6 East Texas Summer Activities

If you’re looking for a summer getaway destination with something to do for everyone, look no further than East Texas.

Whether you want to enjoy the area’s natural wonders, explore and adventure in the zoos or water parks, shop at the First Monday Trade Days, learn about area history, or simply relax at local wineries and golf courses, East Texas has it all.

The Rose Cottage, located near historic downtown Tyler, Texas, is a perfect accommodation in East Texas for anyone wanting to enjoy their summer vacation in East Texas. If you’re looking for a place to stay that’s a quick drive to all the best attractions, as well as easy walking distance to the shops and restaurants in Tyler’s downtown square and historic district, the Rose Cottage is the ideal lodging for you and your family.

During your stay, here’s a list of East Texas Summer Activities to make your vacation fun for everyone!

1. Play Outside in East Texas

If you’re looking for the best recreational lake fun in summer for the whole family, Tyler State Park is the perfect destination and an easy drive from downtown Tyler. The park offers something for everybody, including 13 beautifully maintained trails through the famous East Texas Piney Woods.

The lake itself is 64 acres, leaving plenty of space for paddle boats, canoeing, swimming, fishing, and just relaxing on the water. The park also provides picnic pavilions, mountain biking trails, and hiking trails on its’ picturesque 985 acres.

2. Plan a Trip to the Zoo

If you’re on summer vacation with your family, a zoo is always a great day trip for kids and adults. The Caldwell Zoo is an accredited zoo with an animal breeding project component to help aid the preservation of endangered animals. So, when you visit, you might have a chance to see a baby rhino, giraffe, or even giant ant eater—all of which were born right there at the zoo!

The zoo, set on a sprawling 80 acres, also features a petting zoo for the kids and two aquariums.

3. Head to the Water Park!

Summer in East Texas—well—summer in Texas gets HOT. What better way to cool down than a day at a water park? You can enjoy water fun with the whole family at either the Splash Kingdom Water Park near Canton or the Water Park at The Villages on Lake Palestine.

If you’re looking for more water adventure, drive over to Athens and visit the Athens Scuba Park. The nationally acclaimed dive site is a 35-foot deep, 8-acre former clay quarry that features sunken boats, airplanes, and buses to dive and explore.

If you’re into diving, the scuba park is a wonderful opportunity right in East Texas.

4. Explore the Natural Wonders of East Texas

If you want to focus your summer adventure around enjoying natural world wonders, East Texas is a great destination. For example, Tyler, Texas, is known for its Azalea Trail and acres of rose gardens. While April is the peak season for azaleas and October for roses, you can visit the historic Azalea Trail, which features many beautiful gardens and historic homes, as well as the Tyler Rose Gardens and the Rose Museum any time of year.

If you’re into hiking, East Texas features dozens of hiking trails through low and high country. You can hike the hill country and piney woods or venture into the East Texas “Big Thicket,” which has the distinction of being the first land the US designated as a National Preserve.

This beautiful natural world spans over 100,000 acres and is home to all types of plants and animals.
Whether you want to hike, mountain bike, go birding, or enjoy the area’s waterways, the Big Thicket is a nature lover’s dream destination.

5. Did Someone Say “Shopping”?

A visit to East Texas’ “First Monday Trade Days in Canton” is not to be missed during an East Texas getaway. This nationally acclaimed outdoor flea market is open the first Monday of every month from Thursday to Saturday. First Monday is the nation’s biggest outdoor flea market in continuous operation.
There are more than 5,000 vendors with an incredible range of merchandise—there really is something here for everyone.

Bring your walking shoes, sunscreen, and a map, because the shopping area covers around 700,000 square feet.

Shopping makes people hungry, so you can also enjoy delicious snacks, food, and ice cream from a large selection of vendors.

6. History for Everyone

If you enjoy a little local history on your summer vacation, East Texas has something for the whole family to enjoy. From the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame to the Texas Energy Museum, you can tour Texas’ rich legacy through multiple historical sites.

An East Texas summer getaway guarantees everyone will have a good time and make wonderful memories. There’s something for everyone to enjoy. Start planning your trip today!