum. A replica boomtown with gusher reenactments, it’s a fascinating look into how Beaumont ushered in the industrial revolution. The story continues into present-day at the Texas Energy Museum, where interactive robotic characters teach about petroleum geology, the technology behind oil production, and the chemistry of the refinery processes.

The Official Mardi Gras Capital of Texas
Laissez les bon temps rouler, y’all. As the official Mardi Gras Capital of Texas, Beaumont takes their role as festival host very seriously with four-full days of festivities every February. Expect parades, concerts, carnivals, fare food, and surprises. Past events have included Balloon Glows, the Budweiser Clydesdales, and major headliners like Vanilla Ice. You’ll definitely want to chow down on a colorful King Cake from Rao’s Bakery, which produces more than 8,000 a season.

America Through Architecture
Since the oil boom of the early 1900s, many pioneers set roots in Beaumont before migrating west with centuries-old homes still dotting the city. For a contrasting look at early American lifestyles, you can tour both the McFaddin-Ward House and the Chambers House to experience life in contrasting socio-economic circles. The John Jay French House is one of the oldest surviving pioneer settlements, while Crockett Street, once Beaumont’s bustling entertainment district, is now a pedestrian-only thoroughfare on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Faith Trail
The early settlers brought a hodge-podge of religions with them, and many of the temples and churches still hold services today. From Christian to Jewish and even a Buddhist temple, these celebrated places of worship are as beautiful on the outside as they are on the inside. Follow the Faith Trail with a visit to St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica and Temple Emanuel for two shining examples.

A Culinary Crossroads
Thanks to its strategic location on the Texas/Louisiana border, one of the best things about Beaumont is its unique blend of cuisine. A culinary crossroads that combines Cajun, Creole, and soul food with Texas-sized portions and Tex-Mex flavors, Beaumont has no shortage of restaurants to satisfy a craving or two. Add a large number of Vietnamese settlers into the mix (Jefferson County has more refugees than some entire states), and you have quite the melting pot of cuisine.

A Budget Friendly Drive-Destination
Beaumont is a great budget travel destination for families, couples, or solo travelers looking for a quick and affordable getaway. Just 1.5 hours from Houston, 3.5 hours from Austin, and 4 from Dallas, New Orleans or San Antonio, Beaumont is an easy and affordable weekend getaway. Dozens of attractions are free from the Art Museum of Southeast Texas, and Shangri-La Botanic Gardens to mural crawls. Restaurants like Tacos La Bamba regularly host $1 taco night, and the city shows classic movies every other Friday for five bucks. There are programs like the Birdie Passport that are completely free, and we have both a $100 challenge and have shown it’s possible to spend 48 hours under $48.

Famous Faces
Did you know many of your favorite athletes, artists, and musicians are from Beaumont? The Museum of the Gulf Coast has an entire section dedicated to the Legends of Southeast Texas. Some names you may recognize are Janis Joplin, ZZ Top, Robert Rauschenberg, J.P. Richardson a.k.a. “The Big Bopper,” George Jones, Mark Chesnutt, Tracy Byrd, Clay Walker, and Keith Carter. The most famous resident is undoubtedly Mildred “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias, one of the greatest female athletes of all-time. A four-sport athlete, she won two Olympic gold medals in track and field before going on to dominate the golf world, with a namesake museum dedicated to her achievements.