Tyler is a city in northeast Texas known as the Rose Capital of America. In spring and fall, thousands of rose bushes line the manicured grounds of the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden. The city is home the University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler Junior College, and Texas College. The Rose City is also known for its charming brick streets, antique shops, unique specialty stores, and growing multi-ethnic culinary scene.
Location: Centrally located in northeast Texas, Tyler is a hub for the region and easily accessible to several major cities.
Website: VisitTyler.com
Social Media: @visittyler
Time Zone: Central Standard Time (observes Daylight Savings Time)
Elevation: 541’ above sea level
Population:
107,192 – Tyler
237,186 – Smith County
County: Tyler is the county seat of Smith County
Climate:
Averages:
-Coldest month, January (47.7 F /8.7 C)
-Hottest month, July (84.4 F /29.1 C)
-Mean annual temperature (66.5 F /19.2 C)
-Annual rainfall, 42.1 inches
Miles to Tyler:
-Dallas, TX – 99
-Houston, TX – 199
-Shreveport, LA – 97
-Austin, TX – 231
-New Orleans, LA – 415
-San Antonio, TX – 330
-Corpus Christi, TX – 447
-Amarillo, TX – 463
-Waco, TX – 129
-Little Rock, AR – 260
-Oklahoma City, OK – 301
-Big Bend, TX – 630
-El Paso, TX – 733
Coming in 2024- Total Solar Eclipse – “Totality Tyler”
Learn more: Click Here
Transportation:
Tyler Pounds Regional Airport
-Tyler Pounds Regional Airport in Tyler offers three daily flights to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), where you can connect to over 180 destinations. Air service provided by American Airlines operating as American Eagle via 50 seat regional jets. Daily flights. Long-term parking $7 maximum per day. Short-term parking is $10 maximum per day. 903-531-2343 –website.
Bus Service
-Greyhound has scheduled service to Tyler. 800-231-2222.
Rail Service
-Amtrak has scheduled service to neighboring Mineola. 800-872-7245
Uber, Taxicabs, Limousine Service, Car Rentals and Tour Buses
-A selection of these services is available both at the airport and around the city.
Accommodations:
-Tyler offers lodging accommodations with more than 3,100 hotel rooms available in the city. Travelers are sure to find the perfect place to stay. For a list of accommodations, see here.
Did you know?
Interesting Facts
-Tyler is named for John Tyler, 10th President of the United States.
-The international Adopt-a-Highway program was founded in Tyler in 1985.
-The Rose Garden is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
-The Arbor Day Foundation recognizes Tyler as a Tree City USA community.
-Keep Texas Beautiful named Tyler a Gold State Affiliated in 2022.
-Earl Campbell, legendary football running back, known as the Tyler Rose, grew up in Tyler.
-The Municipal Rose Garden is a notable attraction featuring more than 200 varieties of rose bushes.
-Until the early 1900’s, the principal agriculture crops in East Texas were peaches. A blight devastated the industry and farmers began experimenting with roses.
