Overview
Tyler is the county seat of Smith County, in eastern Texas. It boasts the nation's largest municipal rose garden and hosts the Texas Rose Festival each October.
12 sights · 7 things to do · 10 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Tyler
Tyler Municipal Rose Garden
Fourteen acres and 400 rose varieties testify to Tyler's standing as the "Rose Capital of the World".
The Bonner-Whitaker McClendon House
One of the finest examples of Eastlake Bracketed Victorian Architecture remaining in East Texas. Guided Tours depicting Tyler's political, cultural history from post-Civil War. Birthplace of noted Washington D.C. news co…
Cowan Center
The UT Tyler Cowan Fine & Performing Arts Center presents national and international touring arts and educational programming.
Dewberry Plantation
Listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks, the Dewberry Plantation is the oldest two-story structure in Smith County. Guided tours take visitors back to the era of an 1850s Southern plantation.
Roseland Plantation
The Roseland Plantation is a registered Texas State Historical Landmark. It encompasses a wedding chapel, ballroom and bed and breakfast made available for weddings and parties. The grand antebellum home was built in 185…
Cotton Belt Railroad Depot Museum
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Feb–May, Oct–Nov. Summer highs reach about 97°F; winter lows dip to about 38°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Oct and May. (climate data from nearby Dallas)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TYR Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, Tyler — 6 mi away. Directions
- GGG East Texas Regional Airport, Longview — 34 mi away. Directions
- DAL Dallas Love Field, Dallas — 96 mi away (major hub). Directions
Tyler Pounds Regional Airport offers service to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport via American Eagle Airlines.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Tyler Municipal Rose Garden, The Bonner-Whitaker McClendon House, Discovery Science Place
- Lunch Dakotas
- Afternoon Cotton Belt Railroad Depot Museum, Tyler Museum of Art
- Dinner Taqueria El Lugar
- Evening The Kiepersol Estates Winery
Day 2
- Morning Camp Ford Historical Park, Tyler State Park, Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary
- Lunch Villa Montez
- Afternoon Goodman Museum, Hudnall Planetarium
- Dinner Stanley's Bar BQ Restaurant
Day 3
- Morning Roseland Plantation, Cowan Center
- Lunch Daniel Boone's Grill & Tavern
- Afternoon East Texas Symphony Orchestra, Tyler Market Center
- Dinner Little Italy
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Virtually every regional chain restaurant can be found in Tyler. There is a growing number of excellent local restaurants with various fares that can be found in and around the city.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Tyler is referred to as the Rose Capital of America because of its large role in the rose-growing industry; about 20% of commercial rose bushes produced in the U.S. are grown in Tyler and Smith County and more than half of the rose bushes are packaged and shipped from the area.
The city is named for President John Tyler in recognition of his support for Texas' admission to the United States. In 2021, its population was about 107,000.
Visitor information
Get in
Tyler Pounds Regional Airport offers service to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport via American Eagle Airlines.
The city's Tyler Transit buses run daily, excluding Sundays and holidays. Greyhound Lines bus service is available through a downtown terminal.
Get around
Tyler is next to several major highways. Interstate 20 runs along the north edge of the city, and U.S. Highway 69 runs north-south through the center of town. The city also has access to U.S. Highway 271, Texas State Highway 31, Texas State Highway 155, and Texas State Highway 110.
Texas State Highway Loop 323 was built in 1957 to encircle the city, which has continued to grow outside of the loop. Texas State Highway Loop 49, designed to be an "outer loop" around the city, is under construction, with the western and southern segments open as of 2022.
See
See Tyler Landis Museum
A spectacular display of memorabilia and items related to Tyler's rose-growing industry and the Texas Rose Festival. Admission Fee, special exhibits have fees.
See Goodman Museum
A delight for antique lovers and historians, this Tyler landmark brings the past to life with original furnishings, photographs and memorabilia dating from the mid-1800s.
See Ballet Tyler
Ballet Tyler is made up of 20 local dancers from East Texas aging from 11 to 20. The purpose of the Ballet Tyler is to provide opportunities for both dancers and East Texas audiences to experience the fine art of dance at the highest possible quality.
See Dewberry Plantation
Listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks, the Dewberry Plantation is the oldest two-story structure in Smith County. Guided tours take visitors back to the era of an 1850s Southern plantation.
See East Texas Symphony Orchestra
The East Texas Symphony Orchestra Association is guided by a dynamic and diverse Board of Directors which fosters the growth and development of the Orchestra to keep pace with the needs of the community. ETSO continues to strive to bring classical music to a broader segment of the community.
See Roseland Plantation
The Roseland Plantation is a registered Texas State Historical Landmark. It encompasses a wedding chapel, ballroom and bed and breakfast made available for weddings and parties. The grand antebellum home was built in 1854 by Burwell Hambrick and was a cotton plantation that encompassed 3,000 acres. Mr. Hambrick built the first cotton gin in Van Zandt County. For many years it served as a stagecoach stop.
