After much reading, writing and discussion, I finally took my son to Discovery Science Place in Tyler. The stop largely exceeded my expectations. Discovery has a climbing wall, an extensive network of caves, a large ship, which focuses on geography, and numerous science stations, which allow visitors to view rudimentary scientific principles in action. My favorite station allows youngsters to find and excavate dinosaur bones. Another wing of the museum shows young visitors models of local businesses and community institutions. Kids can visit the bank, grocery store doctor’s office or an eatery. They can also learn about the legal system while putting their friends and family members on trial. This summer’s special event is “Predators, the Exhibit.” The traveling exhibit is brought to Tyler thanks to the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock, Arkansas. It lets visitors get up close and personal with some of our planet’s most adept hunters. Discovery Science Place has also been holding its Camp Discovery program, which as I understand it, is kind of like a science version of Vacation Bible School. The program started back in June and continues until August 11th, so there’s still a little time for those interested to get involved. Discovery Science Place is a really fun new stop for our area. Obviously it has some growing to do yet. I don’t think its ready to be the draw for outsiders that local favs like The Caldwell Zoo, or the Brookshire’s Museum are. But given a little time and development, it could be. It has certainly created a buzz among parents in our town. Lately, seems I’m always being asked “Have you taken him to Discovery Science yet?” Regardless, the kids will love this museum, and they may even learn a little something along the way.
Discovery Science Place in Tyler… Finally
July 24th, 2012Summer Activities in Tyler for 2012
May 30th, 2012
Nearly every summer we, here at Tyler TX Directory, put out a list of summer activities as suggestions for East Texas parents. Keeping the kids busy and maybe even learning a little something, during the summer months can be a challenge. Family vacations are generally more difficult than years past, due to financial concerns, so the trick is making the summer fun and memorable without going overboard on expenses. So our suggestions are as follows:
The Caldwell Zoo is always on the list, but hey it’s always fun educational and is ever improving. It remains an area favorite. The Brookshire’s Wildlife Museum looks from the outside like an odd place for a family museum, but trust us, it’s a great stop. (It’s graced our site on numerous occasions already, so feel free to scroll through the attractions column on the right for more info). Discovery Science Place is located in downtown Tyler and is a growing attraction in our area. Admittedly it’s been a while since I’ve checked it out but I’m hearing it mentioned more and more by local parents. This summer the museum is welcoming a traveling exhibit called Predator and Prey. And here are the summer activities schedule for the Caldwell Zoo:
ZOO MEMBERS’ ONLY EVENING AT THE ZOO
Come enjoy a special evening at the zoo! ZooMembers are welcome to bring a picnic supper or enjoy food from our Chakula Cafe. There will be behind-the-scenes looks at our newly refurbished cat enclosures as well as keeper chats throughout the evening. Of course, you will want to stop by the concession stands for a complimentary small sno-cone and have fun feeding the birds at Wild Bird Walkabout with a complimentary seed stick
June 8 5:00-8:00 p.m.
RED, WHITE AND BLUE AT THE ZOO
Celebrate our country’s birthday! Caldwell Zoo appreciates our country’s military personnel! On July 4th, the zoo will give one free admission with a valid military ID.
DON’T STEP ON A BEE DAY
July 10th is set aside each year as “Don’t Step on a Bee Day.” Don’t bee left out–make a beeline for the African Huts where we’ll have a hive-full of fun activi-bees.
July 7 1:30-4:00 p.m.
BACK TO SCHOOL
Bring your small fry to the African Huts for some swimming-good fishy fun.
August 25 1:30-4:00 p.m.
ELEPHANT APPRECIATION DAY
There will be a trunk-load of elephant fun on the African Overlook.
September 22 1:30-4:00 p.m.
One area attraction that is often overlooked in our area is the Hudnall Planetarium. The Planetarium is located at Tyler Junior College, and to my surprise, has actually begun advertising on local television. Hudnall has really great programs running this summer, including IMAX films. Visit their web page for more information. http://www.tjc.edu/cesse/ I love making trips to the Gulf Coast, in fact I hope visit the beach at some point this summer. Now I may or may not be able to make that happen, but I know a visit to Tyler State Park,is always a possibility. Great campsites and a sandy beach are never more than an hour away for most Tylerites. For older students and or children, The Historical Aviation Memorial Museum, and The American Freedom Museum,are two of my documented favs.
The popular Faulkner Park splash park is a great free option for the summer time. This is a small water based park inside of Faulkner park which is known for mainly being a softball and tennis court park with some biking and hiking trails. I think you will find the splash park to be a fun place to bring the kids and there are two playgrounds at this park as well when the kids want to do something not water based.
Many local churches are holding Vacation Bible School programs this summer as well. Most use a standardized curriculum which allows potential students multiple opportunities to get on board at some point over the break. Christ Episcopal Church is holding theirs from June, 25ththrough the 29th. https://www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/CEC/gpgs/Home.aspx, www.christchurchtyler.org I’m no doubt leaving off some good stops and events, but for those of us wanting to fill the kids summer days with something other than Xbox and Boomerang, I think these are a good start. As a parting note I should also remind readers that we are living through a golden age of Ranger’s Baseball, so if the cost is affordable, what better summer memory then a family outing at the ball park?
