Best Things to Do in Beaumont Texas with Kids

In southeastern Texas, about an hour from Houston and close to the Louisiana border, is the city of Beaumont, Texas. Many people have heard of Beaumont, but don’t know much about it. We explored the city on a recent road trip, and I have to say, don’t drive through, make plans to stop here. The city’s hospitality, food, and fun don’t disappoint. A visit to Beaumont with kids needs to be on your Texas bucket list!

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*We were guests of Beaumont CVB for the purposes of this review. As always, opinions are 100% our own!

What to Do in Beaumont with Kids

Gator Country Adventure Park

Yes, this part of Texas has gators! Thankfully you won’t find them wandering the streets, but they do occasionally make themselves nuisances. That’s where Gator Country comes into play, as they rescue gators and bring them to their wildlife sanctuary.

This is the largest gator sanctuary in southeast Texas, and kids and adults alike will enjoy seeing the gators close up. Gator Country also has other rescue reptiles (think snakes, tortoises, and lizards), and mammals too. 

Do yourself a favor and buy some hot dogs to feed to the alligators. The kids will go crazy seeing their giant jaws open wide. Stick around for the educational sessions with the gator trainers, we guarantee they will teach you something about these massive reptiles you didn’t already know!

Spindletop Cruisers

Quite possibly one of our favorite things to do in Beaumont with kids is taking a night time ride with Spindletop Cruisers. This is best for families with kids who are 13 and above because they need to be confident riders. Everyone has their own cruiser bike to decorate with glow-in-the-dark decor, so get ready for some fun. As you pedal through downtown Beaumont the tour guide blasts party music so dance along as you ride. We have never had so much fun, and we can’t wait for you to try this!

World’s Largest Working Fire Hydrant and Fire Museum of Texas

It’s hard to miss the enormous fire hydrant in downtown Beaumont. The Dalmatian spotted monument was donated by Walt Disney Company to celebrate the 1999 release of “101 Dalmatians”. And it actually works, blasting water at a whopping 1500 gallons per minute! Be sure to get a photo next to it.

Adjacent to the fire hydrant is the Fire Museum of Texas. Kids will love exploring the museum’s fire truck and equipment collections, with some artifacts dating to the mid 1800s. Don’t miss upstairs where they can practice fire safety drills and see where firefighters would sleep when this used to be a working fire station.

Street art scavenger hunt

There’s art to be found all around Beaumont, so consider creating a scavenger hunt with kids to find each piece. Snap a photo and see who can come up with the most creative shots.

Of course, the fire hydrant is great for photos, but here are some other places to explore:

Three murals at 660 Fannin Street, Frida Kahlo, Dragonfly Mural, and Mermaid Mural.

Inside Crazy Cajun restaurant, a colorful giant crawfish mural (2310 N. 11th Street)

“You Are The Best Thing About Me” mural at 701 Main Street 

Explore Tyrrell Park

Tyrrell Park is the largest park in Beaumont, and includes everything you could want in a park and more. There are horse stables, a golf course, an archery range, and playground, but the main attractions are Cattail Marsh Scenic Wetlands and Boardwalk and Beaumont Botanical Gardens. It’s truly an awesome spot for families visiting Beaumont.

Cattail Marsh is 900 acres of wetlands with over 250 species of birds. There is a boardwalk with viewing platforms so you can get right in the middle of the action. The adjacent Wetlands Education Center has free activities each month for families and a trail around the wetlands is perfect for family walks or bike rides.

The Beaumont Botanical Gardens cover 23 acres in Terrell Park. Walk through the grounds and explore the Warren Loose Conservatory, one of the largest in Texas. There’s something different blooming every season so be sure to check it out.

Get outdoors at Big Thicket National Preserve

Big Thicket was the first National Preserve, and it covers 113,114 acres and is considered one of the most ecologically diverse places in the world. Visitors can see cypress and pines, swamplands and coastal tidelands, and may even catch a glimpse of gators or bobcats (let’s hope not). 

There are plenty of ways to explore Big Thicket. Consider renting a kayak, going fishing or hiking, or even bird watching. With 40 miles of hiking trails and 20 miles of paddling trails, we are sure you can spend countless hours here having fun with kids.

Spindletop Gladys City Boomtown

If you want to learn about Beaumont’s oil industry history, head to Spindletop Gladys City Boomtown located on the Lamar University campus. Spindletop is a re-creation of a “boomtown” that developed when the Lucas gusher was tapped in 1901. 

If your schedule allows, plan a visit during Gladys City Live. Families are given currency from 1901 that they can use top purchase goodies like ice cream and root beer in the  local stores and tavern. Local actors and actresses dress up in period clothing and interact with guests. Be sure to watch the blacksmith at work in his shop and engage with other townspeople.

There is a giant gusher on the property that shoots water into the sky, but due to ice storm damage, it’s not currently working. I’m sure kids would love to see this once it’s back up and running.

5 Under Golf Center

If your family is up for some fun competition, head to 5 Under Golf Center, a Top Golf affiliate. There are games of skills and luck, and all ages are sure to enjoy their injectable donuts and delicious food.

Where to eat in Beaumont TX with kids

Speaking of food, one of the best things about Beaumont is its cuisine. Kids will love trying the local Cajun dishes, and even if they don’t like seafood, there are plenty of other options. Some of our favorites:

Crazy Cajun

When in Beaumont, it isn’t hard to find a restaurant that serves Cajun food. If you manage to visit during crawfish season, be sure to order some of the local specialty dishes. Crazy Cajun has an awesome indoor/outdoor patio space with live music on the weekends. It’s a fun place to take the kids.

JWilsons

One of our favorite restaurants in Beaumont, JWilsons is a delightful neighborhood restaurant serving New American cuisine. There honestly isn’t a bad choice on the menu.

Koi

If you are looking for sushi, Koi has some of the best in Beaumont. There’s teriyaki and rice dishes for less adventurous eaters.

Rao’s

This Beaumont staple has been serving up Italian baked goods since 1941 and are famous for their Mardi Gras king cakes. Stop in for a delicious muffin for breakfast and try the paninis for lunch. No matter what time you come, you are sure to get a great meal!

Tia Juanitas Fish Camp

Tia Juanitas serves an eclectic mix of Cajun and Mexican cuisine and everything we had there was delicious. Don’t miss their po’ boy sandwiches and seafood gumbo.

Toasted Yolk Café

If you love a great breakfast place, then head toToasted Yolk Café. Don’t miss the churro donuts, we promise they don’t disappoint.

Beaumont is super family friendly and easy on the wallet too. Most attractions are free and no one is going to complain about that!