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ETX Brewing in downtown Tyler. Photo by Sarah A. Miller
ocated in beautiful East Texas, Tyler is the perfect choice for your next vacation. From the world famous Tyler Rose Garden and Azalea-coated neighborhoods to championship golf courses, antique districts and nationally registered museums and historic districts, Tyler offers a uniquely stress free getaway. Located 90 miles east of Dallas on I-20, the city of Tyler lies within a short distance of several lakes and surrounding woodlands. Tyler has a variety of museums, historic homes, a nationally recognized zoo and symphony. The city has 26 parks, 22 area sporting lakes, 66 tennis courts, 26 baseball fields, 15 soccer fields and 9 golf courses. There are more than 250 restaurants, 2,200 hotel rooms and countless shops and antiques for the serious shopper. Spring (April-May) and mid-fall (October) are popular times to see roses in bloom at the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden. The Azalea and Spring Flower Trail (MarchApril) follows a route through gardens of the city’s residents. The Texas Rose Festival (October) is a major annual tradition featuring a flower show, art exhibits, a parade and the coronation of the Rose Queen. The 89th Texas Rose Festival will be held on Oct. 13-16, 2022. The Rose Festival activities include the queen’s coronation at the Cowan Center and the Rose Parade.
60 | DESTINATION EAST TEXAS
Things To Do: Tyler Planetarium at Tyler Junior College: The planetarium at Tyler Junior College has become a “don’t miss” Tyler attraction. The planetarium has featured exhibits such as “Great Balls of Fire,” shows like “Cosmic Collisions,” and the 1,500 pound Brenham meteorite. Caldwell Zoo began in 1938 as a backyard menagerie of squirrels and parrots for schoolchildren. Those simple beginnings have evolved into an 85acre regionally recognized zoo containing more than 2,000 animals representing 250 species from East Africa, North America, and South America. The zoo includes a children’s petting pen, two aquariums, picnic areas and a cafe that overlooks an African savannah and gift shops with original African items. Habitats and exhibits include: African Savannah, North America, South America, African Aquarium, North American Herpetarium and Wild Bird Walkabout. The highly-respected Tyler Museum of Art, located on the campus of Tyler Junior College (TJC), showcases both permanent, rotating and visiting collections. Located adjacent to the famous Tyler Rose Garden is the Tyler Rose Museum, which showcases and documents the history of the annual Texas Rose Festival. Tyler’s railroad depot is the home of the Cotton
