While Beaumont as a city is fairly large, the downtown is rather compact and very walkable with most of the major attractions clustered within a few blocks of each other. Just 1.5 miles between Beaumont’s top attractions, it’s super easy for a visitor to see a lot with limited time and you won’t even break a sweat hitting all our hotspots. Here’s your self-guided walking tour to follow.
1. Art Museum of Southeast Texas (500 Main St, Beaumont, TX 77701)
Always free, the Art Museum of Southeast Texas (or AMSET to locals) showcases pieces from the 19th century through the present day with a focus on modern and contemporary American art, the Texas region in particular. The permanent collection includes paintings, prints, photos, sculptures, and mixed media. Exhibits rotate every few months so even if you’ve visited in the past, you’re in for a whole new experience this time around.
2. Texas Energy Museum (600 Main St, Beaumont, TX 77701)
The place to learn about oil from production and extraction to the refinery process, interactive exhibits tell the history of the area from Spindletop through modern times. From chemistry to geology, it’s a fascinating look into the industry upon which Beaumont was built.
3. Edison Museum (350 Pine St, Beaumont, TX 77701)
One of the world’s most prolific inventors, the Edison Museum is dedicated to the quirky scientist, electrical engineering, and his novel creations from the lightbulb through motion pictures and sound recording. Because he never failed: he just found 10,000 ways that didn’t work, a bunch of his lesser-known innovations are on display.
4. Fire Museum of Texas (400 Walnut St, Beaumont, TX 77701)
A dedication to hometown heroes, the Fire Museum of Texas houses a collection of antique fire trucks and equipment dating back to the 1800s. Snap a selfie in front of the World’s Largest Fire Hydrant, play dress up, or try the simulator. The iconic building is a Texas Historic Landmark.
5. Beaumont Children’s Museum (701 Main St, Beaumont, TX 77701)
The Beaumont Children’s Museum teaches STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) programming through hands-on experiences. Education by doing, interactive games and stations encourage kids to learn about weather, industry, and community by touching, playing, and creating.
6. Tyrrell Historical Library and Julie Rogers Theatre (765 Pearl St, Beaumont, TX 77701)
Two of downtown’s architectural gems, the Tyrrell Library holds and preserves the town archives in a gorgeous Victorian Gothic building. The collections include personal mementos of life in Southeast Texas from family letters and journals to scrapbooks and newspaper clippings. Next door, the Julie Rogers Theatre is one of the area’s most celebrated venues.Home to the Symphony of Southeast Texas and performances by the Beaumont Civic Opera, Beaumont Civic Ballet, and Beaumont Ballet Theatre, it’s an elegant building to admire or see a show.
7. St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica (700 Jefferson St, Beaumont, TX 77701)
One of just a handful of cathedral basilicas in the USA, this immaculate church is a must-see and one of Beaumont’s crown jewels and part of the local Faith Trail. Over 100 years old, it’s massive dome, stained glass windows, mosaics, and art are a thing of beauty and worth marveling at even if you’re not religious.
8. Jefferson Theater (345 Fannin St, Beaumont, TX 77701)
Listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and a designated a Texas Historic Landmark, the Jefferson Theatre is theatre in its heyday. Built in the 1920s, the building still houses performances, concerts, and weekly classic movie nights.
Bonus: Don’t Miss the Downtown Murals – there are three at 660 Fannin St. and the quote on the side of the Civic Center (where the Children’s Museum is). Want to get even more steps? Explore Crockett Street, the area’s former outdoor entertainment district.
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