# Tyler

Tyler is the county seat of Smith County, in eastern Texas. It boasts the nation's largest municipal rose garden and hosts the Texas Rose Festival each October.

## Understand

Tyler is referred to as the Rose Capital of America because of its large role in the rose-growing industry; about 20% of commercial rose bushes produced in the U.S. are grown in Tyler and Smith County and more than half of the rose bushes are packaged and shipped from the area.
The city is named for President John Tyler in recognition of his support for Texas' admission to the United States. In 2021, its population was about 107,000.

### Visitor information

* Tyler Visitor's Center, 110 N College Ave, Ste 105 (In Plaza Tower), ☏ +1 903-593-6905. M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-3PM. (updated Dec 2021)

## Get in

Tyler Pounds Regional Airport offers service to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport via American Eagle Airlines.
The city's Tyler Transit buses run daily, excluding Sundays and holidays. Greyhound Lines bus service is available through a downtown terminal.

## Get around

Tyler is next to several major highways. Interstate 20 runs along the north edge of the city, and U.S. Highway 69 runs north-south through the center of town. The city also has access to U.S. Highway 271, Texas State Highway 31, Texas State Highway 155, and Texas State Highway 110.
Texas State Highway Loop 323 was built in 1957 to encircle the city, which has continued to grow outside of the loop. Texas State Highway Loop 49, designed to be an "outer loop" around the city, is under construction, with the western and southern segments open as of 2022.

## See

* Tyler Landis Museum, 1900 W. Front. A spectacular display of memorabilia and items related to Tyler's rose-growing industry and the Texas Rose Festival. Admission Fee, special exhibits have fees.
* Tyler Municipal Rose Garden, 1900 W. Front. Fourteen acres and 400 rose varieties testify to Tyler's standing as the "Rose Capital of the World". Free.
* 32.34369-95.309411 The Bonner-Whitaker McClendon House, 806 W Houston, ☏ +1 903-592-3533. Guided tours F Sa 10AM-4PM year round but check website for changes. One of the finest examples of Eastlake Bracketed Victorian Architecture remaining in East Texas. Guided Tours depicting Tyler's political, cultural history from post-Civil War. Birthplace of noted Washington D.C. news correspondent, Sarah McClendon. $7, children 12 and under free. (updated Dec 2021)
* Cowan Center, 3900 University Blvd, FAC 1120 (The University of Texas at Tyler campus), ☏ +1 903-566-7424. Box officeː M-F 9AM-4PM, and 1 hr. prior to performances. The UT Tyler Cowan Fine & Performing Arts Center presents national and international touring arts and educational programming. (updated Feb 2025)
* Goodman Museum, 624 N. Broadway. A delight for antique lovers and historians, this Tyler landmark brings the past to life with original furnishings, photographs and memorabilia dating from the mid-1800s.
* Ballet Tyler. Ballet Tyler is made up of 20 local dancers from East Texas aging from 11 to 20. The purpose of the Ballet Tyler is to provide opportunities for both dancers and East Texas audiences to experience the fine art of dance at the highest possible quality.
* 32.15898-95.404572 Dewberry Plantation. Listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks, the Dewberry Plantation is the oldest two-story structure in Smith County. Guided tours take visitors back to the era of an 1850s Southern plantation. (updated Feb 2025)
* East Texas Symphony Orchestra. The East Texas Symphony Orchestra Association is guided by a dynamic and diverse Board of Directors which fosters the growth and development of the Orchestra to keep pace with the needs of the community. ETSO continues to strive to bring classical music to a broader segment of the community.
* 32.38366-95.514293 Roseland Plantation, 2601 State Hwy 64W, Ben Wheeler. The Roseland Plantation is a registered Texas State Historical Landmark. It encompasses a wedding chapel, ballroom and bed and breakfast made available for weddings and parties. The grand antebellum home was built in 1854 by Burwell Hambrick and was a cotton plantation that encompassed 3,000 acres. Mr. Hambrick built the first cotton gin in Van Zandt County. For many years it served as a stagecoach stop.
* 32.3545-95.29964 Cotton Belt Railroad Depot Museum, 210 E Oakwood St, ☏ +1 903-595-7232, cbrhstt@gmail.com. Th-Sa 10AM-4PM. Free, donations. (updated Dec 2021)
* 32.396257-95.2685915 Camp Ford Historical Park (Camp Ford P.O.W. Camp), 6500 US-271, ☏ +1 903 592 5993. Sunrise to Sunset daily. Site of the largest prisoner of war camp west of the Mississippi River during the American Civil War. This camp held up to 5,300 prisoners at one point in time, especially following the Red River Campaign of 1864. The camp did not close until May 1865, over a month after Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to U.S. General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox in Virginia. Contains educational kiosks, panels, and a walking trail around the site. Special events held annually. Free. (updated Feb 2025)

