Near Gilmer, Texas
While Gilmer has plenty to keep you busy, one of the best things about our location is how close we are to other fantastic East Texas destinations. Within an hour's drive, you'll find historic towns, pristine lakes, bigger cities with more amenities, and natural wonders that rival anything in the state.
Think of Gilmer as your home base for exploring the best of East Texas.
Quick Distance Guide
| Destination | Drive Time | Best For |
|---|
| Lake Fork | 30 min | Fishing, cabins |
| Jefferson | 45 min | History, antiques |
| Tyler | 45 min | Roses, shopping, dining |
| Longview | 20 min | Shopping, movies, hospitals |
| Caddo Lake | 1 hour | Cypress swamps, paddling |
| Marshall | 40 min | Historic downtown, pottery |
| Kilgore | 30 min | Oil history, museums |
| Mount Pleasant | 35 min | Outlet shopping, dining |
Lake Fork (30 minutes)
Why go: "The Bass Fishing Capital of Texas"
If you're serious about bass fishing, Lake Fork is legendary. This 27,000-acre reservoir has produced 15 of the top 20 biggest bass ever caught in Texas.
What to Do
Fishing:
Hire a guide (highly recommended)
Rent a boat at multiple marinas
Bank fishing at public access points
Best times: Spring spawn, fall feeding frenzy
Even if you don't fish:
Lakefront dining at restaurants
Sunset views from marinas
Cabin rentals with lake views
Photography (especially sunrise)
Where to Eat
Lake Fork Marina Restaurant: Casual, lake views
Miller's Fresh Foods: Groceries and deli
Various bait shops with snacks
Tips
Bring sunscreen—the lake is wide open
Morning is best for fishing and avoiding wind
Multiple public boat ramps
Check water levels before you go (can fluctuate)
Jefferson (45 minutes)
Why go: Step back into Texas's steamboat era
Jefferson is one of Texas's most charming historic towns. Once a major riverport (yes, really!), it's now a beautifully preserved glimpse into the 1800s.
What to Do
Historic Downtown:
Walkable historic district
Antique shops (better prices than Dallas)
Bed & breakfasts in historic homes
Horse-drawn carriage rides
Museums:
Jefferson Historical Museum
Museum of Measurement & Time (quirky and fun)
Excelsior House Hotel (oldest hotel in Texas)
Caddo Lake Boat Tours:
Guided tours from Jefferson
Cypress swamps draped in Spanish moss
Alligators, birds, and eerie beauty
Photography paradise
Ghosts & Legends:
Ghost tours (Jefferson claims to be haunted)
Historic cemeteries
"The Grove" house (famous haunted house)
Where to Eat
The Stillwater Inn: Upscale, historic
Auntie Skinner's Riverboat Club: Casual, live music
Various cafes and bakeries
Where to Stay
Historic B&Bs (book ahead for weekends)
Chain hotels on the highway
Camping at nearby Caddo Lake
Tips
Perfect for a romantic weekend
Great for antiquing
Very walkable downtown
Busy on weekends, quiet on weekdays
Tyler (45 minutes)
Why go: The Rose Capital of America
Tyler is the biggest city near Gilmer and offers everything you'd expect from a regional hub—plus beautiful gardens and a charming downtown.
What to Do
Tyler Rose Garden:
14-acre municipal rose garden
Free admission
Best blooms: April-October
Photo opportunities galore
Caldwell Zoo:
Excellent regional zoo
African, South American exhibits
Affordable family fun
About half a day
Downtown Tyler:
Restaurants and bars
Art galleries
Live music venues
Shopping
Broadway Square Mall:
Indoor shopping
Department stores
Food court
Movie theater
Wetlands & Nature:
Tyler State Park (hiking, fishing, camping)
Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge (big cat sanctuary)
Where to Eat
The Grove Kitchen & Gardens: Farm-to-table, upscale
Stanley's Famous Pit BBQ: Excellent brisket
Rick's on the Square: Casual, downtown
Lots of chain options
Broadway Square Mall: Indoor shopping
The Village at Cumberland Park: Outdoor shopping
Downtown boutiques: Local shops
Tips
Rose Festival is in October (big event)
More dining options than Gilmer
Good hospital if you need medical care
College town atmosphere (UT Tyler)
Longview (20 minutes)
Why go: Convenience and amenities
Longview is the closest city to Gilmer and where locals go for shopping, movies, and services.
What to Do
Shopping:
Longview Mall: Indoor mall with major stores
Target, Walmart, Best Buy: All the chains
Grocery stores: More options than Gilmer
Entertainment:
Movies: Cinemark and AMC theaters
LeTourneau University: Sometimes has events open to public
Museums: Gregg County Historical Museum, Longview Museum of Fine Arts
Parks:
Paul Boorman Trail: Walking/biking trail
Lear Park: Sports fields, playground
Where to Eat
Lots of chains: Every major chain restaurant
Local options: Some good local spots downtown
More variety than Gilmer
Practical Stuff
Hospital: Christus Good Shepherd (regional medical center)
Airport: East Texas Regional (GGG)
Car rentals: All major companies
Tips
Mainly a convenience stop
Not a tourist destination
Good for rainy days (shopping, movies)
Caddo Lake (1 hour)
Why go: Texas's only natural lake and most hauntingly beautiful
Caddo Lake is unlike anywhere else in Texas. The labyrinth of cypress groves draped in Spanish moss feels more like Louisiana bayou than typical Texas landscape.
