2010 Azalea Trail Year-Round Attractions

The following list of year-round attractions are ative during the 2010 Azalea Trail. Please note that although we make every effort to ensure attraction information is accurate, some attraction dates, times, and descriptions can change without our notice.

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Ballet Tyler
Tyler, Texas
Phone: 903.596.0224

Ballet Tyler is made up of 20 local dancers from East Texas aging from 11 to 20. The purpose of the Ballet Tyler is to provide opportunities for both dancers and East Texas audiences to experience the fine art of dance at the highest possible quality. This is accomplished through classroom instruction, special workshops, and reasonably-priced performances. Ballet Tyler helps provide scholarship assistance to deserving dancers for advanced studies.

The Bonner-Whitaker McClendon House Historic Tours
806 W Houston, Tyler, Texas
Phone: (903) (903) 592-3533

Fridays (2-5pm), Saturdays (10am-5pm), Sundays (1-5pm) Guided tour detailing Tyler’s history from the 1870s. Group and bus tours available. Special murder mysteries and spirit tours offered to groups of 20+. $7 per adult, tour bus $5. 806 W. Houston Street (corner of Vine and Houston). 903.592.3533 or 903.312.0314.

Brookshire's World of Wildlife Museum and Country Store
1600 WSW Loop 323, Tyler, TX
Phone: 903.534.2169

Features over 250 mounted examples of wildlife and a replica 1920's grocery store. FREE Admission. Tue-Sat: 9am-12pm and 1-5pm.

Caldwell Zoo
More than 2000 animals from 250 species from Africa, North and South America live in natural habitats at the 85-acre park. The zoo includes a children's petting pen, two aquariums, picnic areas, a café that overlooks an African savannah and gift shops with original African items. The zoo also has seasonal presentations including: a bird show, alligator feedings, giraffe feedings, and elephant demonstrations.

General Admission: Children 2 and under - Free, Children 3 through 12 - $4.00, Adults - $7.50, Seniors 55 and older - $6.50.

Hours: open daily March - Labor day 9:00am to 5:00pm (exhibits remain open until 6:00pm), After Labor Day - February 9:00am to 4:00pm (exhibits remain open until 4:30pm). Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Days.

Camp Ford Historic Park
US Hwy 271, 0.8 miles north of Loop 323, Tyler, TX
Phone: 903.592.5993

Camp Ford was the largest Confederate Prisoner of War Camp west of the Mississippi River during the American Civil War. The site of the Camp stockade is now a public park, owned by Smith County, Texas, and managed by the Smith County Historical Society. The park contains a information kiosk, paved trail, interpretive signage, a cabin reconstruction, a picnic area, and plenty of parking. Camp Ford Historic Park is located on US Highway 271, 0.8 miles outside Loop 323 in Tyler, Texas. It is open daily, dawn to dusk, and admission is free.

Cherokee Trace Drive Thru Safari Park
1200 C.R. 4405, Jacksonville, Texas 75766
Phone: 903.683.3322
Fax: 903.597.3313

Nestled in the lush piney woods of East Texas, Cherokee Trace Drive Thru Safari Park is home to hundreds of exotic and endangered animals. These amazing animals thrive in an open habitat similar to their native territory. Enjoy a leisurely, self-guided drive through the hills and open savanna of the 300 acre preserve. From the comfort of your own vehicle, observe, feed and photograph these beautiful creatures.

Cotton Belt Depot
210 E. Oakwood Street, Tyler, TX
(downtown, 2 blocks Northeast of the Chamber of Commerce)
Phone: 903.533.8057

The Cotton Belt Depot was built in 1905 and began serving passengers on the Cotton Belt Line in 1907. Visitors are encouraged to take a look around and step back in time, remembering the thousands of travelers who passed through this historic structure in the earlyand mid-1900’s. In addition to touring this historic building, visitors can also enjoy The Bragg Model Train Collection on permanent display at the depot. Hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 9am-4pm. FREE admission!

Cowan Center
The University of Texas at Tyler campus
3900 University Boulevard
Phone: 903.566.7424

The UT Tyler Cowan Fine & Performing Arts Center presents national and international touring arts and educational programming to enrich the cultural climate for the East Texas Region. Artists presented by the Cowan Center’s many series have included Bill Cosby, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, David Copperfield, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Lyle Lovett, Momix, Gregory Hines, Tim Conway and Harvey Korman, and Broadway shows Miss Saigon, Annie, Chicago, Cats, and Stomp. For information about current presentations, please call 903-566-7424.

Dewberry Plantation
14007 FM 346W, Bullard, TX
Phone: 903.825.9000

Listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks, the Dewberry Plantation is the oldest two-story structure in Smith County. Guided tours take visitors back to the era of an 1850's Southern plantation. Reservations for groups of 10 or more. Rental available.

The Discovery Science Place
308 N. Broadway, Tyler, TX
Phone: 903.533.8011

Hands-on family fun for kids of all ages. View bats in the bat cave, trigger an earthquake into motion under your feet, snake your way through mysterious tunnels and explore the depths of a limestone cavern. Investigate the bones of "Big Ethel", the triceratops dinosaur. The Discovery Science Place offers three exhibit halls where kids of all ages are free to move around and explore. So, come be a kid again! Mon-Sat: 9am-5pm, Sun: 1-5pm. Admission $6.00 per person, some discounts apply.

