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5 Reasons to Call Tyler, TX, Home

Tyler offers residents an enhanced quality of life.

By Jessica Payne on June 14, 2023

Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, TX
Nathan Lambrecht

A combination of a booming downtown development movement, dozens of family-friendly attractions, an uptick in the arts and culture scene, easy access to the airport, and the city’s love of sports all make Tyler the place to be.

1. Expansion of the Arts and Culture Scene

Arts and culture are an important part of a community. Tyler launched the inaugural Tyler Arts Festival in downtown in 2022. A short walk downtown leads to the impressive Tyler Art Alley, a 280-foot wall of beauty made possible by more than 40 local artists. The University of Texas at Tyler Cowan Center is a must-visit. Shows staged there include Trinity Irish Dance Company, Broadway Series and Popovich Comedy Pet Theater. Music lovers will enjoy the wealth of live music opportunities downtown.

Times Square Grand Slam
Nathan Lambrecht

2. Family-Friendly Attractions

Tyler offers no shortage of fun activities to enjoy with the whole family. A popular destination is the Times Square Grand Slam entertainment complex, which features a cinema, a bowling alley, an arcade, laser tag and a ropes course. Other family-friendly spots include the Urban Air Adventure Park, the Caldwell Zoo and the Discovery Science Place, which features a number of hands-on exhibits. Code Ninjas, which teaches children how to program video games, opened a Tyler location in 2022. The city’s expansive parks system includes the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden.

3. Easy Access to Travel

Getting around – and to – Tyler is a snap. Mean travel time to work is under 21 minutes. Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, named in honor of Lt. Jack Pounds, the first native of Tyler and first officer residing in Tyler who gave his life for his country in World War II, served more than 75,000 passengers in 2022. The airport offers daily service to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. The airport is also connected to the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum, and CampV hosts an annual air show there.

Did You Know?

Tyler Pounds Regional Airport served more than 75,000 passengers in 2022.

4. Diving into Developments

Tyler is exploding with new developments, especially in the downtown area. In 2023, West Oak Property Development unveiled its West Oak Townhomes and has already begun to mobilize for its next project, West Oak Villages, also in downtown. In addition, the Tyler Economic Development Council recently closed on a 412-acre property off Interstate 20 that will be transformed into a business park to attract companies to the area.

5. Sports of All Sorts

Whether you are watching a Little League game, high school basketball, the UT Tyler Patriots softball team or a hometown hero hit the field for the Super Bowl, Tyler is the place to be for sports lovers. The region boasts a wealth of sports-related facilities, including an aquatics center, tennis complex and soccer complex. Sports are an integral part of the Tyler community. Former NFL cornerback and two-time Super Bowl winner Aaron Ross, who graduated from John Tyler High School, regularly returns to teach youth camps. NFL linebacker and Tyler native Tyus Bowser also comes home to coach the youth. And, if you’re a football fan, you know of the legendary running back Earl Campbell, lovingly known as the Tyler Rose. And of course, native son and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes won a second Super Bowl in 2023.

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