Tyler Zoo

January 13th, 2010

The Tyler Zoo is a wonderful place to take your whole family on a nice sunny days. No matter the age all can enjoy going to the Zoo and walking around and looking at all the exotic animals they have. The cost is reasonable , around $8 for adults and less for children or you can obtain a year pass for less than $50 dollars and that way you can go anytime you want. Here in Tyler even, the winter is nice enough to where you could go visit and won’t freeze.

The animals are so beautiful and sometimes it is hard to believe that those animals are not the stuffed kind. They have a place where you can get food in case you get hungry. The zoo also has a store where you can by some gifts or souvenir’s before you leave or in case you are, at the zoo and forgot someones birthday. The gift shop is truly impressive on its own and offers a lot for the animal enthusiast as well as those looking for quality kid toys with an animal theme.

Besides looking around at all the animals you can get some awesome exercise while doing something fun. They have all kinds of animals, lions, tigers, elephants, monkeys, zebra, snakes, spiders, cougars, penguins, bob cats and many others. I can’t list all of them at this time because it will take the fun out of you going to check things out for yourself. The zoo has a petting area where you and your children can go and pet the goats. Usually most kids enjoy the petting zoo very much.

The Tyler zoo has an area that has sand and your children could stop by and play for a few minutes. Benches are all around the zoo just in case you need to take a break from walking around. They always have ice cream which in the summer time makes for a nice treat while making your rounds to the different animal cages. The zoo is also a nice place where you can meet with friends you haven’t seen for awhile. At one time the Tyler zoo was free to go to but the charitable fund eventually ran out of money to allow people to come for free. I think it is worth the $8 dollars that you have to pay and there is no time limit so you can go early afternoon and stay all day if you would like to.

You can also take a cooler and have lunch or a snack while you are there. With all this in mind I hope that I peeked your interest in going to the Tyler Zoo with your family and friends. I know that you will enjoy it and have a great time if you decide to take a trip there. These day’s everything costs you money so I figured for about $30 dollars or so you can go look around, have lunch and dessert and your entertainment is provided for you. You would pay about the same amount going out to eat or going to a movie theater. The name of the Tyler Texas zoo is the Caldwell Zoo and is remarkably large for a small town like Tyler.

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The Caldwell Zoo, A Worthy Source Of Pride In East Texas

January 12th, 2010

The Caldwell Zoo first opened in 1953. Admission was free in those days and attractions included a lion and a chimpanzee. Over the years more animals like elephants and giraffes were added, along with the necessary facilities. In 1983 a section devoted to native species was developed, and in successive years many new animals and habitats followed. Today the zoo encompasses eighty five acres and over two thousand animals.

The zoo is currently divided into four sections, namely: the African, North American, South American, and the Fish and Reptile sections. The African section features lions, elephants, giraffes and many others. The Chakula Café overlooks much of the African section. Visitors can enjoy lunch beneath the thatched roof while watching the zebras and the antelopes graze in the field below. This is a wonderful spot to relax and cool off.

The North American section features native species like the cougar, the bald eagle, the bison and everyone’s favorite the otter. Guests can stroll the boardwalk over the small river and spend a few moments feeding the water foul.

The South American section contains some stunningly beautiful birds as well as the ever popular monkeys. The aquarium containing fish and reptiles is wonderful. The color and variety are striking. Not to be taken for granted on a hot summer day is the fact that the aquarium is cool and dark. The fact is, every section in the zoo has its highlights, and I’m probably leaving out some wonderful exhibits.

The Caldwell Zoo in Tyler offers a number of excellent educational programs, including: day camps, scavenger hunts, and classes for scouts and homeschoolers. There is also a petting zoo where youngsters can play with the goats.

Unfortunately the zoo is no longer free. That policy changed years ago when it underwent an expansion. However, considering the improvements over the years the cost is more than worth the return. Today, the Caldwell Zoo remains one of Tyler’s jewels, worthy of a much larger city. As time goes by it will certainly remain a source of pride for East Texans. For more information see their website at www.caldwellzoo.org.

