1. Start at the Beaumont CVB - 505 Willow St.
Pick up your bike and pop in for any additional info on the area.
2. The Fire Museum of Texas - 400 Walnut St.
A 24-foot spotted fire hydrant is hard to miss, which makes it one of the centerpieces of downtown. It stoically guards the entrance to the Fire Museum of Texas, which was donated by Disney to celebrate the rerelease of 101 Dalmatians. A quirky spot to photograph your family or favorite four-legged friend, when you’re done, peruse inside which has vintage trucks and fire gear.
3. Crockett Street - 200 E. Crockett St.
Downtown Beaumont’s former entertainment district, Crockett Street, is another ode to a bygone era. With five beautifully restored buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, take a minute to imagine what life must've been like during the oil boom.
4. Art Museum of Southeast Texas (AMSET) - 500 Main St.
The FREE AMSET Museum is a gem of downtown. Home to an extensive and growing permanent collection, unique rotating exhibits focus on regional fine and folk art from the 19th - 21st century. Check their website for what they currently have on display.
5. Jefferson Theatre - 345 Fannin St.
Built in 1927 and restored in 2007, the Jefferson Theatre is one of the few remaining art deco movie houses in the country, named the Best Restoration Project in Texas. Designed by noted architect Emile Weil to house vaudeville shows and motion picture presentations, it has hosted some of the world's greatest motion pictures of all time, including "It's A Wonderful Life," whose 1947 premier had stars James Stewart and director Frank Capra in attendance. The theatre's most unique element is its massive original Robert Morton Organ (one of only a few left in the country) that consists of 778 pipes. Today, they host bi-monthly Classic Movie Nights (one of the best cheap dates in town) and other performances.
6. Tyrrell Historical Library - 765 Pearl St.
The Romanesque-Gothic building that houses the Tyrrell Library was designed by Alonzo N. Dawson, a prominent Texas architect, as the First Baptist Church of Beaumont in 1903. When the church moved to larger quarters in 1923, Captain W.C. Tyrrell bought the building and donated it to the citizens of Beaumont to use to document the history of Beaumont, Southeast Texas, and the genealogy of community members.
7. Lamar Pavilion - College St. and Pearl St.
Spindletop/Gladys City Boomtown is a ways from downtown, but you can get a taste of where Beaumont changed the world forever at the Lamar Pavilion. An homage to the gusher, see six replica derricks and a mural dedicated to the fateful oil boom at Waldman Park. It was painted by Artist Common, a Lamar University Student Group as a fundraiser for visiting artists.
8. Port of Beaumont - 1225 Main St.
A central transportation hub on the Neches River, the Port of Beaumont is the fifth busiest port in the United States, with major expansion plans underway that will increase cargo handling capacity by 25%. It is also one of the busiest military ports in the world for processing U.S. military equipment and serves as headquarters to the United States Army's 842d Transportation Battalion. Snap a photo with the old Santa Fe railcar and the largest freestanding propeller in the world. You're also right around the corner from the Jefferson County Courthouse, a beautiful 1930s art deco building and one of the tallest in the state.
9. St Anthony Cathedral Basilica - 700 Jefferson St.
Built over 100 years ago, St. Anthony's is one of the most resplendent houses of worship in the southwestern United States. In 2006, Pope Benedict XVI elevated the church to an honored title of cathedral basilica, one of just four in Texas, recognizing the site's historical, artistic and religious significance. As a key stop along Beaumont's Faith Trail, it's one shining example of the religious diversity in the area. Tours are available by request.
10. The Three Downtown Murals - 660 Fannin St.
What’s better than one mural? Three backdrops back to back. Head to 660 Fannin Street to see Frida, the mermaid, and the dragonfly, which were each painted by different local artists coordinated by Greg Busceme of The Art Studio, Inc.
11. Great Lawn - 900 Crockett St.
Part of the Event Centre, a premier downtown event venue, the Great Lawn is a 12-acre tree-lined green space surrounded by a 2-acre lake. Grab some to-go food because it's the perfect place to picnic with a shaded covered awning, playground, water feature, and walking trail.
Return your bike to the station at the Event Centre here!
