6 Outdoor Experiences You Can Only Have in Tyler, TX

If roses are more your speed, you just might break the sound barrier at the Tyler Rose Garden. It’s 14 acres of more than 300 rose varieties, spread out across 600 beds and thousands of bushes. The garden is open year-round, but peak bloom seasons are in October and May.

Within the garden are several special areas, each with their own unique style. Among them are the Idea Garden, Heritage Garden, and the camelia and day lily collections.

After you’ve explored the gardens, visit the Tyler Rose Museum to learn about the story of Tyler’s rose-growing industry and the Texas Rose Festival.

One of the more traditional ways to get outdoors in Tyler is to visit Tyler State Park, home to a 64-acre pond, 100-foot-tall trees, and 13 miles of trails. Whether you want to go fishing, hiking, camping, swimming, or biking, it’s easy to lose track of time at the park.

With so much to do, it can be difficult to know where to start. We recommend taking a stroll down Whispering Pines Nature Trail, which was laid out by the Civilian Conservation Corps over 70 years ago. Ending the day at the pond catching perch, catfish, and bass is a perfect way to wind down.

You’re certainly free to bring your own boat, but the Texas State Park Store provides canoes, paddleboards, and johnboats for rent.

There’s nothing like a warm day to make you want to dive into the nearest body of water. Tyler has a couple of great options for doing just that. Lake Tyler and Lake Palestine are both popular spots for fishing, boating, water skiing, camping, and swimming. There are even hiking options around the lakes if you’d prefer to remain dry.

Speaking of hiking, it doesn’t get much more scenic than the Tyler Azalea Trail, more than 10 miles of azaleas, tulips, wisteria, dogwood, and more. From March 22^nd to April 8^th, residential gardens and historic homes become an urban bouquet you can dive right into!

Picking berries at Tyler Berry Farms checks all the boxes. It’s a unique way to enjoy the weather, you save yourself a shopping trip, and you have the peace of mind of knowing exactly where your food comes from. Depending on the season, the farm grows strawberries and blueberries for your picking pleasure. Strawberries are from April to May and blueberries are from June to July.

Baskets are sold for your berry haul, but feel free to bring your own basket, as well. If you’ve filled up your basket but can’t wait to get home, there are picnic tables so you can enjoy your pickings right there on the farm. Some refreshments and snacks are available for purchase, but you’re welcome to bring a lunch of your own.

In addition to berries, you can also pick sunflowers at the farm. Just think of what an excellent centerpiece they’ll make while you’re feasting on your berry bounty.

Right next door to Tyler Berry Farms is Plantation Pines Christmas Tree Farm, where you can bring the entire family to pick out and cut down your very own Christmas tree. Sure, you could get your Christmas tree at the store or online, but that’s no fun. Picking out your own makes the process of getting a Christmas tree part of the holiday experience.

If you’d prefer the day to be heavier on the relaxation and lighter on the manual labor, you can simply pick your tree and have the farm workers cut it down for you. Afterward, enjoy complimentary coffee, hot chocolate, and snacks around a campfire. Visit the gift shop for handmade items, fresh wreathes, and s’more kits.

Outside of the Christmas season, the farm allows for picking tulips in the spring and pumpkins in the fall. Hayrides are available year-round and be sure to keep an eye out for any farm animals.