Tyler, Texas, has a large number of attractions available for visitors and locals to enjoy. These include a variety of museums and recreation areas, the Caldwell Zoo and Tyler State Park. Tyler is also host to the Texas Rose Festival every October and is where the genesis of the Adopt-a-Highway program occurred. The city is less than a two-hour drive from Dallas.
The East Texas Woodcarvers Club organizes the Wooden Wonderland in mid-November at the Rose Garden Center. The event is held on a succeeding Friday and Saturday, opening at 10 a.m. each day and ending at 5 p.m. on Friday and 4 p.m. on Saturday. Woodcarvers and woodturners place their works on display at this event.
The Tyler Recycling Collection Center holds the Tyler Recycles Day in mid-November. A pancake fold over, free Starbucks coffee and games focused on being environmentally friendly are available. All children who attend receive free prizes and educational materials. Aluminum cans, newspapers, magazines, office paper, cardboard, brown paper grocery bags and phone books will be accepted. Cell phones can also be donated for the Caldwell Zoo, eyeglasses to the Tyler Lions Club and electronics to Goodwill Industries. This event is intended for citizens of Tyler.
The Junior League of Tyler Inc. presents Mistletoe & Magic every fall. This November event is a holiday market that includes collections from more than 90 specialty boutiques and merchants from throughout the United States. Showcased specialty items include antiques, beauty and bath items, jewelry, clothing and accessories. Proceeds from the event are returned to the Tyler community through projects undertaken by the Junior League.
Up in Lights is a drive-through Christmas Light Park that opens the day after Thanksgiving and runs through the end of the month and into December until Christmas. More than a million lights and scenes are available for viewing to celebrate the holiday season. The drive is a mile long, and you can listen to Christmas music on 95.1 FM while enjoying the scenes. It is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. No buses or trailers are allowed.
