Jefferson County

Starting in Jefferson County, make your way to the McFaddin-Ward Historic House at 1906 Calder Avenue, Beaumont. This 1905 house still preserves its original furnishings. Take a one-hour guided tour led by knowledgeable docents, delving into the history of the McFaddin family and Beaumont during the oil boom. While ghost stories may not be on the agenda, the experience is bound to transport you back in time. Be sure to check their website for any special events.

Moving on, don’t miss the John Jay French House located at 3025 French Road in Beaumont. On Saturday, Oct. 21, from 6 to 9 p.m., the house is hosting its annual Pumpkin Walk and Fall Festival. Take part in a haunted tour of the 1845 French home, where departed French family members might make an appearance, and enjoy a haunted hayride of the grounds. The Beaumont Heritage Society oversees both the John Jay French House and the Chambers House. Refer to their website for details on tours and special events.

Texas History Trip Plan includes The McFaddin-Ward Historic House and the John Jay French House.

Saturday, Oct. 21, Pumpkin Walk and Fall Festival at John Jay French House in Beaumont. 

Galveston County

In Galveston County, ghost tours and a wealth of history await on Galveston Island. Make sure to include The Bryan Museum, located at 1315 21st Street, Galveston, on your itinerary. This museum boasts one of the largest collections of Southwestern historical artifacts, documents, and artwork in the United States. What adds an extra layer of intrigue is that the collection resides within Galveston’s Orphans Home, which weathered the devastating 1900 Storm and operated until 1984. The Museum is hosting a Halloween Spooktacular on Sunday, Oct. 29 from 12:30 to 2:30 p pm with six candy stations around the Museum grounds, a scavenger hunt, spooky stories in the gazebo, crafts costumer parade and ghost hunt in the garden. 

Texas History Trip Plan includes The Bryan Museum.

Sunday, Oct. 29, Halloween Spooktacular at The Bryan Museum in Galveston. 

Also in Galveston, the Galveston Naval Museum at Seawolf Park, 100 Seawolf Parkway, is offering its seasonal Ghost Tours on Oct. 21 and 28. Here, you can explore the WWII submarine USS Cavalla and the last remaining Edsall-class destroyer escort in the US, the USS Stewart. The museum also offers Hard Hat Tours, providing access to areas of the USS Stewart typically off-limits to the public on Fridays through Sundays.

Saturday, Oct. 21 & 28, Ghost Tours of the USS Cavalla and USS Stewart at the Galveston Naval Museum in Galveston. 

Brazoria County

Venturing into Brazoria, be sure to visit the Varner-Hogg Plantation at 1702 N. 13th Street West, West Columbia, on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 6 to 9 pm for Ghosts Along the Brazos. Storytellers will be posted throughout the Varner-Hogg Plantation grounds sharing stories from Catherine Munson Foster’s Ghosts Along the Brazos book. The Texas Historical Commission manages this property. For other upcoming events, check the Facebook page for the site.

Texas History Trip Plan includes the Varner-Hogg Plantation.

Saturday, Oct. 28, Ghost Along the Brazos at the Varner-Hogg Plantation in West Columbia. 

The Freeport Historical Museum at 311 East Park Avenue, Freeport, is featuring Haunted Tales of the Texas Coast in October. This seasonal exhibit, accompanied by a video presentation with reenactors, brings to life ghostly stories from the region. The exhibit runs throughout the month of October. Check their Facebook page for upcoming events and special exhibits.

Ongoing thru Oct. 31, Haunted Tales of the Texas Coast at the Freeport Historical Museum in Freeport. 

Matagorda County

In Matagorda County, a must-visit is the Matagorda County Museum at 2100 Avenue F, Bay City. Don’t miss the diorama showcasing part of the excavation and artifacts from the La Belle shipwreck. The La Belle shipwreck was discovered by Texas Historical Commission archaeologists in 1995. Additionally, children will delight in the children’s museum, which offers a glimpse into a turn-of-the-century Texas town, complete with a typical prairie home.

Our final stop is the City by the Sea Museum at 401 Commerce Street, Palacios. Here, you’ll encounter an exhibit dedicated to the Karankawa Indians, featuring a collection of artifacts. Take your time exploring the Camp Hulen exhibit, which originated as a Texas National Guard Camp in the mid-1920s and later served as a POW camp.

Texas History Trip Plan includes the Matagorda County Museum and City the Sea Museum. 

As you explore the Upper Texas Coast, be sure to seek out locally-owned small restaurants and start making notes for your next visit. For more suggestions for the Upper Texas Coast, download our Trip Plans and bookmark your favorite blogs. 

About Lone Star Coastal Alliance

The Lone Star Coastal Alliance is a 501(c)3 created to preserve and promote the upper Texas Gulf Coast region in a manner that enhances coastal resilience while fostering economic development focused on conservation and tourism, elevating the unique natural, cultural, and historical assets of the region and benefitting quality of life within the communities.

