Blog: Such Fun in East Texas!

 

There are many reasons to LOVE East Texas! The beautiful outdoors boast lakes for fishing, hiking, swimming, boating and campsites for the outdoor adventurer. Each cozy small town has adorable antique shops for those who enjoy the nostalgic joys of life. And restaurants and eateries are in no short supply. Texas Shakespeare Festival has long been reason enough for me to pack an overnight bag and head to Kilgore. And, this go-around, we spent a little more time in the Tyler area, which is right around the corner from Kilgore. It was, however a pleasant surprise to see how much Kilgore has boomed over the years when we arrived at TSF. If you're planning a trip to see Texas Shakespeare Festival, and you should be, here's some of the fun things we found that you might enjoy as well! Be sure to read the review of Pride and Prejudice right here on DTJ to know what to expect. 

1. Our Accommodations: Although, there are several hotels in the Kilgore area, ones in which we've stayed comfortably in, like the Hampton Inn and the Holiday Inn, this time, I found a great deal on an Air BnB bungalow in Tyler that was quaint, cozy and clean called The Tyler Rose, which is a duplex coupled with The Peacock, as well. 

2. The Little Free Library: I have a hawk eye for these little book nooks! We began stewarding our own LFL for our neighborhood when our oldest son turned four and it's been so much fun to give and receive books. Not too far from our Tyler Rose bungalow, we found an adorable Little Free Library with so many wonderful books to read! I spent a little time relaxing and reading with a cup of coffee shortly after we arrived in Tyler. 

3. Rose City Comedy: This was a great experience all around! We enjoyed many laughs with these clever comedians. This was a great choice for a fun night out without the kids, and I don't recommend this venue for kids. 

4. Brady's Coffee: I'm a sucker for a great cup of coffee and, honestly, consider myself a coffee-snob and difficult to please. I ordered a cinnamon dulce and absolutely loved it! Andrew (my husband) got a milky-way, which he also enjoyed. Quality coffee is of upmost importance and this was a great choice! I brought a tasty batch of Mudslide Coffee Beans to savor at home, as well. 

5. Ye Olde City Antique Mall and Olde City Market: This charming antique mall is 18,000 square feet of antique items and supports over 70 dealers. I found some lovely earrings, a fun puzzle and one-of-a-kind Hot Wheels toy cars for my kids to enjoy. The best feature of the entire space is the Texas hospitality and delightful conversation with manager Sandra Herring and her staff.oldcitytyler.com

6. Shakespeare Garden at Texas Shakespeare Festival: This sweet little garden is located across the street from the TSF stage. Small areas of the garden are sectioned off with a specific type of flower and awarded a number. Each number corresponds with a Shakespearean quote that mentions that particular type of flower. In the pictures below, you'll see roses and the circled #25 quote that goes with it! 

These are just a few of the experiences we had in East Texas during this trip. We usually take time to visit the Tyler Rose Gardens, as well, which is such a tranquil experience. There are so many more!! For those traveling with kiddos, (and next time, I think we will be!) we plan to spend time at The Earth and Space Science Center, Splash Kingdom and perhaps, the NY TX Zipline Tour, if I can get over my fear of heights long enough! For History buffs, there's also American Freedom Museum and the East Texas Oil Museum in Kilgore. Art enthusiasts will enjoy the Tyler Museum of Art, as well! There are so many ways to enjoy East Texas and I hope to experience them all! 

Y'all Enjoy! 

Natalie Shaw