Area Attractions
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There are many activities to keep Lake Palestine residents, and visitors, busy around the lake and its environs! But sometimes we want to get away from the lake for an afternoon, or a weekend. We like to check out the restaurants in Tyler, do some shopping, and explore the back roads of East Texas. Or maybe have a fun adventure on the Texas State Railroad in Palestine and Rusk.
Located in the rolling hills of East Texas in Smith County mid-way between Dallas and Shreveport, Tyler has a wide range of appeal, and things to do in the city, and on short trips.
From world-class golf courses, walking trails, cultural attractions, state parks, festivals, antique shopping, fall motoring and art museums, Tyler and the East Texas area has something for everyone!
The Waterpark @ The Villages
A popular family spot is The Waterpark @ The Villages offering 25,000 square feet of fun space. Its 19,000-square-foot, glass-enclosed recreational area is climate controlled and features a retractable roof for outdoor summer excitement.
Kayak Rentals at Lake Palestine
BB&J Rentals - This new small business, locally owned and operated, rents and delivers kayaks at Lake Tyler and Lake Palestine.
The company also delivers fully charged electric mountain bikes in or around the Tyler, TX, area. Phone 903.300.5585 for more informaiton or visit their website at BB&J Rentals
Pine Cove Christian Camps
Close to Noonday and on the shores of Lake Palestine is the popular Pine Cove Christian Camps, a large multi-venue facility offering both summer, and year-round, camping, retreats, conferences and outdoor education for youths and families. We've been associated with Pine Cove since the early 1990s, and still are in 2022!
Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center
The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) in nearby Athens, TX, combines visitation and outdoor education with a production fish hatchery. Its mission is to provide an educational, entertaining visitor experience that promotes freshwater sport fishing and the enhancement, conservation and stewardship of aquatic resources in Texas.
East Texas Arboretum
The East Texas Arboretum & Botanical Society provides over 100 acres of natural East Texas nature and beauty, in nearby Athens.
Canton First Monday Trade Days
Located about 40 miles west of Tyler via Texas Highway 64 or Interstate Highway I-20 is the City of Canton, home of the First Monday Trade Days. It is considered the largest free flea market in the United States, and is held on Thursday - Sunday preceding the first Monday of each month.
Up to 100,000 visitors can shop there in a given weekend. Visit www.CantonTxFirstMonday.com for details about First Monday venues, market dates, parking, lodging, dining, attractions, the City of Canton and much more information!
Things to Do in Tyler
- Things to do for kids & teens in Tyler
- Earth & Space Science Education (CESSE) Planetarium at TJC
- Tyler Rose Garden
- Caldwell Zoo
- Rose Rudman Recreational Trail
- Goodman-LeGrand House and Museum
- Cotton Belt Depot Museum
- Historic Aviation Memorial Museum
- Texas Rose Festival (October)
- Tyler Rose Museum
- Tyler Azalea Trail (March)
- East Texas State Fair (September)
- Liberty Hall
- Tyler Museum of Art
- Discovery Science Center
- East Texas Symphony Orchestra
- Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge
- Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari Park
Other Area Lakes and Parks
Tyler has convenient access to area lakes that provide boating, fishing, skiing, swimming, and other recreational possibilities.
Tyler State Park, a short drive north of the city, provides overnight camping venues, mountain biking, picnicking, hiking and more. In addition, Lake Tyler and Lake Tawakoni provide opportunities for boating, skiing and fishing.
Toledo Bend Reservoir on the Louisiana-Texas border offers boating, fishing, swimming, marinas, hiking, camping, golf, and resorts.
Lake Athens is located about five miles east of downtown Athens, and covers 1,799 acres with a maximum depth of 50 feet. Visitors to the lake enjoy fishing, watersports, kayaking and padddleboarding. Popular fish species in Lake Athens include largemouth bass, white bass, crappie and red ear sunfish.
The Lake Athens Marina & RV Park provides a wide variety of services and rentals; other facilities are available, such as the Texan RV Park, Windsor Place RV Estates and the Lone Star Camp. Athens Municipal Water Authority owns and operates Lake Athens for municipal water supply, flood regulation, and recreation.
The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is located on the north shore of the lake. More information about the lake at the website of ... Lake Athens at Texas Parks & Wildlife
Day Trips Around Lake Palestine and Upper East Texas
Interesting day trips in several directions from Lake Palestine make great side adventures:
- Jacksonville - to the south of Tyler, Tomato fest, ATV events
- Love's Lookout - beautiful 30-mile vista to the East
- Edom - festivals, potters, artists, garden center
- Canton - site of the famous First Monday Trade Days
- Gladewater - antique capitol of East Texas
- Longview - historic buildings, arboretum, shopping, balloon festival, restaurants
- Marshall - Railroad Museum, more
- Kilgore - East Texas Oil Museum, Kilgore College, more
Tyler also offers a full range of hotels, motels, B&Bs and other lodging and accommodations.