Has the price of gas got you rethinking your summer vacation? Why not try a staycation instead? You might be surprised at the free or inexpensive activities available right in your own area.
Today, I’ll be focusing on activities in the East Texas area , but if you don’t live here (and aren’t coming to visit) come back tomorrow when I’ll be sharing staycation ideas from bloggers all over the country.
If you’re like me and you’ve lived in East Texas for a while, then you have probably heard about our more popular places of interest and maybe you’ve already visited some of them. If not, you definitely should!
Here’s a list of some of the fun and exciting things to do in East Texas:
Visit a museum…
Brookshires Wildlife Museum (Tyler) There’s lots packed into this great family friendly museum.
Gone With The Wind Museum (Jefferson) One of the largest private collections of memorabilia from this epic story.
East Texas Oil Museum (Kilgore) Whether or not you’re into oil, you will be fascinated by this great museum.
Carnegie History Center (Tyler) Displays contain artifacts ranging from the Caddo Indians to the Twentieth Century.
Discovery Science Place (Tyler) One of the Top 25 Science Centers in the nation
Historic Aviation Memorial Museum (Tyler) Spanning the history of Aviation and home to historical aircraft and memorabilia.
And, there’s LOTS more museums in our area.
Experience wildlife…
Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari (Jacksonville) Observe and feed exotic and endangered species.
Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge (Tyler) Home to an exotic collection of tigers, lions, leopards and mountain lions.
East Texas Gators & Wildlife (Grand Saline) There’s a lot more than gators at this fun park!
Texas Freshwater Fisheries (Athens) I’ve heard rave reviews about this place and can’t wait to check it out for myself.
Get outdoors…
Caldwell Zoo (Tyler) A fantastic place to visit (just ask my kids).
Splash Kingdom (Canton) Family-friendly water park with great slides and an Arcade & Family Fun Center.
Fire Mountain Amusements (Tyler) Two go-cart tracks, bumper boating, miniature golf, carnival rides, and a HUGE video arcade.
Lonestar Speedway (Kilgore) Are you a racing fan? This would be the place for you!
Wired Zipline Challenge Course (Canton) Home to some of the longest zip lines in Texas. (You won’t see me here)!
Explore the past…
Camp Ford (Tyler) The largest Confederate Prisoner of War Camp west of the Mississippi.
Turning Basin Riverboat Tour (Jefferson) Experience the history of the bayou while on a riverboat tour.
Historic Jefferson Railway (Jefferson) Take a train ride on the Old Engine #7 along the scenic Big Cypress Bayou.
Sky Vue Drive-In Theatre (Tyler) Enjoy a Drive-In Movie with the whole family.
Enjoy a little culture…
ArtsView Children’s Theatre (Longview)
Henderson Civic Theater (Henderson)
Cheap Eats…
Events…
- AlleyFest Jun 03 to Jun 05 - Longview
- Annual Tomato Festival Jun 11 - Jacksonville
- Texas Blueberry Festival Jun 11 - Nacogdoches
- The Great Texas Balloon Race Jul 29 to Jul 31 - Longview
- Texas Shakespeare Festival Jun 30 to Jul 31 – Kilgore
- Longview Trade Days 2nd weekend - Longview
- Longview Kennel Club Dog Show Jul 30 to Juy 31 – Longview
- Party in the Pines May 27 to May 29 – Longview
- Four Winds Renaissance Faire Check schedule - Tyler
What do YOU enjoy doing in East Texas?
Tell us about YOUR favorite places and activites!
Great ideas! Thanks for the list.
Where in East Texas do you live? I’m orignially from Alto but am in Bryan/College Station now. We visit the Tyler area often as my sister still lives there.
There is a great indoor water park at the Villages on Lake Palestine. It’s open to the general public most of the time, and my kids love it!
The Lufkin Zoo is also fun. There is a train that circles the park; great for kids!
Hi!!!
Thanks for all the great ideas. I lived in this area all my life and didn’t know about some of these places. I’m excited to go visit some of these adventures with my family!
Thanks again!
Janna
We are planning a weekend visit to Tyler next week and are trying to find a good family friendly hotel with an outdoor pool. Any recommendations? We love all of your tips. I think we are going to do the zoo and drive in movie. We are wanting to visit a church we have heard about in Lindale.