East Texas has a lot going for it, so why not hunker down in an East Texas bed and breakfast for a while and explore an area that is rich in history, wildlife and culture. Head east from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and you’ll be there.
The Sabine and Angelina National Forests are along the Louisiana border. With plenty of fresh water and trees galore, they are a great place to hike, bike, boat and fish. The Mineola Nature Preserve is a lovely place to stroll through peaceful woods and escape the heat of the East Texas sun; its almost 3,000 acres of preserved land, much of which is along the tranquil Sabine River, is home to a large variety of animals from butterflies to beavers. And just west of Mineola, in the little town of Grand Saline, the Gator Farm is a great place to see alligators up close (but not too close).
There are hundreds of antique shops throughout East Texas, so bring your truck and be prepared to hunt for treasure. Antiquing takes patience, but those of you willing to meander along country roads and peruse the shops at leisure will be rewarded.
Be sure to find time to enjoy East Texas food. Large, tasty burgers, chicken fried steak and seafood await you. They will fuel you for a trip to the East Texas Oil Museum in Kilgore, which is a few miles east of Tyler. The discovery of oil in 1930-31 dramatically changed the lives of East Texans. Suddenly that remote place was known to everyone in the country, and men and women flocked to the area. The museum is fascinating, and definitely worth a visit if you find yourself in East Texas.
