A Southeast Texas Gem: Beaumont Botanical Gardens
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Beaumont is a small Texas city located just 30 miles from the Gulf of Mexico and an hour from Houston. The city is most known for its’ unique roadside attractions which include a 135 foot tall alligator in front of Gator Country Adventure Park, a 24 foot Dalmatian spotted hydrant in front of the Fire Museum of Texas, and a Lucas Gusher Replica at Spindletop Glady’s City Museum.
Other must-dos in the region include a visit to the Louisiana casinos (Isle of Capri and L’auberge du Lac are both within a quick drive), hiking and biking at Big Thicket National Preserve, live interactions with alligators at Gator Country Adventure Park, and last but not least strolling around the beautiful Beaumont Botanical Gardens.
Mike and I recently passed through the town on a lengthy road trip from Florida to Northern Arizona. We love visiting gorgeous gardens across the country, and we figured this one was free so we might as well check it out. We were on our way to hotel in Austin, which is a good 4 hour drive so we wanted to take an opportunity to stretch our legs and get the blood flowing a bit. If you are into fitness, Austin is a really great vacation destination. I really love the Ladybird biking trail and the Barton Springs pool.
A hidden gem
In the small town of Beaumont, you will find a beautiful 23 acre garden located inside Tyrell Park. A paved pathway takes you through beautiful gardens. Spring is a great time to visit as the weather is not quite too hot and humid yet. If you find yourself passing through on your next road trip, I recommend getting out of the car to stretch your legs and enjoy the greenery.
This peaceful oasis features a rose garden, many different plant species, and a small pond and waterfall. It is home to the Warren Loose Conservatory, one of the largest conservatories in a public garden in Texas.
Springtime at the garden
Spring is the best time to plan a nature walk. Summers in Texas are way too hot and humid to comfortably walk around. Fall can also be too hot. Winters can be cold and icy plus there will not be many flowers blooming. Take a look at how gorgeous the gardens looked during our May visit. I especially loved the small fountains, waterfall, and rose garden. Overall, it was a great place to take a quick nature break after hours upon hours of driving.
Directions/Admission
The Garden is located at: 6088 Babe Zaharias Dr.
There is no entry fee.
Hours are dawn to dusk.
Conservatory hours are limited (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; open Saturday and Sunday 1p.m. to 5 p.m, closed on Wednesdays). Later hours in the summer months – check the website for details.
Where to dine
Sertino’s is a great little cafe which serves artisan coffee. I recommend stopping by for a delicious cup of joe and pastry or snack prior to your visit to the garden. The setting is cozy and relaxed, a perfect compliment to a morning strolling around a tranquil garden. I tried the Voodoo, a specialty drink consisting of espresso and dark brewed coffee. It’s super strong and will definitely give you a kick!
More fun things to do around the city
There are lots of interesting local museums to check out if you are staying in the area for a while. Here are a few of the most interesting choices you can consider adding to your itinerary.
- Fire Museum of Texas
- Gator Country
- McFaddin-Ward House Museum
- Art Museum of Southeast Texas
- Jefferson Theater
- Clifton Steamboat Museum
