South Park - Beaumont, TX

The South Park neighborhood sits adjacent to the salt top oil dome known as Spindletop. In 1901, a well at Spindletop struck oil, and as the most productive oil field in the world, it eventually prompted the Texas Oil Boom.

Today, the Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum preserves the history of the oil boom from a location near Highway 96 in South Park. Visit the museum to learn more about the historic event by exploring an oil derrick and many reconstructed building interiors furnished with artifacts from the boomtown period.

Participate further in local culture by attending one of Beaumont's many annual events, such as the South Texas State Fair in the spring or Dogtober Fest in autumn. In addition, the Art Museum of Southeast Texas helps drive the local art scene by hosting free family arts days four times a year, as well as providing challenging and eclectic exhibits year-round.

Satisfy your hunger pangs with a variety of restaurants located throughout South Park. Begin with the concentration of venues situated along Martin Luther King Junior Parkway in the northern half of the neighborhood.

Eat Greek at Kampus Korner Restaurant, and select from a varied list of options ranging from flavorful gyros to crispy wings to fresh pastas. Try the generously portioned, homemade turkey sandwich, and take a break from working to enjoy the laid-back, lounge-like atmosphere.

Next door, grab a quick burrito for takeout at La Salsita. Get ready for taste sensations, huge portions and the freshest tortillas around at this unpretentious hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Try the pork burrito, or savor the shrimp tacos with fresh horchata.

A little to the south near Highway 287, sink your teeth into the best hamburger in town at Hamburger Depot. Stay classic with the depot cheeseburger and curly fries at this simple, clean restaurant with quick service, great prices and even better food.

At night, catch a live local band at the Texas Rose Saloon on Martin Luther King Junior Parkway. Shoot some pool, throw darts and drink good, cheap beer in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere with a mixed crowd.

Although most errands require a car in South Park, alternative transportation options are available in the neighborhood and throughout Beaumont.

Route 7 of the Beaumont Municipal Transit System serves the South Park neighborhood with a total of five stops, with buses running from downtown Beaumont to South Park and back within 45 minutes. You can also hop on your bike to get around Beaumont, though be ready to travel sans bike lanes through most of the city.

Although Uber does not serve Beaumont, Yellow Cab provides fast, reliable service anytime and anywhere. Rather than waiting to hail one in South Park, keep the number in your phone if planning to need a cab in this neighborhood.

When behind the wheel, enjoy convenient access to Highway 96 and State Highway 287, while Highway 380 connects South Park directly to downtown Beaumont. In addition to street parking, several parking lots and garages provide public parking spaces in downtown Beaumont. Garages tend to cost $1.50 an hour with a two-hour maximum limit, while many parking lots are free or very cheap.

Residents of South Park enjoy several free local parks in which to kick back and relax. Escape the sun in shaded picnic shelters and the water playground at Charlton Pollard Park to the north, or get up a little heat on the half-mile jogging trail. Sharpen your volleyball skills at the court on Roberts Park near the center of the neighborhood.

Swing your tennis racket or shoot some hoops at Alice Keith Park, located centrally near the Martin Luther King Junior Parkway. Bring your family and your picnic basket, and let your dog explore the open space. After your kids wear themselves out on the playground, cool off in the pool at the on-site community center. Don't forget to check out the changing schedule of events and programs at the community center, and sign up to participate in a variety of weekly activities ranging from aerobics to ceramics.

Take advantage of all that Beaumont has to offer at South Park's affordable cost of living 11 percent lower than the city average. Rent a one-bedroom residence in South Park for an attractive average of $507 per month.

Pay 14 percent less for local gas relative to the national average and about $3 for a beer at a local bar. Buy a bus ticket to city center for $1.50.

Follow Martin Luther King Junior Parkway about a mile north to spend your dollars at the shops in the heart of downtown Beaumont.

Less than five minutes from the northern neighborhood border, get an authentic leather belt at 10/32 Leather. The talented craftsmen at this locally owned shop sell a variety of unique leather-work that they themselves make by hand.

A short drive east of the neighborhood takes you to Lyons Den Games. This is the ultimate store for gamers of all types, whether you’re into Dungeons & Dragons, Yugioh or Heroclix.

Check out a local artist show or simply browse the selection of antiques at Finder's Fayre Quality Antiques and Interior Design. The owners provide a free venue for local artists to display work in over 4,000 feet of their antique showrooms.

Primary neighborhood grocery stores include Market Basket and Van's Grocery. In addition, the popular Beaumont Farmers Market takes place on Saturday mornings from March to November, just about a mile away from South Park.