What to Do
Boat Tours:
Guided tours from Jefferson or Uncertain, TX
Learn about history and ecology
See alligators, herons, owls
Photography tours available
Kayaking/Canoeing:
Rent from multiple outfitters
Self-guided paddling
Get lost (in a good way) in the cypress maze
Sunrise and sunset paddles are magical
Fishing:
Excellent bass and crappie fishing
Different techniques than Lake Fork (more structure)
Guides available
Hiking:
Caddo Lake State Park trails
Wildlife viewing
Boardwalks over wetlands
Where to Stay
Caddo Lake State Park: Camping and cabins
Uncertain, TX: Tiny town with lodging
Karnack, TX: Nearby town
Jefferson: 20 minutes away
Tips
Bring bug spray (mosquitoes love it here)
Don't paddle alone—easy to get lost
Alligators are real—keep distance
Best in spring and fall
Foggy mornings are most atmospheric
Marshall (40 minutes)
Why go: Historic downtown and pottery tradition
Marshall is another East Texas historic gem with a beautiful courthouse square and a surprising artistic tradition.
What to Do
Historic Downtown:
One of Texas's most beautiful courthouse squares
Antique shops
Coffee shops and cafes
Walkable historic district
Michelson Museum of Art:
Surprising collection for a small town
Works by Russian-American artist Leo Michelson
Free admission
Starr Family Home:
Texas Historical Commission site
Historic home tours
Beautiful grounds
Pottery:
Harrison County has a pottery tradition
Shops and studios to visit
Where to Eat
Central Perks: Coffee and sandwiches
Various downtown cafes
Texas BBQ: A few good spots
Tips
Quieter than Jefferson
Good antiquing
Beautiful architecture
|
Mount Pleasant | 35 min | Outlet shopping, dining |
Mount Pleasant (35 minutes)
Why go: Outlet shopping and dining
Mount Pleasant is a convenient nearby city with brand-name outlet shopping and a variety of dining options.
What to Do
Texas Tanger Outlets:
Discount shopping
Name brands
Outdoor mall
Downtown Mount Pleasant:
Historic square
Local shops and cafes
Weekend farmers market (seasonal)
Where to Eat
Chain restaurants near the outlets
Local Mexican spots downtown
Classic diner fare on the square
Tips
Outlet shopping is hit-or-miss—check for sales
Good for a rainy day
Combined with Jefferson makes a good day trip
Less crowded than Tyler on weekends
Kilgore (30 minutes)
Why go: Oil history and community college culture
Kilgore's claim to fame is the "World's Richest Acre" — a downtown block that once produced more oil than any other acre on earth.
What to Do
East Texas Oil Museum:
Excellent museum on oil boom history
Life-size dioramas
Worth the trip for history buffs
Kilgore College:
Rangerette Museum (famous drill team)
Sometimes has performances open to public
Downtown Kilgore:
Oil derrick replicas
Historic markers
Small-town Texas feel
Tips
Museum is the main attraction
Good stop on the way to somewhere else
Not a full-day destination
Day Trip Itineraries
Romantic Weekend: Jefferson + Caddo Lake
Day 1:
Drive to Jefferson (45 min)
Explore downtown and antiques
Romantic dinner at The Stillwater Inn
Stay in historic B&B
Day 2:
Breakfast in Jefferson
Caddo Lake boat tour
Paddling or photography
Dinner on the way home
Family Fun: Tyler
Morning:
Drive to Tyler (45 min)
Caldwell Zoo (3 hours)
Lunch:
Downtown Tyler
Afternoon:
Rose Garden
Ice cream or treat
Head home
Guys' Trip: Lake Fork Fishing
Pre-dawn:
Drive to Lake Fork (30 min)
Meet fishing guide at marina
All day:
Fish with guide
Lunch on the boat or at marina
Evening:
Dinner at lakefront restaurant
Stories and lies about the one that got away
Antiquing Adventure: Jefferson + Marshall
Morning:
Jefferson antique shops
Coffee and snack
Lunch:
Jefferson restaurant
Afternoon:
Drive to Marshall (30 min)
More antiquing
Historic downtown walk
Evening:
Dinner in Marshall or head home
Regional Tips
Getting Around
You'll need a car for all these trips
No public transportation between towns
Roads are generally good
Cell Service
Good on main highways
Spotty in rural areas
Download offline maps
Gas Stations
Fill up in Gilmer before long trips
Small towns may have limited hours
Weather
Same as Gilmer generally
Caddo Lake can be cooler and foggier
More Resources
Things to Do in Gilmer
Where to Stay in Gilmer
Visit Gilmer Guide
Have a favorite nearby spot we missed? Let us know!
Explore East Texas
Gilmer is perfectly positioned to experience the best of East Texas. From the mysterious cypress swamps of Caddo Lake to the historic charm of Jefferson, from the big-city amenities of Tyler to the fishing paradise of Lake Fork, you're never far from your next adventure.
Use Gilmer as your base camp, and explore everything this beautiful region has to offer.