Boo at the Zoo! Halloween at Caldwell
October 30th, 2010
In the last few years since Tyler TX Directory has come under new ownership, a lot has been written about Tyler’s Caldwell Zoo. The zoo has been a worthy point of pride for Tylerites since its founding in 1953. Ever since that time the institution has grown steadily, all the while offering any number of educational programs to area youth and families.
The East Texas climate makes spring and fall the best times of the year to visit the zoo. What better way to spend a beautiful autumn weekend then packing up the boy and strolling through the park like- grounds of the Caldwell Zoo? Well, it seems I wasn’t the only one to whom this thought occurred today. Saturday, October thirtieth was the zoo’s Boo at the Zoo Halloween party. Everywhere there were parents and children in every imaginable Halloween costume. Zoo employees where around every bend handing out candy to young visitors, and letting patrons get up close and personal with animals more in keeping with the Halloween spirit, particularly snakes, spiders, reptiles and other critters.
I don’t exactly remember my last visit but it seems every time I go I find something new. Whether the exhibits I find are actually new or simply new to me, I can’t be sure but it always adds to my experience to observe the zoo’s growth. This time I discovered (or re
discovered, whichever the case may be), the Penguin tanks. I don’t know too many folks who would fail to be entertained by the show they put on. I have to say however that my favorite stop remains the Chakula Café. In cooler weather it’s an ideal spot to sit, read and take in the view of the African exhibit. Add a good cup of coffee to that by the way and you have the makings of a pretty fine day.
Today’s event was a great idea. It gave parents a memorable way to celebrate Halloween with younger children, in a safe family friendly environment. Even better, it’s educational! For those who missed Boo at the Zoo, don’t worry. You haven’t missed autumn. There’s plenty of time to enjoy fall at the Caldwell Zoo. For more info on the zoo and its upcoming events, visit their web site at www.caldwellzoo.org, or see any of the many other articles on this site by clicking on the Zoos listing to the right of this article.
Jack Hanna visits Tyler
October 12th, 2010
Jack Hanna Tyler Texas
I was very excited when I first heard that the celebrity animal trainer Jack Hanna was going to be visiting Tyler‘s Caldwell Zoo. On arriving to the zoo, I was overwhelmed by large crowd that showed up. I came with two small children that were extremely excited to see all the animals that we heard Jack Hanna was going to show.
My hopes were very high going to this event, but was quickly shot down. He only showed three birds and a few snakes. Jack told some very interesting stories of the adventures that he has had. He gave his opinion on P.E.D.A. and their attempts to close down many zoos and Sea World. Although he told many interesting stories, there was nothing to keep the attention of young children including my own. My kids just wanted to see animals do tricks, and honestly, so did I.
I was in agreement with the explorer when he expressed his feelings about the animal rights organization P.E.D.A. He had expressed that he was extremely disturbed by the idea of closing down zoos and Sea World. Zoos are in place to educate young children about wild life. Many people, such as the famous “crocodile hunter” Steve Irwin, have died trying to educate children of the animals around the world. Jack Hanna said that he loves animals but he thinks that children’s education is more important. Animals in preservations such as our own Caldwell Zoo here in Tyler is not abusing animal rights or abusive towards animals, but are a safe place that people can observe animals from across the world.
Jack Hanna talked about his adventures and encounters with people and animals from all different countries. His stories were very interesting and I would like to hear him again but I wish that the zoo would of described his presentation as him telling stories, instead of being some what misleading and saying that he was going to show animals and entertain children of all ages.
Brookshire’s World of Wildlife Museum & Country Store
September 28th, 2010Brookshire’s World of Wildlife Museum & Country Store
1600 W.S.W. Loop 323 and Old Jacksonville Highway
Tyler, Texas
(903) 534-2169
Since the Caldwell Zoo started charging admission there just aren’t a whole lot of places in Tyler that are both fun for the whole family and free. You could go to the park, I suppose, but that’s more fun for the kids than the parents and besides who wants to hang around outside when the temperature is into triple digits for most of the summer. But at least there is one place left in Tyler that can interest both adults and children, has air conditioning, and is free – Brookshire’s World of Wildlife Museum & Country Store.
Brookshires World of Wild Life Museum
Our family has been to Brookshire’s Wildlife Museum several times now and we have always enjoyed it. When you enter the building you just sign your name in the guest registrar book and your good to go. There is always a friendly lady around the front to greet visitors and to answer any questions you might have. Then you can begin your tour of the place. The Brookshire’s Wildlife Museum has three main sections to it. The first is the Wildlife Museum of course. The second is the old country store. And the third is a little gift shop.