East Texas Symphony Orchestra
305 S. Broadway, Suite 605, Tyler, Texas 75702
Phone: 903.526.ETSO (3876)

The East Texas Symphony Orchestra Association is guided by a dynamic and diverse Board of Directors which fosters the growth and development of the Orchestra to keep pace with the needs of the community. ETSO continues to strive to bring classical music to a broader segment of our community. The East Texas Symphony Orchestra... a sound discovery!

Fire Mountain Amusements
14722 State Hwy. 155-S, Tyler, TX
Phone: 903.561.2670

Great Fun for the entire family! Featuring: Go-Karts, Bumper Boats, Video & Redemption Arcade and Miniature Golf. FREE Admission - Rides & Attractions Individually Priced

Goodman Museum
624 N. Broadway, Tyler, TX
Phone: (903) 531.1286

Available for tours throughout the Azalea Trail. Tues.-Sat. (10am-4pm) Sun. (1-4pm) A delight for antique lovers and historians, this landmark brings the past to life with original furnishings and memorabilia dating from the mid-1800s. FREE admission. 624 N. Broadway.

Harrold's Model Train Museum
8103 US Hwy 271 N, Tyler, TX
Phone: 903.531.9404

1200 pieces of rolling stock on more than 300 feet of track. 1100 trains in lighted showcases. Admission Fee.

Historic Aviation Memorial Museum
2198 Dixie Drive, Tyler, TX (1/2 mile south of Hwy 64 West on Dixie Drive, adjacent to Pounds Air Field)
Phone: 903.526.1945

An incredible display of historic aircraft and aviation memorabilia as a tribute to pioneers of flight. FREE Admission. Hours of Operation: Monday- Friday 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Hudnall Planetarium
1200 S. Mahon, Tyler, TX
Phone: 903.510.2312

Multimedia presentations and "star parties" make for great family fun. Admission Fee. Open by appointment only. Contact Tracy for more info.

Moore Farms
22142 County Road 181, Hwy 344 W, Bullard, TX
Phone: 903.894.1030

300 acres west of Bullard, owned and operated by 5th generation of Newburn decendants. Moore Farm's goal is to educate the public about agriculture and farm life as well as market organic produce and homemade Texas goods. Fun Family Programs listed below! Programs: Fall Hay Rides, Full Farm Pass, Corny Maze Craze, The Pumplin Package, Farm Camp, Fresh Cut Flowers, Subscription Farming Service.

Roseland Plantation
2601 State Hwy 64W, Ben Wheeler, TX
Phone: 903.849.5553

The Roseland Plantation is a registered Texas State Historical Landmark. It encompases a wedding chapel, ballroom and bed and breakfast made available for weddings and parties. The grand antebellum home was built in 1854 by Burwell Hambrick and was a cotton plantation that encompassed 3,000 acres. Mr. Hambrick built the first cotton gin in Van Zandt County. For many years it served as a stagecoach stop. Tours daily, fee, and minimum of four.

Smith County Historical Society's Museum & Archives
125 S. College, Tyler, TX
Phone: 903.592.5993

Smith County Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1959, operates a museum and archives located in the former Carnegie Public Library building in downtown Tyler. Permanent exhibits include life-size dioramas with Smith County history topics ranging from Caddo Indians to the Twentieth Century. Other items from the Society's collections are showcased in revolving, temporary exhibits. Publications, photographs, and maps are available for purchase at the museum, as well. The Society's archival library contains historical artifacts of Smith County, including newspapers, city directories, school records, photographs, maps, historical papers, rare books and much more.

Museum open 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday. Archives open 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m., Wednesday only. Admission is free, but a donation is suggested.

Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR)
17544 HWY. 14, Tyler, Texas 75706
Phone: 903.858.1008
Fax: 903.858.1509

Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) is an "Incorporated Animal Shelter" for the big cats. Tiger Creek provides rescue and rehabilitation of big cats that have been abused, neglected, or displaced. Tiger Creek provides a place for these great cats to live the remainder of their lives without threats in a stress-free environment that caters to the well being of the cats.

Tyler Muncipal Rose Garden
1900 W. Front, Tyler, Texas
Phone: (903) 531-1212

Tyler’s famous Rose Garden features 14 acres, 38,000 rose bushes, over 500 rose varieties and is host to the beautiful Camellia-Shade garden that features many azalea varieties. Open daily, FREE to the public.
Website: http://www.cityoftyler.org/Default.aspx?tabid=590

Tyler Museum of Art
1300 South Mahon Ave. (Adjacent to Tyler Junior College)
PHONE: (903) 595-1001

“Come Discover a Texas Treasure”. The Tyler Museum of Art is a wonderful destination for people seeking a dynamic, culturally-enriching experience in the visual arts. From its 700-piece permanent collection to a remarkable array of traveling exhibitions, the TMA is recognized as a major attraction for both tourists and local visitors. The Tyler Museum of Art’s permanent collection focuses on early and modern Texas artists, but has also been the recipient of several noted private collections.
Website: http://www.tylermuseum.org/

Tyler Rose Museum
420 Rose Park Drive, Tyler, TX
Phone: (903) 597-3130

The Rose Museum displays the pageantry of the Texas Rose Festival with memorabilia and exhibits. March-Oct. Hours: Mon.-Fri., 9am 4:30pm, Sat., 10am-4:30pm & Sun., 1:30-4:30pm. Adults, $3.50, children (ages 3 to 11), $2.00.
Website: http://www.texasrosefestival.com/museum/index.htm

Tyler State Park
789 Park Road 16, Tyler TX 75706
(FM 14 North)
Phone: 903.597.5338

Camping, boating,swimming, hiking, canoe and paddleboat rental. 985 acre park around a spring-fed lake. Admission Fee.