Summer Vacation in Tyler, TX

With more to see and do than you’d expect, Tyler, Texas, is a wonderful place for you and your family to spend some of your hard-earned summer vacation time. From enjoying awesome outdoor activities and astonishing animal encounters to learning about the incredible history of Texas and our world, your family won’t regret a single moment spent in Tyler. Read below as our team at Mercedes-Benz of Tyler shares our favorite summer vacation ideas.

Spend Time Observing Impressive Animals in Tyler, Texas

You might not think of Tyler, Texas, as a place to come face-to-face with exotic animals from all over the world. And yet, not only does Tyler have the Western animals you’d expect, but it’s also the home of a world-class zoo. Two opportunities for unbelievable animal experiences in Tyler that you and your family will treasure are as follows:

Texas Rose Horse Park

Nothing quite captures the spirit of Texas and the West than our special relationship with horses. The Texas Rose Horse Park is 1,700 acres that feature incredible horse shows, events, and riding courses. Not only are the facilities and elite horses at Texas Rose Horse Park breathtaking, but your entire family can also learn to ride in private or group lessons that provide everything you need to become a skilled equestrian.

Location: 14078 State Highway 110N, Tyler, Texas

Caldwell Zoo

The Caldwell Zoo in Tyler is home to over 3,000 animals, including African elephants, zebras, and cheetahs. If those sound too intimidating, your children will love the petting zoo, the playground, and the wild bird walkabout in the avian refuge. There’s also a giraffe feeding station open daily, and you can arrange private animal encounters with penguins, tortoises, and bears for your family.

Location: 2203 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tyler, Texas

Explore the Great Outdoors Around Tyler, Texas

Tyler has some exceptional places where you can experience the natural world. Whether you like hiking, mountain biking, boating, fishing, camping, or just marveling at the beauty of nature, Tyler has something for the whole family. Some great ways to get away from your screens and spend time outdoors in the Tyler area include the following:

Tyler Rose Garden

Tyler happens to be the home of one of the premier rose gardens in the United States. At the Tyler Rose Garden, your family will be amazed at the cultivated natural beauty of tens of thousands of rose bushes and hundreds of varieties of roses. Admission is free, and the garden is open daily, so pack a picnic lunch and spend some time appreciating the beauty of creation together.

Location: 420 Rose Park Drive, Tyler, Texas

The Boulders at Lake Tyler

Summers can get pretty warm in Texas, and there’s nothing like a few days at the lake to keep things fun and cool. Beautiful Lake Tyler is a quick drive from downtown Tyler. On the nearest side of the lake, you’ll find The Boulders at Lake Tyler, where your family can camp and enjoy swimming and fishing in the lake. You can also rent pontoon boats, kayaks, and bikes for a relaxing afternoon.

Location: 16822 McElroy Road, Whitehouse, Texas

Tyler State Park

Staying overnight in Tyler State Park is a fantastic way to get lost in nature. For your convenience, there are restrooms with showers, camping hookups, and cabins to rent. Your family can enjoy a swim in the 64-acre spring-fed lake or rent paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes. You can also spend the day hiking and biking over 13 miles of trails or fishing from one of three piers. There are entrance and camping fees, but the memories you’ll make with your family at Tyler State Park are worth it.

Location: 789 Park Road 16, Tyler, Texas

Discover Incredible History in Tyler, Texas

Sometimes our busy lives and the worries of tomorrow keep us from looking back at the incredible history of our world. And yet, there’s so much our families can learn from the accomplishments of the past. You’ll find several places in Tyler where the rich history of Texas, the nation, and the world has been faithfully preserved. A few incredible historic things you can do right in Tyler include the following:

Tyler Museum of Art

At the Tyler Museum of Art, you’ll find beautiful works of art that carry a historical significance and will inspire your entire family. Since its opening in 1971, the museum has increased its permanent collection from contemporary regional works to noteworthy art from the 19th century. The Tyler Museum of Art also boasts one of the largest collections of Latin American and Mexican art in the U.S., a culturally significant opportunity you and your family won’t want to miss.

Location: 1300 S. Mahon Ave., Tyler, Texas

The 1859 Goodman-LeGrand House and Museum

It’s not often you can visit a home built before the Civil War dedicated to capturing the history of the late 19th century, but you can at the Goodman-LeGrand House and Museum in Tyler. This historic house has incredible antiques that reflect the life of the past. You can also spend time in the beautiful flower garden and park that covers an entire block. Your whole family will appreciate being able to step back in time at the Goodman-LeGrand House.

Location: 624 N. Broadway Ave., Tyler, Texas

Historic Aviation Memorial Museum

The history of flight is an amazing and inspiring one. Tyler is the home of the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum (HAMM), an exciting airfield that honors the great aviation accomplishments of the past. Your family will marvel at the collection of aviation memorabilia and the historic aircraft on display, especially those still flying. Check the HAMM website for the air show and tour times.

Location: 150 Airport Drive, Suite 2-7, Tyler, Texas

Even after you and your family have gotten through this list of amazing summer activities, you’ll still be able to find many other wonderful things to explore in Tyler, Texas, and we hope you get to see them all. If you need a vehicle that’ll take you to all these great destinations, you can count on Mercedes-Benz of Tyler to provide you with the highest quality in sales and service. You can contact us today to get things started.

Jumper Classic by carterse is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0