Photos of Lt. Jack W. Pounds, for whom Tyler Pounds Regional Airport is named, sit on a table at the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum.

1. Visit Tyler: Things to see & do
2. Texas Rose Festival: Official website
3. Tyler Municipal Rose Garden

The Texas Rose Festival brings thousands of visitors to Tyler each year.

The festival’s events and its traditions are all about celebrating Tyler, which is the Rose Capital of America, and its heritage. The rose industry has been part of the city’s economy for more than 100 years.

If you are in town visiting, welcome! The Tyler Morning Telegraph has compiled some links and information we hope you will find helpful.

Festival-related activities

There are tons of events going on this weekend in celebration of the festival. The full schedule features an art show, arts/crafts fair, rose show, parade, Queen’s Tea, and more.

The parade will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning, going west from Glenwood Boulevard and Front Street and end at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium (609 Fair Park Dr.). Seating is free along the parade route or you can purchase reserved seating tickets for $10 at www.texasrosefestival.com.

There will be road closures beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday. Please plan accordingly.

Things to do

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 visittyler.com.

We’ve compiled some of our favorite recommendations below, and you can also check out a story on tylerpaper.com for 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, The Board Room game cafe, Code Ninjas and more. Go shopping at places like The Village At Cumberland Park, Broadway Square Mall and more.

Get outside: Tyler Rose Garden, Pyron 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 or Saturday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. or Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 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, students, and employees of Tyler Junior College and the City of Tyler.

Rose City Art Gallery, 328 S. College Ave., is a nonprofit gallery and gift shop featuring local artists and a creative space to learn and experience art. It is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday or by appointment.

Since you’re in town for the festival, we’re sure you’ve heard about the Tyler Rose Museum, but hear it firsthand from us — it’s an absolute must-see. It’s filled with memorabilia, vintage dresses and more. 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.

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. On South Broadway Avenue across from Rick’s, check out the ”Wings of Tyler.” This is a fun spot that features a variety of wings that you can pose in front of for photos.

The side of Leslie Cain Realty’s office at 4208 Old Bullard Road in Tyler is a beautiful work of art. With bold and vivid imagery representing the city, the mural tells a story of what it’s like to call Tyler home. The mural, created by local artist Dace Kidd, is a bright and bold montage of the biggest symbols of Tyler including the Texas Rose Festival Queen, the Azalea District, sports legend Earl Campbell, Bergfeld Center, Liberty Hall and others, and also includes Leslie Cain Realty’s slogan, “Your Key to Sold!”

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.

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 2 p.m. and Saturday 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.

Where to dine

Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q, 525 S. Beckham, 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 at 113 E. Erwin which is very popular and tasty.

Another Tyler favorite is Ruby’s Mexican Restaurant, which has become so popular it’s expanded with multiple locations and a late-night food truck in the city.

Rick’s on the Square, 104 W. Erwin St., and Prime 102 steakhouse, 102 N. College Ave, are two downtown options that have a little something for everybody. Another downtown joint, Culture ETX, 118 W. Erwin St., is a local treasure where you can enjoy exceptional Instagram-worthy dishes.

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.{span class=”print_trim”}

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, 21508 Merlot Lane, is a food and wine destination with a restaurant, tasting room, gift shop, view of the vineyard, and more.

For more guidance

Stop by the Visit Tyler Visitor Center at 110 N. College Ave. downtown from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. You can also check out their website www.visittyler.com for an expansive list of options.