There’s some real irony to the fact that this is the first summer in two years we’ve been allowed to do things ….. And now leaving the house is too expensive to do almost anything.  Gas is $5 a gallon, grocery costs are through the roof, don’t get me started on housing, but that doesn’t mean that you’ve got to cut your summer fun for the sake of the budget!  You can have fun in and around Southeast Texas with a whole host of free and/or affordable activities for the whole family.  

We also know that long, detailed lists can be slightly overwhelming, and because we’re a couple of homeschool moms who try to make literally everything a learning opportunity (seriously, ask these kids), we came up with a fun way to categorize these outings: THEME DAYS!   We love the idea of throwing all 26 letters in a jar and picking a random letter for a random adventure for the day, but you do you!  Go in order, skip around, do whatever makes the most sense for your brain and your family.  The most important thing is that you have FUN! 

ABCs of Southeast Texas:

A: Art Museum & Audiobooks
The Art Museum of Southeast Texas, located at 500 Main St, offers esteemed artwork in the form of a permanent collection as well as rotating exhibits showcasing local talent.  It’s also completely free, open to the public, family-friendly, and air-conditioned.  Winner all around!  Their summer exhibit, Documents and Dwellings by Keliy Anderson-Staley, opens July 2.  

And since The Beaumont Public Library System offers thousands of audiobooks via apps like Libby, all included with your regular Library card, you can settle in for a zero-effort storytime!  Grab some snacks (maybe apple slices or animal crackers?) and choose a family read-aloud.

DID YOU KNOW…  if you live in an unincorporated area of Jefferson County that does not have a library, the county will reimburse you same-day for the cost of a non-resident Library card!

B: Bicycles, Birdies, & Books

Hop on a BeauCycle, Beaumont’s bike rental program, and enjoy a scenic ride around Beaumont’s beautiful, historic downtown!   Did you know that Beaumont’s entire Downtown is listed as a US Historic District on the National Register?  Lamar even offers honors classes dedicated to Downtown Beaumont architecture!  You can use a suggested bike route, or simply roll where the breeze takes you.  For only $5 per bike for the first 3 hours, then $1 for every additional hour, why not both?! 

The Art Museum, along with many other SETX museums and attractions, are also Passport locations for Beaumont birdies!  Roll around on your BeauCycle and collect stamps on your Beaumont Birdies Passport and work towards your very own Beaumont Birdie!  Before heading home, make sure you stop by the Downtown branch of the Beaumont Public Library system and pick up a Summer Reading calendar of activities and some reading materials. And yes, audiobooks totally count as summer reading, in our opinion.

C: Cattail Marsh, & Classic Movie Nights

Cattail Marsh is bringing back some educational programming, meaning your air-conditioned, low-cost summer fun is COVERED!  Their Cattail Explorers program is returning, with free arts and crafts for kids every Saturday from 11 AM – 2PM.  The brand new Tyrrell Park Nature Explorers is featuring a new series at the Tyrrell Park Nature Center on Tuesdays. These programs are especially geared to the older elementary crowd (4th graders and up). Then, stay tuned for Marsh Minions, a program designed specifically for our toddler and preschool friends ages 2-5, to return in September.  Each Marsh Minion event includes a storytime along with a corresponding craft.

If our previous post covering the SETX Summer Movie Scene didn’t make it clear, we love a good movie night.  Classic Movie Nights at the Jefferson Theatre (345 Fannin, Beaumont) provide all the nostalgia of a movie experience from your childhood, with affordable tickets (only $6 for adults and $4 for children), concessions, and lots of audience interaction.  The movie line-up for July is full with double the movies every week and offers a little something for everyone!  

D: Disc Golf & Donuts

Speaking of Tyrrell Park, did you know that the Tyrrell Park Nature Center offers free frisbees for disc golf play inside Tyrrell Park on a first-come first-served basis?  You can also buy special Beaumont frisbees of your very own right in the Tyrrell Park Nature Center gift shop!  It’s hotter’n heck, but if your kids are early birds, get out early, grab some donuts and burn off some steam before it gets too hot, or wait until right before bedtime to push them over the edge into exhaustion for a good night’s sleep.

When it comes to donuts, there’s some debate.  We certainly have our favorite shops, but we wanna know – what’s your favorite place for a donut fix?  Wherever, and whichever, it is – it’s always a good time for donuts!