The wildlife museum takes up two rooms in the museum and has more than 400 animals on display. Many of these animals were caught on safari in Africa by Wood T. Brookshire and his wife Louise. They obtained special game permits for many of the animals with the agreement that they would use these animals for educational purposes. It was the Brookshire’s desire to make these animals available to the general public who would never get to go on safari or view these exotic animals in the wild. Thanks to the Brookshire’s you can get up close and really study the animals. And since they are all dead you don’t need to worry about them breaking out of a cage and mauling you to death. Other parts of the Brookshire’s animal collection was donated by other families and the sum total is pretty impressive.
In addition to the many exotic wildlife specimens from Africa (lions, hippos, rhinos, wart hogs, gazelles, giraffes, leopards, zebra, crocodiles etc.) there are also many examples of North American Wildlife (bears, wolverines, badgers, hummingbirds, fish, hawks, deer, mountain lions, bob cats, buffalo, raccoons etc.) and animals from other parts of the world like polar bears. Many of the animals have been placed in displays which show what their natural habitat looks like. One of the coolest one shows a lion with it paws outstretched and its teeth bared, about to take down a deer. It is kind of funny though because the deer appears almost bored. He is just standing there as though he has no idea there is a lion right behind him.
I also love standing by the ten foot polar bear and imaging what it would be like to be face to face with it in the wild. It’s claws are huge and it’s mouth looks big enough to fit my head inside. The most fun display shows four monkeys dressed in grass skirts and Hawaiian shirts playing Monopoly. They all have tropical drinks with umbrellas in them. One monkey is pointing at another one who has his hands raised in surrender and is holding a “Go To Jail” card.
The wildlife museum also has on display several artifacts from Africa such as carved wooden statues, shields, spears, drums, and more. Another cool feature of the museum is a long log which has several holes cut into it. A child can reach his hand into it and feel around. Inside are things like bear fur and deer pelts. It’s fun for kids to feel around inside, guess what it is they are touching, and then pull it out and look at it. Unfortunately the people at the museum haven’t labeled the holes so sometimes you are not sure what kind of animal fur it is even after you have removed it from the log.
My oldest son has been a huge nature and animal lover ever since he was a baby so he is happy to spend a lot of time looking around the whole wildlife museum and talking about the animals. His two younger brothers also like the museum but they don’t like to spend near as much time in it as he does so we usually end up rushing the older, trying to slow down the younger two, or just splitting up for awhile. One part of my strategy for helping the two younger boys to wait was to sit down with them and watch the short video that the museum has on a constant loop. The video is shown on a TV in a little alcove with one bench where three or four people can sit. It features Louise Brookshire and tells how the museum came about, its history, and its mission.
When the boys just can’t wait any longer we head into the old country store. The country store is a life-sized replica of a 1920’s grocery store. This is my wife’s favorite part. She is as much a lover of history as our son is a lover of nature. She loves to museums and things which show what life was like in the past. The country store shows in detail what grocery stores looked like and sold eighty to ninety years ago. It even has antique display cases and cash registers. There is 1920’s era candy, sewing machines, meat carvers, cameras, food, soap, gum, coloring books, a malt-machine, baking powder, and much much more. My wife would spend two hours in the country store carefully perusing all the items if we let her. But of course we never do. The boys are always in a hurry at this point to get to the last part of the museum – the gift shop!
The gift shop has lots of souvenirs from Texas and the Tyler area such as t-shirts, glasses, and post-cards. They also have wildlife souvenirs and stuffed animals. But what our boys are really interested in is the candy. Besides lots of modern candy the gift ship also sells candy and gum which would have been sold in the 1920’s grocery store. We always let our kids pick out a little bit of candy or an ice cream treat if they behave themselves. The gift shop is a good deal for parents because there is a section which has several jars full of a variety of candies and the best part is that they are only five cents. So you don’t have to spend a fortune to make your kids happy. Outside the gift shop, besides the very necessary bathroom facilities and water fountains, there are more antique items such as old Coke machines and bottles, typewriters, a juke box and more.
Outside of the wildlife museum there is a nice park area which is great for picnics and letting the kids run around (if it’s not too hot). Besides the playground equipment there are also a few interesting vehicles at the park. There is a circa 1950’s LeFrance fire truck which I believe was once used in Dallas. The kids can crawl all over it and pretend to be firemen. I had fun goofing around on it with my boys and seeing all the features up close on an old fire engine. There is also a restored railroad caboose. This is also pretty neat to go through, play in, and look over. Unfortunately, the caboose was locked up on this visit. I don’t know why but I think maybe it had something to do with the heat. Then there is a 1926 McCormick Deering farm tractor. My youngest son loves tractors he calls them track-a-ders) so this is pretty cool for him. We’ve got some great pictures of him on this tractor and in the country store. We dressed him in some vintage looking clothes so he looks like a little boy from the 1920’s and fits right in with that store and tractor.
The museum is open on Tuesdays thru Saturdays from 9:00am to 5:00pm from March 1st thru September 30th. The museum is open from 10:00am to 4:00pm from October 1st thru February 28th.
I highly recommend the Brookshire’s World of Wildlife Museum & Country Store to all families, lovers of wildlife, and lovers of history. It’s definitely worth at least one visit and hey its free. You can’t beat that.