Cajun Meets Cowboy In Beaumont, Texas

By: Valarie D'Elia

To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

In Beaumont, Texas, alligators are more than just a fashion statement. NY1's Valarie D'Elia traveled there and filed the following report.

There is a long-standing myth that alligators are loose in the New York City sewers, but why waste your time looking when you can see all the reptiles you want at Gator Country in Beaumont, Texas? It's one of this southeast Texas city's top attractions. You might even spot one in its natural habitat if you take a boat ride down the Neches River.

Follow Val On Twitter

For this and other deals, follow Val on Twitter.

Beaumontians, as locals are called, start the day at Rao's Bakery, no relation to the famous Rao's in Harlem, and although it’s owned by a Sicilian family, it doesn't specialize in pasta, but sausage kolaches and King Cakes.

Beaumont is famous for its oil refineries that are hardly a pretty part of the landscape. These eyesores can be eye-openers when you pay a visit to the Energy Museum and trace the history of the oil boom. One particular model lets you figure out what you are looking at on the side of the road. Heck, you could be among the first to come home talking about your "Viscosity Vacation."

No matter what your age, it’s fun to go to the replica Spindletop Gusher at Lamar University and watch it blow its top with a stream of water instead of oil. It's operated by Frank Henley, whose son – a Catskills farmer – supplies foie gras to New York City's best restaurants.

What really says Beaumont to me is a cowboy scene and the Texas beef that lands on your plate. Spindletop restaurant offers "a Peter Luger-style cut" on its tasting menu.

Some of the best BBQ I've ever tasted is served up at Fat Mac's Smokehouse.

If you’re looking for surf with your turf, then head over to Doguet's crawfish farm where you can see the process –from emptying the traps to cleaning the catch and shipping them out. Doguets also operates a rice mill that is open for tours.

Beaumont is an hour and a half drive east of Houston, so it makes an easy side trip. For more info, it is beautmontcvb.com.

•

Now here's a DElia's Deal you don't want to miss for an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn & Suites Beaumont Plaza. Receive a special rate of $99 per night midweek or $79 per night on the weekend when mentioning the "Travel With Val" special. This includes a book of free passes to Beaumont's best museums, attractions & restaurants.

As is common practice in the travel industry, Travel With Val often receives complimentary travel or reduced "media" rates at hotels, resorts and attractions, including those that may be featured in these reports. Such consideration is not taken in exchange for any express or implied promise or understanding of any nature, particularly regarding the content of these reports. These reports only feature travel providers personally recommended by Valarie D’Elia in the exercise of her independent editorial judgment, and do not represent the endorsement of Time Warner Cable or any third party.