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Adventure & Outdoor Pass Offers a Mobile List of Attractions to Explore in Tyler, Texas

Outdoor recreation and adventure opportunities in Tyler are just a few clicks away.

By Cary Estes on September 10, 2021

All it takes is a few clicks on your smartphone to receive the Adventure & Outdoor Pass, which provides users with a collection of Tyler attractions, restaurants, retailers and more, along with deals and discounts to redeem.

That is exactly what Ciara Polikretis did after she and her husband and daughter moved to Tyler in late 2020. And it didn’t take long for her to discover the plethora of entertaining places to go and things to do throughout Tyler.

“I downloaded the pass, looked at the list and saw at least five things right away that I wanted to take our daughter to do,” Polikretis says. “It automatically gave me some great ideas for all these fun adventure-related activities.”

Receiving the pass is just as simple as using it. There is no app to download. Instead, go to tyleroutdoorpass.com, click the “Get Yours” button and fill out the information requested. The pass is immediately delivered to your phone by text and email, and it can be saved to your phone’s home screen for one-tap access. After that, simply show the pass at participating businesses to check in and redeem any available discounts. 

“I was impressed and pleasantly surprised that it was so straightforward and easy to use,” Polikretis says. “I didn’t have to put in a ton of information. And I liked that it described each location and gave the location on a map. It was very clear what service or discount they were offering. It is super simple and easy to use.”

Adventure Awaits

The pass offers users an itinerary of destinations based on the type of adventure a person is seeking. Participants can choose from a leisure adventure (the zoo and Tyler State Park), a moderate adventure (ax throwing and laser tag) or an extreme adventure (mountain biking and zip lining). The accompanying Thirsty Pines Tour provides a list of places to grab craft beverages along the way.

“There’s stuff to do for kids, and then there are some breweries and cafés for adults. Having that list on my phone definitely encourages me to revisit some of those businesses.”

Ciara Polikretis

Tyler resident

And thanks to the variety of businesses listed on the tour, everyone (no matter their age) is sure to find something they’ll love.

Though it is a regional pass that covers activities in nearby Longview and Kilgore, as well, there are plenty of offerings within Tyler. These include:

Caldwell Zoo

“One of the first things I noticed when I got the pass was they offered a discount on giraffe feeding at the zoo,” Polikretis says. “That sounded like something that would be really fun for my daughter.” Another must-do at the zoo is visiting the Penguin Encounter, where adults and children can discover all of the adaptations these creatures possess and meet one up close.

Web: caldwellzoo.org

Phone: 903-593-0121

Jellystone Park at Whispering Pines

This 47-acre family resort offers cabins and full hookup RV sites. A discount is available for pass users. “We have an RV, so it was a no-brainer for us to take advantage of that,” Polikretis says. Here, families are met with activities like foam parties and relay races.

Web: jellystonetyler.com

Phone: 903-858-2405

Times Square Grand Slam

Times Square Grand Slam is a place where you can spend hours immersed in fun, as this entertainment center offers movies, bowling, laser tag, virtual reality games, a ropes course, an arcade, restaurants and live events.

Web: tylermovies.com

Phone: 903-581-1818

TJC Earth & Space Science Center

This attraction is highlighted by the Hudnall Planetarium, a 40-foot domed theater with 4K digital laser projection technology.

Web: tylerjuniorcollege.universitytickets.com

Phone: 903-510-2312

Tyler Municipal Rose Garden

With 35,000 rose bushes, this 14-acre garden contains the largest public collection of roses in the United States.

Web: visittyler.com/tylerrosegarden

Phone: 903-531-1212

Tyler State Park

Here, visitors can enjoy a 64-acre spring-fed lake, 100-foot-tall trees and 13 miles of trails. In addition to this sample of attractions, add in two escape rooms, two trampoline parks and an ax-throwing facility, among other things. The pass is sure to keep you entertained for hours. “It’s easy to find things to do for kids and then find a place as a reward for mom and dad at the end of the day,” Polikretis says. “It’s just a really valuable tool that anybody can take advantage of, whether you’re new to the area or have been here all your life.”

Web: tpwd.texas.gov/stateparks/tyler

Phone: 903-597-5338

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