Now that we’re hitting that sweet spot in Southeast Texas weather where we have pleasant, temperate weather for about two weeks, it’s time to talk PICNICS! We discovered a love for picnics during lockdown in March of 2020. Even living on acreage as we do outside of Beaumont, we got tired of the same old scenery and needed to find ways to mix it up and stay sane. Picnics helped us feel like still a part of society and changed our scenery, but still kept us socially distanced and safe. We’ve carried our love for picnics through the pandemic and into today, and made it something of a personal challenge to find the best possible spots we could. The more hidden and out of the way, the better! And, as always, our local gems didn’t disappoint!

We’re sharing this list in the hopes that you can have the same easygoing, fun adventures with your family, or even just find a new favorite spot for a quiet moment for yourself. Beaumont has so much to offer, and we’re always here to help you #LoveWhereYouLive.

Remember that picnics are supposed to be perfectly easy! Part of the initial appeal for us was raiding the fridge and pantry for whatever we had and was about to expire, packing it all up with a few things like balls and bubbles, and getting on our way. The spontaneity makes it more fun for us. And it’s been our experience that the company matters much more than the location, so you could honestly pull up into the Target parking lot and have an amazing day! However, if you’re looking for more of a classic, picturesque type picnic situation, here are a few of our favorites:

1. Cattail Marsh Wetlands (located inside Tyrrell Park)

4233 Babe Zaharias Dr, Beaumont, Tx, 77705

The allure and appeal of Cattail Marsh CANNOT be overstated. With over 900 acres of wetlands, a gorgeous scenic boardwalk that extends out into the marsh, over 8 miles of gravel roads along the levees, and an absolutely fantastic Educational Center that hosts a wide variety of events, it’s just one of those places that you can truly say has a little something for everybody. One of my favorite fun facts about Cattail Marsh is that it’s actually the final phase of the city’s wastewater treatment system. How cool is it that a wastewater treatment plant can also be a wildlife refuge that hosts up to 250 different species of birds annually and hosts a variety of aquatic critters that call Southeast Texas home. Cattail Marsh also offers seasonal van tours of the Marsh, completely free!

One of the ultimate kid-friendly places in Beaumont, hit up one of their free workshops, then pack a lunch and explore! If the weather is nice, let your kids run wild on the gravel levee roads or adventure along the Boardwalk, but even if our 409 weather gets a little temperamental, there are beautiful picnic tables beneath the Education Center painted by adored local artist Ines Alvidres // Amarte Art Studio.

NOTE: We have regularly spotted alligators around the Boardwalk and the levee roads, and they seem happy to give us our space. However, keep a close eye on your little ones and surroundings.

---

1. McFaddin-Ward House – under the trees near the rose garden

1906 Calder Ave, Beaumont, TX 77701

If you’ve been in Beaumont for a hot minute (especially pre-Covid), you probably know that the community picnics at the McFaddin-Ward house are a longheld local favorite. If you’ve been missing those picnics in this post-pandemic world, I’m here to tell you that you’re in luck. The beautiful lawn and gardens were meant to be enjoyed, and it’s perfect for a laid-back private picnic with kids. A sprawling, fenced-in lawn means your kiddos can explore to their hearts content without you having to worry about vehicle or pedestrian traffic, and there’s something so undeniably Southern summer about relaxing in the shade of the oaks next to a beautiful mansion built in 1906. The McFaddin-Ward House is a historic museum, so please be mindful of this and strive to leave the house and grounds even better than you found them so that others can enjoy this beautiful spot. The McFaddin-Ward House requests that you have your dates approved in advance by calling (409) 832-2134, and check in at the Visitor’s Center when you arrive.

---

2. Julie Rogers Theater – under the oak near the Beaumont Library Main Branch

765 Pearl St, Beaumont, TX 77701

This one holds a special place in my heart. One of our first post-lockdown gatherings with friends, we grabbed brunch picnics from various local spots like Rao’s, Toasted Yolk, and more, and had the most perfect morning doing absolutely nothing and feeling perfectly normal. You can sit and listen to the trains as they chug towards the Port of Beaumont, or the bells of St Anthony’s Basilica – all of it along with the gentle whoosh of occasional traffic creates an urban, downtown symphony that is so peaceful, relaxing, and just perfection for a morning picnic. There is a tall hedge that runs alongside Pearl Street that will guard your kids from dashing into any oncoming traffic, and a large lawn in between the Julie Rogers Theater and the Beaumont Public Library Main Branch where your kiddos can kick a soccer ball or blow bubbles while you relax in the shade with a book. The fountain in front of the Julie Rogers Theater can be a danger for small children, and playing on the buildings is not recommended. Remember to respect these beautiful, historic gems we’re so lucky to have!