E: Edison & Empanadas

Did you know that Beaumont is the museum capital of Texas, with more museums per capita than any other city in the state?  And the majority of them are free or extremely affordable!  One such is the newly renovated Edison Museum, located at 350 Pine St.  It’s back after a 2-year hiatus for renovations that DOUBLED their exhibit space. Don’t miss their grand opening on July 4 from 3 PM-6 PM!  And yes – the Edison Museum is also a Birdie Passport stop!

If taking in all that science and history works up an appetite, swing by Beaumont’s newest and by far most affordable Mexican bakery, SuperAntojo de Hidalgo, for some authentic empanadas in a variety of flavors.  They also offer free Mexican coffee, mama.  You’re welcome.

F: Farmer’s Market & Fruit 

When was the last time you visited the Beaumont Farmers Market?  It’s open every Saturday morning from 8 AM – 11 AM at the Athletic Complex on College Street.   With the cost of grocery store goods, you might be surprised at how affordable our amazing local vendors are!  At any rate, bumping elbows with your neighbors and getting better acquainted with local vendors and their fare is never a mistake.  Pro tip:  Arrive before 9 AM to get the best market offerings! If Beaumont is a little off the beaten path for you, check out our list of local Farmer’s Markets and Farm Stands, as well as U-Pick Farms here. 

G: Geocaching & Glow-in-the-Dark
Have you ever heard of Geocaching?  It’s a global, outdoor treasure hunt using GPS-enabled devices like phones and tablets.  Millions of caches are hidden all over the world, and you can use clues and coordinates on the app to find them.  They can range in size, from super tiny to large and hidden in plain sight.  Some are super easy, some are more difficult, but they’re all super fun!  You can earn coins and prizes for completing the Official Visit Beaumont Geocaching Passport, or choose from the hundreds of other caches and hunts in the area!

Then, take it up a notch with a family night together on an epic glow-in-the-dark game of “hide and seek” or tag with glow sticks!

H: History Hop & House Museums

Take a one-day tour through the ages with a history museum hop!  Start at The John Jay French House Museum, one of the oldest houses in Beaumont and an up-close look at a real pioneer settlement and trading post.  From there, head to Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown, a replica of boomtown life circa 1901 when oil was discovered at Spindletop.  The Lucas Gusher put Southeast Texas on the map, ushered in the petroleum age, and changed the global economy forever.  The Chambers House Museum showcases life in Beaumont in the 1920’s, and the grand and majestic McFaddin-Ward House Museum lets you waltz right through life from 1906-1950 (note that this museum only admits ages 8 and up). Also worth checking out are colorful Pompeiian Villa in Port Arthur, as well as the stunning W.H. Stark House in Orange, which recently reopened to the public after major restoration efforts.  All of these museums feature incredibly affordable admission and an inside look at particularly intriguing slices of Southeast Texas history and the people who shaped it.  

B is for Bonus and Birdies – many of these stops are also stamps on your Birdie passport!  

I: Ivory Bill & Ice Cream

Ahoy, explorer!  Go on a Neches River Adventure aboard the Ivory Bill, a comfortable open-air boat that will take you on a leisurely cruise to experience the ecologically diverse “last wild river east Texas.”  The Ivory Bill offers public tours on Saturdays, March through November, usually departing at 10 AM from Collier’s Ferry Park, and is also available for charters, field trips and more!  Check the website for the full schedule and ticketing information.  Stop by your favorite ice cream shop on the way home to cool off!  We have a soft spot for La Real Michoacana – what’s your favorite ice cream spot?

J: Jump & Juice 

Jump up, jump up, and get down!  Your outdoor trampoline may be sitting empty in the heat of midday, but family-friendly Jumping World in Beaumont is always a favorite.  With offerings and attractions for a variety of ages, and a special local calendar offering special events like teen night and glow jump, it’s the perfect place to burn off some summer steam!  Afterwards, pour your favorite juice into fun molds for a special afternoon snack.  

