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Visiting East Texas & Piney Woods

Outside the Metro areas of Houston and Dallas are the wonderful cities and towns of East Texas. Historic communities, including Beaumont, Nacogdoches and Longview, fill the region. The deep East Texas Piney Woods and its unique pine forests surround charming towns like Texarkana, Kilgore and Marshall. Destinations like Big Thicket National Preserve, the Dogwood Trails near Palestine and the rose gardens of Tyler delight travelers. Fall in East Texas is a nice time for a getaway, and a December road trip makes the Holidays bright. The Holiday Trail of Lights takes visitors from Marshall to Jefferson and Kilgore for spectacular holiday displays.

Gilmer, between Mt Pleasant to the north and Longview to the south, makes a great October destination. The 2011 East Texas Yamboree is hosted in Gilmer October 20th through the 23rd. Celebrating its 74th year, the Yamboree features the livestock show, Barn Dance, Carnival and the Yamboree Queen Coronation and Ball. The East Texas Yamboree is a wonderful down home celebration of Northeast Texas bounty and beauty.

Texas Coast or East Texas – Beaumont is the best of both worlds. Skip the swamp tour and actually feed an alligator at Gator Country. You’ll also see Big Al, the biggest Alligator in Texas – Yikes, you know everything in Texas is bigger! Museum fans find Beaumont heaven. The Spindletop Gladys City Boomtown Museum with a working replica of an oil-gusher, the working fire station at the Fire Museum of Texas, the Art Museum of Southeast Texas are a few of the most popular.

Beaumont is home to Lamar University and the Lamar Cardinals. Texas takes football seriously and Beaumont is no exception. Catch the excitement of a home game at Provost Umphrey Stadium through November 19th and experience the thrill of Texas football. Fall also brings Cardinal Women’s Soccer and Volleyball as well as cross-country. Check the calendar when you’re in town.

Discover rich East Texas culture and heritage in Marshall. The Wonderland of Lights brightens the Holidays, enjoy Caddo Lake – the largest natural lake in the state, or walk historic downtown enjoying the historic architecture and shopping for that perfect antique. Outdoor enthusiasts don’t miss the bayous and sloughs of Lake Caddo and fishing more than 70 species of fish. The Lake is open year round, with prime season lasting well into November.

Begin any visit to Longview at Heritage Plaza, the heart of the city’s One Hundred Acres of Heritage. You’ll find Gregg County Historical Museum and Longview Museum of Fine Arts great introductions to this East Texas city. Whether you are in Longview on business, visiting family or on vacation, enjoy an authentic East Texas Experience. September, Longview hosts the Gregg County Fair, the Longview Chamber of Commerce brightens the holidays with the Longview Christmas Parade and Courthouse Lighting. With the New Year comes the East Texas Boat and RV Expo with February bringing the Freeze Your Fanny bike ride.