Tags: Antelopes, Aquarium Fish, Bald Eagle, Beautiful Birds, Caldwell Zoo, Chimpanzee, Day Camps, East Texas, Elephants, Five Acres, Giraffes, Hot Summer Day, Native Species, Necessary Facilities, Petting Zoo, Scavenger Hunts, Section Features, Thatched Roof, Tyler Texas Zoo, Tyler TX Zoo, Wonderful Spot, Zebras
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Things To Do In Tyler Texas

December 16th, 2009

This will be a reoccurring topic in the Tyler TX Directory as one of the most common things you hear in any non-metropolitan city is that there is nothing to do in this town. I usually hear this from those obviously too cool to be living in Tyler with their facial piercings and angry Mohawk syndrome. Let’s face it there are some cool people in Tyler and I see them hanging out all the time over at Starbucks. From what I hear they all want to go to New York to experience life because this town is just not that cool and never was.

Well I like Tyler Texas and have found some interesting things to do here quite frequently. About half of making this town fun and enjoyable is to get yourself connected with some local friends. These friends will make things more fun in general regardless of what you do and will be able to hook you up with some places you would not normally have access to. For instance, I get to fish at this private lake from time to time with my father n’ law that I never knew about before. I won’t say where exactly but there are about 7 different camps, Christian camps, and retreats in the Tyler area that have everything from ziplines, pools, private lakes, to mountain bike trails. These little areas represent some extras that most Tyler people do not have access to but with a few connections you could very easily be able to have a little fun at one of these places. You may already have access to one of these places but have taken it for granted.

A List of Some of These Remote Fun Areas Of Tyler and More

1.) Pinecove
2.) The Villages Resort on Lake Palestine
3.) East Texas Gator Farm
4.) YWAM Ranch or TeenMania campus
5.) Wits End Ranch
6.) The Zoo, Caldwell Zoo (Santa’s Workshop December 12, 13 and 19)
7.) The Tyler State Park
8.) The Lion and Tiger Refuge
9.) Canton Trade Days
10.) Edom Texas Restaurants and Arts and Crafts
11. ) South Tyler First Baptist Church Pond and Park
12. ) South Tyler Green Acres Baptist Church Pond and Park
13. ) Kiepersol Restaurant and Winery Horse Coach Ride
14. ) The Christmas Store (Around Christmas Time)
15. ) Mineola Train Ride to Dallas or Fort Worth
16. ) SFA, UT Tyler, or TJC Basketball Games (SFA made it to the tournament last year)
17. ) Faulkner Park Stocked Fishing Pond
18. ) Water Splash Park at Faulkner Park, South Tyler
19. ) Splash Kingdom Water Park
20. ) Be Normal, Stay Home and Play a Game With Your Family
21. ) Join a Rugby Club
22. ) Frisbee Golf at Lindsey Park
23. ) Sacred Spur Ranch in East Mountain. A true ranch style east texas restaurant experience.
24.) SkyRanch

These are 24 fun things I like to do in Tyler and this was just off the top of my head. I am sure you can think of 20 other things. In fact why don’t you comment on what you think is fun to do in Tyler Texas to add to this list. I think everyone could use some fresh ideas for what they can do in Tyler that is fun and entertaining. It’s nice getting to change things up a little and do something different.

Tags: 5 Wits, Acres Baptist Church, Caldwell Zoo, Canton Trade Days, christian camps, Church Pond, Edom Texas, Facial Piercings, frisbee golg Lindsey Park Tyler Texas, Gator Farm, Green Acres Baptist Church, Lake Palestine, Metropolitan City, pinecove, Private Lake, Private Lakes, Splash Kingdom Water Park, Teenmania, teenmania campus, Texas Restaurants, The Tyler State Park, the tyler zoo, The Villages, things to do in Tyler Texas, Tx Directory, Tyler Area, Tyler State Park, Wits End Ranch, ywam ranch
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Caldwell Zoo

September 18th, 2009

Caldwell Zoo has been one of Tyler’s greatest treasures for many decades. It was one of the only zoos in Texas that was charge free up onto just a few years ago. As they started to add on to our small simple zoo, they began to overcharge visitors. Mr. Caldwell, the founder of the zoo, left in his will that he never wanted to have fee to enjoy these beautiful animals, but to allow the zoo to extend and to keep up the maintenance they did not have much more to choice from. But besides my frustration on the matter of price, I do love a walk through the zoo. If you live in the Tyler area I recommend getting a membership that will pay for the whole year no matter how many times you go.