See Camp Ford Historical Park (Camp Ford P.O.W. Camp)
Site of the largest prisoner of war camp west of the Mississippi River during the American Civil War. This camp held up to 5,300 prisoners at one point in time, especially following the Red River Campaign of 1864. The camp did not close until May 1865, over a month after Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to U.S. General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox in Virginia. Contains educational kiosks, panels, and a walking trail around the site. Special events held annually.
Do
Do Caldwell Zoo
More than 2000 animals from 250 species from Africa, North and South America live in natural habitats at the 85-acre park. The zoo includes a children's petting pen, two aquariums, picnic areas, a café that overlooks an African savannah and gift shops with original African items. The zoo also has seasonal presentations including: a bird show, alligator feedings, giraffe feedings, and elephant demonstrations.
Do Discovery Science Place
Hands-on family fun for kids of all ages. View bats in the bat cave, trigger an earthquake into motion under your feet, snake your way through mysterious tunnels and explore the depths of a limestone cavern. Investigate the bones of "Big Ethel", the triceratops dinosaur. The Discovery Science Place offers three exhibit halls where kids of all ages are free to move around and explore.
Do Hudnall Planetarium
Multimedia presentations and "star parties" make for great family fun. Admission Fee. Open by appointment only.
Do Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge.
Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) is an "Incorporated Animal Shelter" for the big cats. Tiger Creek provides rescue and rehabilitation of big cats that have been abused, neglected, or displaced. Tiger Creek provides a place for these great cats to live the remainder of their lives without threats in a stress-free environment that caters to the well being of the cats.
Do Tyler Market Center
New merchandise, arts and crafts, antiques, collectibles, furniture, food, clothing, pets and flea market items. Tyler Trade Days held every 3rd Saturday weekend (rain or shine) from 9AM to 5PM.
Do Tyler Museum of Art
The Tyler Museum of Art is a wonderful destination for people seeking a dynamic, culturally-enriching experience in the visual arts. From its 700-piece permanent collection to a remarkable array of traveling exhibitions, the TMA is recognized as a major attraction for both tourists and local visitors. The Tyler Museum of Art's permanent collection focuses on early and modern Texas artists, but has also been the recipient of several noted private collections.
Buy
Eat
Virtually every regional chain restaurant can be found in Tyler. There is a growing number of excellent local restaurants with various fares that can be found in and around the city.
Eat Dakotas
Steak and seafood house with wine list.
Eat Taqueria El Lugar
Authentic non-Tex-Mex Mexican food.
Eat Villa Montez
Latin food just outside of town. Fairly pricey, but very good.
Eat Stanley's Bar BQ Restaurant
Local barbeque, home of the Mother Clucker, ranked by Texas Monthly as the best sandwich in the state of Texas in 2014. Highly recommended.
Eat Daniel Boone's Grill & Tavern (Daniel Boone's)
County cooking, homestyle meals, and cold drinks. Alcohol is served, and they have a children's menu. Vegetarian options available.
Eat Little Italy
Locally run Italian food. Very good, and fairly cheap as well.
Eat Andy's Custard
Serves frozen custard. Fairly busy at nights, but lines move quickly.
Eat Country Tavern
If you're willing to make the trek, this restaurant is worth the drive. There isn't a formal menu, but you don't really need one. This place has the best ribs in the area, and it's worth a visit if you're around East Texas. They also serve brisket and some sausage.
Eat Lola's Handmade
Lots of sandwiches.
Eat Ruby's Mexican Restaurant
Local Mexican restaurant. Known for their Doblados.
Drink
Smith County (which Tyler is within) is a partially dry country in Texas. This means you cannot purchase liquor within city limits, unless it is being consumed in a restaurant or club. You can generally purchase wine and beer in grocery stores or other approved retailers. If you want to buy bottles of liquor for off-premise consumption, you have to drive out of the county (~20 miles or so).
There are several wineries and breweries that have popped up in and around Tyler:
Drink The Kiepersol Estates Winery
Nestled in a beautiful 33-acre vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tempranillo, Mourvedre, Grenache, and Muscat de Alexandria grape vines. Hand-planted in April of 1998 and May of 1999, Kiepersol's first vintage was in 2000. They also own the KE Cellars inside the city limits of Tyler, where you can purchase Texas-made and -bottled wines. Additionally, there is a nice restaurant attached to the side.
- True Vine Brewing Company
Sleep
Stay America's Best Value Inn and Suites
Offers 85 clean, comfortable, newly remodeled rooms with a complimentary full continental breakfast, outdoor pool, gazebo, private rose garden, picnic area, truck parking, computer with internet access, fax and copy service, exercise facility, and meeting rooms. Each room features a coffee maker, hair dryer, mini-fridge, iron and ironing board, high speed internet, shower massage heads, alarm clock radios, 25-in TV with Showtime plus expanded cable, and free local calls.
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