The East Texas Piney Woods
next East Texas Vacation!

In the Piney Woods of East Texas, Nature lays down a wondrous welcome mat. Carpeted with fragrant pine needles, brimming with lakes both mammoth and mysterious, and seasonally rich with radiant roses, delicate dogwoods, and exquisite azaleas, this inviting area both fascinates and captivates.

History resounds here, especially in towns such as Nacogdoches, San Augustine, and Weches. These early Texas communities, which lie along the famed El Camino Real (Spanish for the King's - or Royal - Highway), witnessed the founding of the 17th- and 18th- Century missions by Spanish Franciscans. Later, Nacogdoches and San Augustine played prominent roles in spurring Texas' independence from Mexico. Jefferson, too boasts a colorful past and gives you exciting glimpses of its days as a bustling steamboat port.

Larger cities, such as Conroe, Longview, and Texarkana, and Tyler serve up interesting museums, good shopping, and fine restaurants. And you will find a full slate of fun activities and events to entertain you, as well. Here, festivals celebrate everything form yams to fire ants (yep, the Texas Fire Ant Festival brings its wacky shenanigans to Marshall each October.

And you can feast your eyes on spectacular scenes at the gorgeous Texas Rose Festival in Tyler and the superb holiday extravaganza, Wonderland of Lights in Marshall.

There are food feats aplenty, too. In this lush region, you can reap a delicious seasonal bounty of fresh vegetables and fruits. Look especially for luscious ripe tomatoes from Jacksonville, crunchy sweet onions from Noonday (southwest of Tyler), earthy yellow yams from Gilmer, and juice-laden peaches from Pittsburg. And, for dinner a treat, try crispy fried catfish, served with delicately browned hush puppies. The Piney Woods brims with special delights and intriguing sites.