---

3. Downtown Event Centre – under the trees on the north side of the lake (by the Lakeside Center)

700 Crockett St, Beaumont, TX 77701

This one ranks pretty even with the Julie Rogers picnic for me. The little area of trees on the north side of the lake near the Lakeside Center is picture perfect for a picnic. Downtown’s favorite feathered friends, the ducks that call the lake home, are happy to stop by and visit (and get exponentially less shy if you’re feeling generous with your lunch). After you eat, hop on over to the Rotary Centennial Playground (one of the best in Beaumont, in my opinion – fenced-in goes a long way towards winning my eternal favor) to let the kids burn off some energy. There are restrooms that are usually open for public use on the north side of the Event Centre, but they will be locked if there is an event taking place at the Event Center. Remember that swimming, diving, or wading in the lake is not permitted, and always keep an eye on your little ones near the water.

---

4. Rogers Park – on the hill

1455 Dowlen Road, Beaumont, TX 77706

I usually like my picnics with a healthy dose of shade, especially as the summer temperature shoots up, but for a mild spring day, the big hill at Rogers Park is perfect! My kids love rolling down the hill all the way to the bottom, getting up only to fall down dizzy, and then climbing back up to do it all over again. The playground on-site is another obvious perk, as is the newly renovated splash pad as we head into summer, and the hill is a pretty great vantage point for a parent who is wanting to give their child their independence while keeping a watchful eye on the goings-on. To cool off, pop into the R.C. Miller library next door and pick up some reading materials!

---

5. Dishman soccer fields

9000 Dishman Rd, Beaumont, TX 77713

This obviously is heavily-dependent on the weather, as the soccer fields pull double-duty as part of Beaumont’s drainage system, but that’s part of the appeal here! The sunken soccer fields mean plenty of room to spread out and let your little ones run and play, while all of the traffic on Dishman stays at a safe distance. Another one with no shade, but time it just right and you can pick wild dewberries along the fence line. Bring along a soccer ball or a kite for the cherry on top of a perfect picnic day. (The roadway is also dirt/gravel, in case you have that kid who is always on the hunt for the perfect rock). This one was a haven for us during the anxiety of the 2020 lockdown. Perfect for getting outside while still social distancing.

---

6. Pour Brothers Brewery

585 Wall St, Beaumont, TX 77701

This one might not fit the bill of a typical, traditional picnic (as in, blanket on the lawn), but it’s one of our favorite locations nonetheless and I couldn’t close out this list without including it! Pour Brothers was designed to be a family friendly environment and has an amazing, spacious, fenced-in (see? I’m a sucker for a fenced-in space) beer garden full of picnic tables that is the definition of “a little something for everyone.” Enjoy a cold one while challenging your little ones to a family tournament with giant Jenga or giant Connect-4. Or head inside and check out the fully-stocked, overflowing board game closet. Pour Brothers does not serve food, but has partnered with nearby New York Pizza and Pasta to provide a special pub menu via delivery. You can also catch food trucks there, usually on the weekends, or bring your own food in.

I’ve gotten a lot of raised eyebrows when I say that we love visiting a brewery with our children, but I’ve heard it straight from the owners mouths that the space was designed to be family friendly, and I think it brings up an interesting point. We approach it with the mindset that it teaches and models drinking alcoholic beverages socially and responsibly, that one beer does not a drunkard make, and that consuming alcohol socially doesn’t have to be this wild and crazy, out of control kind of thing like it’s often portrayed to be.

Even if you don’t drink alcohol, Pour Brothers also hosts Boomtown Market on the second Sunday of every month, which features an amazing collection of local food, art, music and so much more. It’s one of our can’t-miss events!

---

7. Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum – under the tree near the Lucas Gusher

5550 Jimmy Simmons Blvd, Beaumont, TX 77705

The museum regularly schedules free re-enactments of the Lucas Gusher – the 1901 oil discovery about three miles south of Beaumont that went on to shape Southeast Texas industry, and change Texas’ and the world economy forever. On those scheduled re-enactment days, get there a little early and grab the shady spot under the tree between the museum and the gusher and enjoy a picnic while waiting for the Gusher to go off. Kids will love kicking a ball around, flying a kite, or just exploring the spacious lawn around the Gusher as you count down.

After the re-enactment, make sure you visit the museum and have fun being a tourist in your town! Adults are $5, Seniors 60+ are $3, children ages 6-12 are $2, and children 5 & younger are free. Lamar University and Lamar Institute of Technology students, faculty, staff, retirees, and alumni are also free with a valid ID. You’ll see a short film before you’re free to explore the museum on your own self-guided tour. The museum also provides a scavenger hunt for kids, even going so far to have several variations available in case you have multiple children in your party. The gift shop on site is a wonderful collection of local treasures. This entire day and experience is a wonderful slice of local history that you and your kids will both love!

Make sure you’re following the museum on Facebook for the Gusher re-enactment events and more. You can also become a museum member.

---

Remember that our only hard and fast picnic rule is to leave things better than you found them, so please be mindful of the fact that many of these sites are enjoyed by many and make sure to clean up all your trash and watch your kiddos closely so everyone can continue to enjoy these favorites!

Did I miss one of your favorite picnic sites? Have any to add? Let me know!