Book excerpt: The biggest city between Houston and New Orleans, Beaumont is perfectly primed for adventure along the I-10 corridor. Straddling the line between the Lonestar state and Louisiana, it’s a little bit Texan, a little bit Cajun, and the best of both worlds with Southern charm in spades. With 100 Things to Do in Beaumont, Texas, Before You Die, everything’s bigger and bolder in one of America’s original boomtowns. There’s no better time to embrace Cajun culture with crawfish and Mardi Gras, snap a photo with the world’s largest working fire hydrant (one of the quirkiest roadside attractions in America), and see where the Texas oil industry was changed forever at Spindletop. Kayak the Big Thicket, navigate the swamp on an airboat ride, splash around on the Gulf Coast, and work up an appetite hiking America’s first National Reserve before eating your weight in Texas-sized delicacies like Tex-Mex and barbecue. Hold and feed baby gators at Gator Country or meander the historic downtown, enjoying the city’s burgeoning art scene. Let travel writer Lauren Monitz guide you from the woods to the wetlands, the beaches to the bayous, and everywhere in between. Whether you’re just passing through or exploring your own backyard, you’re sure to find your new favorite attraction, restaurant, and hidden gem in 100 Things to Do in Beaumont, Texas, Before You Die.