Date: March 25-27, 2010

Click Here To Download Brochure (PDF)

Meals: 3B, 3L, 2D
Cost Includes: Hotel, Luggage, Handling, Admission to Attractions & meals listed.
Trip Insurance Cost: $32.00 per person
Trip Cost Per Person: Call 1-800-708-5407 and reserve your trip today!
Deposit Cost: $35.00 (due upon signing)(non-refundable)
Final Payment Due: February 1, 2010

Day 1

We will head east today in search of all that Tyler and East Texas has to offer. Our first stop will be at Brookshire's World of Wildlife. In the late 60's Mr. & Mrs. W.T. Brookshire embarked on African Safaris to bring unique African wildlife back to Texas. They opened their museum in 1975. It was originally in the lobby of Brookshire's Grocery Company office complex. No trip to Tyler would be complete without seeing the Azalea & Spring Flower Trail. All of this started in 1929 by Maurice Shamburger. He shipped the plants here by the box car loads from Georgia. After he completed his garden, he began to encourage others to plant them, too. We will be touring the spectacular private gardens of several notable Tyler residents. The Goodman-Legrand Home is our next stop. This beautiful old home was built in 1859 by Gallitin Smith, wealthy young Tyler bachelor and Confederate officer. This stately colonial mansion is now a city museum housing artifacts of antebellum years, 18th Century dental and medical tools, medicines, and period furniture. It is a true delight for antique lovers and historians. Tonight we will eat at one of the most unique dining and shopping experiences located in the heart of East Texas, The Potpourri House. They have been featured in Southern Living and Mobile Travel Guide.

Day 2

We will start our day in Kilgore. The East Texas Oil Museum will take you back in time to the 1930's. That is when the easy-going rural life of East Texas changed. Thanks to a 70 year old wildcatter, Columbus Marion "Dad" Joiner. After having sunk two dry holes, on October 3, 1930 he hit a gusher. He changed the history of East Texas with that well. It ushered in the era of "oil fever." Step across the city limits to Boomtown, USA, a full scale town full of stores, people, animals and machinery. It depicts the lively activity of a town booming in oil. You can step into the general store and browse around or go to the drug store for refreshments. You will truly feel like you are in a 1930's East Texas Oil Town. The Texas Country Music Hall of Fame/Tex Ritter Museum will be our next stop. In 2004 the museum expanded to add friends of Tex and other Texas-born county music legends. We will have lunch here. We will visit the New London Museum. This museum gives us a historical look back in time to the New London School Explosion. On March 18, 1937 a natural gas leak caused an explosion that destroyed the New London School and killed in excess of 295 students and teachers. Dinner tonight will be where East Texas meets the Old West at the Sacred Spur Ranch. We will enjoy a good country meal and listen to Charli Miller and the Ranch Hand Band.

Day 3

Sadly it is our last day in East Texas. This morning we will tour Historic Tyler. We will be taking a tour of five private historic homes in the Azalea District. This should be a beautiful tour. Then after lunch we will leave the city of azalea's and head back home.