The term “Tyler Roses” belongs to Tyler, Texas, a very charming East Texas city located about 100 miles east of Dallas. It’s where beautiful roses bloom twice a year but stay forever. Tyler is nothing like the hustle and bustle of the big city and is the perfect place to escape to when you’re looking for nature, outdoor life, and, of course, beautiful red roses.
To love Tyler is to love roses and small-city charm. With several festivals and community events throughout the year, there’s something always going on in Tyler, and there’s always a flower or two blooming. Grab the family and spend a fantastic weekend in charming Tyler, Texas.
Things To Do In Tyler
Tyler offers year-round attractions for the whole family. There’s no doubt that a weekend in charming Tyler, Texas, will satisfy mom, dad, the kids, and the grandparents. Be sure to swing by the visitor center located on the downtown square to pick up a brochure full of places to eat, attractions of all kinds, annual events, a map of the city, and value coupons printed on the left and right side of the brochure. It’s definitely a brochure you’ll want to have handy.
Tyler Municipal Rose Garden
If you love the smells of gorgeous red and pink roses, then you’ll want to go here. The Tyler Municipal Rose Garden is a garden that features 14 acres of beautiful rose bushes of over 500 varieties.
Roses are in full bloom two times a year: in late April/early May and mid-October. This is when the city turns into a huge rose garden and goes all out with its annual festivals and community events. It’s also a great time to secure a weekend in the city.
Even though the roses are in full peak twice a year, the Rose Garden is still a beautiful place to visit year-round. It’s a great place to see azaleas, dogwoods, and camellias, and it has one of the largest collections of Japanese maples in the state in the spring. Before heading out to the Rose Garden, be sure to stop in the Tyler Rose Museum and Gift Shop to see fabulous costumes, memorabilia, and other items from the first festival in 1933.
Goodman-LeGrand Museum And Gardens
The Goodman-LeGrand Museum and Gardens is an antique lovers’ and historians’ dream, with original furnishing, memorabilia, and photographs from the mid-1800s. The house and the grounds themselves are gorgeous enough, and they are picture-worthy, so be sure to bring your camera. While you’re there, enjoy a stroll in the century-old, nine-acre LeGrand Gardens and plan to stay awhile. Beauty like this doesn’t come around very often.
Tyler State Park
Tyler is home to one of the most beautiful state parks in Texas. The park is due north of the city and is home to many 100-foot pine trees. Tyler State Park brings more visitors to the area than any other attraction and provides the adventurer steep and hilly terrain for a perfect day of mountain biking and hiking. But there are also plenty of flat surfaces for bird watching and walking around. Explore the Whispering Pines Nature Trail on foot, or fish for crappie, perch, catfish, and bass in the 64-acre spring-fed lake. With all that, you may want to stay overnight in the park! If you don’t mind a fly or two, the park is fully equipped with all types of accommodations for camping. More on that below.
Caldwell Zoo
The Caldwell Zoo is a Tyler gem with over 3,000 animals from around the world, and it is noted for being one of the best small zoos in America. And for an up-close experience, you can treat yourself and your family to an encounter with African penguins year-round. In spring, you can sign up for the VIP encounter with the bears — oh my!
Golf Galore
Play golf at one of the five public golf courses, four semi-private golf courses, or six private courses in town. There’s no shortage of places to play golf in the rolling hills of Tyler, Texas!
New York Texas Zipline Adventures
Among the pine trees in East Texas is this gem of a place to wander and play and pretend you are Tarzan for the day. Not far from Tyler in the small town of LaRue is an adventure waiting to happen. New York Texas Zipline Adventures has two zip lines to choose from. The first time we went, I reserved the shorter of the two zip lines, and after we were done, we wished we could have kept going. So I promised my grandson we would do the nine-zipline challenge next time. And we did. It was amazing and worth doing the extra three.
Pro Tip: Getting to and from each zipline is steep and rocky, but it was doable.