The post Must-See Ghost and History Tours on the Upper Texas Coast appeared first on Explore Lone Star Coastal.

Originally launched in 2017 by Houston Audubon, Lights Out Texas has grown statewide due to standardization by Texan by Nature with other leading organizations. Today, the effort is facilitated by Audubon Texas in collaboration with conservation non-profits, universities, governmental organizations, and Texans dedicated to the conservation of birds.

Since then, American National and other businesses have worked with the Houston Audubon and Galveston County Audubon Group to implement preventive measures to create safe passage for birds during migration. And, you can help too!

Every fall, nearly 2 billion birds migrate south through Texas, most flying at night. Did you know that by turning off your excess lighting during migration, you can help provide safe passage for these birds as they travel to their summer homes?

Here are some easy things you can do to save the birds (Source: Birdcast):

• Turn off all non-essential lights from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. each night during migration season, Aug. 15 through Nov. 30.
• Do not use landscape lighting to light up trees or gardens where birds may be resting.
• For essential lights (like security lighting), use the following lighting practices:
  • Aim lights down
  • Use lighting shields to direct light downwards and to avoid light shining into the sky or trees
  • Use motion detectors and sensors, so lights are only on when you need them 
  • Close blinds at night to reduce the amount of light from windows
• Share your success on social media and with the press, your commitment to go lights out to save birds is newsworthy!

Guidelines for buildings taller than three stories (Source: Birdcast)

• Extinguish or dim: Exterior and decorative lighting (i.e., spotlights, logos, clock faces, greenhouses, and antenna lighting); lobby/atrium lighting; and lighting in perimeter rooms on all building levels.
• Avoid Floodlights, illuminating interior plants or fountains and unoccupied floors; scheduling cleaning crews after dark, and blue-rich white light emissions (lighting with a color temperature of over 3000 Kelvin).
• Use: Desk lamps or task lighting rather than overhead lights; blinking lighting instead of continuously burning lights; and warm light sources (less than 3000 Kelvin) for outdoor lighting.
• Explain the policy to staff, which saves both birds and money.
• Designate staff members who’ll be responsible for turning off lights. 

BirdCast provides live and local bird migration alerts throughout the continental US, as detected by radar. This tool can check if birds are migrating in your area tonight in low, medium, or high densities. Current designated Bird Cities on the Upper Texas Coast are Galveston and Surfside. Other locations can use the local bird migration alert. Remember, by turning out all non-essential lights outside and inside from 11 PM – 6 AM during peak Fall Migration from August 15 through November 30, you’ll create a safe flight path for billions of birds!

To learn more, visit Lights Out Texas, a campaign of education, awareness, and action that focuses on turning out lights at night during the spring and fall migrations to help protect the billions of migratory birds flying over Texas annually. 

For more ideas to discover the beauty of the Upper Texas Coast, download our Explore Nature Trip Plan. 

Lone Star Coastal Alliance is committed to promoting nature and heritage tourism and outdoor recreation opportunities in Jefferson, Galveston, Brazoria, and Matagorda Counties. 

The post <strong>Save the Birds, Turn off Your Lights during Fall Migration in Texas</strong> appeared first on Explore Lone Star Coastal.

Fun Fact: Studies show that being outside in nature relaxes us and reduces our stress and cortisol levels, muscle tension, and heart rates. While June is National Great Outdoors Month, don’t you think you should enjoy the “great outdoors” year-round? We have some ideas for enjoying the great outdoors on the Upper Texas Coast.  

Kayaking on the Upper Texas Coast

The Upper Texas Coast is generally kayak-friendly year-round. Put these spots on your list: 

• Big Thicket National Preserve (Jefferson County)
• Village Creek State Park, which is on the outskirts of Big Thicket (Jefferson County)
• Sea Rim State Park in Sabine Pass (Jefferson County)
• East End Lagoon Nature Preserve in Galveston (Galveston County)
• Galveston Island State Park in Galveston (Galveston County)
• Clear Creek Paddle Trail in League City (Galveston County)
• Sugar Mill Stretch of the Stephen F. Austin Trail on the Brazos River (Brazoria County)
• Gulf Prairie Run of the Stephen F. Austin Trail on the Brazos River in Lake Jackson (Brazoria County)
• Matagorda Bay Nature Park, operated by the LCRA (Matagorda County)
• Riverside Park in Bay City (Matagorda County)

Fishing on the Upper Texas Coast

Did someone say fishing? The Upper Texas Gulf Coast offers great fishing spots for anglers to enjoy. Find a pier, rent a johnboat or kayak, or book a fishing charter with a guide. For more experienced fishermen, you can also find guides specializing in fly fishing.  

