With gas prices soaring, summer vacations seem like just a dream for many. It’s times like this when being a tourist in your town can save you lots of green and still leave you with plenty of memories. If I were going to spend a week being a tourist in my town, Beaumont, Texas, these are a few of the stops I’d make.
1. Take a tour of The Fire Museum of Texas. Open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm; free admission. While you’re there take your picture in front of the 24 foot tall, dalmatian spotted fire hydrant (the largest in the world) that was donated by Walt Disney World to celebrate the re-release of 101 Dalmatians.
2. Have a picnic lunch at the Beaumont Botanical Gardens. The gardens are free and open during daylight hours. For a few extra dollars, visit the Warren Loose Conservatory.
3. Visit Big Al, Texas’ largest alligator in captivity, at Gator Country. The park is open Monday through Sunday, 10:00am to 6:00pm. After holding a baby alligator, stay for lunch or dinner at the Gator Country Restaurant.
So, now you tell me … where are the top three places you would go if you were a tourist in your town?
Until next time … Buon Viaggio!
Cherrye’s Note: Andrea is a native southeast Texan who blogs about her life, her job and her random thoughts at Andrea Unplugged. Check it out!
The first must be very popular with dogs.
Do they serve gator at Al’s restaurant?
oh my! Do dogs go insane for that huge hydrant?
I’m sad to say… I haven’t done ANY of those things! Well, I’ve driven past the hydrant, but that’s it! Looks like I’ve got a few ideas for my next trip to Beaumont…
Hi Y’all! Thanks for stopping by. I don’t know but I would guess that they do serve gator on the seafood buffet. That’s how they do it in Texas. I don’t really know though. I am going in a few weeks and I’ll have to report back and let you know.
The fire hydrant…I think the dogs might. They advertize that this is the largest fire hydrant in the world but it is not. I can’t remember the article I read word for word, but if my memory serves me correctly, it is actually the 3rd largest or something like that. Anyhow, its fun to imagine it is the largest and the fact that it is dalmation spotted makes it even more awesome!
Lots like a nice place to visit.
Forget Catanzaro or Paris. I’m flying to Beaumont:)
You haven’t done ANY of these things, Alisa? We will just have to do them!
It is nice, Nadine. We dont have Seattle’s Best, though!!
LOL, J! Come on!
I had NO idea Beaumont had such unique attractions. I’m just going to have to work this into my next US vacation 🙂
See, Michelle? I told you Beaumont ROCKS!