As a member I have been able to go after hours when they have fed the animals and have allowed children to feed them too. They give members an opportunity to see the animals to up close and watch them do tricks. Don’t stand in long lines to get tickets to get into the zoo, use the member entrance and skip the wait and just get to the fun.

The zoo just recently go a bird walk. Walk into a small building filled with beautiful parakeets painted with the most colorful feathers. You will be able to hold the birds and buy a stick covered with bird seed.

Visit the old aquariums and see what is new including one of the most popular animals, the penguins. Be entertained as they swim and play. See the beautiful colorful fish, and the large slithering snakes. Explore the spiders from around the world.

The zoo has welcomed many new animals with in the past few years, among them, monkeys, the beautiful white tigers, the wild bird walk around, and much more.

Come eat at the small restaurant and be able to sit in the zoo’s touch of Africa. Have fun watching the elephants, zebras and giraffes. And walk through the rhinoceros house, but make sure you plug your nose. Enjoy a cold drink or snow cones on a hot Texas day. Before you leave stop by the store for fun gift ideas and even more great ways to remember your great day at our very own Caldwell Zoo.

Tags: Aquariums, Bird Seed, Bird Walk, Caldwell Zoo, Cold Drink, Colorful Feathers, Colorful Fish, Elephants, Giraffes, Member Entrance, Parakeets, Penguins, Rhinoceros, Slithering Snakes, Snow Cones, Texas Zoos, Tyler Area, White Tigers, Wild Bird, Zebras, Zoos In Texas
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Upcoming Events at the Caldwell Zoo

September 9th, 2009

The Caldwell Zoo has many upcoming events for members and non-members. Yes, the Tyler Zoo is charging admission now but it is well worth the money. You will see white tigers, cheetahs, penguins, giraffes, elephants, and many other amazing animals. There is an incredible walk-in bird cage that will catch everyone’s attention. You can buy a seed stick for a dollar and watch as birds fly all around and land on you.

The Caldwell Zoo feeds more than 2,000 animals special diets. Every week they feed the animals 100 pounds, 10 cases of fresh greens, 850 pounds of fruits and veggies, 325 pounds of fish, 480 rats and mice, 4,500 crickets, 5,250 worms (yuck), and 18 dozen eggs. In addition to all of these animal feedings the zoo staff grows nearly all of their plants on the grounds. This includes around 15,000 beautiful plants. The spectacular plants and God’s wonderful creatures are sure to take your breath away at the Tyler, TX Caldwell Zoo.

Some of Caldwell Zoo’s upcoming events include:

Zoo Member’s Open House on September 12, 2009. This is for members only. You get to have a behind the scenes look at the zoo. Places that are usually blocked off to visitors will be open from 1:00-4:00 pm.

Phone Book Recycle Days on October 3 and 4 from 9:00 am-4:00 pm. Bring an old phone book to be recycled and get one free admission for each phone book.

Boo at the Zoo on October 31 from 1:00-4:00 pm: Wear your costume and celebrate Halloween at the zoo. It’s going to be a fun event.

Wattle We Think of Necks? November 21 from 1:30-3:30 pm. Come to the African Huts for a turkey craft.

Santa’s Workshop on December 12, 13 and 19. Join in on some fun Christmas crafts. Materials may be 25-75 cents.

My Heart Belongs to Zoo on February 13 from 1:30-3:30 pm. Create a valentine for that special someone at the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, TX.

Poison Jungle Safari on March 27, 2010 from Noon to 4 pm. The zoo’s annual poison safari will alert you and your children to possible poison dangers at home. This is “held in cooperation with the North Texas Poison Control Center of Dallas”.

There are also several classes and clubs for ages 4-9, 9-11, and 12-15. Most classes are held on Saturdays. Ask a zoo staff member for more information.

Hope to see you at the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler TX. 🙂

Tags: African Huts, Amazing Animals, Bird Cage, Caldwell Zoo, Caldwell Zoo In Tyler Tx, Cheetahs, Christmas Crafts, Crickets, Dozen Eggs, East Texas Zoo, Elephants, Free Admission, Fun Event, Halloween At The Zoo, Jungle Safari, Phone Book, Special Diets, Spectacular Plants, Tyler Texas Zoo, Tyler TX Zoo, Tyler Zoo, White Tigers, Yuck, Zoo Staff
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