• Big Thicket National Preserve (Jefferson County) 
• Sea Rim State Park in Sabine Pass (Jefferson County)
• Galveston Island State Park in Galveston (Galveston County)
• Seawolf Park on Pelican Island in Galveston (Galveston County)
• Bastrop Bayou Public Fishing Area and the Salt Lake Public Fishing Area in Freeport (Brazoria County)
• Quintana Beach County Park. (Brazoria County)
• Matagorda Bay Nature Park, operated by the LCRA (Matagorda County)
• Riverside Park in Bay City (Matagorda County)

Bookmark, download, and scan our Balancing Act Trip Adventure and see our kayaking and fishing blog for more ideas on exploring the Upper Texas Coast. 

About Lone Star Coastal Alliance

The Lone Star Coastal Alliance is a 501(c)3 created to preserve and promote the upper Texas Gulf Coast region in a manner that enhances coastal resilience while fostering economic development focused on conservation and tourism, elevating the unique natural, cultural, and historical assets of the region and benefitting quality of life within the communities. 

The post <strong>Enjoying the Great Outdoors on the Upper Texas Coast</strong> appeared first on Explore Lone Star Coastal.

ExploreLoneStarCoastal.com is a project of the Lone Star Coastal Alliance (LSCA) created to preserve and promote the Upper Texas Coast as a national treasure and a point of pride for Texans. This website offers more than 300 points of interest along the Upper Texas Coast. The goal is to promote the area in a way that enhances coastal resilience while encouraging conservation and tourism that elevates the region’s unique natural, cultural, and historical assets. As part of this mission, you’ll find travel tips and, coming soon, “Trip Adventures,” focusing on nature, history, culture, and balancing progress while preserving the community.

We’d love to share these trip ideas with as many people as possible! Join our Road to 1,000 Followers Giveaway and you could win a $100 Visa (or similar) gift card. 

Here’s how:

Follow @explorelonestarcoastaltx on Instagram and tag a friend. 

Every tag counts as one entry. We’ll give away $100 for every 1,000 followers gained. 

You can invite your friends to join the fun by sharing our posts and stories. 

And, don’t forget to tag @ExploreLoneStarCoastalTX. 

And remember, you can also find us on Facebook. Terms & Conditions are below.  

Explore Lone Star Coastal, Road to 1,000 Followers Giveaway — 

Terms & Conditions

● For the purposes of these Terms and Conditions, “The Promoter” refers to The Lone Star Coastal Alliance whose Instagram handle is @explorelonestarcoastaltx. The “Prize” refers to a $100 Visa (or similar) gift card.

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For more ideas about exploring the Upper Texas Coast, click Things to Do and search by category.  
Lone Star Coastal Alliance is committed to promoting nature and heritage tourism and outdoor recreation opportunities in Jefferson, Galveston, Brazoria, and Matagorda Counties.

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Let’s start in Jefferson County at the McFaddin-Ward Historic House, 1906 Calder Avenue in Beaumont. This home was built in 1905 and still features the original furnishings. The one-hour docent-led tour covers the history of the McFaddin family and Beaumont during the oil boom. We’re sure you’ll feel like you’re stepping back in time. Check their website for other special events. 

Next is the John Jay French House, 3025 French Road, in Beaumont. The Beaumont Heritage Society operates the John Jay French House and the Chambers House. See the website for details on tours and special events. 

Down the road, in Galveston County, make sure to put The Bryan Museum, 1315 21st Street, in Galveston, on your list of stops. The Museum has one of the largest Southwestern historical artifacts, documents, and artwork collections in the United States. Another interesting aspect of the museum is the collection is housed in the Galveston’s Orphans Home, which survived the 1900 Storm and operated through 1984.

Also in Galveston, the Galveston Naval Museum at Seawolf Park, 100 Seawolf Parkway. The Galveston Naval Museum berths the WWII submarine USS Cavalla and the only Edsall-class destroyer escort left in the US, the USS Stewart. The Museum also offers new Hard Hat Tours in areas of the USS Stewart that are typically closed to the public. 

As we make our way to Brazoria, you’ll want to stop at the Varner-Hogg Plantation, 1702 N. 13th Street West, in West Columbia. Take a tour around the Varner-Hogg Plantation grounds and listen to tales about the significance of the plantation to the area. The Texas Historical Commission operates this property. Check the THC website for other upcoming events. 

Freeport Historical Museum, 311 East Park Avenue, in Freeport, is another great stop. Visit their Facebook page for upcoming events and special exhibits. 

In Matagorda County, your best stop is the Matagorda County Museum, 2100 Avenue F, in Bay City. A must-see is the diorama of part of the excavation and artifacts from the La Belle shipwreck. Texas Historical Commission archaeologists discovered the La Belle shipwreck in 1995. And kids will love their children’s museum offering a turn-of-the-century Texas town, including a typical prairie home.

Our last stop is the City by the Sea Museum, 401 Commerce Street, in Palacios. You’ll find an exhibit on the Karankawa Indians, which includes artifacts and you’ll also want to spend time at their Camp Hulen exhibit, which started as a Texas National Guard Camp in the mid-1920s and later served as a POW camp.   

