It’s nicknames are only known to the natives. It is not a well known, big city. It is a small town with the necessary amenities of a big city and just enough people to run into someone you know everywhere you go. It is a very family-oriented town. It has a bank and a church on nearly every corner. It has seven Whataburgers with another soon opening. It is the hometown of Earl Campbell and Johnny Football. It is home to 100 thousand people… It is my home.
This past weekend my college roommates came to visit me here in Tyler. I planned out enough activities to keep them occupied for the weekend. Had they decided to stay another day, we would have been straight out of luck. They told me my hometown was actually so cute and so fun… I told them they were only here for the weekend.
I managed to keep them really busy. Upon their arrival, I had to explain to them something I have explained to a lot of people since going to college. I get asked, “So, what even is there to do in Tyler?” My answer? Tyler is a people place. It is not a place where there is entertainment all around. You entertain yourself with the help of your friends. There happen to be a few places we frequent to do so… I took them to these places.
You are probably thinking, “LOL where did you take these poor girls?” Yeah, my parents laughed at my list too. But you would have done the same thing.
1. Fresh by Brookshire’s.
They told me it was a lot like a place they go called Central Market in Houston. I had told them it was the coolest grocery store ever with great gelato and cheap gas.
2. Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q.
I bragged that it was ranked number two on Business Insider’s list of the best barbecue in the nation. Between the age of the place and the live music, it makes for a pretty cool environment.
3. Tyler Rose Garden Center.
Okay, it might not be a place we go very often, but it is a place you must see if you are visiting. I live here, and the Rose Museum still manages to blow my mind every time I go. Eyes bugged and jaws dropped when my friends saw the extravagant gowns worn by the Rose Queens on display. They also found the largest Rose Garden in the nation, you know, just slightly impressive. I said, “Oh, just wait till October.”
4. Don Juan’s on the Square.
This is where you will find every teenager in Tyler throughout the evening on Wednesday’s. Why? It is the notorious home of dollar taco night!
5. Andy’s Frozen Custard.
Tyler is home to one of three. You’re gonna have to go to Branson or Fayetteville to try the others, though, so Tyler natives got lucky. If you pass through town without having a concrete, you, poor friend, are missing out.
6. The Grove.
The newest, most trendy place to hit East Texas in years. I took them here for Sunday Brunch. No worries, we took a picture in front of the “You make me so happy” mural out front. Us, and every other girl who has been there. Stay tuned to Insta.
7. Blueberry Hill Farms.
Blueberry Pickin’… seemed like the East Texan thing to do. So, 7 a.m. we were up and at ‘em. You have to go a bit out of town and wake up early to beat the heat, but the fresh blueberries and blueberry fro-yo were well worth it.
8. The Foundry Coffee House.
A local owned and operated coffee shop right off the square in Downtown Tyler. It’s a perfect place to catch up, preferably on a Friday… Better known as “Pie Day” at the Foundry.
9. Historic Downtown.
Established in 1846, Tyler comes with a lot of history. In the Spring, the Azalea Trails are a popular site. The Brick Streets that run around Downtown are also a part of Tyler history. We just barely missed the showing of "Aladdin" at the Liberty Hall theater on the Square.
I drove the girlies all around town. I showed them where I went to high school, the treasure that is Broadway Square Mall (lol), even the infamous Hollytree Country Club Parking lot. I drove by my best friends houses, all within a 5-mile radius of my house. I showed them Rose Stadium. I tried to describe the hype about High School football and I just did not do it justice. Don’t worry, the girls did have fun. I introduced them to a lot of my friends, we went swimming, dinner with my family. They stayed entertained. Us Tyler natives are a prideful and crazy little bunch. I am just working on what I am supposed to do if they ever decide to come visit again… Yikes.
My favorite part of their visit comes down to one thing: the look on their faces when we would be somewhere and I would either be recognized or recognize someone. “That sort of thing just does not happen like this in Houston,” they would say. Or when we sat down at the Hibachi grill and the random couple sitting next to us knew my entire family, and I knew their son. That is Tyler. That is home.