## Do

* 32.3704-95.32681 Caldwell Zoo, 2203 Martin Luther King Blvd, ☏ +1 903-593-0121, info@caldwellzoo.org. March 1-Labor Day 9AM-5PM, exhibits close at 6PM; after Labor Day-Feb: 9AM-4PM, exhibits close at 4:30PM. More than 2000 animals from 250 species from Africa, North and South America live in natural habitats at the 85-acre park. The zoo includes a children's petting pen, two aquariums, picnic areas, a café that overlooks an African savannah and gift shops with original African items. The zoo also has seasonal presentations including: a bird show, alligator feedings, giraffe feedings, and elephant demonstrations. Adult $15.50, senior (55+) $13.50, child (3-12) $11.50, child under 2 free. (updated Dec 2021)
* 32.3534-95.30092 Discovery Science Place, 308 N Broadway, ☏ +1 903-533-8011, info@discoveryscienceplace.org. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1-5PM. Also open Mondays 10AM-5PM, Memorial Day-Labor Day. Hands-on family fun for kids of all ages. View bats in the bat cave, trigger an earthquake into motion under your feet, snake your way through mysterious tunnels and explore the depths of a limestone cavern. Investigate the bones of "Big Ethel", the triceratops dinosaur. The Discovery Science Place offers three exhibit halls where kids of all ages are free to move around and explore. Adults (13+) $10, children (2-12) and seniors (65+) $8, active military $7, children under 2 free. (updated Dec 2021)
* Hudnall Planetarium, 1200 S. Mahon. Multimedia presentations and "star parties" make for great family fun. Admission Fee. Open by appointment only.
* Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge., 17544 Hwy 14. Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) is an "Incorporated Animal Shelter" for the big cats. Tiger Creek provides rescue and rehabilitation of big cats that have been abused, neglected, or displaced. Tiger Creek provides a place for these great cats to live the remainder of their lives without threats in a stress-free environment that caters to the well being of the cats.
* Tyler Market Center, 69 North between Loop Hwy 323 & I-20. New merchandise, arts and crafts, antiques, collectibles, furniture, food, clothing, pets and flea market items. Tyler Trade Days held every 3rd Saturday weekend (rain or shine) from 9AM to 5PM.
* 32.3304-95.28193 Tyler Museum of Art, 1300 S Mahon Ave (adjacent to Tyler Junior College), ☏ +1 903-595-1001, info@tylermuseum.org. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1-5PM. The Tyler Museum of Art is a wonderful destination for people seeking a dynamic, culturally-enriching experience in the visual arts. From its 700-piece permanent collection to a remarkable array of traveling exhibitions, the TMA is recognized as a major attraction for both tourists and local visitors. The Tyler Museum of Art's permanent collection focuses on early and modern Texas artists, but has also been the recipient of several noted private collections. Adults $5, seniors $3, Students and children under 12 free. (updated Dec 2021)
* 32.4778-95.29254 Tyler State Park, 789 Park Rd 16, ☏ +1 903-597-5338. Camping, boating,swimming, hiking, canoe and paddleboat rental. A 985-acre park around a spring-fed lake. Popular with mountain bike enthusiasts. (updated Dec 2021)

