Jeremiah & Amanda’s guidebook

Jeremiah & Amanda
Jeremiah & Amanda
Jeremiah & Amanda’s guidebook

Food scene

Note: This place has been renamed "Wild Bills." Same owner, same great food...just a new name. Wile Bill's is the cutest little country kitchen with wholesome food offerings and kind staff. We recommend their omelets for breakfast and taco salad for lunch! Conveniently open till 9 pm most nights.
Tammy's Country kitchen
233 U.S. Highway 190
Note: This place has been renamed "Wild Bills." Same owner, same great food...just a new name. Wile Bill's is the cutest little country kitchen with wholesome food offerings and kind staff. We recommend their omelets for breakfast and taco salad for lunch! Conveniently open till 9 pm most nights.
Authentic family-owned Mexican restaurant. Being part Mexican ourselves, we are picky about our Mexican food and El Flamingo has been our local go-to since we moved to East Texas! Fun Fact: You get free ice cream with each meal ordered.
EL FLAMINGO MEXICAN RESTAURANT
910 North Wheeler Street
Authentic family-owned Mexican restaurant. Being part Mexican ourselves, we are picky about our Mexican food and El Flamingo has been our local go-to since we moved to East Texas! Fun Fact: You get free ice cream with each meal ordered.
Great food at a great value. They also do catering for events!
Smitty's Smoke House
1006 South Wheeler Street
Great food at a great value. They also do catering for events!
Guys! On our first trip to the area our friend found this must-visit burger place on YouTube. We fell so in love with the kindness and the food. We can’t wait to hear your experience after you visit!
The Burgerhouse
905 North Wheeler Avenue
Guys! On our first trip to the area our friend found this must-visit burger place on YouTube. We fell so in love with the kindness and the food. We can’t wait to hear your experience after you visit!
It’s an hour from the cottage, and worth every quick minute of the drive! Gluten free, cauliflower, and cauliflower cheese crusts available. Their quesadillas are THE BEST too!
Brick Oven Pizza Co. of Lumberton
139 North Lhs Drive
It’s an hour from the cottage, and worth every quick minute of the drive! Gluten free, cauliflower, and cauliflower cheese crusts available. Their quesadillas are THE BEST too!
This is a MUST VISIT in the area. There are not many fine dining options in the area and we are so excited for these chef prepared kitchen creations. If you want quality food this is the place! Visit their website for updated hours.
The Belle-Jim Hotel
This is a MUST VISIT in the area. There are not many fine dining options in the area and we are so excited for these chef prepared kitchen creations. If you want quality food this is the place! Visit their website for updated hours.
One of two places in the area that makes everything from scratch. Even the strawberry 🍓 Jalapeño margarita uses fresh puréed fruits (no artificial flavoring here)!
Cafe 257
One of two places in the area that makes everything from scratch. Even the strawberry 🍓 Jalapeño margarita uses fresh puréed fruits (no artificial flavoring here)!

Water Fun

Lake Tejas is a regional favorite for family fun! Bring your water toys and plan for a beautiful day in the sun. Only 17 miles from the cottage, it's basically in your backyard!
Lake Tejas
152 Lake Tejas Loop
Lake Tejas is a regional favorite for family fun! Bring your water toys and plan for a beautiful day in the sun. Only 17 miles from the cottage, it's basically in your backyard!
The largest lake in Texas is just 30 minutes away where guests can enjoy endless fishing, boating, hiking & water sports. Retreat back to the cottage for a relaxing movie and grilled dinner to complete your perfect day.
22 locals recommend
Sam Rayburn Reservoir
22 locals recommend
The largest lake in Texas is just 30 minutes away where guests can enjoy endless fishing, boating, hiking & water sports. Retreat back to the cottage for a relaxing movie and grilled dinner to complete your perfect day.
The Neches River (which you have direct access to on-site), is connected to the B.A. Steinhagen Lake at Magnolia Ridge Park. Launch your boat at Magnolia Ridge Park and drive up to the cottage (Note: there is no dock @ the cottage access, but you can tie your boat up to the bank), or make your way down to Magnolia Ridge Park via kayak or canoe. Either way Magnolia Ridge Park is only minutes away and perfect for a nearby adventure.
Magnolia Ridge Park
The Neches River (which you have direct access to on-site), is connected to the B.A. Steinhagen Lake at Magnolia Ridge Park. Launch your boat at Magnolia Ridge Park and drive up to the cottage (Note: there is no dock @ the cottage access, but you can tie your boat up to the bank), or make your way down to Magnolia Ridge Park via kayak or canoe. Either way Magnolia Ridge Park is only minutes away and perfect for a nearby adventure.
Hike, swim, fish & play!
19 locals recommend
Boykin Springs Recreation Area
Forest Service Road 313
19 locals recommend
Hike, swim, fish & play!
Bring your kayak, canoe, or paddleboard and make your way to a close by sandbar. Spend the day relaxing in the sun.
Neches River
Bring your kayak, canoe, or paddleboard and make your way to a close by sandbar. Spend the day relaxing in the sun.
If you are looking for a guided Canoe experience book early with Sheffield Ferry. They will meet you at Dam B (15-20 minutes from the cottage) and bring you back to Dam B after your water adventures going South on the Neches are complete!
Sheffield Ferry Boat Ramp
Sheffield Ferry Road
If you are looking for a guided Canoe experience book early with Sheffield Ferry. They will meet you at Dam B (15-20 minutes from the cottage) and bring you back to Dam B after your water adventures going South on the Neches are complete!

