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The city of Beaumont offers a wide range of activities with no cost to the participants
In stark contradiction to the argument that there’s nothing to do in Beaumont, the city has released a list of dozens of activities for Southeast Texans to participate in that won’t break the bank for the entertainment budget. Among the many offerings, take advantage of dozens of free programs and services, from recreational activities to educational opportunities, learn a new language, find a new hobby, or enjoy a plethora of outdoor attractions.
Recreational
Opportunities
Visit any of the 36 public parks and playgrounds around the city of Beaumont. Rogers Park and the adaptive Rotary Centennial Playground are neighborhood favorites, but chances are there’s a park near wherever you are. A complete list of the city’s parks can be found at https://www.beaumontcvb.com/things-to-do/parks-outdoors/parks/.
Meander the free indoor/outdoor Beaumont Botanical Gardens and Conservatory, 23.5 acres of ever-changing flora and fauna located in Tyrrell Park, 6088 Babe Zaharias Dr.
Splash around at the free public pools at Magnolia Park or Alice Keith Park.
Cool off at the splash pads at Rogers Park, Sprott Park, and Alice Keith Park.
Try disc golf at Tyrrell Park (Cattail Marsh Wetlands Education Center rents discs for free!) or Klein Park.
Swing life away at one of the outdoor tennis courts, the Municipal Tennis Center located at 6455 College St.
Play a pickup game of basketball at one of the many courts around the city.
Learn to play Pickleball, America’s fastest-growing sport, at Sterling Pruitt Activity Center, 2930 Gulf Ave, Beaumont Municipal Tennis Center, or Roger’s Park.
Practice your aim and give archery a try at the free-range at Tyrrell Park, check out the skate park, or try futsal, an international variation of soccer at Central Park, 640 S. 4th St.
Take your four-legged friend for a day out at Ida Reed Dog Park, 2348 Louisiana Ave.
Play billiards, board games, dominos or cards at the Sterling Pruitt Activity Center or Lakeside Center, 150 Magnolia St. There are even monthly tournaments.
Reserve one of the park shelters or picnic tables (first come, first serve) for your gatherings and outdoor soirees.
Practice your photography with free intro workshops and tips at Cattail Marsh, 4233 Babe Zaharius Dr., also on the Tyrrell Park grounds.
Find your new favorite book on OverDrive, a free service provided through Beaumont Public Library System, which gives you access to over 300,000 e-books and audiobooks.
Get back to nature and give birding a try. Located on two migratory flyways, you can see 250 species any time of year. Cattail Marsh can get you started with beginner’s checklists and DIY worksheets. You can even earn prizes by participating in the Birdie Passport Program. For more information on the birding program, visit https://www.beaumontcvb.com/birdies/passport/.
Professional development
Learn a new language with the Mango app available through the Beaumont Public Library.
Spruce up on your technology skills at the weekly computer literacy classes offered at the Lakeside Center.
Study smarter, not harder, with DMV practice tests, tips and tricks from any Beaumont Public Library branch.
Utilize free wifi and public computers at any Beaumont Public Library branch anytime during regular business hours.
Attend one of the grant writing seminars and search for grants and funding resources at Foundation Center Online accessible at RC Miller Library, 1605 Dowlen Road. next to Rogers Park.
Health and wellness
Sign up for free fitness, martial arts and aerobics classes at the Lakeside Center or get some exercise with unlimited access to the cardio machines, weights, and equipment at Lakeside at the Sterling Pruitt Activity Center.
Take advantage of “free play” days at the Sterling Pruitt Activity Center gym.
Learn about good physical and mental health practices through the free educational classes offered by Beaumont Public Health Services. There are sessions on Healthy Dietary Practices and Nutrition, HIV/AIDS, Immunizations, Personal Hygiene, Self-esteem, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Stroke, Tobacco, Women and Children’s Classes and more.
Brush up on your wellness well-being. Printed materials are available from Beaumont Public Health on a wide variety of topics from CPR Classes and Certifications to Diabetes Education, Cancer Prevention, Heart Disease, Home Safety, Hypertension/High Blood Pressure, Smoking Cessation, Stress, and Stress-Related Illness, Violence, and Rape/Sexual Abuse.
Grab a friend and attend free weekly morning yoga at Cattail Marsh.
Sign up for the Summer Tennis Camp offered at the Beaumont Municipal Tennis Center.
Get a breath of fresh air at the city’s nature and hiking trails, like the Gulf Terrace Hike and Bike Trail, 9310 Phelan Blvd., or the Running/Walking Trail around the Event Centre.
Educational opportunities
Get crafty with weekly Imagination Kits available from the library. Each kit is packed with stimulating STEAM games and activities such as instructions to build bird feeders and juggling balls.
Learn about nature and the largest wetlands ecosystem in Southeast Texas with materials and lessons from Cattail Marsh Wetlands Education Center or sign up for a free van tour of the marsh.
Dive into your genealogy, or even your neighborhoods, with the most extensive Southeast Texas historical archives collection at the Tyrrell Historical Library, 695 Pearl St.
Tour a museum – the city operates the Fire Museum of Texas, 400 Walnut St., the Babe Zaharias Museum, 1750 Interstate 10 E. and the Police Museum (by appointment), which all provide a unique look into Southeast Texas history. Snap a photo at the World’s Largest Working Fire Hydrant and learn about one of the most fascinating and successful female athletes of all time.
Become an expert on fire safety through the classes offered by Beaumont Fire Department. Geared towards groups, schedule your team’s lessons at https://fire.beaumonttexas.gov/about/.
Social and fun
Join a Book Club! Weekly meetings are held at all library branches, and Book Discussion Kits are available year-round for all ages and niches. There are also summer book clubs and reading programs for children under 17.
Create your own art at the painting and pottery studio at the Lakeside Center or learn to crochet or knit at one of their free classes. Cattail Marsh also offers free weekly kid’s crafts through their Cattail Explorers program.
Attend one of the 50-plus events hosted by the city of Beaumont throughout the year. Favorites include the annual 4th of July Celebration, Oktoberfest, and the Christmas Tree Lighting.
Earn prizes for exploring the local food scene on the free Cajun Trail foodie passport program. You can earn rewards by checking in to 5,10 and 15 local restaurants for a taste of the native cuisine.
Attend the weekly nature screenings or coffee at Cattail morning meetups.
Go on a treasure hunt. The official Beaumont Geocache Tour has 25 containers hidden around Southeast Texas.
Find your favorite photo spot in town on a selfie or Beaucycle photo scavenger hunt.
Community services
Keep tabs on your furry friend – bring them to Beaumont Animal Care, 1884 Pine St., for a free microchip scan and registration.
Save on vet fees – Beaumont Animal Care offers two spay/neuter vouchers a year for Beaumont residents.
Get your home ready for chilly temperatures or hot summer nights by brushing up on extreme weather safety tips or take advantage of the flood resources and other preparation materials offered by the Beaumont Emergency Operations Center.
Take advantage of free large debris disposal via your weekly trash pickup service. Beaumont Garbage Service will dispose of large tree branches, furniture, appliances and even tires for you.
Sign up for the Citizens Police Academy hosted by the Beaumont Police Department, a free 15-week program to teach you the ins and outs of law enforcement, attend a Neighborhood Association meeting, or signup to volunteer with the Citizens in Action to get involved with your community.
Have the Beaumont Fire Department install and inspect your child’s car seat. They can give you a time to come down to the station for pointers on how to operate it.
Need help setting up your smoke detector? A firefighter can come to your home and help get you squared away. Reach the city’s non-emergency line 24/7 through the 3-1-1 app or helpline to schedule the assistance.