Azalea And Spring Flower Trail
A great annual event that brings hundreds to Tyler in the springtime is the Azalea and Spring Flower Trail. From mid-March through early April, the trail runs through Tyler’s historic Azalea District, and for miles, you’ll be able to see beautiful pink azaleas and wonderful gardens along the way. Be sure to keep up with the blooms, the trail, and events on their website.
East Texas State Fair
In September of every year, Tyler’s East Texas State Fair provides a huge playground for everyone to enjoy live entertainment, amazing fun rides, great fair food, and much more. This is the largest and longest event in East Texas and benefits area youth.
Best Restaurants In Tyler
You’ll never be without a restaurant near you in Tyler. From American cuisine to all-out fine dining, your favorite restaurant is minutes away. Here are a few restaurants that the locals love.
Stanley’s Famous Pit BBQ
For some outstanding Texas barbeque, consider Stanley’s Famous Pit BBQ as one of your meals. It’s consistently listed as one of the top barbecue joints in the state and has a fun atmosphere for the entire family.
The Grove Kitchen + Gardens
The Grove Kitchen + Garden is an American-style restaurant that uses locally sourced ingredients. They have great outdoor and indoor spaces and offer a great brunch complete with music that the whole family will love.
The Potpourri House
The Potpourri House is fine dining at its best. They are known for having a delicious and unique salad bar, and they also serve sandwiches and American entrees. Their gift boutique is a must-see and is a hit with travelers.
Kiepersol
Kiepersol is an upscale steak restaurant located at the award-winning Kiepersol Winery and Distillery. And while you’re there, try a local Texas wine.
Don Juan
For an authentic Tex-Mex dinner, Don Juan serves up great dinners and appetizers that the locals can’t get enough of. Its great location on the square downtown is another reason locals and visitors alike go there.
Rick’s On The Square
Rick’s on the Square is a charming restaurant located in the heart of downtown that serves a variety of culinary entrees. It’s nothing for a table of four to order four different meals from all types of cuisine. It’s great for adults.
Catch Me If You Can
This Cajun food truck was voted best in town in 2020. The owners of Catch Me If You Can are always adding new dishes. Catch them on Facebook — if you can! Or call (903) 284-4775.
Best Hotels In Tyler
There are a couple of dozen hotels in the area. On the lake, there are also quaint bed and breakfasts, long-term stays, and cabins. Depending on your likings, Tyler offers diverse accommodations within a price range for all.
Courtyard By Marriott
If my grandson is with me, I tend to stay at a Courtyard or another Marriott hotel with an indoor pool. I like racking up Marriott points for future stays. I’ve also realized Courtyard hotels have most of what I need at a great price. In Tyler, the Courtyard by Marriot is handicap accessible, has an indoor pool, a restaurant on site, microwaves and fridges in rooms, and Wi-Fi available.
Kiepersol Bed And Breakfast
Relax, renew, and unwind at the beautiful fifteen-room Kiepersol Bed and Breakfast that offers tranquility in every inch of their place. Enjoy the Kiepersol steakhouse and Texas wines at its beautiful 63-acre vineyard featuring a winery and a distillery. Oh my, I don’t think I would ever want to leave this place.
Lindsey Cottage (Vrbo )
The Lindsey Cottage is located in the historic Azalea District. You and a friend can enjoy the entire cottage with two single beds at a very reasonable price. If you go in the springtime, you’ll be among the beautiful blooms of azaleas. It sounds like a great weekend with a girlfriend to me!
Rent A Cabin At Tyler State Park
When I was a young mom, I took my son and niece here and we camped out in a screened-in shelter and slept on cots. Not sure I would do that again, but I do remember the kids having a blast on the water. Oh, and I remember hearing raccoons at night and thinking it was a bear. For fun at one of the best state parks in Texas, hang out all weekend long in a cabin Tyler State Park.
Pro Tip
Most locals agree that the accessibility to both city life and wildlife here is remarkable. You can drive 15 minutes in any direction and get lost in the woods.
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