5 Great Things to Do in Tyler, Texas
Ask the experts, and they will likely agree that there is something for everyone to enjoy during a visit to Tyler, TX. Noted as the Rose Capital of America, it is also a charming city of brick streets, boutiques, sparkling lakes, amazing golfing, and more! It quite literally has something from a (azaleas) to z (zoos) for those who pay a visit.
Below are five of the activities we’d point out to anyone eager to enjoy a visit to this remarkable East Texas destination.
The Rose Garden
The Tyler Rose Garden is the reason the city has been deemed the Rose Capital of the U.S. It is the nation's largest municipal rose garden with more than 37k rose bushes and hundreds upon hundreds of rose varieties. The gardens are mapped out in a remarkable way with pools, fountains, walkways, and more. It has been awarded many times and is recognized as one of the most inspiring gardens in the entire country.
NOTE: As we said, there are many azaleas in the area, and when visiting in the spring, the Tyler Azalea Trail is a ten-mile "must-see" attraction that draws in tens of thousands of visitors every year.
The Zoo
The Caldwell Zoo is a delightful spot to spend a day. It began in the 1930s as a private, backyard collection for local school kids to enjoy. Today, it spreads over 85 acres and is home to more than 2000 animals, and over 250 species. There is a picnic area and restaurant, two aquariums, a petting area, and more.
Tyler Junior College’s Planetarium
A brand new planetarium on the college grounds, it is a must-see destination for fans of astronomy and those who appreciate technology's reach into deep space. After all, the facility has a high-resolution digital projection system, an exhibition space, classrooms, outdoor classrooms, and a Digistar 4, the latest in digital projection technology.
NOTE: While here, you should also visit the Tyler Museum of Art on the campus, offering amazing exhibitions of more than 1200 works, including some by Calder.
Teen and Kid “Stuff”
If you are visiting the area with kids or teens, any of the activities already mentioned would be a good choice. Still, there are also options like the water park at the Villages at Silverleaf Resort, the Discovery Science Place, the Putt-Putt Mini-Golf, and the array of local theaters and movie houses. They include the Studio Movie Grill, Hollywood Theaters, Carmike Cinema, and more. You can even take them bowling at Green Acres Bowl.
Golfing
Tyler is the ideal setting for year-round golfing, and the Cascades is home to the North Texas PGA’s Texas State Open since 2006. There is also the Hollytree Country Club with its 18-hole course, and Eagle's Bluff, which is a championship 18-hole golf course on Lake Palestine designed by Carlton Gipson.
The Lakes
Tyler is home to a handful of the 30 or so lakes found in East Texas. The immediate proximity contains Lake Palestine and Lake Tyler, as well as Bellwood Lake. Lake Tyler (and its adjacent Lake Tyler East) are the largest in the region. Fifteen miles away is Lake Palestine which was created in 1962 by the building of a dam on the Neches River.
The Toledo Bend Reservoir is also nearby, as is Lake Fork. The latter is home to some of the best largemouth bass fishing in the country, as well as the Stable View Cottages, where fishing enthusiasts enjoy a site dedicated to making any fishing vacation a success. Three minutes from a launch, it is a good choice for those who want the joys of the country while remaining within easy reach of the delights of Tyler nearby.