It’s a long-held Louisiana tradition to go spend a weekend visiting our cousins out West. Port Arthur is waiting, with open arms and seasoned seafood, offering an escape with all the comforts of home (there's no need to pack your travel-sized seasoning for this trip), plus plenty of new discoveries.
With a host of trusted brand name hotels and RV parks at every budget point, there’s no need to overthink your accommodations here on the coast. Just hop in the car, a comfortable room will be waiting.
Some of the best-recommended spots include Marriott’s Residence Inn—the newest Marriott in Southeast Texas. Keep it simple with a studio, or settle in deep in a suite, with one- or two-bedroom options, and a fully-equipped kitchen. Guests can take advantage of complimentary grocery delivery, as well as complimentary breakfast, a fitness center, a pool, and the ambience of an outdoor patio. stayAPT Suites is another popular option, designed to make extended stays comfortable with suites featuring a living room, full size kitchen, and separate bedroom. An outdoor courtyard with built-in grill, fire pit, and comfortable seating makes outdoor barbecue dinners a no-brainer.
Explore all of Port Arthur’s overnight offerings at visitportarthurtx.com/stay.
Must-Try Menus
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Image courtesy of Visit Port Arthur Texas
At Neches River Wheelhouse, lunch is served with sweeping views out over the water.
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Image by Feed Your Lover Morgan Talbot
Fun times at El Rufu Tex-Mex
While you’re in town, your restaurant bucket-list should take three priorities into account: a view of the water, Tex-Mex, and fresh Cajun-style seafood. There are dozens of combinations to complete the flavor trinity of Port Arthur, but here are three local favorites to get you started.
Start with the view; Neches River Wheelhouse is the place to be. It’s the best place to catch a sunset in Texas, and on weekends the Wheelhouse hosts live music by local artists—so plan your reservation accordingly. Situated right on the Neches Riverfront (the only waterfront restaurant between Crystal Beach and Lake Charles), the restaurant was conceived by a group of local business owners who saw a need for a locally-owned neighborhood eatery on the water. The open air concept encourages end-of-the-day/end-of-the-week relaxation, “boat drink” in hand. The menu is large, diverse, and creative—start out with an order of fresh ceviche, and make your way up to shrimp-and-grits, chargrilled salmon, or Pasta Capitano. Or stick to the trusted classics: pizzas, soups and salads, burgers, tacos, and sandwiches. Weekend brunch has all the obligatory omelets and French toasts, as well as options like General Tso’s Chicken and Waffles or “Chorizo on the Neches”.
Night two, follow the vibes to El Refu Tex-Mex—with its eclectic, southwestern pop interiors that satisfyingly match the brightly-colored margaritas and cocktails coming from the bar. Dress for photo ops (a wall of sombreros!) and come hungry. The massive menu of Tex-Mex classics is chock-full of sizzling fajitas, cheesy enchiladas, savory street tacos, and more. After a short time in Port Arthur, El Refu is already well-known for placing emphasis on using only the freshest ingredients—sourced as locally as possible.
Finally, right when you’re starting to get homesick, head on over to one of the oldest eateries in the area—The Schooner Restaurant. Originally opened in 1947 by Cajun transplant Luke LeBlanc, who only served gumbo and beer—the restaurant was later taken over by the Megas family, who came from Greece. What resulted is a long and cherished tradition of serving the freshest seafood in town, prepared in a combination of authentic Cajun and Greek styles. Catfish Athena, or Catfish Orleans? Blackened Redfish, or Greek-style Red Snapper? Not to mention all the great no-frills delights of oysters, boiled shrimp, crab cakes, and more. Oh, and they still serve gumbo too—by the gallon.
Discover more of Port Arthur’s restaurants at visitportarthurtx.com/food-drink.
Art & History
Image courtesy of Visit Port Arthur
Texas's Artist Museum
Port Arthur has drawn generations of hardy, innovative, and creative folk to its coastline. You can get to grips with many of their stories at the Museum of the Gulf Coast, which features an extensive history of the community that focuses on many of its biggest personalities. Visitors will discover some of Cajun and Zydeco music's most important artists, such as the “Godfather of Cajun Music” and “Cajun King of Swing” Harry Choates; as well as Zydeco forefather Clifton Chenier, who designed the frottoir while working at the Texaco Refinery here. Port Arthur is also the birthplace of iconic singer/songwriter Janis Joplin; see a replica of her psychedelic 1965 Porsche 356 Cabriolet on display at the museum. Other permanent exhibits include a replica of a traditional Acadian-style home, a vintage pirogue, the Gulf Oil cannon, a 13.5-foot taxidermied alligator, and one of the largest indoor murals in the South.
Follow the Cajun Heritage Trail over to Nederland’s Tex Ritter Park, where two museums honor distinct cultural traditions of settlers in the area. Les Maison de Acadienne is a reconstructed Acadian dwelling completed in 1976, meant to illustrate the domestic world of the region’s early Cajun settlers. Next door is the Texas State Historic Site, the Dutch Windmill Museum, which pays tribute to the immigrants who came to Nederland from Holland in 1898. The replica of a traditional Dutch windmill houses a display of artifacts that includes a trunk brought by arriving immigrants, wooden shoes, and Tex Ritter artifacts.
The park is right in the heart of Nederland’s historic Boston Avenue District—a hub of local boutiques, breweries, and restaurants. Grab a cup of locally-brewed joe at Golden Cup, a best-kept secret inside Charm & Co. boutique, then head over to explore favorites like Gaudie and Company, Blanc on Boston, and TwistedGypsy for vacation wear and souvenirs. Keep an eye out for historic buildings like Setzer Hardware, which opened in 1898 at the corner of Boston and 11th street and is still operating today. Spend an afternoon creating something all your own at Doodle’s art studio, which offers drawing and painting classes and other opportunities to scratch your creative itch.
Make the short drive to the Neches River for your last stop on the Cajun Heritage Trail at Port Neches Park—where you'll find the ongoing project of the Les Acadiens du Texas organization to restore a circa-1810 cypress home built in St. Martin Parish, named La Maison Beausoleil. On occasion, locals even celebrate a French mass within its storied walls.
Making your way back to Port Arthur proper, be sure to stop at the Texas Artists Museum, which was founded in 1988 by a group of Port Arthur creatives to showcase local creative talent. Peruse all three galleries, to see work by Texas artists working in a range of mediums.
For more must-stop cultural destinations in Port Arthur, visit visitportarthurtx.com/things-to-do.
