Don't come here looking for a lot of shade because roses need a lot of sun to bloom!…read more I grew up in the era where Tyler roses were kind of a big deal. If you had a Mother's Day or Mom's birthday to buy flowers, for it was a big deal to give her Tyler roses. If you were sweet other girl at school, it was also a big deal, if you not only gave her roses, but roses directly from Tyler. I had always wanted to see this Rose capital of the world. It was an easy day trip from Dallas and gave me the opportunity to see this Ground Zero from some thing that has a strong memory for me growing up. The gardens were beautiful, and when the breeze was just right, the fragrance was amazing. But I have to admit I was a little disappointed that it was not like our Arboretum, Or something like that. Nevertheless, it was worth the trip and took me down memory lane!

A beautiful and tranquil park, free and open to the public. Though the roses weren't fully out at…read morethis time of year, since we're in Azalea season, there was still plenty to walk around and do. There are a bunch of different spaces to visit, and it is well maintained. While we were there, a 3-year-old kid and his grandma were walking around, and the kid seemed to have no object permanence. He would trip and fall into a bush, get back up, and fall into the same bush again. It's not important to this review, but it was hilarious and worth sharing. Anyways, this place is a must-visit for locals and visitors! RIYL: Roses

The park of my childhood. Playgrounds, an ampitheater, a splash pad, and just tons of space to…read morewonder around and lay down. Located right by the Azalea District neighborhoods, I have fond memories of coming here as a kid. It was nice to revisit such a classic piece of my childhood while visiting Tyler. I think some of the Tennis courts were converted to pickleball courts which is great for the pickleballers as well. That playground, merry-go-round, and swing set were always next level as a kid. Bergfeld forever. RIYL: tons of grass

They have a splash pad and squirrels that are very friendly and eat from your hand. My kids loved…read moreit. They also have a playground, bathroom, and have events here all the time. They have a concert stage.

One of those parks in Tyler that has so much history and story behind it that it is really so…read moremesmerizing. Made to honor children lost, there are tributes to children through trees, animal statues, and more. It's a very tranquil place and really stunning. It's always so moving to see how many people donated and contributed to make it a reality. Always worth a visit while in Tyler. RIYL: Big ole bear statues

This little park is small but MIGHTY. Serene, very well kept and cute little spots all around:…read morebenches for sitting, cute animal themed play areas and an outdoor xylophone for the kids to jam away. There are small bridges you can cross and a few waterfalls that seemed to be out of commission for the moment, but it didn't matter. The place is still lovely. Parts of the park were dedicated to people who've passed away...such a sweet tribute. A nice little spot to walk off your meal while letting the little ones burn energy before bedtime.

This mountain bike trail made my top 5 list - if you were blindfolded going there, you'd think you…read morewere biking in Arkansas

I chose this place because it has a very helpful legend to navigate through the trail. It also has…read morecheckpoints and arrows in case you get lost. Very beautiful nature and trails.

They keep their bathrooms locked here! They have 3 bathroom facilities here and they're all locked!…read moreIf they had bathrooms here, it would be a nice place, but we need to use the restroom every now and then, wash our hands before we eat, and have a private place to change into swimming suits so my kids can play on the splash pad.

Cute playground and splashpad in a hidden spot. The splash pad is touch operated and is still on…read moretoday, October 13. The playground is good for kids age 2 and up. There are wood chips so a hazard for the younger ones who still put everything in their mouth.

Love the park. It has helped my dog's anxiety level come way down. He has learned to socialize with…read morepeople and other dogs. The park is kept so clean and well maintained. They have everything I needed to help with my part on maintaining the park. Water is accessible and so is waste bags. Love it.

Fun dog park here in Tyler! The fellow people and dogs were all friendly. The area was clean, well…read morekept, and had plenty of poopy bags to use! There was water easily available and the grounds were kept clean. They have multiple fenced in areas for your pups and if they can't handle a big puppy crowd, than you can use one of the other fenced in areas for your dog park needs. Both me and my boys really enjoyed the afternoon spent out here. The only thing I would say could be improved is that the poop smell from the trash cans easily seeped out and spread a good distance from the trash can. I LOVED their doggy wash room! Super nice! If only it could fit more than one dog!

