January 13th, 2010
Santa Land is located off Hwy 20 going towards Dallas. Santa Land opens up November 1 every year and stays open during the Holiday Season until January 4th. Cost $25 per car and $35 per 15 passenger van. I have been there several times so far and the waiting period has been around one hour or so depending on the time you arrive there. The sooner you get there, the less you have to wait. It is an excellent thing to do for your children and your family during Christmas.
You might think that going around and looking at the Christmas lights around Tyler might be cheaper and less of a waiting period. I guarantee you it won’t be as fun as going at least once through Santa Land. You can go run by a fast food place and eat it in the car while you wait in line. While you are waiting in line you can use that time to listen to music or talk to your children or you can just be silent. There are people that walk around your cars and try to sell you all kinds of stuff that lights up and it costs $5 dollars per item (These people are not with Santa Land or a part of the park. Santa Land only sells things within their gate).
Beyond just the light show display there is The 4000 sq ft gift shop filled with ornaments of all varieties.
There is a Snack shack where you can buy some really delicious hot chocolate, homemade treats, fudge, cookies, and much more.
They have tractor drawn trailer rides and a real live Santa Claus to meet and take pictures with that starts Thanksgiving and runs until Christmas.
I know you are probably thinking you can do without spending all this time on something that will only last for a little while. You are right, you can do without it but your children will love it. We even broke down and bought a sword that lights up and my 22 month old loved it. It was worth it just to see how excited she was to play with the toy and spending time with mommy and daddy while looking at the awesome lights. You only get to come here once a year so I think you can spare $25 dollars a year to go and have some fun with your friends and family and if you really don’t have $25 dollars to spend then borrow a 15 passenger van and get some of your friends together and split the cost. That will be even cheaper than $25 dollar.
Either way you do it I think it will be worth your time and money. I know you are waiting to hear what goes on around Santa Land for that much money? When you enter Santa Land they tell you the music radio station that you need to turn to while you are there. The whole place is filled with lights of all types and shapes and is synced with the radio channel that plays Christmas music. They have the Santa Wish shop and his little elves helping Santa. Also they have scenes depicting Jesus, all kinds of flowers and so many other lights. My words really don’t do justice to the place and no matter how hard I try to describe the place you will have to go see it for yourself as to what Santa Land has to offer.
After you are done watching all the lights they have, then you can stop and go look at all the things they have to sell. They have some really neat stuff actually and the price is probably around the same as other places. While I was there I saw an item that was $12 dollars and it was three crosses made out of metal. The item was real nice looking metal made to represent the crucifixion of Jesus. I thought that paying $12 for something like that was not too bad if you like or collect crosses. You will mainly find a galore of different Christmas related items for sale and most of the items are a splendid display of ornaments of all kinds.
The Santa Land Wish Shop has a little something for everyone’s liking but it’s mainly about the kids. After all that shopping you will probably have worked up an appetite and be hungry. They have an area where you can order something to eat but I would drive up I20 to Bodacious barbecue for some real food. The owner, Cindy has done a wonderful job in making this a family experience sure to leave lasting memories for everyone. Well, I hope I convinced you to go visit Santa Land come this next holiday season.
Tags: Cars, Christmas, Christmas Lights, Fast Food, Food Place, Friends And Family, Holiday Season, Lindale Santa Land, Mommy And Daddy, Much Money, Music Station, Santa Land, Several Times, Spending Time, Sword, Time And Money, Tyler Santa Land, Waiting In Line, Waiting Period, Weeks Before Christmas
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January 12th, 2010
As I’ve perused the Tyler Directory I’ve been reminded of one particular fact about our fair city: we have a ton of restaurants. In fact Tyler is often accused by out of towners of being concerned largely with its collective stomach. While conceding that Tylerites do indeed love good food, I contend that buffets & bistros are not our only passions. There are also hospitals, churches, & private schools. So as a history teacher myself; I thought I’d focus on a local historical & cultural landmark.
