Baytown is a gateway to the sun-drenched Gulf Coast. The waterfront city is a stone’s throw from Houston but offers unique sights, attractions and experiences. Birdwatch in bayside parks and wildlife sanctuaries, explore the colourful arts and entertainment district and visit a historic Texas Revolution battle site.
Things to do in Baytown
Download a map and set off on a self-guided tour of the Baytown Sculpture Trail. Dozens of unique sculptures created by artists from across the United States dot Texas Avenue and Town Square. Some are permanent and others rotate. You’ll also find vibrant art installations and murals across Downtown Baytown. Don’t miss Umbrella Alley, a narrow street decorated with a canopy of rainbow-coloured umbrellas.
Discover local talent in the Old Goose Creek Arts and Entertainment District. Set in the heart of Baytown, the neighbourhood is a hotspot for galleries and studios. Admire works by Lone Star State artists at the Art League of Baytown Gallery and take part in hands-on workshops.
Baytown boasts some of the best birding on the Gulf Coast. Spot more than 300 species, including pied-billed grebes and black-bellied whistling ducks at the Baytown Nature Centre. The park is set on a peninsula and laced with scenic trails. The nearby Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge is a sanctuary for white-rumped sandpipers and Hudsonian godwits.
Crane your neck to see the top of the San Jacinto Monument. The octagon-shaped monument towers over San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Park and is one of the tallest stone columns in the world. It commemorates the 19th-century Battle of San Jacinto, a key clash in the Texas Revolution.
Getting around Baytown
Downtown Baytown is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. The city is a 30-minute drive from Downtown Houston and 45 minutes from George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Rental cars offer the freedom to visit Baytown and explore the Gulf Coast at your own pace.