We encourage you to look for those locally owned small restaurants as you explore the Upper Texas Coast and start taking notes for your return visit. Search our website’s Things to Do section for suggestions for the Upper Texas Coast. 

Lone Star Coastal Alliance is committed to promoting nature and heritage tourism and outdoor recreation opportunities in Jefferson, Galveston, Brazoria, and Matagorda Counties. 

The post History Tours on the Upper Texas Coast appeared first on Explore Lone Star Coastal.

Most Fridays, Classic Movie Nights at Jefferson Theatre in Beaumont. What started as a way to showcase a historic theater is now a regular event both locals and visitors love. Classic Movie Nights are most Fridays when families gather to watch their favorite classic movies inside the beautiful Jefferson Theatre in downtown Beaumont. (Jefferson County)

March 2 – 12, Beaumont Restaurant Week in Beaumont. From Tex-Mex to sushi and everything in between, Beaumont Restaurant Week invites you to explore eating out in 50+ restaurants offering special fixed menus priced at $10, $20, and $30. Savor the cuisine that Beaumont residents enjoy during this week-long culinary celebration. (Jefferson County)

March 11, St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Surfside Beach. This parade is one of the long-standing traditions in Surfside. Festivities include a colorful parade, a costume contest, and a reenactment of the Battle of Velasco. Don’t forget to wear your green. All proceeds benefit the Surfside Beach Police/EMS and Volunteer Fire Departments. (Brazoria County)

March 13 – 17, Spring Camps with Artist Boat in Galveston. Art meets science in Artist Boat’s 2023 Spring Break Eco-Art Camp sessions for kids 5-10. Campers experience science and art enrichment with the creation of eco-art. Each camper creates high-quality art projects illustrating what they learned in camp. A second ECO-Camp is tailored for kids ages 11-15 and offers an opportunity to explore the wetlands through canoeing and nature walks. They’ll also learn to fish with a seine, cast netting, and crabbing. Both day camps are from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. (Galveston County)

March 14-17, Spring into Action at The Center for the Arts and Sciences in Clute. From Shakespeare to puppets, to “The Accidental Astronauts” planetarium show, watercolor card painting, and ending with St. Patrick’s Day fun, you’ll find plenty to keep the kids entertained during Spring Break at the Center for the Arts and Sciences in Clute. (Brazoria County)

March 18, Spring Market Day & Food Truck Festival in Freeport. This seasonal Freeport event is held in downtown Freeport and features local vendors offering hand-made items and popular area food trucks from 10 am to 4 pm. (Brazoria County)

March 18, Spring Astronomy Day at the BASF Planetarium at The Center for the Arts and Sciences in Clute. Enjoy safe solar viewing, mini Planetarium shows, and astronomy-related demonstrations from noon to 3 pm. Plus, this event is free and open to the public. (Brazoria County)

March 21 & 29, Coastal Creations at Matagorda Bay Nature Park. Create a coastal-themed painting instructed by our amateur park resident artists during an afternoon visit to the park. The class is from 2 to 3:30 pm. You’ll love the view and the solitude of Matagorda Bay Nature Park. The cost is $25 with all materials provided. (Matagorda County)

March 24 – 26, Matagorda Bay Birdfest in Palacios. Choose from fourteen bird tours, enjoy the Saturday Palacios Parade of Birds, raptor display, and various speakers during the Birdfest weekend. Did you know Matagorda County leads the nation in the number of bird species counted in the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for 20 of the last 25 years? Put this on your calendar. (Matagorda County)

April 1, Jimmy Simmons Jazz Festival at the Jefferson Theatre in Beaumont. Calling all jazz lovers, Lamar University is hosting its 4th Annual Jimmy Simmons Jazz Festival Saturday, April 1. Special guests for the event will be 17-time Grammy-nominated Yellowjackets, featuring music from their most recent release. (Jefferson County)

April 1, Cajun Heritage Fest in Port Arthur. Cajun Fest is Port Arthur, Texas’ twist on celebrating Cajun music, dancing, and flavors drawn from their Louisiana neighbors. This is a  day of making new friends and catching up with old ones. (Jefferson County).

April 8, Space Center Cruisers Spring Car Show in Walter Hall Park in League City. This car show benefits youth scholarships and the Texas Lions Camp for Children. The show is from 7 am to 4 pm (Galveston County)

April 13 – 16, Tall Ship Galveston at Pier 21. The 2023 Tall Ships® Galveston festival offers tours of participating ships, special events, sail-away excursions, music, food, and fun in a family-friendly setting. Galveston Island is one of three ports for the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Gulf Coast 2023 Series, which features a fleet of ships traveling across the Gulf of Mexico as they visit other participating cities. (Galveston County)

April 20, May 11, and June 21, Sundown Concert Series in Beaumont. This free outdoor summer concert series is a free live music escape you and your kids will enjoy. Families are encouraged to picnic around the lake, enjoy the playground, visit the resident ducks and enjoy live music as the sun sets. (Jefferson County)

