Visiting Tyler? Things to do while you’re in the city

Published 5:30 pm Sunday, March 23, 2025

: The Azalea and Spring Flower Trail is over 10 miles, where you can find azaleas at every corner. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Springtime in Tyler always draws thousands of tourists to the city, namely for its popular Azalea & Spring Flower Trail.

With more than 10 miles of residential gardens covered in florals, the azalea trail is one of Tyler’s biggest attractions. Along with the many azaleas, locals and tourists will also see white and pink dogwoods, redbud trees, Japanese maples, tulips, and daffodils.

During the trail held now through April 6, residents and visitors alike are encouraged to take time to stroll through these picturesque gardens, join in on one of the many community events, and bask in the beauty that is Tyler in the spring.

Whether you are in town visiting for the trail, the city’s roses, or anything else, welcome! The Tyler Morning Telegraph has compiled some links and information we hope you will find helpful.

Azalea Trail FAQs

How long is it?

The trail is 10 miles long.

What’s the cost?

It’s free and open to the public.

How do I know where to go?

See map below or click here. If you can only stop by one spot on the trail, make it the Pyron Garden at 212 W. Dobbs.

Where can I park?

Parking is allowed on any of the streets with the exception of South Broadway Avenue (also U.S. Highway 69). Two of the most popular places to park, according to Visit Tyler, are:

South College Avenue, between Lindsey Lane and Dobbs Street near Bergfeld Park
Belmont Drive, between First and Second streets, is a great place to stretch your legs and see the flowers and azaleas up close and personal.

Can I walk?

Yes, but it is quite a long trail and the majority of it is in a residential area. For the safety of the residents who live in the Azalea District, visitors are encouraged to doing a driving tour of the trail.

Trail-related events and things to do

There are tons of events going on in celebration of the trail. Below are a few of the upcoming events, but you can click here to view a full schedule, which features an art show, arts/crafts fair, historic home tour, and more.

March 1 – April 30

Pyron Gardens | Open now for daylight hours | 212 W. Dobbs St.

A private garden featuring a gazebo, greenhouse, sculptures, fountains and seasonal blooms. Featured in Southern Living and Texas Monthly.

March 1 – April 30

Kiepersol Winery | Tuesday – Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. | 21556-B Merlot Ln.

Wine tastings, food and wine pairings and estate tours. Visitors can explore the vineyard and learn about the winemaking process.

March 1 – April 30

Amazon River’s Edge – Caldwell Zoo | Open Daily | 2203 Martin Luther King Blvd.

Exhibit featuring rainforest animals such as jaguars, sloths and tropical birds.

March 1 – April 30

Roses & More in Bloom – Tyler Municipal Rose Garden | 420 Rose Park Dr.

Seasonal blooms on display in the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden, featuring a variety of roses and other flowering plants.

March 8 – April 5

Quilt Show at the Goodman Museum | Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | 624 N. Broadway Ave.

The exhibit features more than 20 quilts from the 1830s to the 1940s, including an 1830s quilt and an 1880s Goodman-LeGrand family heirloom, displayed throughout the historic home.

March 21 – March 22

44th Annual Tyler Quilt Show – “A Stitch In Time” | W.T. Brookshire Conference Center (2000 W. Front St.)

This judged quilt show features over 200 quilts, 20+ vendors, 2 raffle quilts, demos, lectures, a silent auction and a country store. Proceeds benefit community service projects like Quilts of Valor and Cuddle Quilts.

March 21 – April 6

Art in Bloom – Rose City Art Gallery & Gifts | 328 S. College Ave.

Explore a variety of artwork and handcrafted items celebrating spring, including colorful paintings, sculptures and nature-inspired gifts.

March 21 – April 6

Carriage Rides | Wednesday – Sunday, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Bergfeld Park (1510 S. College Ave.)

Take a scenic ride through the Azalea District for $5 to $20. Groups of 6 or more can reserve by calling Mark at 903-681-2647 or messaging Cowboy Carriages on Facebook. Cash required. Carriages for 4, 6 and 12 available.

March 21 – April 6

Tyler State Park Dogwood Days | 789 Park Rd 16

Explore blooming dogwoods and other spring flowers via a self-guided vehicle tour or on foot along the park’s walking trails.

March 29, April 5

Botanical Garden Tours with Smith County Master Gardeners | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Tyler Rose Garden (420 Rose Park Dr.)

Meet certified experts in the garden to learn about plants, landscaping and local history.

March 28

Candlelight Garden Party | 7 to 10 p.m. | 3117 Dinah Lane

Kick off Historic Tyler on Tour weekend with a tour of the Curtis’s 1955 International Ranch-style home, live music, hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Ages 21+. Tickets: $150 (non-members), $125 (members).

March 29 — March 30

Historic Tyler on Tour | Various Times

Tour four historic homes in Tyler, showcasing Mid-Century designs. Featured homes include International Ranch, Standard Ranch, Colonial Revival Ranch and Spanish Ranch styles, designed by architects E. Davis Wilcox and Carl Gregory. Ages 12+. Tickets: $25 (non-members), $15 (members).