K: Kindness & Kites

As moms, we’re always looking for fun opportunities to point our kids towards service and love.  Every so often, my kiddos and I love to go on a little reverse scavenger hunt of sorts where we sprinkle random acts of kindness all over the place.  Personal favorites have been things like taping bags of microwave popcorn to Redbox machines, sprinkling wildflower seeds around town, tucking extra coupons or compliments inside library books, and bringing cookies to neighbors and friends.  One that is new but already a huge favorite for us is making sure we leave positive reviews for local businesses where we’ve had positive experiences!  Kindness has the tendency to ripple along from person to person, and no act is ever too small.  Leave some love around town, then head to your favorite park for playing and kite-flying. 

L: Letters & Lemonade

Writing letters and notes is such a sweet, memorable way to connect with your kiddos.  Try making chores more palatable by hiding clues throughout the house and sending them on a scavenger hunt that only reveals clues as their chores are completed, or maybe start a special journal where you can write anything to one another without shame or judgment.  Sit down together with a pitcher of lemonade and take the time to write notes to friends and loved ones, thanking them and showing your appreciation and gratitude that they’re in your life.

Maybe you need to stock up for your random acts of kindness, or maybe you’re just addicted to stationary and school supplies like us, but either way, check out Letters to Zoe to take those notes to the next level!  

M: Murals & Movies

How about a day full of visual arts?  Start with a mural crawl – there are dozens of new murals in and around Beaumont thanks to the annual Beaumont Mural Fest in March!  They’re all must-see in my book, but pick your favorites with this guide, courtesy of VisitBeaumont.com! Turn it into an adventure day with a mural scavenger hunt option too!

 If you’d prefer to take in art with less physical exertion, how about a movie day?  Many local theaters are hosting discount summer deals for kids, with movies as low as $1.50 per person, and there are even more opportunities with Movies in the Park, Movies on the Lawn, Movies Sort of Near Historic Theaters – basically any kind of location you could want.  Check out our full Summer Movie Scene guide! 

N: Nederland & (Port) Neches

When was the last time you visited Nederland?  I’ll admit that I don’t get over there as often as I’d like, and every time I do visit, I end up wondering why I don’t visit more!  Visit Nederland’s Historic Boston Avenue for some retail therapy or window shopping, see the Dutch Windmill Museum, take in some fantastic murals, and more before popping over to Port Neches Park for a stroll on the riverwalk overlooking the Neches River. 

O: Outfield & Offer to Help

Note: Currently from last year…we are working to update this section.

Have you ever heard of Beep Baseball?  This inclusive form of baseball uses a ball and bases that – you guessed it – emit beeps for the visually impaired.  Beaumont is hosting the 2022 National Beep Baseball Association World Series!  If you’re looking to give back this summer, consider volunteering to reset bases, welcome teams, and even dog-sit during games!  Click here to volunteer.  

P: Ports, Propeller, and Picnic

Did you know that the Port of Beaumont is one of the busiest shipping channels in the United States, as well as THE number one busiest military port in the entire world.  And it’s right here in our backyard!  Access to the port is limited, but you can see the Largest Free-Standing Propeller in America, as well as a restored Santa Fe caboose.  Pack a picnic and try out one of the spots on our picnic guide when you’re ready for a break!

Q: Queso Quest! 

It’s a well-known, well-documented fact that queso makes everything better.  Do you have a favorite queso locally?  And when was the last time you had a girls night?  You’re overdue!  Invite over some friends for a queso party!  Everyone brings their favorite queso and a bag of chips, and just spend some time laughing, eating, catching up, eating, doling out advice, eating, sampling different quesos, and eating.  

R: Rao’s & Rest 

Look, I know it’s tempting to plan ALL the things, and look at how much there is to do!  You could adventure off of this list alone for days and days – but it’s summertime.  The days are supposed to be slow, free, and easy.  Don’t let yourself fall into the Mom guilt trap of feeling like you need to keep up with everyone else, or that your kids don’t have fun parents – instead, teach your kids an important life lesson about the importance of prioritizing rest.  Grab some muffins from Rao’s for breakfast tomorrow and allow yourself to sleep in, then spend the entire day relaxing.

S: Swimming, Splash Pads & Snow Cones

You can’t have summer without a day at the pool!  Have you checked out our Guide to Pools and Splash Pads yet?  It’s the most comprehensive list out there for local opportunities to live your best summer life, from free city pools to paid private pools and beyond.  There’s even an interactive map that will bring you exactly where you want to go!  Spend a lazy day poolside, and round it out with another summer favorite – a snow cone.  Do you call it a snow cone, a snow ball, or something else? Here’s a master list of local cool treats to test and find your family favorite!