Country Fresh Groceries & Ingredients

You’ve made it to the country for all things nature, we hope you enjoy these tasty locally grown and produced ingredients for your favorite homemade meals at the cottage.
Pecan Hill Farm Market
5763 TX-63
Great meats and seasonings, fresh local bakery items, and pre-prepared meals in the deli.
Jasper Quality Meats Inc.
549 E Gibson St
Great meats and seasonings, fresh local bakery items, and pre-prepared meals in the deli.
Yum!!! 1 hr away in Lufkin you’ll find this special gem. Grab a celebratory cake, or fresh muffins & cinnamon rolls for a sweet treat for your country cottage stay.
Farmhouse Bakery
1102 S John Redditt Dr
Yum!!! 1 hr away in Lufkin you’ll find this special gem. Grab a celebratory cake, or fresh muffins & cinnamon rolls for a sweet treat for your country cottage stay.
If you are a keto focused person we suggest a trip to Lufkin to the Keto Couples Kitchen to stock up on easy breakfast sandwiches (great for an early morning fishing outing), and pizzas! Warm pizzas up over the fire pit in the evening and round out the perfect day in nature while treating yourself to some nutritious luxuries.
Keto Couple’s Kitchen
1107 S Timberland Dr
If you are a keto focused person we suggest a trip to Lufkin to the Keto Couples Kitchen to stock up on easy breakfast sandwiches (great for an early morning fishing outing), and pizzas! Warm pizzas up over the fire pit in the evening and round out the perfect day in nature while treating yourself to some nutritious luxuries.

Hunting & Fishing

Our cottage is neighbors with 12,706 acres of Angelina Neches / Dam B WMA Unit #707 Texas Public Hunting Land. Such a great way to do what you love and retreat back to a beautiful cottage that has been prepared just for you! [ Annual Public Hunting Permit ] The Annual Public Hunting Permit (also known as walk-in) provides nearly year-round hunting on nearly one million acres of land. Hunt white-tailed deer, feral hogs, dove, quail, turkey, waterfowl, rabbit, squirrel and more on more than 180 hunting areas, including wildlife management areas, state parks and approximately 120 dove and small game areas leased from private landowners. Learn More: https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/ Check out the Angelina Neches / Dam B WMA Unit #707 Map for 2020-2021: https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/
US Army Corps of Engineers
5171 Farm to Market 92
Our cottage is neighbors with 12,706 acres of Angelina Neches / Dam B WMA Unit #707 Texas Public Hunting Land. Such a great way to do what you love and retreat back to a beautiful cottage that has been prepared just for you! [ Annual Public Hunting Permit ] The Annual Public Hunting Permit (also known as walk-in) provides nearly year-round hunting on nearly one million acres of land. Hunt white-tailed deer, feral hogs, dove, quail, turkey, waterfowl, rabbit, squirrel and more on more than 180 hunting areas, including wildlife management areas, state parks and approximately 120 dove and small game areas leased from private landowners. Learn More: https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/ Check out the Angelina Neches / Dam B WMA Unit #707 Map for 2020-2021: https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/

Sightseeing

[ Big Thicket National Preserve ] The Big Thicket is located in a region where many different ecosystems meet and combine. The thicket contains swamps and bayous, piney woods and palmetto flats, and even wetland pine savannah and arid sandyland. Carnivorous pitcher plants can be seen here as well as cacti and orchids. The array of plant and animal life that lives in this park is astounding! Alligators, ring-tailed cats, armadillos, river otters are just a few of the animals that roam free in the Big Thicket National Reserve. This area region is one of the most biologically diverse in the world and has been dedicated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is one of the prettiest national parks in Texas!
14 locals recommend
Big Thicket National Preserve
Farm to Market 420
14 locals recommend
[ Big Thicket National Preserve ] The Big Thicket is located in a region where many different ecosystems meet and combine. The thicket contains swamps and bayous, piney woods and palmetto flats, and even wetland pine savannah and arid sandyland. Carnivorous pitcher plants can be seen here as well as cacti and orchids. The array of plant and animal life that lives in this park is astounding! Alligators, ring-tailed cats, armadillos, river otters are just a few of the animals that roam free in the Big Thicket National Reserve. This area region is one of the most biologically diverse in the world and has been dedicated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is one of the prettiest national parks in Texas!

Traveler advice

What to pack

Bring comfortable slip ons.

Bring comfortable slippers for inside the cottage. You’ll stay more cozy while allowing outdoor shoes to stay at the door. Thank you for keeping the place tidy!
What to pack

Firewood

We’ll have some starter wood for you, but be sure to stock up for those extended fires staring at the big Texas sky.
Book before you go

Your Favorite Groceries

As city dwellers for decades, we always make sure to stop at our favorite grocery stores to pick up our staples (organic items, favorite breakfast ingredients, etc.) before heading to the country. There are organic options at the local Walmart, and plenty of ingredients at Brookshire Brothers; but if you are an HEB or Whole Foods lover, be sure to grab your favorite food & beverages and put them in a cooler before heading to the Piney Woods Countryside.
What to pack

Beach 🏖 Towels For Water 💧 Fun 🤩

Be sure to pack Beach Towels & Sunscreen for your days of water fun. There are bathing towels at the cabin, however they are white and cottage specific, so your favorite plush XL activity towel is a must. Forget to pack one? No worries there is a nearby Walmart as well! 🛒