Two festival traditions in Tyler County showcase different sides of the region: the Dogwood Festival celebrates blooming dogwood trees, while Western Weekend is centered on horses and wagons. They also take place at different times of year—a useful starting point if you want to plan your trip around a specific event.
Festivals with Different Rhythms
The Tyler County Dogwood Festival is an annual celebration of blooming dogwood trees in Woodville. It was first held on Saturday, April 6, 1940. The program spans three weekends and features music, food, and art. In this way, the festival combines its connection to the blooms with a multi-part cultural program.
Western Weekend takes place every year on the last weekend in March. During the event, more than 2,000 riders travel to Woodville on horseback and in wagons. Its schedule is therefore concentrated on one weekend, while the Dogwood Festival program spans three weekends. If you’re planning your trip around either event, check the specific dates and programs.
Pioneer History, Museums, and Historic Sites
Heritage Village is a living history museum about pioneer history that recreates a 19th-century village using historic buildings and artifacts. Examples include a Cherokee Church, the Tolar Cabin, and the Collier Store. The different types of buildings offer a glimpse into the various functions within the reconstructed village.
The Allan Shivers Museum offers a different historical perspective. It invites visitors to learn about Governor Allan Shivers’s life, career, and achievements. The focus here is on one public career, while Heritage Village conveys history through buildings and artifacts.
Peach Tree Village also offers a distinct point of historical interest. It was located near the Neches River at a site now crossed by Farm Road 2097, two miles north of present-day Chester in Tyler County. Peach Tree Village was the largest and most significant of the villages founded by the Alabama Indians. Unlike the reconstruction at Heritage Village, this site is about the location and historical significance of a former village.
To find the W.T. Colmesneil House, travel east on Highway 256 from Highway 69, then continue along Pitzer Street.
Nature Trails, Water, and Art
Big Thicket National Preserve encompasses nine land units and six water corridors, some of which are located in Tyler County. The Big Woods Nature Trail is a smaller trail network made up of five short, renewed hiking trails. Together, they offer two distinct nature experiences: a preserve with multiple land and water corridors, and a network of short trails.
The Lake Tejas complex includes a 14-acre lake and 13 acres of park and beach areas. The designated areas are similar in size: the 14-acre lake is complemented by 13 acres of park and beach areas. This makes the complex a different nature destination from the trail network at Big Woods Nature Trail.
The Tyler County Art League offers local art classes and runs a gallery featuring works by its member artists. The gallery and classes provide two different formats: works by local artists and art instruction.
A Culinary Highlight
The Pickett House Restaurant is located in Woodville behind Heritage Village. As a boardinghouse-style restaurant, it has served popular Southern dishes for generations as an all-you-can-eat offering.
Discover more destinations: Woodville, Crane County, Starr, Kaufman, Nacogdoches, Cameron, Lubbock, Comanche.
For the broader travel overview: Texas.
