Diamond P Guidebook
Fun for Kids
If you have kids, this place is awesome! Fun things to explore, hands-on science and fun, and visiting shows. Discovery Science Place is in downtown Tyler, and the price won't break the bank. They also have some reciprocal discounts if you have a membership at another museum. Our kids LOVE it here.
25 locals recommend
The Discovery Science Place
308 N Broadway AveIf you have kids, this place is awesome! Fun things to explore, hands-on science and fun, and visiting shows. Discovery Science Place is in downtown Tyler, and the price won't break the bank. They also have some reciprocal discounts if you have a membership at another museum. Our kids LOVE it here.
Easily walkable with lots of shade, this zoo is fun for the entire family! There is a free-flight birdhouse (you can purchase seed sticks for $1), a place to feed giraffes, penguin house and more! You can bring a cooler and picnic at the tables around the parking lot, or eat inside at the cafe. There is a great petting zoo (no extra charge) and even a playground that is fun for little ones. Before kids, my husband and I used to come just to walk around - it is well laid out with lots of shade and the opportunity to get close to the animals.
60 locals recommend
Caldwell Zoo
2203 W Martin Luther King Jr BlvdEasily walkable with lots of shade, this zoo is fun for the entire family! There is a free-flight birdhouse (you can purchase seed sticks for $1), a place to feed giraffes, penguin house and more! You can bring a cooler and picnic at the tables around the parking lot, or eat inside at the cafe. There is a great petting zoo (no extra charge) and even a playground that is fun for little ones. Before kids, my husband and I used to come just to walk around - it is well laid out with lots of shade and the opportunity to get close to the animals.
If you need groceries, great produce, or some ready-to-eat food, FRESH is nearby and wonderful! They have two large playgrounds with shaded seating for parents where kids can play. The larger one geared toward older kids is to the north side (near fuel station, which is often lowest price in town), and the playground geared toward younger kids is on the front patio.
I often take my kids here to play for an hour or so, then get my groceries on the same trip!
FRESH by Brookshire's Pharmacy
6991 Old Jacksonville HighwayIf you need groceries, great produce, or some ready-to-eat food, FRESH is nearby and wonderful! They have two large playgrounds with shaded seating for parents where kids can play. The larger one geared toward older kids is to the north side (near fuel station, which is often lowest price in town), and the playground geared toward younger kids is on the front patio.
I often take my kids here to play for an hour or so, then get my groceries on the same trip!
This park is fun for kids, and they host lots of weekend summer movie nights at the Centene Amphitheater in the park. There are also lots of grassy spaces to run and "Splasher" the seal fountain and splash pad. Right in the heart of the Azalea District, lots of weekend events like craft shows, etc. often set up here.
23 locals recommend
Bergfeld Park
1510 S College AveThis park is fun for kids, and they host lots of weekend summer movie nights at the Centene Amphitheater in the park. There are also lots of grassy spaces to run and "Splasher" the seal fountain and splash pad. Right in the heart of the Azalea District, lots of weekend events like craft shows, etc. often set up here.
This park is nearby and has LOTS to do. You can take kids to the splash pad (open once temps are 80 or above), nearby playground, or fish on the lake from the covered pier or shore.
There are also great trails through the woods that you can walk, but are geared toward mountain-biking. If you like to skate board, Faulkner Park has a skate park, and two phases are completed. This park has something to offer everyone!
12 locals recommend
Faulkner Park
410 W Cumberland RdThis park is nearby and has LOTS to do. You can take kids to the splash pad (open once temps are 80 or above), nearby playground, or fish on the lake from the covered pier or shore.
There are also great trails through the woods that you can walk, but are geared toward mountain-biking. If you like to skate board, Faulkner Park has a skate park, and two phases are completed. This park has something to offer everyone!
Food scene
Our FAVORITE restaurant in Tyler, it is family owned. The red-checkered table cloths and photos all over (some autographed) feel like you are in NYC. Fridays and Saturdays there is live music (usual Jim who sings lots of Sinatra and Great American Songbook). They have a small dance floor if you like to dance, and it's great for a romantic evening but still family-friendly. They are famous for their pizza, but I recommend the manicotti or the Tuscan Platter. Ask the owner, Moe, for a wine recommendation (although they have a decent house Pinot Noir).