T: Tacos & Tie-Dye

Note: Currently from last year…we are working to update this section. *MAKE Creative Space is no longer open.

If you’re really just craving some social time, get some friends together and book a workshop at MAKE Creative Space on Calder Ave!  You can choose from a variety of projects, including tie-dye, door hangers, art journaling, paint with your pet, a splatter room, and more!  You are also allowed to bring in food for your event, so tell everyone to grab a tray of tacos from their favorite food truck or restaurant on the way over.  Just let us know when!

U: U-Pick & Umbrellas
U-Pick season in SETX is coming to a close, but there are still a few solid weeks of blueberry season left.  Find a local farm near you using the U-Pick guide on 409Family.com.  Pick some delicious, refreshing snacks, then make memories by baking delicious treats!  Don’t forget your umbrellas to create your own shade – it’s hot out there!

V: Village Creek & Volleyball

Village Creek State Park recently announced that their swim beach is reopened!  There’s some controversy from our Blessed Moms on where exactly the swim beach is located, but official word from Village Creek State Park is to follow the signs for the Primitive Walk-In Sites, that will then connect you to Village Creek Trail, which will lead to the swim beach.  The trail is 2.1 miles roundtrip and moderate difficulty with some dips and rises.  Grab a volleyball and catch some rays at the creek!  

W: WaterSports and Wheelhouse

Looking for a unique date night, moms night out, girls night out, or just night out period?  We got you!  Golden Triangle Watersports, a local family-owned business, offers personal cruises along the Neches River, including a 3-hour cruise that includes dinner at the Neches River Wheelhouse.  You can also schedule lighted night cruises, shorter 2-hour cruises, and even jet-ski and boat rentals!  If the price tag is a little uncomfortable for your budget, invite some friends along and split it!

X: Axe-Throwing

Don’t judge – not many things start with X.  But thankfully, there are a variety of axe-throwing venues out there, no matter where you live, bringing some fun, new entertainment opportunities to the area.  Avenue Axe on Port Neches Avenue brought axe-throwing to the area and remains a favorite, but Copper Bullet Lodge brought axe-throwing, as well as a gun and archery range, to Buna, while Hooligan’s Axe Throwing opened earlier this year in Lumberton.  Let us know which one is your favorite!

Y: Yesteryear & Yogurt

Note: Currently from last year…we are working to update this section.

We’ve already talked briefly about all the movie opportunities, including the -ahem- entire post about it, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention a special event that we’re super excited about.  The McFaddin-Ward House Museum is hosting Movies by the Decades this summer, inviting the community to join them in viewing films from yesteryear on their beautiful, sprawling grounds.  That lawn was made for families and picnics, and there’s something so summer about outdoor movies, especially in the shadow of a breathtaking mansion that still feels like a family home.  Singin’ in the Rain is scheduled for July 21 at 7:30 pm, so grab your yellow (see what I did there?) rain boots, stop for frozen yogurt on the way, and come join us on your favorite blanket for a special summer memory.

Z:  Zinnias & Zippers

Ridgetop Flower Farm recently hosted their first U-Pick Night at the farm, where guests could come and pick their own bouquets.  The very idea is so dreamy and southern summer and checks a lot of boxes for me, not only because I’m a crazy plant lady, but it’s too hot in the sun to live, basically.  Nights on the flower farm sound like one of the best things ever, honestly.  Let the Ridgetop folks know you’d love to see another U-Pick night at the farm!  Until then, break out the sleeping bags and have a good old fashioned backyard campout!  Unzipping the zipper on a sleeping bag and laying it flat creates the perfect palette for a nighttime picnic or stargazing.  Gather your favorite snacks and get outside for some nighttime memories in the cooler air – but don’t forget the mosquito spray.

——-

Hopefully this helps you create summer fun on the tighter budget we’re all operating under these days.  Although there is the pricier outlier or two on the list, we tried to keep things free and/or affordable so that everyone can partake in all the fun around the area!  Our biggest hope is that you have fun with this list and really make it your own.  However you use this guide, we hope you make memories, have fun, and love where you live!

Which letter will you try first? 

Did you make any changes or adjustments to the list when you tried it?  Let us know!