A Gulf Coast autumn in the Port Arthur area inspires family adventure with a focus on our great outdoors. Grab a kayak, take a local road trip and look for those fall migrating birds. Here are some ideas on enjoying your own area: 
Our stellar fall bird migration
Our diverse bird habitats include woodlands, tidal flats, marshy wetlands and the sandy shores of the Gulf of Mexico. Seasonal migrants visit us on their way down to Central and South America. Sabine Woods near Sea Rim State Park, is considered to be one of the most productive migrant stop-overs along the Texas Coast. That’s for both spring and fall. Hummingbirds enjoy lantana blooms and colorful orioles, tanagers, thrushers and warblers forage around oak and mulberry trees from early September through late October. 
Head just south to find yourself in the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge, where up to 27 species of ducks and massive flocks of snow geese can be found from October through March. Look for shorebirds in the mudflats.  On Port Arthur’s Pleasure Island, enjoy neotropic cormorants, blue and green-winged teals, gadwalls, red-breasted mergansers and other lovelies. 
Experience first-rate fresh- and saltwater fishing
We love our rivers, bayous, fresh and saltwater lakes with easy access to the Gulf Coast. We’re famous for Sabine Lake, a 90,000-acre lake full of flounder in October. As November and December arrive, so do trout and redfish. Sea Rim State Park’s natural beaches invite shore fishing and Pleasure Island’s piers are family favorites. Kayak fishing is a big deal. It’s all the better to be so close to nature. 
Try an epic swamp safari
Zoom past the towering grasses of Bessie Heights Marsh as you watch alligators, wild hogs and birds of all kinds on a 90-minute or two-hour adventure with American Flag Airboat Marsh Tour. There’s much more wildlife watching to be done with Swamp and River Tours, which takes you on a 25-mile, 90-minute exploration of the most remote parts of the Sabine River Basin. With boats designed to be quiet, you’ll get a great view of the local flora and fauna.
Set out on an unforgettable paddling adventure
Sea Rim State Park has an automated kayak rental area on the marsh side. Sea Rim is home to more than 5 miles of shoreline and…