Port Arthur, Texas, has lassoed the ultimate coastal experience—from history and seafood to getting a bird’s eye view of the region’s wildlife. Callie Summerlin, sales and marketing director for the Port Arthur CVB recommends three unique itinerary stops in this southeastern Texas destination.
Swamp and River Tours
Visitors can see eagles, egrets, wild bulls, fields of fauna, and dozens of gators from the company’s custom-designed boats. The 90-minute trips down 25 miles of the Sabine River and through the Blue Elbow Swamp are safe, breezy, and exhilarating.
Museum of the Gulf Coast
Port Arthur’s Museum of the Gulf Coast is what Summerlin calls a Jurassic-to-Joplin experience, where pre-history and pop culture meet. Museum-goers can learn about creatures that once roamed the earth, drill down on the oil discovery that put Texas on the map, and see the new maritime gallery. The attraction also houses original art by Janis Joplin and a replica of her memorable psychedelic Porsche. The museum’s hall of fame honors big names in music like Tex Ritter, The Big Bopper, Johnny Winter, Edgar Winter, and Tracy Byrd.
Reel Cajun Restaurant & Bar
A passion for seafood and Cajun dishes, combined with the chef’s creativity and expertise, has resulted in a fine dining experience without the exorbitant cost, Summerlin says. Diners can taste the region’s finest crawfish and shareable Cajun egg rolls, or enjoy non-seafood classics like blackened chicken linguine and the restaurant’s famous 28-day-aged ribeyes, hand cut in-house. A perfect spot for groups, the restaurant also offers a full bar with its well-known Bottoms-Up Beers and cocktails.
For more information, contact Summerlin or go to visitportarthurtx.com.
Top photo: Janis Joplin’s psychedelic Porsche at the Museum of the Gulf Coast
Photo by Port Arthur CVB
Support for Courier articles provided by:
Alabama Tourism Department
Coral Castle
The National World War II Museum
Texas de Brazil
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
