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Top Things To Do In Tyler

Tyler, home to the Texas Rose Festival, is best known as the Rose Capital of America. The homes in Tyler’s historic district stand testament to the city’s evolution into a healthcare and manufacturing hub. Between college students and retirees, Texas’s first certified retirement city has a diverse population of all ages and walks of life. Scroll down to find things to do in downtown Tyler or one of its surrounding neighborhoods.

Tyler is a retail, educational, and entertainment hub for East Texas. Some of the best things to do in Tyler can all be done within the city borders, such as eating at local favorites or shopping the many retail centers.

The top activities and attractions near Tyler include:

  • Seeing thousands of acclaimed rose bushes at the Tyler Rose Garden
  • Exploring the trails and waterfront of Tyler State Park
  • Watching a community event at the Bergfeld Park amphitheater
  • Playing a round of golf and dining at the Alpine Golf Course in Longview
  • Meeting wild animals at the Caldwell Zoo

Tickets & Events

There are plenty of affordable things to do in Tyler for every budget. Spend some time enjoying the many public parks and trails or exploring Tyler’s rich history at the many museums.

Here are a few cheap activities near Tyler:

  • Hike along the waterfront on the Whispering Pines trail
  • Go back in time at the Ford Camp Historic Park
  • Explore the Azalea Residential Historic District to view historic homes and history
  • Learn all about the Saint Louis Southwestern Railroad at the Cotton Belt Depot Museum
  • Grab a cup of coffee at the Foundry Coffee Shop
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Indoor Climbing at Tyler Rock Gym (Up to 49% Off). Six Options Available.

Indoor Climbing

Tyler Rock Gym Crossland Hill $20 $12.50
Admission for Two Adults or Two Adults and Two Kids to Discovery Science Place (Up to 45% Off)

Kids' Science Center

Discovery Science Place Downtown Tyler $16 $9.25
Admission for Two, Four, or Six to The Waterpark at The Villages (Up to 41% Off)

Waterpark Admission

The Waterpark at The Villages The Villages $49.90 $35
Skate Rink Admission and Skate Rental for Two or Four at Hot Wheels Skating Palace (Up to 49% Off)

Skate Rink Outing for 2 or 4

Hot Wheels Skating Palace Bossier City North $18 $10
Admission and Exhibit for One, Two, or Four at Witte Museum (Up to 44% Off)

Admission and Exhibit

Witte Museum Midtown $20 $12
All-Day Low-Impact Paintball Package for 4, 6, or 12 from Paintball International (Up to 89% Off)

Low-Impact Paintball

Paintball International Splat Zone Paintball $160 $19

Some of the best tourist attractions in Tyler include places to stop and smell the roses, or you can choose to spend your day learning all about local history at the Smith County Historical Society Museum.

Popular attractions near Tyler include:

  • Experiencing the Tyler Rose Museum
  • Learning about the Civil War at the Goodman-LeGrand House & Museum
  • Scaring yourself silly on a ghost tour with Jericho’s Tours of Tyler
  • Checking out the Tyler Historic Aviation Memorial Museum at the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport
  • Seeing a multigenerational family rose business at Chamblee’s Rose Nursery
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Indoor Climbing at Tyler Rock Gym (Up to 49% Off). Six Options Available.

Indoor Climbing

Tyler Rock Gym Crossland Hill $20 $12.50
Admission for Two Adults or Two Adults and Two Kids to Discovery Science Place (Up to 45% Off)

Kids' Science Center

Discovery Science Place Downtown Tyler $16 $9.25
Admission for Two, Four, or Six to The Waterpark at The Villages (Up to 41% Off)

Waterpark Admission

The Waterpark at The Villages The Villages $49.90 $35
General or Day-and-Night Admission for Two to GeO-Deck at Reunion Tower (Up to 27% Off)

Admission for Two to GeO-Deck

Reunion Tower Downtown Dallas $34 $25
Room-Escape Games at Escapology (Up to 34% Off). Six Options Available.

Room-Escape Games

Escapology Village at Cumberland Park $100 $69
Houmas House Plantation Tour

Houmas House Plantation and G...

Houmas House Plantation and Gardens Darrow $26.28 $26.28

Tyler is full of fun things to do everyday. Take the time to enjoy Texas cuisine at local favorite Posados on 5th Street. Or enjoy some of the excellent local coffee supplied by Tyler’s own Coffee City USA retailer.