April 20-23, FeatherFest Birding & Nature Photography Festival. Whether you’re a serious or casual bird-watcher, nature photographer, or someone who wants some exercise, fresh air, and a touch of sunshine, purchase tickets to FeatherFest. FeatherFest is four fun-filled days of incredible birding and nature photography field trips throughout the area, including Anuhuac, Beaumont, High Island, League City, Pearland, Seabrook, and more. (Galveston County)

April 21 – June 24, Coming Home: Paintings by Forrest Bess at the City by the Sea Museum in Palacios. Born in Bay City, Forrest Bess’ paintings are exhibited throughout the country, including at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, and numerous others. These “Coming Home” paintings are on loan to the Museum from private collections from Matagorda County, with some never seen publicly. Bess is also known for designing camouflage during his time US Army Corps of Engineers. (Matagorda County)

April 22, Rally on the River in Bay City. Stop by our annual Rally on the River at Riverside Park and enjoy games, crafts, activities, and food trucks from 10 am to 2 pm. Plus, there’s a river paddle and river clean-up at 9 am. And the park offers campsite rentals. (Matagorda County)

April 29, The Grand Kids Festival in Galveston. The Annual Grand Kids Festival celebrates children, families, and folk art in Galveston’s historic downtown Cultural Arts District. Presented by The Grand 1894 Opera House, this family event offers live entertainment, street performances, Missoula Children’s Theatre performance, and various children’s activities. This year’s theme is “Texas Western.” Admission is free. (Galveston County)

April 30, VIVA! Beaumont Hispanic Heritage Festival in Downtown Beaumont. The festival highlights local artisans, restaurants, groups, attractions, and more, shining a light on the Hispanic culture of Beaumont during this FREE event. Enjoy food vendors, entertainment, activities, and games. (Jefferson County)

April 29-30, Migration Celebration at the San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters Campus. Activities include a Birds of Prey show, air rifle target shooting, bow and arrow target shooting, butterfly encounters, fishing, a touch tank, kayaking, and more. The Migration Celebration is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service event from the Texas Mid-coast National Wildlife Complex underwritten by the Friends of the Brazoria Wildlife Refuges. (Brazoria County)

April 28 & 29, Riverfest in Freeport. Come out for barbecue, live music, boat races, and more at this annual event at the Freeport Municipal Park. Plus, the kids will love the petting zoo, face painting, nightly fireworks, inflatables, and a crocodile experience. The festival is from 6 pm to midnight on Friday and from noon to midnight on Saturday and admission is free. (Brazoria County) 

May 6-8 & May 13-14, Galveston Historic Homes Tour. Every May, the Galveston Historical Foundation offers public tours through privately owned homes and Galveston’s architectural history during its annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour. In addition to the tours, the GHF hosts numerous special events, allowing guests unique experiences in many tour homes and historic sites across the island. (Galveston County)

This list of must-do events is just a sampling of things to do in the Upper Texas Coast. For more ideas, click Things to Do and search by category.  

Lone Star Coastal Alliance is committed to promoting nature and heritage tourism and outdoor recreation opportunities in Jefferson, Galveston, Brazoria, and Matagorda Counties.

The post Not-to-Miss Spring Events on the Upper Texas Coast appeared first on Explore Lone Star Coastal.

Jefferson County

Beaumont Murals 

While visiting Jefferson County, make sure to download the City of Beaumont’s Mural Guide, which lists 15 murals to visit. Highlights include the Mermaid Mural and Barbara Lynn Tribute Mural. There are a variety of themes, and all are worthy of a quick picture and post to Instagram. 

Texas Artist Museum in Port Arthur

Going through Port Arthur, plan to stop at the Texas Artist Museum. Residents started the museum in 1972 to feature artists of the Golden Triangle region. The museum is open Monday thru Friday from 1 to 4 pm.  

Galveston County

Galveston Tree Sculptures

The tidal surge of Hurricane Ike in 2008 killed thousands of trees in Galveston. Some homeowners decided to hire local artists to repurpose these trees into works of art. Galveston has more than 20 tree sculptures scattered across the east end of the island. Some of the more popular are the Tin Man and Toto, a great dane whose owners dress him for every holiday, and two crested herons. The Galveston CVB offers a listing on its website. 

League City Butler Oak Sculptures

Similarly, League City repurposed two dying Butler Oak Trees into works of art. Jimmy Phillips, who worked on the tree sculptures in Galveston, is creating a series of four sculptures for League City, including a firefighter rescuing a puppy, a young girl reading a book to a dog, and a railroad engineer holding a signal light. The engineer pays homage to the town’s history as a stop on the rail line. You can find the first two sculptures of the series at Hometown Heroes Park, 2105 Dickinson Ave. and Helen Hall Library, 100 W. Walker St. The city website also offers a map of their newly painted traffic boxes. 

Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea (Dec. 10 thru March 5, 2023) in Galveston

Galveston Island is hosting a temporary exhibit to create awareness around the effects of plastic in the world’s waterways. You’ll find 19 art installations across the island. Imagine a shark made of plastic and a bald eagle with a 17-foot wingspan. You’ll see buckets and shovels as a reminder of the importance of keeping our beaches clean. This is the first time these sculptures are available free to the public for viewing in the United States, so it’s a great excuse to go for a road trip.

Brazoria County

Angleton’s Traffic Box Art

Typically, traffic boxes are pretty plain except in the City of Angleton. The City of Angleton’s Keep Angleton Beautiful partnered with the Texas Department of Transportation to create temporary traffic box wraps to beautify the city’s right-of-way. Area artists created stunning designs focusing on nature. Among the highlights are an ibis, butterflies, blue jays, and cardinals. It will give you an excuse to smile during your drive. 

Murals and 1836 Pocket Park in West Columbia

West Columbia makes another great option in Brazoria County for murals. This small town offers 11 murals, with most painted on Brazos Avenue. You’ll want to spend a little time at the 1836 Pocket Park, which was recently revitalized from a vacant lot to a welcoming park with seating, a mural, and a fountain. A park grant through Texas Parks and Wildlife funded the updates along with the West Columbia Economic Development Corporation and its partners. 

Matagorda County

Statue and Mural in Palacios 

In Palacios, you’ll want to see the Fisherman’s Memorial, which overlooks Matagorda Bay. The 15-foot statue of Jesus serves as a memorial to all fishermen lost at sea and to protect those sailing out. Palacios, home to roughly 400 vessels, is the third-largest shrimping port in Texas and proclaims itself the Shrimp Capital of Texas. Currently, a mural is painted at the Pirate Queen Designs building, 405 Main Street-a shop with a little bit of everything. The city expects more murals to come. 

Murals in Bay City

You’ll find at least four murals in Bay City. In celebration of being one of the top locations for birding, you’ll find a “cheat sheet” of birds painted on one mural called Birds of a Feather Flock Together. Look around town for Zeinab Ghais’ numerous  Wings of Matagorda County murals. They are definitely IG-worthy. 

For more ideas on exploring the Upper Texas Coast, click Things to Do and search by category.  

Lone Star Coastal Alliance is committed to promoting nature and heritage tourism and outdoor recreation opportunities in Jefferson, Galveston, Brazoria, and Matagorda Counties. 

The post Engaging Public Art on the Upper Texas Coast appeared first on Explore Lone Star Coastal.

The purpose of the CBC is to provide population data for use in science, especially conservation. Incredibly, it’s the longest-running citizen science survey in the world, and you can volunteer. 

Let’s get started in Jefferson County at Sea Rim State Park. Although the Park isn’t part of CBC, it offers 5.2 miles of Gulf shore and 4,000 acres of marshlands. The Texas Parks and Wildlife website includes a Birds Checklist for Winter. You’ll likely see an American White Pelican and Snow Goose. The park checklist lists abundant, common, uncommon, occasional, and rare birds seen at the park. 

Another stop for your list is McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge. This park is hugely popular for wildlife photography, open daily, and free. Check the US Fish & Wildlife Service website for updates on the park. Another park we must mention is the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. The park provides a bird checklist in the visitors’ center (open on weekends) and at the office during regular business hours. The staff recommends Woodlot Trail and Willows Trail for this time of year which is attractive to migrating birds for their water drip. Birders have identified 244 species of birds on Woodlot Trail. 

As we make our way to Galveston County, Galveston’s West End is part of the Texas CBC. Houston Audubon recommends Dos Vacas Muertas Sanctuary. This 6-acre sanctuary contains a pond, a small marsh, coastal grassland, and a woodlot of live oaks. Audubon has added a water drip in front of two benches to attract migrating birds. 

????CBC, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, CBC Compiler: Kyle O’Haver, kyle.ohaver@tpwd.texas.gov

If you are interested in volunteering for the Christmas Bird Count in an area that’s typically a top 20 or near top 20 for the count, then connect with the Galveston Circle group for December 20, which encompasses San Luis Pass to Texas City. You’ll be dispatched to join a group in the area.  

????CBC, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, CBC Compiler: Lalise and Greg Mason, lalise@supldes.com or call Greg at 713.725.4562.

In Brazoria County, the Brazoria-Columbia Bottomlands is part of the annual count on New Year’s Eve. According to Houston Audubon, the area includes several US Fish & Wildlife tracts, large reservoirs, small ponds, parks, and neighborhoods. Sites include Bar-X Ranch, Columbia Lakes, Hudson Woods, Eagle Nest Lake, Brazoria and Harris Reservoir, Nash Prairie, and Brazos Woods Preserve inside Brazoria County.  

????CBC, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, CBC Compiler: Martin Hagne, mhagne@gcbo.org

Sponsored by the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory

In Freeport, the Christmas Bird Count is December 18. This circle is divided into eight areas with a unique habitat and a designated leader. The count is consistently one of the top ten in the country and identifies the largest number of species on the Upper Texas Coast. This circle’s habitat includes a seashore, barrier islands, prairie, and woodland.  

