36 Hours: Tyler, Texas

I fell in love with East Texas during my Longview trip and knew that I had to see more of the area before I moved from Texas next year (Have I mentioned that my new job is actually located in Seattle and I’m currently working remotely in Houston for a year? No? Well its a long story that will have to be saved for a later day!) so I decided very last minute to make a 1.5 day trip to Tyler to live the ultimate small town life. Tyler is located about 3.5 hours from Houston and is considered one of the larger East Texas towns. It is famous for being the Rose Capital of America and is filled with tons of small town charm. The residents are friendly and welcoming, their food is amazing and doesn’t have the typical long lines you see in big cities, and their main street is filled with quaint cafes and boutiques!

Cafe 1948

Cafe 1948 is located on Tyler’s main street and looks like it belongs in New York because its adorable white interiors are so Instagrammable. Their menu is also filled with not only your basic breakfast foods, but also unique waffles (have you ever heard of a London Fog waffle) and a variety of unique coffees. I grabbed their signature latte and headed out to explore Main Street Tyler!

Tyler Rose Garden

A visit to the Rose Capital of America isn’t complete without a stop at the famous Tyler Rose Garden. This Garden is Tyler’s claim to fame because it is actually the largest public collection of roses in the U.S. The Garden is in full bloom in May (perfect timing!) and features more than 32,000 bushes. There is also a Rose Museum located inside the Garden Center building and while touring the Garden is free, the Museum does have an admission cost. The roses are all so beautiful and there are several benches located throughout the garden for visitors to simply sit and enjoy the beauty.

Stanley’s Famous Pit BBQ

I was so excited to try the food at Stanley’s because every Texas town has its own famous bbq stop and Tyler is no different. Many reviews raved about the Mother Clucker sandwich so I had no choice but to try it for myself. I don’t usually order chicken at a bbq restaurant, but several people I was waiting in line with all recommended their chicken is to die for. And they weren’t wrong! The Mother Clucker was beyond delicious and paired with a brisket taco, was the perfect lunch.

Tyler Berry Farm

Next up, picking strawberries at a Berry Farm! Although blueberries are mainly what this Farm is known for, blueberries are not in season until late June. Luckily, they have a rows and rows of strawberry patches available for picking in May! I’ve never picked strawberries before, but it seemed to me that these strawberries were perfectly red and juicy. I was able to easily fill up my basket with a pound of strawberries and couldn’t wait to make smoothies from them. Tyler Berry Farm is truly a small business so the berries do cost a bit more than your typical grocery store, but it felt great to support a local business.

Goodman LeGrand Museum

I love visiting old homes and mansions when traveling so I made a stop at Goodman LeGrand Museum, which is located inside the family mansion to learn a little more about Tyler’s past. Admission is free (although they do suggest a $2 donation) and tour guides can lead your through the house or you can choose to opt for a self guided tour.

McClendon House

McClendon House is another old Tyler home open to the public- it costs $7 for a tour guide led tour.

Kiepersol Winery

One of the best kept East Texas secrets is their wine. While Texas Hill Country is usually the more popular stop for wine, East Texas wines are sweeter (which fits so much better with my sweet tooth) and their wineries are more spacious and less crowded. Kiepersol is located 25 minutes south of Tyler on a large vineyard. Tastings are conducted inside their Grand Room and cost $2 per wine. I tried a total of 4 wines and loved each one!

Lago del Pino

I discovered the Lago del Pino restaurant thanks to another travel blogger and was so thankful for the recommendation because the restaurant grounds are gorgeous. It is located in a large building that sits right next to a huge lake. Outside seating is encouraged and they often have live music at night. While their restaurant is beautiful, their upscale Tex Mex menu isn’t the greatest. People definitely just go here for the views. I would recommend skipping dinner and just coming for happy hour drinks!

Foundry Coffee House

Tyler loves their indoor outdoor spaces and many of their eateries have options for both indoor and outdoor eating. Foundry Coffee House is located inside a giant warehouse, but their outdoor patio is equally spacious and is surrounded by greenery and twinkling lights. They have an extensive coffee and food menu and everything is worth trying! Parking is free and plentiful across the street in a garage.

The Grove Kitchen and Gardens

My last stop in Tyler was to brunch at the Grove Kitchen and Gardens, another beautiful restaurant with an stunning outdoor space. One of my favorite parts of Tyler was dining outdoors in the Texas spring air and I was so happy that I got to end my trip at The Grove’s well maintained garden. The restaurant is crowded on Sunday mornings so make sure you have a reservation. The food is alright (my pimento cheese sandwich and garlic fries had a lot of room for improvement), but the views and vibes are top notch.

Hope you guys enjoyed my Tyler, Texas post! What other Texas towns should I visit before the big move?