Located in the heart of east Texas, 100 mi/160 km southeast of Dallas, Tyler is the "Rose Capital of America," producing more than 50% of the nation's commercially grown roses. Don't miss the beautiful Municipal Rose Garden with 500 varieties of roses and a rose museum. The Texas Rose Festival—famous not only for its flowers but also for its sequin-bedecked debutantes—is held every October. http://www.texasrosefestival.com.
If you're there late March-early April, be sure to walk the Azalea Trail, a tour of flower-filled home gardens. You might also want to make time for Tyler's historic homes.