Uniquely Tyler:
Caldwell Zoo
-This 85-acre park has more than 2,000 animals from 250 species from Africa and North and South America. Coming in the spring of 2024 is Amazon River’s Edge with a walk-thru aviary with all types of birds native to South America. 903-593-0121 https://caldwellzoo.org/
Cavender’s
-A family-owned and operated western wear retail chain based in Tyler. The brand now has over 80 stores around the nation, selling traditional and modern-style cowboy hats, boots, clothing, and home décor. 903-561-2510 https://www.cavenders.com/
TJC Earth & Space Science Center featuring Hudnall Planetarium
-Home to the first 40’ Spitz nano-seam domed theatre in east Texas, the planetarium features an immersive full-dome video experience on the campus of Tyler Junior College. 903-510-2312 http://sciencecenter.tjc.edu/
Tyler Municipal Rose Garden
-World-famous Rose Garden featuring 14-acres of thousands of rose bushes and more than 200 varieties of rose. 903-531-1212 https://bit.ly/3pN9CDQ
Rose Festival
Tyler Rose Museum
-Texas Rose Festival history and memorabilia featuring fabulous costumes and items acquired since the first rose festival in 1933. https://www.texasrosefestival.com/
Arts and Culture:
Art Alley
-Art Alley is a space for local artists to collectively display their talents on a connective alley in Downtown Tyler. 903-593-6905 https://www.downtowntyler.org/art-alley
Cowan Center
-Performance venue, located on the UT Tyler campus, offering a performing arts series, Broadway series, distinguished lecture series, special events, and more. 903-566-7424 https://cowancenter.org/
Gallery Main Street
-Features exhibits on a rotational basis, serving as a cornerstone of the growing downtown Tyler art scene. 903-593-6905 https://www.downtowntyler.org/gallery-main-street
East Texas Symphony Orchestra
-Concerts, family programming, intimate chamber performances, masterclasses, multi-media presentations, and lectures. 903-526-3876 https://etxsymphony.org/
Kelly Hernandez looks at murals from various artist in Art Alley in Tyler. ©Journal Communications/Nathan Lambrecht
Hinds Fine Art Gallery
-Heralded as East Texas’ newest hub of creativity, innovation, and collaboration. 917-340-0116
Liberty Hall
-Offers live music, comedy, and revivals of classic films. 903-595-7274 https://libertytyler.com/
Tyler Museum of Art
-On the Tyler Junior College campus, the award-winning structure by architect E. Davis Wilcox houses the permanent collection of art, including Texas artists. 903-595-1001 https://tylermuseum.org/
Tyler Civic Theatre
-Home to the longest running theatre in the round in north America, the venue offers dramatic and musical theater productions and educational programs. 903-592-0561 https://tylercivictheatre.com/
History:
Cotton Belt Depot Museum
Cotton Belt
-Built in 1905, the depot has memorabilia, model trains, and running trails. 903-595-7232 https://tylercivictheatre.com/
Goodman-LeGrand Museum and Gardens
-Originally built in 1859, the museum is a delight for antique lovers and historians. This Tyler landmark brings the past to life with original furnishings, photographs, and memorabilia dating back from the mid-1800’s. 903-531-1286 https://bit.ly/45a2YHT
Historic Aviation Memorial Museum
-Located on the ground of Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, the military museum features military aircraft, historical memorabilia, hands-on exhibits, and a flight simulator. 903-526-1945 http://tylerhamm.org/
Family Friendly Fun:
Children’s Park
-Features life-sized bronze statues of children playing, oversized-stone teddy bears, a children’s story amphitheater, and a butterfly garden. 903-939-1597 https://www.childrensparktyler.org/
Discovery Science Place
-Hands-on family fun for kids of all ages, offering three exhibit halls for kids to explore and located in Downtown Tyler. 903-533-8011 https://www.discoveryscienceplace.org/
Legacy Trail
-A 4.5 mile, 10-foot-wide concrete trail situated on the Old Cotton Belt train route that was instrumental in the growth of East Texas. https://bit.ly/431L0FR
Ride Tyler
-Provides unique local and mobile tour experiences showcasing the beauty of Tyler on fun-filled, guided e-bike tours on the historic brick streets of the historic district. 903-508-0100 https://ridetyler.com/
Time Square Grand Slam
-Enjoy arcades, bowling, movies, and laser tag in a family-friendly setting while enjoying drinks and food from the restaurant and bar. 903-581-1818 https://tylermovies.com/
