You might think that Baytown is all about oilfields, and you’re partly right. Baytown was the site of the first offshore drilling operation in Texas and the second in the United States. Today, Baytown’s industries include oil, rubber and petrochemical plants, as well as many manufacturing and distribution hubs.
Located east of Houston and north of Galveston, Baytown is a Texas Gulf town of about 80,000 people. It’s located at the mouth of the San Jacinto River on Galveston Bay, and offers scenic waterways that are popular with nature lovers, fishermen, kayakers, paddleboarders and boaters.
There are over 40 different parks around Baytown including a 450-acre nature center that’s home to hundreds of bird species, mammals, reptiles, and aquatic species.
If speed is your thing—there’s a nearby motorsports complex. Or you can bring your GPS and join in a geocaching treasure hunting adventure. You can also take a free ride on the oldest operating ferry service in the state of Texas dating back to 1822.
Among the many historic landmarks is the San Jacinto Monument commemorating the Battle of San Jacinto during the Texas Revolution. Additionally, Baytown boasts one of the largest stayed-cable bridges in Texas, spanning the Houston Ship Channel.