The Historic Aviation Memorial Museum is now located in the old Tyler Pounds field terminal. There are really two parts to the museum. The first part is the indoor section. It is packed with pictures, models & artifacts of both military & civilian aircraft. There are flags & uniforms from every major air force going back to the First World War. Some of the pieces are quite personal. Photos, letters & newspaper clippings of World War II pilots connect the visitor to another age. A Japanese flag carried by a kamikaze pilot & signed by his comrades hangs on the wall under glass.
The Museum also focuses on the contributions of East Texans to America’s war efforts over the last century. I should add that the newest acquisition is an actual moon rock on loan from the Johnson space center.
The outdoor portion of the museum features about ten restored Vietnam & Korean War era aircraft. These aircraft some of which actually saw combat now sit in quiet retirement & serve to fascinate visitors, (including my little boy).
The staff of the museum seems genuinely more concerned with the preservation of the history they oversee than marketing the institution. Educating the young visitors is more important then advertising. As someone who loves the experience of visiting museums & historical sites, I can say that we are privileged to have such a wonderful archive in our own backyard. I’m certain that my son & I (& my history class) will be visiting repeatedly in the near future.
Tags: Bistros, Civilian Aircraft, East Texans, Field Terminal, First World War, Historic Aviation Memorial Museum, History Teacher, Japanese Flag, Johnson Space Center, Kamikaze Pilot, Korean War, Moon Rock, Museum Features, Newspaper Clippings, Out Of Towners, Own Backyard, Passions, Personal Photos, Tyler Pounds Field, Tyler TX Aviation Museum, War Efforts, World War Ii
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January 12th, 2010
It’s hard to believe, but summer is winding down already. We all want to squeeze the last drops of rest and relaxation out of the season, (regardless of whether or not we’ve had much of that previously). Well I would suggest a trip to a favorite East Texas stop. As Texans we are blessed with a wonderful system of State Parks. Tyler State Park puts the Texas Piney Woods on display both for locals and out of towners. The park is centered around a sixty four acre lake and offers a full array of activities including: swimming, hiking, boating, fishing and camping. There are bike trails of varying difficulty and campgrounds fully equipped with water, electricity, tables and fire pits. If a customer enjoys the outdoors but prefers the comforts of the indoors, there are screened shelters and cabins.
For day trips the swimming and boating area of the park is very convenient. There is a great beach with restrooms and a concession and gift shop close by. But East Texans need not worry about trying to cram a visit into a busy summer. In Texas some of the best out door time comes in the fall. What could be better than sitting by a fire on a cool autumn night? The Park is open all year although a few activities, (like swimming for instance) may be closed for the season. This is still one of the best times to camp however, due to a lack of bugs and the cooler weather.
The cost of an outing T.S.P. is quite reasonable. A day pass is just three dollars a day for those over thirteen years of age. For primitive campsites, (meaning sites with water but no electricity) the cost is just thirteen dollars a night. For campsites with water and electric, the cost is slightly higher at seventeen dollars a night. For campsites offering water, electric and sewer hook ups, (designated primarily for recreational vehicles) the cost is twenty dollars a night. If you desire all of these functions and spot by the lake, the cost is twenty two dollars a night, (tents are permitted in this area). Lastly, screened in areas are for rent as well at a rate of twenty five dollars a night.
For businesses, church groups, or others, there are numerous programs and venues for their organized events. The park periodically holds educational events for the public as well. For more information on these opportunities see the parks webpage at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/tyler, or call (903)597-5338. Tyler State park is located on highway fourteen just off Interstate twenty.
Whether you want to close your summer with a bang, or are already planning for a fall getaway this area park has a lot to offer at a reasonable rate. Consider maximizing your play time, minimizing your travel time, and spending that vacation money close to home.