????CBC, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, CBC Compiler: Mike Austin, mj_eh@comcast.net.

Matagorda County is looking for skilled birders to participate in the Christmas Bird Count on December 19. Most of the count is on private land and participating in the CBC is the only way to access these areas. Skilled birders will scan over the Gulf from land while others will ride boats to survey mudflats and marshes of the delta of the Colorado River. 

????CBC, Monday, Dec. 19, 2022, CBC Compiler: Brent Ortego, brentortego@hotmail.com or 361-827-4691 

Fun Facts: 

???? Frank Chapman and 26 other conservationists initiated the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) to promote conservation by counting, rather than hunting, birds on Christmas Day of 1900. 

???? CBC now happens in over 20 countries in the western hemisphere.

???? Birders of all skill sets are involved in the CBC. If you are a beginning birder, your compiler will pair you with an expert.   

???? To participate in the CBC, you must join an existing CBC circle by contacting the compiler before the count day.

For more ideas on exploring the Upper Texas Coast, click Things to Do and search by category.  

Lone Star Coastal Alliance is committed to promoting nature and heritage tourism and outdoor recreation opportunities in Jefferson, Galveston, Brazoria, and Matagorda Counties. 

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Let’s start in Jefferson County at the McFaddin-Ward Historic House, 1906 Calder Avenue in Beaumont. This home was built in 1905 and still features the original furnishings. The one-hour docent-led tour covers the history of the McFaddin family and Beaumont during the oil boom. In addition, the home is hosting a lecture on the Magnolia Cemetery: 1847 to the Present – Where the History of Beaumont Lives on Thursday, Nov. 10, followed by a guided cemetery tour. While there are no ghost stories, we’re sure you’ll feel like you’re stepping back in time. Check their website for other special events. 

Next up is the John Jay French House, 3025 French Road, in Beaumont, that’s hosting a Museum Madness: Pumpkin Walk and Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 6 to 9 p.m. Enjoy a haunted tour of the 1845 French home with departed French family members and a haunted hayride of the grounds. Beaumont Heritage Society operates the John Jay French House and the Chambers House. See the website for details on tours and special events. 

Down the road, in Galveston County, you’ll find year-round ghost tours and plenty of history on Galveston Island. Make sure to put The Bryan Museum, 1315 21st Street, in Galveston, on your list of stops. The Museum has one of the largest collections of Southwestern historical artifacts, documents, and artwork in the United States. Another interesting aspect of the museum is the collection is housed in the Galveston’s Orphans Home, which survived the 1900 Storm and operated through 1984.

Also in Galveston, the Galveston Naval Museum at Seawolf Park, 100 Seawolf Parkway, offers seasonal Safe Trick-or-Treat and Haunted Submarine Tours on Oct. 28 and 29. The Galveston Naval Museum berths the WWII submarine USS Cavalla and the only Edsall-class destroyer escort left in the US, the USS Stewart. The Museum is also offering new Hard Hat Tours in areas of the USS Stewart that are typically closed to the public. 

As we make our way to Brazoria, you’ll want to stop at the Varner-Hogg Plantation, 1702 N. 13th Street West, in West Columbia on Saturday, Oct. 22 for Ghosts Along the Brazos. Take a spooky stroll around the Varner-Hogg Plantation grounds and listen to tales about the ghostly heritage of the area. The Texas Historical Commission operates this property. Check the THC website for other upcoming events. 

Freeport Historical Museum, 311 East Park Avenue, in Freeport, is hosting Haunted Tales of the Texas Coast in October. This is a seasonal exhibit and accompanying video with reenactors that share these ghost stories of the area. The exhibit is up through the month of October at the Museum. Visit their Facebook page for upcoming events and special exhibits. 

In Matagorda County, your best stop is the Matagorda County Museum, 2100 Avenue F, in Bay City. A must-see is the diorama of part of the excavation and artifacts from the La Belle shipwreck. Texas Historical Commission archaeologists discovered the La Belle shipwreck in 1995. And, kids will love their children’s museum offering a turn-of-the-century Texas town, including a typical prairie home.

Our last stop is the City by the Sea Museum, 401 Commerce Street, in Palacios. You’ll find an exhibit on the Karankawa Indians which includes artifacts and you’ll also want to spend time at their Camp Hulen exhibit, which started as a Texas National Guard Camp in the mid-1920s and later served as a POW camp.   

We encourage you to look for those locally owned small restaurants as you explore the Upper Texas Coast and start taking notes for your return visit. Search our website’s Things to Do section for suggestions for the Upper Texas Coast. 

Lone Star Coastal Alliance is committed to promoting nature and heritage tourism and outdoor recreation opportunities in Jefferson, Galveston, Brazoria, and Matagorda Counties. 

