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Blooms & Booms

An East Texas Tour

Travel to the piney woods of East Texas, and you’ll find yourself in a place unlike any other in the Lone Star State. Rolling hills, pine forests, and magnificent lakes can be found within the Texas Piney Woods region, where the warmth of Southern hospitality is alive and well. Stop and smell the roses at the largest rose garden in the nation, located in Tyler. Known as the Rose Capital of America, Tyler is a beautiful stop on this East Texas tour. Cruise the brick streets of the Historic Azalea District featuring miles of blooming azaleas and dogwoods.

Then it’s full steam ahead to Palestine. Home of the Official Railroad of Texas, visit the Victorian train depot, more than 1800 historical sites, and prepare for a little sensory overload when it comes to the flavors of East Texas.

And don’t forget East Texas’ boomtown, Kilgore, known as the “City of Stars,” a nickname given to it because over 60 oil derricks that dot the Kilgore skyline, all topped with lighted stars.

East Texas is a hidden gem and a great place for your next group tour. Join us on this tour to see for yourself what everyone is raving about!

Note: This is just a sample itinerary. Some activities may not be available at the time of your trip. To design a free custom itinerary for your group, please contact Susan Travis at stravis@tylertexas.com.

DAY 1 - Kilgore

  • Depart for Kilgore
  • Tour the Rangerette Showcase and Museum displaying the Rangerettes’ vast and storied history
  • Enjoy lunch at The Back Porch
  • Explore the East Texas Oil Museum housing the authentic recreation of oil discovery and production in the early 1930s
  • This evening see the ‘World’s Richest Acre, Texas Historical Landmark, with the oil derricks
  • Enjoy dinner at Jack Ryan’s Chophouse
Overnight stay in Kilgore

DAY 2 - TYLER

  • Visit the Texas Broadcast Museum
    before departing for Tyler
  • Tyler is the “Rose Capital of America,” so it’s only fitting that your first stop be the Rose Garden and Museum
  • Enjoy shopping and lunch at the Potpourri House
  • Tour the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum
  • Shopping and Sampling at Sweet Gourmet, (a local premier culinary store)
  • Drive the beautiful Historic Azalea/Brick Street District
  • Enjoy a murder mystery dinner at the 1859 Goodman LeGrand House & Museum
  • Overnight in Tyler

DAY 3 - Tyler & Palestine

  • Tour the American Freedom Museum
    Tour and tasting at Kiepersol Vineyard, Winery & Distillery
  • Depart for an afternoon in Palestine starting with lunch at Pint & Barrel Drafthouse
  • Enjoy a historic architecture tour of Old Town Palestine including a visit to the famous Oxbow Bakery
  • Experience the "coolest hardware store on the planet", Braly’s
  • Tour Tahwahkaro Distilling Co. and taste whiskey "made to roam"
  • Tour the Texas State Railroad Train Depot, home of the “Official Railroad of Texas”
  • Dinner at Switch Brick Oven Pizza & Wine Bar

DAY 4 - PALESTINE

  • Breakfast & Tour of Eilenberger Bakery
  • Tour the Railroad Heritage Center
  • Driving Tour of Davey Dogwood Park
  • Prepare for a the drive home by posting photos of your trip
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