Here’s a question that, surprisingly, might flummox even the heartiest of Golden Triangle aficionados: What’s there to see around here, anyway?

We ran that question by folks last week and were surprised that they were surprised by it. Well, um… there’s actually a lot to see and do around here, once you draw a deep breath and ponder both the question and myriad possible answers.

Our friends, some in the tourism business, offered 10 places you ought to see in 2018. We ought to see them, too, because we, like our readers, haven’t seen all there is to see in this corner of Texas. So let’s get started, pronto.

Perhaps like many of you, we’ve been guilty of overlooking what’s right before us when it comes to places of interest. But not this year.

Here’s what our tourism friends suggested: Sea Rim State Park, Buu Mon Buddhist Temple Gardens, Dutch Windmill Museum, La Maison Beausolieu, Larry’s French Market and Cajun Restaurant, Spindletop Gladys City Boomtown, Clifton Steamboat Museum, Lutcher Theater for the Performing Arts, Stark Museum of Art, the W.H. Stark House.

Those alone could comprise your “staycation” agenda or they could simply give you a great to-do-and-see list for 2018 weekends. They all provide places where you can start your Golden Triangle self-education quest.

That’s a great list, of course, until you count the missing: the Museum of the Gulf Coast, the Babe Didrikson Zaharias Museum and Visitors Center, the St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, the Tyrrell Historical Library and the McFaddin-Ward House, for just a few suggestions. There’s a boatload of other stops, including quirky museums and grand homes, that are worth a look-see.

We understand how people have a penchant for all the beauty and intrigue that’s always two hours down the road. It’s the same everywhere: Nothing’s good enough until it’s far away. But we encourage our readers to embrace what’s right here, too.

Southeastern Texas and its jewels beckon people from many places distant. Golfers and sports enthusiasts treasure Babe Didrikson and what she means to Olympic lore and golf history. See the little museum.

Southeastern Texas musicians abound across the artistic spectrum: George Jones and Tex Ritter of country and western; the Big Bopper of rockabilly; Janis Joplin of rock and the blues; Clifton Chenier, the King of Zydeco. There’s a music trail just waiting to open here.

Why wait? Reach out to embrace all that’s special here.

Now.