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Jefferson County Foodie Stops

Let’s start our Foodie Tour of the Upper Texas Coast in Jefferson County. Our first stop is at J. Wilson’s, 4190 Gladys Avenue, in Beaumont. J. Wilson’s, which opened in 2016, keeps the community coming back for more with favorites like their Man Candy, which is slow, smoked pork belly tossed in habanero jelly. You’ll also want to order their Oyster Nachos. Locals also recommend their flatbreads and burgers. Insider Tip: Sit at the bar. They offer 25 bottles of bourbon and a rotating beer tap. 

Next, we’re heading to Port Arthur for Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp, 3400 Jimmy Johnson Blvd. Locals recommend Cajun Fried Ribs, Steak Nachos, and Shrimp Etouffee Stuffed Pistolettes. Their Facebook page describes their food as MEXICAJUN. You’ll also find a Tia Juanita’s in Beaumont.

Galveston County Foodie Stops

Next, we’re heading to Galveston County for Smokin’ D’s BBQ Fusion, 2625 SH 35 N, Unit 191, in Alvin. The Cooking Channel has featured Owner and Chef Dustin Jimenez, a third-generation pit master. Locals love his Brisket Macdilla, BBS Baos, Fried Honey Sriracha Brussel Sprouts, and any of his BBQ plates. He incorporates Tex-Mex, Asian, and Creole flavors into his cooking style.

Another must-do stop in Galveston County is Maceo Spice & Import Company, 2706 Market, in Galveston. Rosario Maceo is the nephew of the legendary muffuletta maker Toni Lovi from New Orleans. He brought his family recipe to Galveston. His son Ronnie Maceo continues the tradition. Maceo Spice is in a popular area called West Market. 

Brazoria County Foodie Stops

Let’s continue to Brazoria County.  Since you’re traveling along the coast, you’d better stop at the Red Snapper Inn, 402 Bluewater Highway, in Surfside Beach. Red Snapper Inn prepares its fresh gulf seafood with a taste of Greek and Cajun influence. Locals recommend the Crab Florentine. According to Texas Monthly, Texas Highways, and numerous other publications, this is one of the best seafood establishments on the Texas coast. 

Matagorda County Foodie Stops

Next on the list are two stops in Matagorda County. First, stop at the Fat Grass Restaurant and Bar, 1717 7th Street, in Bay City. Chef Shawn C. Watkins has traveled around the world and trained in the French method of cooking, known as “Le Cordon Bleu.” Their specialty is the Fat Grass Ribeye and Grilled Sirloin. Check their Facebook page for specials.  

Who would have thought a convenience store would make an excellent stop for Foodies? Our last visit is at The Point, 601 First Street, in Palacios. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown featured The Point in the Houston segment, which aired in October 2016. Locals enjoy their comfort food, like meatloaf, and their Vietnamese specials. You’ll also see delicious comfort food on their menu: picture Maple Pecan Crusted Pork Chops or Pork Guisado with Mexican Rice. Check their Facebook page for their current specials. 

We encourage you to look for those locally owned small restaurants as you explore the Upper Texas Coast. One of the great things about Texas is people are always willing to give a recommendation. Search our website’s Things to Do section for suggestions for the Upper Texas Coast and download/bookmark our Trip Plans.

About Lone Star Coastal Alliance

The Lone Star Coastal Alliance is a 501(c)3 created to preserve and promote the upper Texas Gulf Coast region in a manner that enhances coastal resilience while fostering economic development focused on conservation and tourism, elevating the unique natural, cultural, and historical assets of the region and benefitting quality of life within the communities.

Restaurant Cheat Sheet:

J. Wilson’s, 4190 Gladys Avenue, in Beaumont

Where to Stay in Beaumont: MCM Elegante Hotel

Drive Time/Miles to Port Arthur Restaurant: 20 min/18.7 miles

Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp, 3400 Jimmy Johnson Blvd., in Port Arthur, TX

Where to Stay in Port Arthur: Sabine Lake Lodge

Drive Time/Miles to Alvin Restaurant: 1 hr, 51 min/108 miles

Smokin D’s BBQ Fusion, 2625 SH 35 N, Unit 191, in Alvin, TX

Drive Time/Miles to Galveston Restaurant: 42 min/33.5 miles

Maceo Spice & Import Company, 2706 Market, in Galveston, TX

Where to Stay in Galveston: The Tremont House

Drive Time/Miles to Surfside Restaurant: 59 min/39.4 miles

Red Snapper Inn, 402 Bluewater Highway, in Surfside Beach

Where to Stay in Surfside: Breeze Hotel & RV Park

Drive Time/Miles to Bay City Restaurant: 59 min/49.6 miles

Fat Grass Restaurant and Bar, 1717 7th Street, in Bay City

Drive Time/Miles to Palacios Restaurant: 28 min/28.5 miles

The Point, 601 First Street, in Palacios

Where to Stay in Palacios: Hotel Blessing 

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