Tour 2: High Seas, Tall Trees
January 3-5

Take a journey from the beautiful coasts and historic shopping districts of Galveston Island to Beaumont, Texas with a Cajun kick. Visit one of the “greenest places on Earth in Orange, TX” before setting course for deep East Texas and the Big Thicket, a true natural wonder of Texas. Climb aboard a vintage
steam engine and travel along the Texas State Railroad in style. From the High Seas to Tall Trees, East Texas will offer an unforgettable tour that you will not want to miss.

Monday, January 2

  • (Optional) Arrive in Houston by 4:00 p.m. and check-in at your hotel, then enjoy dinner at one of Houston’s favorite restaurants

Tuesday, January 3

  • A motorcoach will pick up arriving delegates at the Houston Hobby Airport at 11:00 a.m. All delegates will begin the tour at 11:30 a.m.
  • Tour begins in Historic Galveston Island
  • Visit the 1838 Moody Mansion and 1877 Tall Ship Elissa
  • Enjoy dinner at Casey’s Seafood Restaurant
  • Overnight in Galveston, the most beautiful, entertaining and historic island in Texas

Wednesday, January 4

  • Group will board motorcoach for narrated city tour and shopping trip along the famous Galveston Strand
  • Fly by the Lone Star Flight Museum
  • Visit the rain forests of Asia, Africa and South America at the Rainforest Pyramid at Moody Gardens
  • Journey to Beaumont aboard the Bolivar Ferry
  • Stop in Port Arthur for a tour of the Museum of the Gulf Coast
  • Enjoy a personal guided tour of Beaumont’s Historic Downtown Entertainment & Cultural District
  • Tour the McFaddin-Ward House a restored beaux-arts colonial mansion and carriage house
  • Visit the world’s first oil boomtown recreated at Spindletop/Gladys City Boomtown Museum and watch an oil gusher blow just like in 1901
  • Stop by the Fire Museum of Texas for late dinner, entertainment and cooking demonstration

Thursday, January 5

  • Depart for Orange, TX and Shangri La Botanical Gardens for a nature tour and boat ride in the Blue Elbow Swamp
  • Visit renowned Stark Museum of Art to view the largest collection of Audubon wildlife books and Native American art
  • Savor a family style lunch at the Pickett House and tour Heritage Village, before departing for deep East Texas
  • Be on the lookout for cowboys and outlaws along the way to the Texas State Railroad’s Victorian-style depot in Rusk, TX where you will embark on the Wild West Dinner Train
  • End the evening with a tour around charming Palestine
  • Return late evening to Grapevine and the Gaylord Texan

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