In the Piney Woods Section of East Texas surrounding Tyler, there are a number of cities and small towns located in several counties, all with interesting, and fun, destinations to explore.
Located in the rolling hills of East Texas in Smith County mid-way between Dallas and Shreveport, Tyler has a wide range of appeal, and things to do in the city, and on short road trips in East Texas.
The fall in Tyler and surrounding East Texas areas is alive with vibrant fall foliage, and a great time to drive the back roads, and side roads. Get off the beaten path, and explore East Texas in several directions, and see and visit:
Jacksonville - to the south of Tyler on U.S. 69, home of the annual Tomato Fest
Love's Lookout - beautiful 30-mile vista to the East between Jacksonville and Tyler ... great picnic location!
Edom - west of Tyler ... festivals, potters, artists, garden centers, restaurants, eclectic shopping
Canton - site of the famous First Monday Trade Days each month
Gladewater - antique capitol of East Texas, located on historic US Highway 80
Longview - historic buildings, shopping, restaurants, hot air balloon festival
Marshall - Railroad Museum, Christmas Festival, restaurants, more
Kilgore - East Texas Oil Museum, Kilgore College, more
Athens - State Fish Hatchery and Lake Athens
Rusk - ride the Texas State Railroad to Palestine, and back
Grand Saline - stop and lick the Salt Palace!
East Texas Gators & Wildlife Park - Grand Saline
Lee Daffodil Garden - acres of beautiful floral displays in early spring, just south of Gladewater
Uncertain - on the shores of Caddo Lake near Jefferson and Karnack
Joinerville - learn and see first hand the places where the famous East Texas Oil Field were discovered
Lake Tyler - swimming, boating, fishing, skiing close-in to Tyler
Lake Palestine - 25,000 acres of boating, fishing, swimming, marinas, waterfront restaurants ... minutes southwest of Tyler on Texas Highway 155 near Coffee City and Frankston
Toledo Bend Reservoir - boating, fishing, swimming, marinas, hiking, camping, golf, resorts, restaurants ... on the Texas-Louisiana border
Tyler State Park - minutes north of Tyler ... a delight for campers and hikers!
Dewberry Plantation, west of Bullard, Texas (photo courtesy of Dewberry Plantation) |