2008 Azalea Trail Year-Round Attractions

The following list of year-round attractions are ative during the 2008 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 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.

Website: www.ballettyler.org

One of the finest examples of Eastlake Bracketed Victorian Architecture remaining in East Texas. Guided Tours depicting Tyler's political, cultural history from post-Civil War. Birthplace of noted Washington D.C. news correspondent, Sarah McClendon. Also available for weddings and parties.
Open by Appointment Only. Tours: Saturday 10-4 | Sunday 1-4, fee.

Website: www.mcclendonhouse.net

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

Website: www.brookshiresmuseum.com

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.

Website: www.caldwellzoo.org

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 is now a public park, managed by the Smith County Historical Society. The park features a kiosk with extensive graphics detailing the history of the camp, a walking trail with interpretive signage, a reconstruction of a POW cabin, and picnic facilities. Open daily, dawn to dusk. FREE admission!

Website: www.campford.org

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.

Website: www.cherokeetrace.org

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!

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.

Website: www.cowancenter.org

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.

Website: www.dewberryplantation.com

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 Fee.

Website: www.discoveryscienceplace.com

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!

Website: www.etso.org

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

Website: www.firemountainamusements.com

A delight for antique lovers and historians, this Tyler landmark brings the past to life with original furnishings, photographs and memorabilia dating from the mid-1800's. FREE Admission! Tue-Fri: 10am-4pm, Sat: 1-4pm

Website: www.cityoftyler.org/Default.aspx?tabid=308

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

Website: www.calicomeadows.com/harrold/

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.

Website: www.tylerhamm.com

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

Website: http://planetarium.tjc.edu/

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.

Website: www.moorefarms.com

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.

Website: www.roselandplantation.com

Included in the National Register of Historic Places, the 1904 Carnegie Library building today serves as the Society's museum and archives. Exhibits feature artifacts reflecting Smith County's historic, social and economic culture, including the Indian, Republic of Texas, Civil War and 20th Century eras. Photographs and publications are available for purchase. Museum open 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday. Archives open 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m., Wednesday only. FREE admission!

Website: www.smithcountyhistory.org

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.

Website: www.tigercreek.org

Tyler Market Center is a veritable shopper’s paradise with something for the most discriminating shopper on your list (YOU)! From the hard to find gifts, to the very best prices on the things you need. Whether it’s new merchandise, arts and crafts, Antiques, Collectibles, Furniture, Food, Clothing, Pets or flea market items, you will most likely find it here! Tyler Trade Days held every 3rd Saturday weekend (rain or shine) from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Website: www.tyler-market.com

Fourteen acres and 400 rose varieties testify to Tyler's standing as the "Rose Capital of the World". To view a wonderfully informative page about the Rose Garden, please click here. FREE Admission.

Website: www.cityoftyler.org/Default.aspx?tabid=590

“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. Admission is free to most exhibitions, although some major traveling exhibitions have an admission fee. Exhibition hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m; Sunday, 1 – 5 p.m., closed Mondays. The Museum Gift Shop is well-stocked with unique items, and the wonderful Museum Café is open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday.

Website: www.tylermuseum.org

A spectacular display of memorabilia and items related to Tyler's rose-growing industry and the Texas Rose Festival. Admission Fee, special exhibits have fees.

Website: www.texasrosefestival.com/museum/index.htm

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

Website: www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/tyler