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Downtown Tyler Attractions, Restaurants and Events
Named for President John Tyler, the city was established on April 11, 1846 by the Texas Legislature as it also created Smith County. Tyler was designated the county seat.
Downtown Tyler today is a bustling financial and business center, with numerous historical structures, government buildings and a revived restaurant district and nightlife.
In the heart of downtown is the T.B. Butler Fountain Plaza, commonly called "The Square". It is the site of many events throughout the year.
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Where is the Tyler Visitor Center?
The Tyler Visitor’s Center is located in the Plaza Tower in the heart of Downtown Tyler at 110 N. College Avenue, Suite 105.
Street parking is available; metered parking is free on the weekend and after 5pm on weekdays.
Visitors can find free maps, activity guides and brochures, or can choose to purchase any of the many souvenirs that the gift shop has to offer, including stickers, shot glasses, posters, pins, mugs, T-shirts, hats, and local college memorabilia.
For more information about Tyler, or the Visitor Center, visit the website of the Tyler Convention & Visitors Bureau and Visit Tyler on Facebook
What Dining and Restaurant Options are Available in Downtown Tyler?
at TripAdvisor
There are literally dozens of good restaurants in Tyler ... here are just a few favorites for enjoying a great meal while downtown! We have no affiliation with any of these restaurants ... they are listed as a starting point for you to make your own dining decisions. |
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| Rick's on the Square | Website | TripAdvisor | |
| Black Pearl Tyler | Website | TripAdvisor | |
| Don Juan on the Square | Website | TripAdvisor | |
| Prime 102 | Website | TripAdvisor | |
| The Foundry | Website | TripAdvisor | |
| ETX Brewing Company | Website | TripAdvisor | |
| True Vine on the Square | Website | TripAdvisor | |
| Andy's Frozen Custard | Website | TripAdvisor | |
| 1948 Coffee and Juice Company | Website | ||
| Culture ETX | Website | TripAdvisor | |
| Janie's Cakes | Website | TripAdvisor | |
| SportsZone | Website | TripAdvisor | |
| Tyler Tortilla Factory | Website | ||
| Tapatio's Grill Chicken | Website | TripAdvisor | |
| Moocho Burrito | TripAdvisor | ||
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Design Plan for Downtown Tyler Public SpacesThe Tyler City Council and Smith County Commissioners Court took a historic step on September 20, 2023, and approved a design plan for Downtown Tyler's public spaces! |
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Where Can I Shop in Downtown Tyler?
Other Places of Interest
More Information on Downtown Tyler |
I Am Visiting Tyler on a Business Trip ... Where Can I Stay Downtown?
Since Tyler has no major hotels or motels in the downtown area, visitors might want to book one of the many fine hotel properties along the South Broadway Corridor, only about 5 miles south of downtown.
The Thomas Hotel, a new boutique hotel, opened in downtown Tyler in the summer of 2022 near Liberty Hall at 109 East Erwin Street. Read more at the website of The Thomas Hotel or The Thomas Hotel on Instagram.
Developers are currently working on transforming the old Greyhound Bus Station in Tyler into a boutique hotel. You can follow the progress and learn more about the Inn at The Greyhound Inn on Facebook and The Greyhound Inn on Instagram, as well as the The Greyhound Inn Website. Opening is planned in the fall of 2023.
The downtown area does feature nearby bed & breakfast inns, including those listed below.Rosevine Inn Bed & Breakfast and Extended Stay Lodging
415 South Vine Avenue near downtown Tyler. Rosevine has 4 unique guest rooms (each with a private bath) and 2 fabulous auites. Rosevine Extended Stay Suites are also available in an array of 1930s vintage homes that have been restored and furnished in the same period. There are 5 Executive Suites and 3 Rooms to choose from. Rosevine Reviews on TripAdvisor Phone 903.592.2221 |
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The Woldert-Spence Manor - 1859 Bed & Breakfast Inn
611 West Woldert, near downtown Tyler. Tyler's oldest B&B is an historic landmark restored to its prior beauty, and the closest lodging facility to the downtown Tyler square. The inn offers a total of 7 guest rooms, (3 downstairs and 4 upstairs). All rooms have private bathrooms with wall-mounted hairdryers and wireless internet access. Choose from king, queen, or full-size beds. Woldert-Spence Reviews on TripAdvisor Phone 903.533.9057 |
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Wren in the Willows
501 South Fannin Avenue, downtown. This lovingly restored the home has 5 imaginative and comfortable literary themed rooms: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Alice in Wonderland, Around the World in 80 Days, The Great Gatsby, and The Little Prince. The home also offers a large amount of social space including a double living area, library, dining room, and full kitchen. Wren in the Willows Reviews on TripAdvisor Phone 817.821.3874 |
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What Events and Festivals Are Held in Downtown Tyler?
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There is always something fun and exciting in downtown Tyler! With festivals, art shows, parades and Christmas lights, events are plentiful year round!
Events such as the Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival attract thousands of visitors downtown. Other events include the Downtown Tyler Music Festival, CityFest, the Tyler Azalea Trails just south of downtown, and Downtown Tyler's Holiday Open House.
Another major annual event is the Tyler Art Festival held in the fall on the downtown Tyler square.