## Buy

* 32.2994-95.30261 Broadway Square, 4601 S Broadway Ave, ☏ +1 903-561-2121. Shopping mall anchored by JCPenny, Dillard's and Dick's Sporting Goods. A few other stores sell sports gear too, including the Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop. They also have Lunar Golf- indoor black light mini-golf. (updated Dec 2021)

## Eat

Virtually every regional chain restaurant can be found in Tyler. There is a growing number of excellent local restaurants with various fares that can be found in and around the city.
* Dakotas, 4803 Old Bullard Rd #1, ☏ +1 903 581-6700. Steak and seafood house with wine list.
* Taqueria El Lugar, 1716 E Gentry Pkwy, ☏ +1 903 597-4717. Authentic non-Tex-Mex Mexican food.
* Villa Montez, 3324 Old Henderson Hwy, ☏ +1 903 533-1628. Latin food just outside of town. Fairly pricey, but very good.
* Stanley's Bar BQ Restaurant, 525 S Beckham Ave, ☏ +1 903 593-0311. Local barbeque, home of the Mother Clucker, ranked by Texas Monthly as the best sandwich in the state of Texas in 2014. Highly recommended.
* Daniel Boone's Grill & Tavern (Daniel Boone's), 1920 ESE Loop 323, ☏ +1 903-595-2228. M-Th 11AM-9PM; F Sa 11AM-10PM; Su 10AM-8PM. County cooking, homestyle meals, and cold drinks. Alcohol is served, and they have a children's menu. Vegetarian options available. (updated Mar 2015)
* Little Italy, 3320 S Broadway Ave, ☏ +1 903-595-1184. Locally run Italian food. Very good, and fairly cheap as well.
* Andy's Custard, 6106 S Broadway Ave, ☏ +1 903-509-2639. Serves frozen custard. Fairly busy at nights, but lines move quickly.
* Country Tavern, 1526 Fm 2767, Kilgore, ☏ +1 903-984-9954. If you're willing to make the trek, this restaurant is worth the drive. There isn't a formal menu, but you don't really need one. This place has the best ribs in the area, and it's worth a visit if you're around East Texas. They also serve brisket and some sausage.
* Lola's Handmade, 5377 S Broadway Ave, ☏ +1 903-630-5652. Lots of sandwiches.
* Ruby's Mexican Restaurant, 2021 E Gentry Pkwy, ☏ +1 903-617-6816. Local Mexican restaurant. Known for their Doblados.

## Drink

Smith County (which Tyler is within) is a partially dry country in Texas. This means you cannot purchase liquor within city limits, unless it is being consumed in a restaurant or club. You can generally purchase wine and beer in grocery stores or other approved retailers. If you want to buy bottles of liquor for off-premise consumption, you have to drive out of the county (~20 miles or so).
There are several wineries and breweries that have popped up in and around Tyler:
* The Kiepersol Estates Winery. Nestled in a beautiful 33-acre vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tempranillo, Mourvedre, Grenache, and Muscat de Alexandria grape vines. Hand-planted in April of 1998 and May of 1999, Kiepersol's first vintage was in 2000. They also own the KE Cellars inside the city limits of Tyler, where you can purchase Texas-made and -bottled wines. Additionally, there is a nice restaurant attached to the side. (updated Jul 2021)
* True Vine Brewing Company

## Sleep

* Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 2421 E Southeast Loop 323, toll-free: +1-866-642-0465.
* Residence Inn by Marriott Tyler, 350 W Heritage Dr, ☏ +1 903 787-5899. $129-229. (updated Dec 2020)
* America's Best Value Inn and Suites, 2828 W NW Loop 323, ☏ +1 903-595-2681. Check-in: noon, check-out: 2PM. Offers 85 clean, comfortable, newly remodeled rooms with a complimentary full continental breakfast, outdoor pool, gazebo, private rose garden, picnic area, truck parking, computer with internet access, fax and copy service, exercise facility, and meeting rooms. Each room features a coffee maker, hair dryer, mini-fridge, iron and ironing board, high speed internet, shower massage heads, alarm clock radios, 25-in TV with Showtime plus expanded cable, and free local calls. 65. (updated Dec 2020)