Attractions and Things to Do
There are many activities to keep Lake Palestine residents, and visitors, busy around the lake and its environs! But sometimes we want to get away from the lake for an afternoon, or a weekend. We like to check out the restaurants in Tyler, do some shopping, and explore the back roads of East Texas. Or maybe have a fun adventure on the Texas State Railroad in Palestine and Rusk.
Located in the rolling hills of East Texas in Smith County mid-way between Dallas and Shreveport, Tyler has a wide range of appeal, and things to do in the city, and on short trips.
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From world-class golf courses, walking trails, cultural attractions, state parks, festivals, antique shopping, fall motoring and art museums, Tyler and the East Texas area has something for everyone!
The Waterpark @ The Villages
A popular family spot is The Waterpark @ The Villages offering 25,000 square feet of fun space. Its 19,000-square-foot, glass-enclosed recreational area is climate controlled and features a retractable roof for outdoor summer excitement.
Adventure Rentals at Lake Palestine
Adventure Rentals is a locally-owned, family business specializing in recreational rentals such as jet skis. Both owners are local, born and raised in the Lake Palestine area.
Rental options include 4-hour time slots, 8-hour time slots, and multi-day rentals. Save money on more extended rental periods. Launches are done at the Lake Palestine Resort.
For more information visit the Adventure Rentals Lake Palestine website and the Adventure Rentals page on Facebook, or phone 903.286.0429
Lake Tours & Cruises by Boat
- Captain Jacks Lake Cruise website and Captain Jacks Lake Cruise on Facebook - Pontoon boat tours and sunset cruises on beautiful Lake Palestine. Phone 903.372.0366
- Walls Fishing Guide Service & Pontoon Tours on Facebook - Phone 903.504.3125
Pine Cove Christian Camps
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| Photo courtesy of Captain Jacks Lake Cruise |
Close to Noonday and on the shores of Lake Palestine is the popular Pine Cove Christian Camps, a large multi-venue facility offering both summer, and year-round, camping, retreats, conferences and outdoor education for youths and families. We've been associated with Pine Cove since the early 1990s, and still are in 2024!
Lake Palestine Marinas, Access, & Boat Rentals
- Lake Palestine Resort - Lake Grill, camp & convenience store, docks, boat slips, boat launch ramps, fuel station, cabins & other lodging, protected swimming area, boat & kayak rentals, banquet hall, and RV park on Highway 155. The official address is 8900 Ruby Lane, Frankston, TX 75763. Phone 903.320.1112
More at Lake Palestine Resort website and Lake Palestine Resort on Facebook.
- Lake Palestine Marina at 16541 FM 344 near Emerald Bay. The marina offers secure boat storage and sailboat slips with access control as well as amenities such as a fuel filling station, bathrooms, storage lockers and on-site parking. Phone 903.426.7740
- The Villages Marina - boat stalls, paddle boat & pontoon boat rentals, kayaks, bait & tackle shop, fueling station, and fishing licenses. Also, enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Marina Harbour Grille. Phone: 903.561.1413.
- Flat Creek Marina & RV Camping - 42 boat slip marina, 50 RV campsites, campfire rings, picnic tables, kayak rentals, and a bait & tackle store. 20758 Twin Oaks Drive, Chandler, TX 75758.
Phone: 903.849.6356. Also, visit Flat Creek Marina on Facebook
- Lakeside Getaway on Lake Palestine - For guests, amenities include boat launch, fishing pier, fish cleaning stations, electrical charging facilities for boat batteries, picnic tables, BBQ pits and more. Located at 16654 CR 1170. Phone 903.825.3295
- Big Steve's RV Park and Marina - On the south end of the lake, at 23491 County Road 4117 - RV hookups, laundry, boat ramp. Phone 903.617.0297
- Adventure Rentals Lake Palestine rents jet skis, operating out of the Lake Palestine Resort. Phone 903.286.0429
Lake Palestine Fishing Guides
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Reputable, experienced fishing guides are available for assistance on Lake Palestine and other area lakes. Listed below are some ... this website has no affiliation with these; always do your own research in selecting a guide.
