Fun Things To See and Do in Tyler Texas

Tyler History

The first immigrants into the Tyler area were from Cherokee and Kickappo Indians from across the Mississippi River. The forced removal of the Indians from East Texas in 1839 opened the area for Anglo Settlement. The first settlers overtook the Indian's salt works and Tyler was eventually incorporated in 1848.

The county grew rapidly in both population and wealth in the decade proceeding the Civil War, with a large portion of the population being immigrants from Alabama. During the Civil War Tyler was home to a number of Camps for training and eventually became the largest prisoner of war camp west of the Mississippi River.

Following the war, Tyler experienced rapid agricultural growth as cotton became an important cash crop. The discovery of the great East Texas Oil Field in 1930 contributed to the continued growth and prosperity of Tyler. Today Tyler has a population of just over 100,000, an expanding industrial base, excellent institutions of higher learning and healthcare, and is becoming a popular retirement community - Tyler was certified as the "First Certified Retirement City" in 2000.

Tyler Activities and Fun Things to Do

• Tour the historic homes - Tyler has a number of magnificent historic homes that were built in the 1870's and are furnished with antiques from the 1800's and 1900's
• Enjoy some kids activities - Brookshire's World of Wildlife Museum and Country Store is a well done display of wildlife exhibits; Discovery Science Place has hands-on learning, exhibit halls, and other fun stuff; Fire Mountain Amusements has go carts, bumper boats, miniature golf, and more: or Kids Depo 2000 has some fun things for kids
• Camp - Tyler State Park (a Texas Outside Top Ten Park) is a perfect place to use as a base to explore Tyler and the surrounding area or just south of town are some campgrounds and RV parks on Lake Palestine - Lake Palestine Campground and Lodge, Skytraqs, or Palestine Pines
• Float your boat - Lake Palestine is a 25,000 acre lake just south of Tyler and is excellent for camping, fishing, skiing, and swimming
• Antique shop or golf - Tyler has some great antique shops and some very good golf courses - click here to find and read reviews of Tyler golf courses
• Visit the zoo - Caldwell Zoo is very well done and has 2000 animals from 250 species in a simulated natural environment with minimal enclosure
• Stay at a B&B - Duck Inn is a pleasant B&B with 4 nice rooms (some with hot tubs), great breakfast, boat dock, hammock, and a very friendly host/owner/chief right on the shore of Lake Palestine
• Take a hike or go biking - air up the mountain bike tires and go enjoy some of the best bike trails in Texas at Tyler State Park which offers a variety of loops from family appropriate to expert trails; hike the Tyler State Park trails - the trail around the lake is pretty and very enjoyable
• Explore the winery - at Kiepersol Estate and Winery you can ride through the estate and winery in a horse drawn carriage and sample some very good wine overlooking the vineyard

Tyler Attractions

• Tyler Rose Museum - a spectacular display of memorabilia and items related to Tyler's rose growing industry
• Camp Ford - a historic marker identifies the largest prisoner of war compound used for Union troops west of the Mississippi during the civil war
• Historic Aviation Memorial Museum - a collection of aviation memorabilia and special exhibits paying tribute to the pioneers of flight and patriots who were instrumental in the advancement of aviation
• Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge - home of the exotic cat rescue and tiger conservation housing over 15 exotic cats
• Harrold's Model Train Museum - 2100 model trains and numerous children's trains
• Center For Earth & Space Science Education - a dynamic public science education facility, offering educational and entertainment programming
• Tyler Museum of Art - 700 piece permanent collection specializing in early and modern Texas artists and several private collections
• Tyler Municipal Rose Garden - 14 acres with 38,000 rose bushes and 500 varieties
• Nearby attractions include:

  • Cherokee Trace Safari Park (Ponta) - a self-guided drive through safari park which is home to hundreds of exotic and endangered animals
  • Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (Athens) - 300,000 gallon fresh water aquarium filled with every species of fish found in Texas
  • Moore Farms (Bullard)- hay rides, corn maze, and farm camp

Tyler Events

• East Texas State Fair - September/October - midway games, carnival rides, livestock expo, and some good food
• Azalea & Spring Flower Trail - March - eight miles of residential gardens and historic homesites covered with azaleas
• Texas Rose Festival - October - an annual tradition since 1933 with a rose show, parade, and art show
• Tyler Market Days - third weekend of each month with five pavilions and 1000 vendors selling everything from antiques to zippers
• Four Winds Renaissance Faire - March/April - fun filled day of swashbuckling, exotic wares, fair maidens, and fun games