6 locals recommend
Mario's Italian Restaurant
7916 S Broadway AveOur FAVORITE restaurant in Tyler, it is family owned. The red-checkered table cloths and photos all over (some autographed) feel like you are in NYC. Fridays and Saturdays there is live music (usual Jim who sings lots of Sinatra and Great American Songbook). They have a small dance floor if you like to dance, and it's great for a romantic evening but still family-friendly. They are famous for their pizza, but I recommend the manicotti or the Tuscan Platter. Ask the owner, Moe, for a wine recommendation (although they have a decent house Pinot Noir).
Great Tex-Mex and gorgeous views of the lake from their dining area or on the patio. Definitely call ahead for a reservation, this place is ALWAYS packed. I love the blood-orange margarita with the enchiladas.
19 locals recommend
Javi's
7212 Old Jacksonville HwyGreat Tex-Mex and gorgeous views of the lake from their dining area or on the patio. Definitely call ahead for a reservation, this place is ALWAYS packed. I love the blood-orange margarita with the enchiladas.
Consistently ranked among the top-10 in Texas, Stanley's is truly great BBQ. Mostly outdoor seating, they often have live bands Friday and Saturday (check their website). You can get meat by the pound, or lots of great sandwiches. I like the Brother-in-Law (chopped brisket with a link on a sandwich), but lots of people get the Mother Clucker. I've never eaten anything here that wasn't highest quality. They smoke everything in a pit the night before, so get their a little earlier before they run out!
56 locals recommend
Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q
525 S Beckham AveConsistently ranked among the top-10 in Texas, Stanley's is truly great BBQ. Mostly outdoor seating, they often have live bands Friday and Saturday (check their website). You can get meat by the pound, or lots of great sandwiches. I like the Brother-in-Law (chopped brisket with a link on a sandwich), but lots of people get the Mother Clucker. I've never eaten anything here that wasn't highest quality. They smoke everything in a pit the night before, so get their a little earlier before they run out!
Not far from us, Fresh has food bars that include sushi, chicken, grill, vegies and all between. On Fridays and Saturdays, they usually have live music on their large front patio with a grill set up. (Gelato right inside the door.) There is an attached-enclosed playground were kids can stay entertained within eyesight while you eat.
31 locals recommend
FRESH by Brookshire's
6991 Old Jacksonville HwyNot far from us, Fresh has food bars that include sushi, chicken, grill, vegies and all between. On Fridays and Saturdays, they usually have live music on their large front patio with a grill set up. (Gelato right inside the door.) There is an attached-enclosed playground were kids can stay entertained within eyesight while you eat.
Great playground for kids, brick oven pizza and live bands!
30 locals recommend
True Vine Brewing Company
2453 Earl Campbell PkwyGreat playground for kids, brick oven pizza and live bands!
Neighborhoods
Great food, antique stores, and shops in Downtown Tyler! You can also visit the Visitor's Center there to pick up brochures and other ideas. We like Rick's on the Square or East TX Brewing on Broadway to eat, and Moss Florist, or Old Town Antique Mall for browsing. But there is PLENTY to do. 2nd Saturday's often have events and the brick-streets add a nice feel to this downtown.
6 locals recommend
Downtown
Great food, antique stores, and shops in Downtown Tyler! You can also visit the Visitor's Center there to pick up brochures and other ideas. We like Rick's on the Square or East TX Brewing on Broadway to eat, and Moss Florist, or Old Town Antique Mall for browsing. But there is PLENTY to do. 2nd Saturday's often have events and the brick-streets add a nice feel to this downtown.
Sightseeing
The largest municipal rose garden in the US, this free garden has thousands of varieties of roses, ponds, fountains, idea garden and more. You can picnic here, or just stroll through before or after visiting Downtown.
If you happen to be hear near the Rose Festival - you are in for a treat. If not, you can still see some of the fabulous dresses and finery in the museum located inside the Rose Garden Center.
If you enjoy gardening at all, I promise this is a MUST SEE.
57 locals recommend
Tyler Rose Garden
420 Rose Park DrThe largest municipal rose garden in the US, this free garden has thousands of varieties of roses, ponds, fountains, idea garden and more. You can picnic here, or just stroll through before or after visiting Downtown.
If you happen to be hear near the Rose Festival - you are in for a treat. If not, you can still see some of the fabulous dresses and finery in the museum located inside the Rose Garden Center.
If you enjoy gardening at all, I promise this is a MUST SEE.