- Sam Parker - Freshwater Fishing Adventures website Also visit Freshwater Fishing Adventures on Facebook and Freshwater Fishing Adventures on Instagram
Freshwater Fishing Adventures also offers catfish trips, crappie fishing charters, largemouth bass charters and night fishing adventure tours. Also available are guided fishing trips on Lake Athens. Phone 903.286.8432
- Tom Mayne - Pro Fishing Guide Tom Mayne offers professional guided trips on Lake Palestine, Lake Athens, Lake Fork, and Lake Tyler.
- Baxter's Guide Service website and Baxter's Guide Service on Facebook - Veteran owned. Phone 903.352.9764
- Jim Beggerly - Phone 903.279.9002
- Benson Guide Service website and Benson Guide Service on Facebook - Phone 903.714.8395
- Paul's Guide Service website and Paul's Guide Service on Facebook - Phone 903.571.9150
- Walls Fishing Guide Service & Pontoon Tours on Facebook - Phone 903.504.3125
- Clay Gann Crappie Guide Service website - Phone 903.571.5243
- and others
Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center
The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) in nearby Athens, TX, combines visitation and outdoor education with a production fish hatchery. Its mission is to provide an educational, entertaining visitor experience that promotes freshwater sport fishing and the enhancement, conservation and stewardship of aquatic resources in Texas.
East Texas Arboretum
The East Texas Arboretum & Botanical Society provides over 100 acres of natural East Texas nature and beauty, in nearby Athens.
Canton First Monday Trade Days
Located about 40 miles west of Tyler via Texas Highway 64 or Interstate Highway I-20 is the City of Canton, home of the First Monday Trade Days. It is considered the largest free flea market in the United States, and is held on Thursday - Sunday preceding the first Monday of each month.
Up to 100,000 visitors can shop there in a given weekend. Visit www.CantonTxFirstMonday.com for details about First Monday venues, market dates, parking, lodging, dining, attractions, the City of Canton and much more information!
Things to Do in Tyler
- Things to do for kids & teens in Tyler
- Earth & Space Science Education (CESSE) Planetarium at TJC
- Tyler Rose Garden
- Caldwell Zoo
- Rose Rudman Recreational Trail
- Goodman-LeGrand House and Museum
- Cotton Belt Depot Museum
- Historic Aviation Memorial Museum
- Texas Rose Festival (October)
- Tyler Rose Museum
- Tyler Azalea Trail (March)
- East Texas State Fair (September)
- Liberty Hall
- Tyler Museum of Art
- Discovery Science Center
- East Texas Symphony Orchestra
- Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge
- Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari Park
Other Area Lakes and Parks
Tyler has convenient access to area lakes that provide boating, fishing, skiing, swimming, and other recreational possibilities.
Tyler State Park, a short drive north of the city, provides overnight camping venues, mountain biking, picnicking, hiking and more. In addition, Lake Tyler and Lake Tawakoni provide opportunities for boating, skiing and fishing.
Toledo Bend Reservoir on the Louisiana-Texas border offers boating, fishing, swimming, marinas, hiking, camping, golf, and resorts.
Lake Athens is located about five miles east of downtown Athens, and covers 1,799 acres with a maximum depth of 50 feet. Visitors to the lake enjoy fishing, watersports, kayaking and padddleboarding. Popular fish species in Lake Athens include largemouth bass, white bass, crappie and red ear sunfish.
The Lake Athens Marina & RV Park provides a wide variety of services and rentals; other facilities are available, such as the Texan RV Park, Windsor Place RV Estates and the Lone Star Camp. Athens Municipal Water Authority owns and operates Lake Athens for municipal water supply, flood regulation, and recreation.
The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is located on the north shore of the lake. More information about the lake at the website of ... Lake Athens at Texas Parks & Wildlife
Day Trips Around Lake Palestine and Upper East Texas
Interesting day trips in several directions from Lake Palestine make great side adventures:
- Jacksonville - to the south of Tyler, Tomato fest, ATV events
- Love's Lookout - beautiful 30-mile vista to the East
- Edom - festivals, potters, artists, garden center
- Canton - site of the famous First Monday Trade Days
- Gladewater - antique capitol of East Texas
- Longview - historic buildings, arboretum, shopping, balloon festival, restaurants
- Marshall - Railroad Museum, more
- Kilgore - East Texas Oil Museum, Kilgore College, more
Tyler also offers a full range of hotels, motels, B&Bs and other lodging and accommodations.