Nestled on the banks of the Neches River, just 30 miles upstream from the Gulf of Mexico, Beaumont, Texas is a thriving, dynamic city with a colorful past that dates back to early French and Spanish explorers. Beaumont is a natural and cultural crossroads, rich in history and offering the best of many worlds to visitors. Beaumont's semi-tropical climate draws residents and visitors year-round for birding, fishing, hunting, boating, swimming, camping, and other outdoor recreation. Because Beaumont is a "hub" city, you can plan to arrive via highway, air, rail, or even water. Beaumont has all forms of recreational activity - from golf on one of the area courses, to picnics at one of our 35 parks, from birding to canoeing and from hunting to fresh and saltwater fishing. There's the Gulf of Mexico, the East Texas Lake Country and the "biological crossroads" of North America, the Big Thicket National Preserve. And we're also known as the "Museum Capital of Texas." These attractions include everything from the world class Texas Energy Museum to the small, unique museums for which the city is known. Visitors have good time virtually any day of the year, from Classical to Zydeco and from Pop and Jazz to Country and Cajun. There's river rides, swamp tours, canoe expeditions and camping - even horse racing and casino gaming in nearby Louisiana. In a word, there's EVERYTHING to do - and experience - during your stay in Beaumont, Texas.