It's worth the few extra miles of driving from the center of Tyler to see these winding trails. A…read morenice pine forest and minimalist tracks to walk, run, or ride on.

I have rode this trail since it was first cut through these woods. So much has changed through the…read moreyears. This mountain bike trail is one of many in this great city. Designed and built by local riders and businesses, the intent is to open up cycling to everyone. That's exactly what has been done. This trail system can be enjoyed by all skill levels. It is essentially split into three sections that can be entered or exited off of a granite loop that can also be iced for a warm up or down loop as well as for runners or walkers or those with children. The trail is constantly being maintained and improved. The one thing I'm not happy with are that some of the trail in the last section is not marked well and you can find yourself riding a few loops over again or even riding the wrong direction! So be careful of this. The system has At least 6 miles of trails, this number may not be accurate anymore with the additions and in fact, my ride today ended up being 7 miles and I know I coulda pulled more out of it. Attached to the park are tennis courts, a splash pad, playground equipment, baseball fields, a small pound that is stocked yearly, and miles of hiking, biking, and jogging trails. Also, you can access the South Tyler trail system from here which is an excellent trail system that will take you all over the southern part of the city. The trail system is growing every day. Also located here is Tyler's newest Police Station so there's no shortage of police presence. I always enjoy coming to this park to run, ride, practice yoga, or just relax.

Our family rode the Piney Woods Express in the Presidential Car, and it was the perfect finale to…read moreour East Texas vacation. We booked seats in the Presidential Car, "Miss Joyce," and the experience was outstanding from beginning to end. The car features a comfortable mix of couches and chairs, with seating selected when you book your tickets. It created a relaxed atmosphere that made the four-hour excursion feel special without being overly formal. Our train attendant, Miss Joyce, was absolutely wonderful. She was warm, welcoming, and attentive throughout the trip, and it's easy to see why the car proudly bears her name. When we arrived at our seats, each passenger had a complimentary bottle of water and a snack box filled with watermelon, grapes, pretzels, and cheese cubes. The trip began with a champagne toast for the adults and sparkling apple cider for those who preferred it, which was a fun touch that made the experience feel like an occasion. Additional drinks, candy, and popcorn were available for purchase throughout the ride, and the attendants happily took orders and kept a running tab, making everything very convenient. During the stop in Rusk, we had time to stretch our legs and enjoy lunch. A converted railcar serves as a concession stand, offering items like hot dogs, nachos, chicken salad sandwiches, hoagies, and pulled pork sandwiches, with the option to purchase meals that include chips and a drink. There are picnic tables available, or you can take your lunch back to the train while it's parked at the station. We later learned that meal pre-orders are available, although we didn't notice that information when booking our tickets. The return trip to Palestine was a little quicker but just as enjoyable. From departure at 11:00 a.m. until our return around 3:00 p.m., the entire excursion was relaxing, scenic, and very well organized. If you're looking for a unique family outing in East Texas, we highly recommend upgrading to the Presidential Car. Between the comfortable seating, thoughtful amenities, excellent service, and beautiful scenery, it was an experience we'll remember for a long time.

My wife and I drove up from Austin for an overnight trip to Palestine, Texas, to take the evening…read moredinner train ride on the Texas State Railroad. We sat in the skylight car. Our experience was okay, but just okay. The train car was comfortable, though noticeably dated and in need of some freshening up. The bathroom was unpleasant -- no soap, no paper towels -- and it felt like the cars hadn't received any real attention in years. The train ride itself was pleasant enough, but too long for what it offered. The scenery consists mostly of trees lining both sides of the track, with occasional glimpses of meadows. Nothing dramatic. The train crept along at a snail's pace -- more, I suspect, to fill time than for any safety reasons. The midpoint stop was the highlight of the trip. We had dinner with live music in a lovely setting near a small lake -- genuinely enjoyable. However, the scheduled 1¼-hour stop stretched to nearly 1¾ hours, as we sat on the train for almost 30 minutes without moving before heading back. We arrived over 15 minutes later than scheduled. A few other notes: the train has no Wi-Fi, and the entire three-hour ride is accompanied by piped-in 1940s big band music. The first 30 minutes were fine; after that, it became tedious. Overall, I'd give this experience a 3 out of 5 -- and that's being generous, given the price.