On the second Saturday of every month, Downtown Tyler celebrates Hit the Bricks. Each month offers new and fun activities enjoyable by all.
| Welcome to Downtown Tyler and the Arts & Culture District |
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Totality Tyler
And looking forward to 2024 for another major event ... Totality Tyler will be a celebration of one of nature's most amazing events: a total solar eclipse! For the first time since 1979, Tyler is in the path of totality, with the moon's shadow completely covering the sun for a few minutes. Activites are planned on the Tyler Square downtown, on April 8, 2024.
Where To Park Downtown
The Fair Plaza Parking Garage is located on the corner of West Elm Street and South College Avenue. Parking is free. The garage's exterior design incorporates architectural elements from several landmark Tyler buildings including the Blackstone Hotel, Tyler Commercial College, and the clock tower from the historic Smith County Courthouse. Street parking is also available, with advanced meters offering credit card payments.
Historical Sites and the Tyler Half Mile of History
 Tyler Half Mile of History ... plaque honoring Texas Governor Richard B. Hubbard |
Much of Tyler's history is being chonicled in the Half Mile of History, which pays tribute to people, places and events that have contributed to the history of Tyler and Smith County.
The Half Mile of History is a permanent, outdoor, half-mile loop surrounding the courthouse square in downtown Tyler, administered by the City of Tyler.
Read about one of the people on the loop ... Walter E. Stewart.
More historical resources in Downtown Tyler:
- Cotton Belt Depot Museum
- Goodman-LeGrand Museum & Gardens
- Texas African American Museum
- Smith County Historical Society
- McClendon House
Cotton Belt Depot Museum
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The Cotton Belt Route mural ... corner of West Rusk Street and South College Avenue, downtown Tyler |
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Historic Districts
 West Erwin Street Sign in Downtown Tyler: Established 1846 |
A number of historic districts have been identified in Tyler, many of which are near downtown:
- Antique District
- Azalea District
- Downtown Tyler Historic District
- Brick Streets National Historic District
- Charnwood Residential Historic District
- Donnybrook Duplex District
- East Ferguson District
- Overlay District
- Short-Line District
Brick Streets National Historic District |
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Downtown Tyler Historic District
Downtown Tyler has been named the city’s seventh historic district. It was was created May 21, 2022, by the Texas Historical Commission State Board of Review and will be entered into the National Register of Historic Places.
This new historic district covers 68.9 acres in the downtown area. It includes 19 blocks and 241 parcels between West Front Street to the south, Border Avenue to the west, the Cotton Belt railroad tracks to the north and Fannin Avenue to the east.
The Tyler City Hall, Downtown Tyler
Downtown Tyler, Texas skyline
Interactive Map of Downtown Tyler Texas
| Download a map of downtown Tyler and things to do at VisitTyler.com |
Liberty Hall
Shown to the right is The Liberty Theater, 103 E. Erwin, downtown Tyler before restoration (right) and re-use. The Liberty is once again home to memory-making events and entertainment after it was converted into Liberty Hall and re-opened in September 2011. Shown below is the Liberty Hall after restoration. |
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Caldwell Auditorium
The Caldwell Auditorium is part of the Caldwell Elementary Arts Academy, and is operated by the Tyler Independent School District (TISD). It is located at 300 South College Avenue near downtown Tyler.
It is the site of a variety of performances and musical events through the year, including concerts sponsored by the Tyler Community Concert Association.
Streetscape, downtown Tyler, Texas, including the site of the Arcadia Theater
Woman's BuildingShown in the photo to the right is the Woman's Building, South Broadway Avenue, Tyler, Texas, built in 1932. In September of 2016, the Tyler Woman’s Building Inc. Board of Directors gave to the United Way of Smith County the deed and keys to the historic, 84-year-old structure. The United Way budgeted $2.6 million of renovations to the interior and exterior of the building. |
Historic Homes
 The Smith - Butler House, circa 1890419 West Houston |
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 The Fitzgerald House |
 LeGrand - Goodman House & Museum, North Broadway |
Downtown Churches
Marvin United Methodist Church, Tyler, Texas |
First Baptist Church in downtown Tyler |
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More Scenes Around Downtown
 Tyler, Texas historical survey marker in the downtown square |
 The Smith County Courthouse on Broadway Avenue, at the Square, Downtown Tyler, Texas, dedicated in August of 1955 |
 Historic Oakwood Cemetery, the oldest cemetery in Tyler,located near downtown |
 Built in 1957, this concrete water tower stands 206 feet tall, and is still in daily use by the City of Tyler. It also originally functioned as a fallout shelter for 750 people |
Living Downtown
A number of
housing options are available downtown, such as the Moore Grocery Lofts and the Tyler Lofts.  |
New Home Developments in Downtown Tyler
West Oak Villages |
West Oak Townhomes |
The Morrison LoftsThis new community is conveniently located in Tyler's Downtown area. It features free-flowing floor plans, thoughtful design elements and the convenience of downtown proximity. With one and two bedroom apartment homes, The Morrison Lofts offer unique designs, convenience, affordability and a downtown lifestyle.
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The WilcoxThe NORF Companies broke ground on the 6-story Wilcox building at 230 South Broadway Avenue in downtown Tyler on March 30, 2023. The project will be a $12 million investment and will open in the winter of 2024. The building will be converted into an apartment/condo complex. Originally constructed in the 1950s, The Wilcox was named after local architect E. Davis Wilcox, its designer. This is the first project of several NORF is developing Downtown, totaling $100 million in investments in the next two years. |
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Gone But Not Forgotten ...
King Chevrolet in downtown Tyler, circa 1964 |