Family Summer Fun in East Texas

Right off of Interstate 20 in East Texas, there is a 70-mile stretch of tall pine trees and hardwood trees. Three towns are nestled along this Interstate and family fun for the summer is waiting in Tyler, Marshall and Longview, Texas. All of these quaint towns have elegant bed-and-breakfasts, historic homes, buildings and antique stores galore. Come and bring the entire family to see All-American Roses, go to museums and learn and see American Art exhibits, and along the way see rows and rows of the bluebonnets, which is the state flower of Texas growing wild along the roadways.

Tyler, Texas

Municipal Rose Garden

Tyler is known as the rose Capitol of the World and in October of every year, the entire town brings it all out for the annual Texas Rose Festival. Come and bring the kids and enjoy a day strolling around on the 14-acre Rose Garden and see all of the displays of the All-American roses.

Tyler Museum of Art

Focus on the early and modern Texas artists.

There are several other museums in Tyler that the kids will really enjoy. There is the Harrold's Model train Museum, The Discovery Science Place, The Historic Aviation Memorial Museum and the Brookshire's World Of Wildlife Museum and Country Store that includes an exact replica of the grocery store back in 1926.

Don't forget to enjoy a fun filled day at the Caldwell Zoo.

Visit www.visittyler.com for more information.

Marshall, Texas

Marshall is well known for the notable works of pottery from Marshall Pottery which has been around since 1895 and to this day is the only company in Texas, which still produces wheel-thrown utilitarian gray stoneware. You can come and watch artists shape pots and bowls right from their wheels. The clay that the pottery is made from is local white clay, which is what the Caddo Indians used.

During Christmas time, drive on by to see The Wonderland Of Lights which consists of over 123,000 lights which give the historic downtown their holiday glow.

After a fun filled day of shopping and sightseeing, stop by the OS2 restaurant and Pub to enjoy a hearty meal. If you're taste buds are craving some soul food, stop in at P&J.

For more information please visit www, visitmarshalltexas.com and marhsallpottery.com

Longview, Texas

During the month of July, come and see the Great Texas Balloon race which is the largest balloon event in the state of Texas. These massive balloons are a sight to see in the bright, hot Texas sun. On Friday and Saturday evenings during this event, come and watch the Balloon Glow at night after the sun sets. Operators of the balloons tie down their balloons and all the visitors can get a close up look on how hot-air balloons are inflated and fired up.

During anytime of the year, come to Longview and visit all of the historical buildings and museums such as the Gregg County Historical Museum as well as the Longview Museum of Fine Arts.

Visit www.longviewtx.com

www.gtbr.net to learn more about the balloon fest and race.

Sources:

Texas CO-OP Power Monthly Magazine April 2009 Edition