Port Arthur Texas – Outdoors, Arts, Culture, and More

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A vibrant, bustling community that combines the natural beauty of outdoor opportunities of the nearby state park and wildlife with arts and culture, shopping, dining, entertainment and events, and much more. It’s a complete experience that visitors won’t forget.

Take I-10 just ninety miles east of Houston, and you’ll drive smack into Port Arthur Texas, a bustling community set against Sabine Lake and just a few minutes South of Beaumont and North of the Gulf of Mexico.   

 

Visiting Port Arthur Texas

Port Arthur is known for its outdoor activities, arts, culture, and food. In fact, it’s known as the Cajun capital of Texas. It’s a city that has something for everyone, whether they’re looking for fishing opportunities, shopping, or fine dining – and that’s just the start of what this community has to offer those who decide to stop by and stay awhile. 

A Birding Paradise

Find more info HERE    Unfortunately I’m not sure if it was the weather or since it was May, we didn’t see any birds.

Port Arthur is a great location for birding as it sits along one of the Central and Mississippi migratory flyways.  You will find a vast variety of birds passing through these areas, especially in the spring and fall migration periods.

The different habitats found in the area, including coastal areas, woodlands, and marshes attract many birds.

The best spots include Sea Rim State Park, Pleasure Island, and McFadden National Wildlife Refuge.  This can include wading birds, waterfowl, raptors and songbirds.

Spring migration is late February to mid-May, with April being peak time.

Fall migration is late August til mid-October as you see southbound birds migrating.

But you may find some all year long, just not as populated.

Outdoor Adventure

Port Arthur is surrounded by outdoor adventure opportunities. Between Sabine Lake, a short drive to the Gulf Coast, two wildlife management areas, two wildlife refuges, and Sea Rim State Park, this city is one of the best places in the state to enjoy outdoor fun.

 

I will have to say the weather wasn’t the best during our visit.  Our visit to Sea Rim State Park was cold and windy, not the beach weather we had hoped for.  There are several areas for exploring the park with walkways over the marsh areas. 

Beware of alligators though.

 

We were on the lookout for alligators but weren’t sure if the time of day or weather would matter.

Visitors will find amazing views, take in a variety of wildlife, and simply enjoy the natural beauty surrounding the city with activities like sailing, fishing, birding, hiking, biking, paddle trails, and much more. Between the lake, the refuges, a State Park, and miles of trails and even watery ways for paddle boarding, there’s no end to the outdoor adventure in Port Arthur Texas. 

The Arts and Culture

Port Arthur is home to a wide variety of artistic and historic sites and museums. The Museum of the Gulf Coast tells the exciting story of the region, beginning with its ancient history and moving into modern times.

At Port Arthur Little Theatre, patrons can enjoy the best of local acting, music, and theatre arts talent. The Art Museum of Southeast Texas is home to world-class art exhibits in a wide variety of disciplines. History buffs will love visiting the historic La Maison Beausoleil, Golden Triangle Veterans Memorial Park, and more. 

These are just a few of the many sites that welcome visitors day in and day out to discover the history and artistry of Port Arthur and Texas as a whole. 

We did find a few historic homes, but they weren’t offering tours at that time.

Shopping

In case you need to pick something up for your trip.  From Central Mall, full of name-brand stores, to tons of thrift shops, Southwestern apparel stores, and quirky spots like FlagShip Mailroom & Emporium, there’s a huge variety of shops to choose from for the savvy shopper.

No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find it in Port Arthur. You’ll also find things you didn’t know you needed! It’s all about the discovery and discovery of new and interesting locations and deals. 

 

Family Fun

Port Arthur Texas welcomes families with open arms, with all kinds of kid-friendly activities and family adventures. Lakefront Park on Pleasure Island offers a large, safe space for kids to climb, jump, and play, while Port Arthur Boardwalk is a nautical-themed spot that offers everyone in the family a chance to take in all the international ships that make their way through the area.

Sea Rim State Park and Beautiful Mountain Skate Park are two options for active play, and the area also fosters creativity, with art activities at The Art House and discovery at the Beaumont Children’s Museum. 

Although we didn’t see any wildlife while at Se Rim, on our way home we saw this gator crossing the road.  I saw it from a distance and wasn’t sure what it was at first, then to our delight, it was a gator. 

We drove close to get photos, but I never got out of the car.  I’ve heard how fast they can be so I wasn’t taking any chances.

Dining

Texas is famous for great beef and fresh seafood, and you’ll find both – along with a lot more – in Port Arthur and the greater Beaumont area. Port Arthur is called the Cajun capital of Texas for a reason, so be sure to enjoy some of the best Creole seafood, chicken, pork, and beef you’ll find anywhere.

What would a cajun restaurant be without crawfish?

Both of these restaurants were highly both which a cajun flare.

 

We were lucky too since we had a day without a car, there were places close by the hotel to walk to.    Saltgrass is a chain restaurant but not one around Chattanooga, so we do enjoy a good steak from there.

Next to the hotel was Rancho Grande Bar & Grill.  A great margarita along with chips and salsa.

If you only  make one stop in Port Arthur, Raos Bakery would be it.  From homemade cakes, cookies, pastries, and gelato, it was hard to choose.  I did have a cup of peach gelato while in the shop, but several items were taken back to the hotel for dessert and snacks.  Oh my!!!  They were all delicious. 

There are a few locations around Texas so I’ll be looking on our next trip.

Events

Throughout the year, Port Arthur Texas is home to various events that highlight its natural beauty, culture, the arts, food, and more. There’s always something going on, with events like shore fishing classes, Cajun and Creole acoustic jam sessions, the annual Nederland Heritage Festival and Cajun Heritage Fest, and more. 

Port Arthur Texas – A Must-See Spot in the Lonestar State

We had visisted Galveston in the past, but this was the first time of exploring the coast line in Texas. Both cities have been hit by hurricanes in the past.

Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, love to shop, have an interest in the arts and culture, or just want to enjoy some time in a place that makes you feel right at home while you discover new and interesting things, Port Arthur Texas always welcomes its visitors with open arms and a wide variety of opportunities. If you’re planning a trip to Southeast Texas, make Port Arthur a must-visit destination on your get-away. 

                                                                                                                                   

Famous Residents

You can always find a few well-known residents, or people born in the area.  Several names I recognized, and the most famous was Janis Joplin.  We even found the house she lived in for a while.  I will share more about her in the upcoming post about The Museum of the Gulf Coast.   This museum has so much information about the area you can spend all day exploring.

We were able to find her home on Google.

Jimmie Johnson, a former coach of the Dallas Cowboys and member of the University of Arkansas National Championship team in 1964.

ZZ Topp was from nearby Groves.

The Big Bopper

Lots of other music, acting, and sports legends which I’ll share in the Museum post.

 

A Few More Photos to Enjoy

I always love taking photos along any waterway.

What do you think the soup of the day would be?

 

I wanted to make sure I got a great photo of an oil refinery – lots to choose from.  This became part of a travel gallery wall.

 

Need More Ideas for Texas

 

Eating at Magnolia Table

Sightseeing in San Antonio

Things to do in Waco

 

 

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