North Outer Jefferson - Beaumont, TX

The history of North Outer Jefferson matches that of the nearby towns of Beaumont, Sour Lake and Nome. Before the discovery of oil at Spindletop in 1901, the area produced mostly livestock and timber. After the gusher in January 1901, Beaumont and Sour Lake boomed, and much of the land converted from farmland to oil exploration fields. The Texaco oil company formed in Sour Lake, oil stimulated both lumber and agriculture and the area continued to grow economically even through the Great Depression.

Nearby Beaumont lays claim to several cultural venues such as the McFaddin-Ward House, the Mildred (Babe) Zaharias Museum and a handful of art museums. Annual events include the Neches River Festival in Beaumont and the Beaumont Jazz Festival. The county hosts the South Texas State Fair every spring, and there’s also a restored oil Boomtown in Gladys City.

There's no central location for restaurants in North Outer Jefferson; most places remain concentrated in Sour Lake or Beaumont, a 20-minute drive away. However, you’re guaranteed to find some high-quality options focusing on homestyle and Cajun fare.

Don’t miss Vautrot’s Cajun Cuisine along Texas-105. One of the most popular dishes at the family-run restaurant includes Uncle Emrick’s Seafood Sampler, featuring shrimp gumbo, crawfish e’touffee, fried crawfish, fried catfish, fried shrimp, fried oysters, alligator bites, frog legs, and stuffed crab.

Locals love the burgers at Diamond S Diner along US-90 in China, Texas. The breakfast food, the fried catfish, and the chicken-fried steak make great meal options at this friendly, family-owned business.

For something more upscale, head to nearby Beaumont, and visit The Grill by Arfeen, Smith & Payne. Select from the extensive wine list to go along with your seafood or steak, and enjoy live music on Thursdays and Saturdays. It’s best to make a reservation since tables fill up quickly especially on weekends.

The rural nature of North Outer Jefferson means you won’t find a wide selection of nightlife. Don't worry; just make the short drive to Beaumont, Sour Lake or Nome, and you’ll find plenty of nighttime entertainment.

Visit Thirsty’s on Dowlen Road in Beaumont for a game of shuffleboard and a selection of standard and craft beer. This laid-back establishment also serves mixed drinks, which you can enjoy while sitting on the back patio.

When you’re ready to cut a rug, you can’t go wrong with John Wayne’s. This nightclub wants to appeal to every taste and does so by spinning dance club, country, hip-hop, oldies, Zydeco and contemporary dance music. If you suffer from double left feet, hang back and enjoy one of the daily drink specials while you shoot some pool.

Cars remain the dominant mode of transportation in this largely rural area. There's no public transportation systems, and Uber doesn't serve the area. However, you can call for a taxi, but it's not a common mode of transport or the most cost-effective approach to getting around.

You can find free public parking available throughout the area. US-90, Texas-105 and I-10 provide convenient transportation routes, and it doesn't take more than 20 minutes of traffic-free driving to reach them.

Given its rural setting, North Outer Jefferson provides friendly walking routes. However, you won't find any bike lanes, making cycling rather dangerous on busy streets. Cycling in residential areas makes for safer transportation.

There's numerous recreational options close to North Outer Jefferson. If you enjoy playing soccer, head just a few miles east to the Quinn Soccer Complex. This facility includes 30 indoor fields available for both adult and youth play. However, it does require an entrance fee.

Kids and adults enjoy the Gulf Terrace Hike and Bike Trail. This 3.5-mile cement trail remains a popular destination for walkers, runners, cyclists and inline skaters. Feel free to bring your dog, but make sure it’s on a leash. You can enjoy the trail and open spaces free of charge.

Designed in 1960, pine trees give the Idylwild Golf Club a uniquely East Texas feel. The club belongs to a number of major golf associations and acts as a popular destination for locals who want to tee off.

North Outer Jefferson doesn’t have any dog parks, but your dog can roam in the wide-open spaces of this beautiful coastal plain with your supervision.

Beaumont hosts several festivals for locals and visitors alike. For many years, local residents have celebrated the arrival of spring at the Neches River Festival. The festival’s main draw centers on the crowning of the festival queen and the naming of her ladies-in-waiting. This kind of event gives smaller towns in Texas their unique character.

The Beaumont Jazz + Blues Fest charms both residents and visitors every summer. It features live events and draws world-class musicians from Texas and across the world. Beaumont also hosts the South Texas State Fair each spring, giving you many different events to experience while in the area.

Residents of North Outer Jefferson enjoy a cost of living at or slightly lower than nearby towns. The median rent for a one-bedroom residence runs $842. A beer sets you back $2 to $4. Gas prices remain at about 91 percent of the national average.

North Outer Jefferson doesn't have many high-end shops, but you can find almost all major department stores and supermarkets in Beaumont. Sour Lake also has a Brookshire Brothers supermarket, and there’s a King’s Supermarket closer to Beaumont.

The North Outer Jefferson area does offer interesting specialty shopping. Strawberry Fields Cottage in Sour Lake sells antiques, new and repurposed goods, homemeade candles and soaps.

On Mother’s Day, keep Robinson’s Imports & Flowers in mind for your floral needs. This family-run business also sells statuary and wrought iron creations for your home.

The Beaumont Farmer’s Market runs from March to November and features products from local farmers, all of which operate within 150 miles of Beaumont.