Port Arthur (Texas)
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Understand
The town of about 60,000 sits at the bottom right corner of the state. Its downtown was devastated in 2005 by Hurricane Rita. The city is flanked by oil refineries and by water. Both provide interesting scenery and jobs to the locals.
Get in
Jack Brooks Regional Airport, formerly Jefferson County Airport (BPT).
See
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phone: +1 409 982-9319address: 2701 ProcterTemple, lotus garden and water garden. Free tours by appointment. Hosts annual lotus and bamboo festival in summer and lunar new year celebration.
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phone: +1 409 982-7000address: 700 ProcterExhibits include history, natural history, fine and decorative art, and popular culture. The Museum's Music Hall of Fame features a permanent exhibit on the life and career of Janis Joplin who was born and raised in Port Arthur.
Pleasure Island3,500-acre manmade island surrounded by Sabine Lake and the Sabine Neches Intracoastal Waterway. The Sabine Causeway at the south end of the island connects Texas and Louisiana. Activities include sailing, golfing, fishing, crabbing, boating, hiking, biking, birding, disc golfing, and camping.
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Pompeiian Villa
phone: +1 409 983-5977address: 1953 Lakeshore DrTours by appointment. -
Queen of Peace Shrine
phone: +1 409 983-7676address: 801 9th Ave -
Rose Hill Manor
phone: +1 409 985-7292address: 100 WoodworthNational Register of Historic Places-listed colonial-style home built in 1906. Tours by appointment. -
phone: +1 409 983-4881address: 501 Cultural Center DrPrimarily exhibits works of local artists.
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Vuylsteke Dutch Home
phone: +1 409 984-6101address: 1831 Lakeshore DrThe Consul of the Netherlands built this home in 1905. Owned by Lamar State College - Port Arthur. Tours by appointment. -
White Haven
phone: +1 409 984-6101address: 2545 Lakeshore DrHistoric home owned by Lamar State College - Port Arthur. Tours by appointment.
Do
Charter fishingWith rivers, a saltwater lake and the Gulf Coast surrounding Port Arthur, fishing is a natural pastime. You can suit yourself and find lots of good fishing holes by land or on the water. You can also go out with a guide. There are quite a few charter businesses found at the Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce website.
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Lakeshore Drive
address: Lakeshore DrThere is a nice walk or drive along Lakeshore Drive from Lamar State College to the White Haven house. A walkpath, sometimes open for car traffic, leads closer to the water. On one side you'll see the historic homes built along Lakeshore Drive in the early 20th century, on the other side you see the intracoastal waterway. If you are lucky a cargo ship or an oil tanker will pass by and remind you how small humans are. The walk is not recommended at night for safety reasons. -
phone: +1 409 721-8717address: 500 Procter StParades, concerts and revelry take place the weekend before Fat Tuesday.
Sleep
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phone: +1 409 729-8880address: 7648 Memorial BlvdExtended stay hotel with full kitchens, microwaves, coffee makers, refrigerators, sofa sleepers, irons and ironing boards. Some rooms feature balconies.