Local Flavor:
Bernard Mediterranean Cuisine
-Variety of flavorful French, Spanish, and Italian-inspired dishes. 903-534-0265 https://bernardstyler.com/
Culture ETX
-East Texas dining, refined-comfort food, Cajun, Middle Eastern, Asian, Mediterranean, and Latin American cuisines in the heart of downtown Tyler. 903-787-5800 https://cultureetx.com/
Dakotas
-Owned by a lifelong Tyler family, this upscale dining experience features seafood and steak dishes, a global wine list, and heated patio. 903-581-6700 https://dakotasintyler.com/
ETX Brewing
-Quality craft beers for a wide range of enthusiasts in Downtown Tyler. 903-630-7720 https://etxbrew.com/site/
Humo
-A Mexican restaurant that reaches the deep flavors of Mexico with a touch of Texas BBQ. 903-515-4866
Lemon Yellow Latin Bites
-Savory and sweet flavors of authentic Latin cuisine. 903-630-3009 https://www.lemonyellowlatinbites.com/
Loggins Restaurant
-Old-school American buffet restaurant serving classic southern comfort dishes and signature pies since 1949. 903-595-5022
Poke in Da Eye BBQ
-Family-owned and operated restaurant serving up Championship, Award-Winning BBQ. 903-830-5079 https://www.pokeindaeyebbq.com/
Prime 102
-Take in the sights and sounds of the Downtown Square at this upscale steakhouse. 903-400-9201 https://prime102tylertx.com/
Rick’s on the Square
-Southern seafood and steaks in a vintage, brick-walled space with a patio and live music on weekends. 903-531-2415 https://www.ricksonthesquare.com/
Ruby’s Mexican Restaurant
-Authentic Mexican dishes inspired by the owner’s grandmother’s passion for cooking. 903-617-6816
Stanley’s
Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q
-The oldest operating Mom & Pop BBQ joint in Tyler serving up true, pit-smoked BBQ for more than 60 years. 903-593-0311 https://www.stanleysfamous.com/
Sum 2 Eat
-Cafeteria-style lunch buffet featuring made-from-scratch soul food like grandma used to make. 903-747-8225
The Grove Kitchen + Gardens
-Farm to table, chef-crafted menu on a sprawling historic farm in the heart of Tyler. 903-939-0209 https://www.thegrovetyler.com/
The Potpourri House
-Garden-style bistro featuring unique salads, sandwiches, and American entrees. 903-592-4171 https://www.potpourrihouse.com/
True Vine Brewing and Sola Bread
-With more than 15 beers on tap, live music every weekend, and an artisan pizza shop located inside, pull up a chair and stay a while. 903-600-0125 https://www.truevinebrewing.com/ 903-871-5772 https://www.solabread.com/
Villa Montez
-Casual family restaurant serving the best of the Cocina Latina (Latin kitchen) since 2007 in a 1935 mansion. 903-592-9696 https://villamontez.com/
Nature and Outdoors:
Bergfeld Park
-Picnic areas, tennis courts, playground, amphitheater, and “Splasher,” the Dolphin fountain sprayground. 903-531-1370 https://bit.ly/430WhpQ
Lake Palestine
-A 40-square-mile surface area lake offering for fishing, boating, skiing, and more. https://www.lakepalestinetexas.com/
Lake Tyler
-Popular recreational activities include boating, waterskiing, fishing, camping at Camp Tyler, hiking, and swimming. https://www.lake-tyler.com/
Pyron Gardens
-One of Tyler’s most beautiful private gardens that is open to the public by the homeowner and has been featured in magazines including Southern Living and Texas Monthly. https://visittyler.com/pyron-garden/
Tyler State Park
-Features a cool, 64-acre spring-fed lake, 100-foot-tall trees, and historic structures. One of the top 10 most visited parks in the Texas State Park system. 903-597-5338 https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/tyler
@texasparksandwildlife
Shopping:
Tyler is home to brand-name stores and locally owned shops, providing a variety of options for the retail enthusiast coming for a visit.
Bergfeld Center
-Located in the heart of Tyler’s Azalea District, Bergfeld Center was the first shopping center in Tyler and one of the oldest in the state. Filled with a majority of locally owned businesses. 903-531-1370 https://www.bergfeldcenter.com/
Broadway Square Mall
-Broadway Square is an indoor shopping destination comprised of 80 stores including national retail stores Dillard’s, JC Penney, Victoria’s Secret, The Buckle, Aeropostale, and Bath & Body Works. 903-561-2121 https://bit.ly/45bKPtu
French Quarter Shopping Center
-Includes national brands including Boot Barn, Jared, and HobbyTown USA.
