My wife and I are new to the Beaumont area. We both work a lot, including almost every weekend. A couple weeks ago we went to a little place called Chain-O-Lakes near Cleveland for the weekend and loved it. It was only about a 45 minute drive from our home in NWForest, but was a great place to just relax for a couple days. We want to make it a point to take a weekend like that every few months, but would like some variety.

I'm looking for any places that are fun/romantic/relaxing within a 1.5 hour drive of Bmt. We're both young professionals with no kids yet, so we don't mind spending a little money to have a good time. I'd love to hear from anyone in the area with suggestions on things to do.

Rent a cabin on the beach around the Crystal beach area or go into Galveston and stay at the San Luis. We used to go to Chain O Lakes fairly often but haven't been in several years. It was very peaceful, rustic and enjoyable.

You can also go up to Rayburn Country north of Jasper and stay on lake Rayburn. If you like casinos try http://www.ldlcasino.com/home.aspx. All are within the 1.5 hour range.

My first house (to own) was in Nothwest Forest. I loved that neighborhood. I was born and raised in Beaumont.

[This message has been edited by MosesHallRAB83 (edited 2/25/2008 2:35p).]

Try Kemah

Head to Galveston for a weekend. Stay at the Moody Gardens or San Luis hotel (or possibly the Tremont House). Spend some time checking out the attractions at Moody Gardens (highly recommend the Aquarium) and wandering around the Strand area.

I second all the above suggestions! We really enjoy getting away to the L'Aberge du Lac casino and resort in Lake Charles. It is great to gamble a little, get a good meal, some drinks, get a massage. Golf as well, if that is your thing.

Kemah is fun, the Boardwalk Hotel was nice, as is getting a place at Crystal Beach or Galveston.

try boomtown between vidor and beaumont its great!!!

Thanks for all the replies. I think we may check out the beach next time around. Anything in particular about Crystal Beach we should know? Any rentals that are better/worse than others?

Oh, and if you haven't been to Chain-O-Lakes in a while, you should check it out again. They have apparently done a great deal of work there in the last few years. The restaurant has a world class chef. It is a bit pricy, but the meal we had the Saturday night we were there was probably the best meal I've had since I went to Italy last year.

Link is www.colresort.com. They are changing the name and selling home sites in the area now, but the cabins themselves are great.

For rentals try here:
http://www.cobbrealestate.com/beachrentals.asp

Yeah, Chain O Lakes has changed quite a bit. For the better it looks like. The swimming pool did not exist the last time we were there.

As to Crystal Beach, it is the hangout for teens and college age kids during spring break and during summer. You may want to avoid it during those times and look for a rental around Gilchrist, Caplen or Oceanshore areas.

When I was in high school, Chain O Lakes used to be where we went to drink beer and act like idiots.

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try boomtown between vidor and beaumont its great!!!

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it is a classy place.

www.enchantedoaks-bnb.com

it is an older home, restored into two Bed and Breakfast rooms...the Travel has a private bath and the Cottage has a bathroom in the hall(with the old claw foot tub)

this is located off Hwy 69 North at Hillister, at the end of a country road...quiet, serene, just a downtime kind of place. We stayed there very recently and will go back! While there we went into Woodville and did some antique shopping as well as old cemetery scouting.

There is a small lake that I think you could fish at, on the BNB property

have a place in ocean shores and love it. 5 miles from the ferry and 5 miles into town. Sweded has sveral rental homes in our addition.Check out crystalbeach.com and just go thru all the realtors.