Tags: Acre Lake, Autumn Night, Bike Trails, Boating Area, Campgrounds, Day Trips, East Texans, East Texas, Fire Pits, Hook Ups, Parks in East Texas, Piney Woods, Primitive Campsites, Restrooms, State Parks, Thirteen Dollars, Thirteen Years, Three Dollars, Two Dollars, Tyler State Park, Tyler TX State Park, UPS
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January 12th, 2010
The Caldwell Zoo first opened in 1953. Admission was free in those days and attractions included a lion and a chimpanzee. Over the years more animals like elephants and giraffes were added, along with the necessary facilities. In 1983 a section devoted to native species was developed, and in successive years many new animals and habitats followed. Today the zoo encompasses eighty five acres and over two thousand animals.
The zoo is currently divided into four sections, namely: the African, North American, South American, and the Fish and Reptile sections. The African section features lions, elephants, giraffes and many others. The Chakula Café overlooks much of the African section. Visitors can enjoy lunch beneath the thatched roof while watching the zebras and the antelopes graze in the field below. This is a wonderful spot to relax and cool off.
The North American section features native species like the cougar, the bald eagle, the bison and everyone’s favorite the otter. Guests can stroll the boardwalk over the small river and spend a few moments feeding the water foul.
The South American section contains some stunningly beautiful birds as well as the ever popular monkeys. The aquarium containing fish and reptiles is wonderful. The color and variety are striking. Not to be taken for granted on a hot summer day is the fact that the aquarium is cool and dark. The fact is, every section in the zoo has its highlights, and I’m probably leaving out some wonderful exhibits.
The Caldwell Zoo in Tyler offers a number of excellent educational programs, including: day camps, scavenger hunts, and classes for scouts and homeschoolers. There is also a petting zoo where youngsters can play with the goats.
Unfortunately the zoo is no longer free. That policy changed years ago when it underwent an expansion. However, considering the improvements over the years the cost is more than worth the return. Today, the Caldwell Zoo remains one of Tyler’s jewels, worthy of a much larger city. As time goes by it will certainly remain a source of pride for East Texans. For more information see their website at www.caldwellzoo.org.
Tags: Antelopes, Aquarium Fish, Bald Eagle, Beautiful Birds, Caldwell Zoo, Chimpanzee, Day Camps, East Texas, Elephants, Five Acres, Giraffes, Hot Summer Day, Native Species, Necessary Facilities, Petting Zoo, Scavenger Hunts, Section Features, Thatched Roof, Tyler Texas Zoo, Tyler TX Zoo, Wonderful Spot, Zebras
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January 8th, 2010
Tyler Green Acres Bowling located in the Tyler Texas area is lots of fun and fairly cheap. If you are looking for something fun and clean to do with your friends, I would strongly encourage you to try bowling.
I went there with some of my friends. The shoes only cost a couple of dollars and the game was $2.00 per game. Besides being cheap, it is very entertaining and lots of fun. Also it is a clean, environment, smoke free.
In addition to bowling there are also lots of other games you can play if you don’t like bowling.
There is a small area for food at reasonable prices and the taste is not bad. Also for a bonus there is free coffee. You can’t beat that. For those who would like to have a drink while they play a game there is a small bar area where you can order some drinks. Of course, I think it might impair your game so it’s probably better not to. But like I said that is available for those who like to mix the two together.
Next time you are thinking of something fun to do, but do not have lots of money to spend, gather some of your friends together and go to Tyler Green Acres Bowing. You won’t be disappointed, just thrilled.
In addition to the fun of bowling it will be pretty comical, watching your friends bowl. If you are the type of person that likes to make new friends, there are a lot of other people there that are bowling. You never know who you might meet. You just might make a new friend, while you are at it. And if you don’t have money for that, it never costs anything to go watch your friends and hang out. It beats being alone on a Friday or Saturday night.
Tags: Bonus, Bowling Green, Clean Environment, Drinks, Free Coffee, Game, Games, Green Acres, Lots Of Fun, Lots Of Money, New Friend, New Friends, Saturday Night, Shoes, Something Fun, Tyler Texas, tyler tx bowling
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