How to Enjoy Beaumont Texas

Oil has long been a key factor in the Texas economy, mythology and iconography. The golden age of Texas oil began in 1901 with the strike at Spindletop, near the city of Beaumont. Though the petrochemical industry remains important to Beaumont, the city has enough cultural and historical charms to keep a visitor entertained for several days.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Start your visit by learning about Beaumont's most famous resident at the Babe Didrikson Zaharias Museum and Visitor Information Center. Zaharias was one of the greatest athletes of the twentieth century, winning medals in track and field at the Olympics and becoming a highly-ranked golfer and basketball player. The museum features memorabilia of her career and offers Beaumont travel information. It's located at 1750 East Interstate 10 and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
2. Learn about the early days of the Texas oil "bidness" at the Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum. The open-air complex depicts a turn-of-the-century boom town, complete with offices, shops and of course, the all-important derrick. The museum is located on the campus of Lamar University at the intersection of University Drive and US 69/96/287. It's open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is charged.
3. Enjoy the beauties of Southeast Texas at the Beaumont Botanical Garden. There's a conservatory here with delicate plants, a waterfall and lily pond, while outdoors there are rose, palm, herb, Japanese, camellia, violet, azalea and other themed gardens. Plant sales are held several times a year. The Garden is located at 6088 Babe Zaharias Drive. The Garden itself is free to the public and open during daylight hours. The Conservatory, however, is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is charged.
4. Tour the Art Museum of Southeast Texas for some excellent examples of American folk, outsider and regional art, including paintings, sculptures and other pieces. There are also several temporary exhibits going on at any one time. The facility can be rented out for weddings and other events. The museum is located at 500 Main Street. It's open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
5. See how the other half lived in the first half of the twentieth century at the McFaddin-Ward House. Home to two generations of a family made wealthy by real estate, cattle and oil investments, the Colonial Revival structure is practically a time capsule. The second owner, Mamie McFaddin Ward, lived in the house her entire life, redecorated a few rooms in the 1930s and 1940s, then left it pretty much as is until her death in 1982. The house is located at 1906 McFaddin Avenue. It's open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is charged.