March 29 — April 5

Antique & Collectibles Week | Various Locations

Explore unique treasures at local antique shops, enjoy exclusive deals and discover hidden gems. Complete a Bingo card for a chance to win exciting prizes. Participating locations in Tyler include Blue Bird Antique Mall & Treasure Shop, Ye Olde City Antiques, The Armory, The Loft Downtown Mall, The Royal Passage Antiques, The House of Wynne, Trading Post, Our Little Corner, plus Main Street Market Antique & Vintage Goods in Lindale and Southern Charms in Bullard.

March 29

East Texas Symphony — The Music of Queen | 7:30 p.m.| UT Tyler Cowan Center

Conductor: Richard Lee; Special guests from Jeans ‘n Classics with the Tyler Civic Choral. Experience the iconic music of Queen, including hits like Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You, Somebody to Love and more. This dynamic performance blends rock band, chorus and full orchestra for a thrilling live experience.

April 4 — April 5

Rose City Artisan & Flower Market | Goodman-LeGrand Museum (624 N. Broadway Ave.)

Explore artisan and plant vendors, gardening talks by experts and creative products for plant lovers at this vibrant market.

Other things to do in the city

In your free time, Tyler offers a variety of things to do and there’s something for everyone — from arts and culture, to historical attractions, to recreation and nature activities, and of course, great food and drinks. Visit Tyler, which is the city’s tourism organization, provides a wealth of options on its website.

We’ve compiled some of our favorite recommendations below, and you can also check out this story about events happening across East Texas this weekend.

Activities

Indoor family fun: Green Acres Bowl, iJump trampoline park, Urban Air Adventure Park, Lake Tyler, Tyler State Park, Discovery Science Place kids museum, Code Ninjas and more.

Get outside: Tyler Rose Garden, Caldwell Zoo, Lake Tyler, Tyler State Park, or numerous city parks and trails. Click here for more options.

Arts and culture

There are tons of options, including Gallery Main Street at 110 W. Erwin St. which features juried exhibits on a rotational basis. Stop by Friday from 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. or Saturday 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. See full hours for other days of the week here.

The Tyler Museum of Art, 1300 South Mahon, is open this Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. General admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, and free for children under 12.

The Tyler Rose Museum is an absolute must-see. It’s filled with memorabilia, vintage dresses and more from the historic Texas Rose Festival. Check it out at 420 Rose Park Drive and take a tour of the 14-acre Tyler Municipal Rose Garden while you’re there to see thousands of rose bushes with over 200 varieties. It is in bloom now!

Public art

Art Alley is behind the 200 block of W. Erwin Street, connecting College Avenue and Bois d’Arc Avenue. This is a space where local artists can collectively display their talents while also reactivating a connective alley in downtown. You can see several colorful murals and may even catch an artist in action.

Murals can be found throughout Tyler. Some of the notable ones include the “Wings of Tyler” just off the square in downtown. This is a fun spot that features a variety of wings that you can pose in front of for photos.

The Keep Tyler Beautiful mural is located at a sidewalk along South Loop 323 between Fry Avenue and New Copeland Road. “Tyler, Texas Est. 1846” is accompanied by wildlife, flowers, greenery and more on this long, winding mural.

A colorful mural depicting all things Tyler is located at 4208 Old Bullard Road. Created by Latvia native Dace Kidd, the mural’s bold and vivid imagery represents the city, telling a story of what it’s like to call Tyler home.

There are too many more to list, just drive around and you’ll see!

Educational

Along with the art museums, Tyler offers several other historic museums.

The Cotton Belt Depot, 210 East Oakwood Street, is a railroad museum showcasing memorabilia, model trains and more. Check it out this Friday or Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with free admission.

The Historic Aviation Memorial Museum, 150 Airport Drive, is a military museum with real aircraft, memorabilia, hands-on exhibits and a real-flight simulator. Admission is free for children 5 and under, then $4 and up with discounts for military and seniors. Call (903) 526-1945 for information.

The Texas African American Museum, 309 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., is another can’t-miss attraction. Recently renovated with local and state history on display, open this Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There are even more options, like a planetarium, historical society museum, historic cemetery, prisoner of war camp and more. Check out a full list and all there details here.

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Where to dine

Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q doesn’t have famous in its name for nothing. Stanley’s not only has amazing, award-winning barbecue, but you can also pretty much always catch some live music on the weekends.

Don Juan’s has some of the best authentic Mexican food around. There are a few locations, including the one on the downtown square which is very popular and tasty.

Another Tyler favorite is Ruby’s Mexican Restaurant, which has become so popular it now has multiple locations in the city.

Rick’s on the Square and Prime 102 steakhouse are two downtown options that have a little something for everybody.

Check out this list of recommendations for dozens more options: Where to dine in Tyler.

Grab a drink

If you’re looking for a brewery or winery, you’re in luck because East Texas has plenty to choose from.

ETX Brewing, 221 S Broadway Ave, has a variety of craft beer options and is conveniently located downtown.

True Vine Brewing, 2453 Earl Campbell Pkwy, is another local favorite and is a great place to bring the whole family, even your dog.

Kiepersol Vineyard is a food and wine destination with a restaurant, tasting room, gift shop, view of the vineyard, and more.

More information: