Parks
26 parks, playgrounds and dog parks in the city.
- Pollard Park0.8 mi from downtown
- Bergfeld Park1.1 mi from downtown
- Connally Heights Park1.3 mi from downtown
On a budget
Free things to do in Tyler
5 kinds of free outings in and around Tyler.
Good days out in Tyler don’t have to cost anything. These ideas come from the city’s parks, libraries, historic landmarks and nearby public lands. For free concerts, markets and festivals this week, see the free events calendar.
Libraries
Borrow books, movies and museum passes, and join free programs.
- Tyler Public Library201 S College Ave
Historic places
32 landmarks on the National Register, many easy to see on a walk.
- Blackstone BuildingBuilt 1938
- Carnegie Public LibraryBuilt 1904
- People's National Bank BuildingBuilt 1932
Hiking
Trails on public land; some areas charge a parking or day-use fee.
- Alley Creek Camp53 mi northeast
- Buckhorn Creek56 mi northeast
- Lake O' The Pines56 mi northeast
Wildlife viewing
Birding and nature watching on public land.
- Brushy Creek Day Use52 mi northeast
- Alley Creek Camp53 mi northeast
- Johnson Creek Camp55 mi northeast
Get a feel for the city
A WALK AROUND TOWN
A Walk Through the Tyler Rose Garden
A tour of the Tyler Rose Garden in full October bloom, shared by Visit Tyler.
Watch on YouTube ↗
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
Day Trip to Tyler
A full episode of The Daytripper exploring the Rose Capital and its rose garden.
Watch on YouTube ↗Questions
What are free things to do in Tyler?
Parks, Libraries, Historic places, Hiking, Wildlife viewing. City parks and libraries are free; some outdoor areas on federal land charge a parking or day-use fee, noted on each listing.
Are there free events in Tyler this weekend?
Check the free events calendar, updated daily from local organizations, libraries and the city.
Do I need a library card to use the library?
No card is needed to visit or attend most programs; a free card from the local library lets you borrow books, movies and often museum passes.