Stop and Smell the Roses…in Tyler, Texas

The name Tyler conjures up rolling hills and vineyards, charming brick streets lined with quaint shops, cool blue lake waters, and (of course!) the perfume of sweet roses.  The Rose Capital of America welcomes groups to stop and smell the roses in Tyler, Texas – and get ready for a great time!

The Yellow Rose of Texas

The Yellow Rose of Texas is a popular folk song dating back to the 1850s.  But the real roses of Texas are found right here in Tyler.

Tyler Rose Garden

Tyler boasts the largest public collection of roses in the country with more than 32,000 bushes and 500 varieties.  It’s 14 acres of beauty that beckons you to… well, stop and smell the roses!

Along the way, you’ll find fountains, shaded gazebos, and winding walking paths for your group to explore.

Texas Rose Festival

The Texas Rose Festival has been a Tyler tradition since 1933.  Each October the three-day event celebrates the heritage of rose growing in the region.  It’s an enchanting and colorful spectacle set against a vibrant backdrop of fresh roses.

Up for an Adventure? Literally.

There are more than just flowers in this Texas town.  If your group has adventure in mind, Tyler won’t disappoint.

Hot Air Balloon Adventures USA

Just a quick ride from downtown is Balloon Adventures USA.   Dr. Bill Bussey, champion hot air balloon pilot and founder of the Great Texas Balloon Race, owns and operates this high-flying attraction.

Get a true birds-eye view of the fields, forests, and flowers below while you soar through the air in a colorful balloon.  Get your camera ready for some magnificent shots!

While hot air balloons may not be for everyone in your group, the adventure seekers among you can scratch this one off their bucket lists.

New York, Texas Zipline Adventures

The name may be a little confusing, but the views are totally Texas!  Another quick jaunt southwest of Tyler is New York, Texas Zipline Adventures.

Experience the thrill of skimming the treetops in East Texas Hill Country with 2 zipline tours and 30 miles of stunning scenery.

Uniquely Smith County

Half-Mile of History

Be sure to plan a group loop of the Half Mile of History.  This stretch around the downtown square is part of Tyler’s efforts to preserve and highlight its rich history.  It’s dotted with markers commemorating significant people, places, or happenings in the area.

American Freedom Museum

Honor those who served for the freedoms we all enjoy today.  The American Freedom Museum is an interactive experience documenting our American journey from ‘revolutionary’ ideology through today.

This is America’s story!

Texas African American Museum

Documenting a very different journey toward freedom is the Texas African American Museum.  The TAAM is housed in Tyler’s former fire station and showcases the successes and milestones of the Texas African American community.

World’s Richest Acre

At the intersection of East Main and North Streets in Kilgore, Texas is a forest of steel derricks rising up toward the sky.  These structures mark the greatest concentration of oil wells in history.

In the 1930s, the 1.1 acres of land had 24 wells on 10 lots.  Together they produced more than 2 ½ billion barrels of crude oil worth more than 5 ½ million dollars.  By the mid-1930s the boom began to subside, largely ending altogether by the end of WWII.

Tempt your Tastebuds

Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q

You can’t visit The Lonestar State without grabbing some barbeque – and Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q is a Texas tradition!

Kick back, listen to some local live music, and get messy with the mom & pop recipes that made Stanley’s famous.

Breweries, Wineries, and Distilleries Tour

Sip your way through East Texas’ best breweries, wineries, and distilleries.  It’s a “spirited” adventure your group will love.

Cowboyz Coffee Stop

Coffee, meet quirky.  Ya gotta stop at the giant cowboy hat for a quick cup of liquid energy and a photo op.  The Cowboy Coffee Stop serves up the best brews sends you off with a smile!

Stop and Smell the Roses in Tyler, Texas

Tyler and its surrounding East Texas towns offer your group a bouquet of attractions and adventures hand-picked to delight.

To learn more about what groups can do in Tyler, check out the latest episode of Destination Dispatch.  Susan Travis from Visit Tyler will share some great group ideas and hidden gems!

Destination Dispatch in Tyler

Stop and smell the roses in Tyler, Texas!