PINEY WOODS REGION: TYLER

TYLER TEXAS

Tyler, population 89,500, is the Rose Capital of Texas, which is why the Texas Rose Festival takes place in Tyler the third week of October, attracting thousands of people to see the roses, watch the Rose Queen get crowned and see her in a parade.

The East Texas State Fair takes place in Tyler for 10 days in late September. It also draws thousands of visitors to see all the livestock, the midway and eat fair food.

Tyler's Caldwell Zoo started way back in 1938 as a backyard menagerie. The zoo now features more than 2,000 animals, housed in natural habitats in a 85 acre park. For information about operating hours visit the Caldwell Zoo website.

Camp Ford Historical Park was the site of the biggest prisoner of war camp west of the Mississippi River during the War of Northern Aggression, also known as the Civil War. For more information about Camp Ford visit their website.

From May through November the Tyler roses are busy blooming. One of the best places to view the blooming is the Municipal Rose Garden & Museum. This 22 acre garden is America's largest rose garden. Tyler area rose growers yearly ship 100s of thousands of rose bushes to nurseries across America and 25 other countries.

The Tyler Creek Wildlife Refuge rescues tigers, lions and cougars. You can visit the cats. Go to the Tiger Creek website for more information.

Tyler State Park may be the best park we've seen in Texas. The Piney Woods are hilly. Tyler State Park is hilly and has a lot of pine trees. And very good mountain bike trails, in addition to excellent camping sites. A swim in Tyler Lake is very refreshing after a long mountain bike ride. You can also fish in Tyler Lake.

email feedback