La Piazza
-Premiere shopping center with 10 stores and two restaurants. Includes Bridgette’s Women’s Boutique Apparel, Harley’s High-End Men’s Apparel, Haute Totz Children’s Boutique, and Ramsey Fritz Jewels. https://www.lapiazzatyler.com/
The Village at Cumberland Park
-The Village at Cumberland Park is a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly outdoor shopping center on 78-acres boasting national, regional, and local retail brands including Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Cost Plus World Market, Studio Movie Grill, DSW, Skechers, Old Navy, and more. https://thevillageatcumberlandpark.com/
Visit Tyler Store and Visitor Center
-Located in the Plaza Tower in the heart of Downtown Tyler, the Visitor Center includes an information center, retail shop, podcast studio, and artwork from local artists. 903-593-6905 VisitTyler.com
Ye Olde City Antique Mall
-Part of historical downtown Tyler, the mall covers more than 10,000 square feet of antiques and collectibles. 903-705-1145 https://www.facebook.com/yoctyler/
Sports:
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium
-Official home of Tyler ISD high school sports, located in the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center. 903-262-1000 https://www.apacheathletics.com/information/Facilities
JoAnn Medlock Murphy Tennis Center
-Host facility for high school tennis exhibition and playoff matches, USTA/ITA sanctioned events, and NJCAA tournaments. https://www.apacheathletics.com/information/Facilities
Lindsey Park
-Internationally recognized disc golf course, softball complex, soccer fields, basketball courts, playground, picnic area, pavilions, and restrooms. 903-531-1370 https://bit.ly/42JJGro
Mike Carter Field
-Host facility for high school baseball playoff games and for NJCAA regional, district, and national tournaments. 903-262-1000 https://visittyler.com/mike-carter-field/
Texas Rose Horse Park
-1,700-acre expanse features a full-size lighted indoor arena and six all-weather footing outdoor show arenas. 903-882-8696 http://texasrosehorsepark.com/
Annual Events:
Azalea and Spring Flower Trail
-During March and April each year, Tyler celebrates with more than 10 miles of residential gardens and historic home sites covered with azaleas, tulips, wisteria, and dogwood trees. https://visittyler.com/azaleatrail/
Red Dirt BBQ and Music Festival
-Features two dozen celebrated barbecue joints in Texas and the biggest names in Texas and Red Dirt Music in downtown Tyler in May. https://reddirtbbqfest.com/
East Texas State Fair
-In September, the fairgrounds explode with live entertainment, thrilling rides, great food, competitive events, and more. 903-597-2501 https://www.etstatefair.com/
Texas Rose Festival
-An annual Tyler tradition since 1933, this October event includes a coronation of the queen’s court, queen’s tea, citywide parade, art show, and more. Most events are held at the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden and the Tyler Rose Museum. texasrosefestival.com/
Meeting/Event Space:
Tyler recently opened the new state-of-the-art W.T Brookshire Rose Complex includes the newly opened W.T. Brookshire Conference Center. Additional meeting space is available around the city of Tyler. 903-531-1212 Learn more: Here
W.T. Brookshire Conference Center
-24,000 square feet of meeting space
-47,535 square feet of front lawn
-15,558 square feet of porch
The Mayfair Building
-12,320 square feet historic venue
Tyler Municipal Rose Garden Center
-7,600 square feet of meeting space
Offices:
Visit Tyler
110 N. College Ave., Suite 105
Tyler, Texas 75702
903-593-6905 main
Downtown Visitor Center
-Located in the Plaza Tower in the heart of Downtown Tyler, the Visitor Center includes an information center, retail shop, podcast studio, and artwork from local artists.
Contacts:
Diann Bayes
President
903-525-7228
Cindy Smoak
Executive Director
SPORTyler and The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award
903-595-7226
Sheridan Smith
Vice-President – Marketing
903-525-7227
Susan Travis
Vice-President – Tourism/Servicing
903-595-7229