Arts & Culture

Family Adventures and Cultural Treasures

Baytown offers ample low-to-no-cost options for the whole family. Join a sand volleyball league, catch a concert in the park or stroll through the farmer’s market. Beat the Texas heat at the popular Pirates Bay Waterpark offering refreshing fun for all ages. Locals consider Baytown’s 50,000-square-foot library a best-kept-secret, with lots of interactive hands-on activities for children, including free 3D printing.

Immersing in arts and culture is a delight in Baytown. Experience the intimacy of live performances at the Baytown Little Theater or revel in the harmonious sounds of the Baytown Symphony Orchestra at the renowned Lee College Performing Arts Center. Discover the city's creative side with a self-guided tour of the Sculpture Trail in the vibrant Downtown Arts District on Texas Avenue. And to unwind after a long day, embrace the gorgeous scenery and Texas-grown wine varietals at Yepez Vineyard.

Finally, when you’re looking for a change of scenery, a short 20-minute drive will take you to Houston, where you can explore an array of culinary delights, cultural experiences and entertainment options.

  1. Art Alley

    A Baytown must-see is the Art Alley, where 13 selfie-style murals and a unique lock wall art piece await your discovery. Artists Whitney Hayden, Tyler Kay, and Shelbi Nicole give Baytown a unique visual art experience and the perfect backdrops to any photo. Also come show your love by placing a lock on the heART lock wall. Don't have a lock, pick one up at the Art League of Baytown, Wazabi, or the Del Mont Lofts.

    Downtown Arts District Art Alley Mural

  2. Art League Mural

    The Art Gallery building, home to the Art League of Baytown, features the largest mural we currently have in Baytown. This mural wraps from the front of the building and down the west wall. The artist used a trompe l’oeil painting style, which is French for “deceive the eye”. This mural takes a flat wall and makes it seem as if you are looking right into an art gallery! Other portions of the mural feature Art Deco style flares that reflect the original architecture of the building.

    Baytown Art League Mural

  3. Art League Painted Windows

    Art League members came together to recreate some famous paintings to place as window placards. Water Lilies by Monet, Mona Lisa by Leonardo D Vinci, self portrait of Frida Kahlo are just a few of the magnificent pieces that make up this window art.

    Window Art Partial Picture

  4. Downtown Arts District Mural

    This colorful Downtown Arts District mural showcases the recently renamed Texas Avenue area. The mural was painted by Houston area artist Armando Castelan.

    Downtown Arts District Mural Finished

  5. Solitary Journey Mural

    Baytown's first mural is located on the back corner of the Sterling Municipal Library and depicts a large bookcase and Baytown themed snow globe. Solitary Journey was painted by Houston area artist Armando Castelan and contains a geocaching trackable code hidden in the artwork.

    Baytown Solitary Journey

  6. Cruisin W Texas Avenue Mural

    The “Cruisin W Texas Avenue” mural is painted on the side of Bay Area Auto Gallery which is near Baytown’s historic oak tree that still stands in the middle of Texas Avenue today. This mural was painted by Armando Castelan and is a blast to the past that features classic cars and noteworthy Baytown icons like the Brunson Theater and Fred Hartman Bridge.

    Baytown Cruisin W Texas Avenue

  1. Howdy Mural

    This bright and colorful flower mural is located at the Del Mont Properties at 123 West Defee Street in the Downtown Arts District. This is the first mural to include the “glitch” florals that the muralist Tyler Kay is known for on canvas.

    Howdy mural

  2. Promise Center Mural

    This mural is located on the side of the Promise Center of Baytown (2609 Market Street), and emphasizes their dedication to education, diversity, and a promise of the future of the youth in Baytown. Jessica Rice roughed a hurricane and sweltering summer heat to bring this mural to life.

    Prommise Center

  3. Alligator Box Mural

    The Alligator Connex is a combination of beautification and innovation. Located at the Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Education and Recreation Center, this mural was created by muralist, Armando Castelan to commemorate the Wetlands Center's 20th anniversary.

    Wetlands Mural

  4. Boundless Knowledge Sculpture

    The Boundless Knowledge sculpture, created by artist Deedee Morrison, stands as a landmark in tribute to the Sterling Municipal Library’s 50-year anniversary.

  5. Sam Houston Round About Sculpture

    This 15-foot tall sculpture of General Sam Houston was created by legendary artist David Adickes. Located in the roundabout that circles between San Jacinto Blvd. and Hunt Rd., this statue is stunning both during the day and when lit up at night.

  6. Blue Heron Sculpture

    Upon enter the Baytown Nature Center, you are greeted by a pair of blue herons standing tall in reedy cattails overlooking a lily padded pond. This is the first of several sculptures inside the BNC.

  1. Butterfly Garden Sculpture

    Sitting in the middle of the Baytown Nature Center Butterfly Garden and overlooking Crystal Bay is the bronze statue of a girl seated on a rock pedestal with arms raised in the air.

  2. BNC Wood Carving Sculptures

    The most notable of the Baytown Nature Center wood carving sculptures is the tree carving of the boy fishing near the park pavilion. Artist Jimmy Phillips created this sculpture and several totem poles around the BNC.

  3. Ashbel Smith Sculpture

    Erected in the Republic of Texas plaza is a 27-inch by 42-inch statue of Ashbel Smith, a prominent figure in Baytown history. At the base of the statue is information about Ashbel Smith's accomplishments during the Texas Revolution and in Baytown.

  4. Running Cabinet Mini Mural

    This is was the first of Baytown's mini mural traffic cabinets. All of the cabinet are created with artwork digitally submitted by Baytown and Texas artists and then printed to vinyl wraps and placed on the cabinets. This cabinet is located at the corner of Emmett Hutto and Baker Road as was created by local artist Sheree Cardwell.

  5. Upside Down Mini Mural

    Located on the northeast corner of the intersection of N. Main and Massey Tompkins Rd is “Upside Down” by Molly Barr with Freely Focused Photography. This colorful cabinet is a photo taken at the Umbrella Alley.

  6. Outta Season Mini Mural

    Located on the northwest corner of the intersection at Barkaloo Rd and Blue Heron Pkwy is “Outa Season” by Steve Knight with Steve Knight Photography.