A family man with a chronic case of wanderlust, Adam Porter cruises America’s highways and byways looking for the best and “best-kept secret” RV getaways. Beaumont, Tex., is a popular stopover town for folks coming to and from Cajun Country or the Coastal Bend.

The contemporary Marine Art show at the AMSET
About halfway between New Orleans and San Antonio, Beaumont has long been a popular stopping point for folks cruising across Texas on I-10 and a rallying point for travelers exploring the Coastal Bend. However, those that just pass through miss out on Beaumont’s distinctive culture, a gumbo spiced with Tex-Mex flavor and Cajun zest. When you two-step here, the jukebox plays George Strait and Buckwheat Zydeco. When you tuck into vittles, enchiladas share a plate with spicy crawfish. And, when you scratch the surface, you discover rich artistry and a wildcat heritage surrounded by a vast and magnetic natural beauty.

CULTURAL BEAUMONT

  • Exhibits at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas (www.amset.org) include permanent and nationally touring collections. The museum offers the refined beauty and passion sought by art aficionados as well as family-friendly activities for the kids. Admission is FREE. Located at 500 Main St. Visit the website or call 409.832.3432 for hours and exhibit information.
  • Crockett Street (www.crockettstreet.com) is Beaumont’s downtown entertainment district. Enjoy heel-tapping live music, dancing and a selection of nightspots with a surprising range of soundtracks from Texas twang to delta blues. Located along the 200-block of Crockett St.
  • Jefferson Theatre (www.beaumont-tx-complex.com/jeffersontheatre.html) was built in 1927 and restored in 2005, creating a unique ambiance of classic cool and modern grace. Located at 345 Fannin St. Visit the website for performing arts show times or call 409.835.5483.
  • Riverfront Park (www.beaumont-tx-complex.com/riverfrontpark.html) on the banks of the Neches River is the perfect place to spread out a blanket and enjoy a picnic lunch during your day trip to Beaumont. On July 4th, nearly the entire city turns up here, by land and by sea, for a tremendous fireworks display. Located at 701R Main St.
  • The Symphony of Southeast Texas (www.sost.org) is produced by the oldest and largest arts organization in the region. The orchestra performs a Masters Series and Pops concerts. Performances are held at the Julie Rogers Theatre, located at 765 Pearl St. For show times and ticket information visit the website or call 409.892.2257.
    Fire Museum

HISTORIC BEAUMONT

  • The Edison Museum (www.edisonmuseum.org) introduces visitors to the tireless genius, who was also one of the most prolific inventors of modern times. Located in the historic 1929 Travis Street Substation at 350 Pine St. Call 409.981.3089.
  • At the Fire Museum of Texas (www.firemuseumoftexas.org), you’ll find an introduction to fire-fighting history that includes vintage equipment exhibits and the chance for eager little ones to climb in the driver’s seat of a fire truck. Do not pass up the photo op in front of the giant Dalmatian-spotted fire hydrant. Located at 400 Walnut St. Call 409.880.3927.
  • Gladys City & The Spindletop Museum (www.spindletop.org) recreate the boomtown excitement of the birth of the Petroleum Age. Tap into the anticipation as you watch a “gusher” blow and embrace the contagious wildcat spirit. Located on the Lamar University Campus at 5550 University Dr. Call 409.880.1750.
    Smile when you say hello to this fat and happy resident of Gator Country

WILD BEAUMONT

  • Gator Country (www.gatorrescue.com) is your chance to snap a picture riding alligator-back and otherwise get up close and personal with more than 300 gators, caimans and crocs. Located at 21159 FM 365 . Call 409.794.9453.
  • The Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, which runs through Beaumont, opens into the Big Thicket National Preserve (www.nps.gov/bith) — a 97,000-acre wilderness that draws birdwatchers, scientists and nature-lovers from coast to coast. The preserve’s Beaumont Unit straddles the city’s northern border; there is also a Visitor Center located at 6102 FM 420 in nearby Kountze, Tex. Call 409.951.6700.
  • Shangri La Botanical Gardens (www.shangrilagardens.org) invites visitors to stroll through five formal gardens, explore four sculpture “rooms” and “discover how to live in harmony with nature.” Located about a half hour east of Beaumont at 2111 W. Park Ave. in Orange, Tex. Call 409.670.9113.

RV CAMPGROUNDS NEAR BEAUMONT

We arrived in Beaumont during torrential thunderstorms so intense that I half expected to find Noah in the campground office extending his stay. While not ideal, the conditions revealed exactly how the local RV parks would fare in poor weather. These two looked the best when waterlogged:

Gulf Coast RV Resort (www.gulfcoastrvresort.com)

Gulf Coast RV
This resort is comfortable, clean and welcoming, and has friendly and attentive staff. The owners designed the park with campers in mind — every site is a pull-through, and all the pads are concrete and level. Oil refining is big in Beaumont, so expect to see some long-term resident refinery workers as well as seasonal guests, but the park does not have that “lived-in” look about it. The pool and patio are inviting, and the playground and restroom facilities are well-kept.

  • Full hookups: water, sewer and electric (20/30/50-amp)
  • Wi-Fi and cable TV
  • Pull-through sites with big-rig access
  • Family-friendly and pet-friendly

Reserve at the park website or call 409.842.2285. Gulf Coast RV Resort is located just off I-10 at 5175 Brooks Rd., Beaumont, TX 77705. GPS: 30.01792, -94.172021

Hidden Lake RV Resort (www.hiddenlakervresort.com)

Camping at Hidden Lake RV
The park opened in 2008 and the Taylor family continues to improve their “labor of love.” The fenced campground looks small from the road, but the layout opens up nicely once you cross the little bridge to the lakeside sites. The folks in the office, work campers named Steve and Bev, were warm, welcoming and very helpful. The eight-acre lake is more of a large pond, but rent a canoe and drop a line in the water and you can still enjoy some super-sized relaxation. The park is particularly busy during Fair season in March, so reserve early if you plan to visit in the springtime.

  • Full hookups: water, sewer and electric (30/50-amp)
  • Wi-Fi and cable TV
  • Pull-through sites with big-rig access
  • Lakefront sites
  • Family-friendly and pet-friendly

For reservations or more information call 409.840.9691. Hidden Lake RV Resort is located at 6860 S. Major Dr., Beaumont, TX 77705. GPS: 30.00369, -94.185343

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