Exciting activities near Tyler, TX include:

  • Grabbing a taste of Texas at local favorite 1836 Texas Kitchen
  • Playing a few games at Green Acres Bowling
  • Getting your errands done at the South Broadway Avenue Shopping Corridor
  • Experiencing real Texas BBQ at Stanley’s Famous Pit BBQ
  • Catching the latest blockbuster at the Hollywood Theaters
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Three Medium or Large Daiquiris at Daiquiri Express (Up to 41% Off)

Daiquiris

Daiquiri Express- Shreveport Multiple Locations $30.75 $18
Lifetime Membership to Craft-Beer-Brewing Online Course from CraftBeerAtHome.com

Craft-Brewing Online Course

CraftBeerAtHome.com $199 $19

Nightlife in Tyler is full of music. Whether you’re hearing an act at the Crossroads Music Venue or dancing on your own at Coaches and Cowboys, there are many great things to do tonight.

Nighttime activities near Tyler, TX include:

  • Playing a few games of pool at Clicks Live
  • Catching some live music from local bands at the Garage Bar
  • Watching the big game at Where’s Rufus Sports Bar
  • Grabbing a burger and shake at the Grub Burger Bar
  • Dancing the night away at Club Skyy

Looking to recover from a night of fun? There are plenty of things to do this weekend in Tyler to give you that extra boost you need. Take a day trip to a neighboring town, or spend the morning eating brunch at the Strada Caffè.

Other weekend activities near Tyler, TX include:

  • Burning some calories in a group fitness class at Inspire Me Fitness
  • Taking riding lessons at the Brunson Equestrian Center at the Texas Rose Horse Park
  • Playing tennis at the Tyler Tennis and Swim Club
  • Going camping on the shores of Lake Tyler

Being surrounded by so many suburban towns and neighborhoods makes Tyler the ideal place for family. And there are plenty of fun things to do with kids in town, like bouncing at the trampoline park iJump or playing a round of glow-in-the-dark golf at Lunar Mini Golf.

Family-friendly things to do near Tyler include:

  • Having a seafood dinner at Villa Montez
  • Learning the mystery of science at the Discovery Science PLace
  • Spending the day outside at the Children’s Park in East Tyler
  • Petting the farm animals at the Half Pint Petting Zoo
  • Learning all about big cats at the Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge

Finding romantic things to do for date night is a snap with so many restaurants and music venues. You can also go out for a night at the theater and watch a show at the local Tyler Civic Theater or Liberty Hall.

Date night ideas near Tyler include:

  • Tasting a little bit of local love at the Kiepersol Vineyards, Winery, & Distillery
  • Seeing a production at the Longview Community Theater
  • Listening to a classical concert at the East Texas Symphony Orchestra
  • Catching dinner and a show at the Studio Movie Grill
  • Watching a live band at the Republic Icehouse

With so many colleges in town, it's not uncommon to see adults and students doing group activities. There are plenty of places in Tyler to grab a meal, like East Texas Brewing Company or Rick’s on the Square.

Other things to do with your friends near Tyler include:

  • Watching one of the Tyler Junior College athletic teams compete at home
  • Putting your brains together in an escape room at One Way Out
  • Learning how to glide on a stand-up paddleboard with Tyler Paddle
  • Heading to Grambling to watch a Grambling State game
  • Getting together for artisan pizza and drinks at Roast Social Kitchen

Despite being a town filled with rose gardens,Tyler residents treasure their indoor activities. You can find residents taking part in all sorts of relaxing indoor activities, such as learning to cook at the Kitchen Drawer or winding down at the Rose Spa.

Other things to do indoors include:

  • Watching a presentation in the domed theater at the Center for Earth and Space Science Education
  • Sipping rosé and learning to paint at Paint Nite
  • Shopping until you drop at the retail stores in the Broadway Square Mall
  • Easing yourself into a freezing session at Subzero Cryotherapy
  • Finding your center at beFree Yoga Tyler

Like most of East Texas, Tyler has a subtropical climate with warm and humid summers and chilly winters. This makes outdoor activities a common pastime for locals and visitors alike. Many things to do outdoors can be done at Lake Tyler. Spend the day hiking the perimeter, fishing, swimming, or boating.

Active things to do outside in Tyler include:

  • Boating from the marina at Lake Palestine
  • Learning about Tyler history at The Bonner-Whitaker-McClendon House
  • Spending the day playing sports at Faulkner Park
  • Taking a stroll across the Rose Rudman Recreational Trail
  • Splashing around at the Waterpark at the Villages in Flint

Despite their infamous rose industry, Tyler is a humble and unique town in East Texas. Some of the best attractions in the city are local establishments that help shape the Tyler experience.

Must-see places and activities near Tyler include:

  • Buying meat and ingredients from La Michoacana Meat Market

  • Grabbing breakfast at local favorite the Egg and I
  • Road tripping to the Cherokee Trace Drive Thru Safari Park
  • Buying pieces of the past at the Ye Olde City Antique Mall
  • Picking and visiting the Blueberry Hill Farms and Bakery

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