All mothers of the bride know that when women think of wedding guest attractions, they are generally thinking of all their kids’ single friends who will be showing up for the big day.

Match-making heaven.

But the reality is, knowing that the moms are trying to set someone up is usually death to the idea. And you still have to entertain all those families coming from out of town.

Since spring weddings are around the corner, here is the list of my favorite area attractions, just in time to add it to your welcome goodies for the hotel.

Local Restaurants

•Potpourri House, 3320 Troup Hwy., 903-592-4171. Excellent food, fabulous boutique.

•El Charo, 2623 E. Fifth Street, 903-596-7222. An East Texas Mexican tradition.

•Jucy’s, 2330 E. Fifth Street, 903-597-0660. One of the best burgers anywhere.

•Bruno’s, 1400 S. Vine Ave. or their new location on Old Jacksonville Hwy. Pizza like none other; worth the drive.

Easy Entertainment •Tyler Rose Garden and Museum, 420 S. Rose Park Dr, 903-597-3130.

•Caldwell Zoo, 2203 W. ML King Blvd, 903-593- 0121.

•Discovery Science Place, 308 N. Broadway Ave, 903- 533-8011.

•Tyler Museum of Art, 1300 Mahon Ave, 903-595- 1001.

•Brookshire’s Wildlife Museum, 1600 WSW Loop 323, 903-534-2169.

•Goodman Museum, 624 N. Broadway, 903-531- 1286.

•East Texas Oil Museum, Kilgore College, 1100 Broadway Boulevard, Kilgore, TX 75662, 903- 983-8295, www.easttexasoilmuseum. com, especially perfect for guests from out of state.

Entertainment for the Adventrous:

Cherokee Trace Safari, 903-683-3322, 1200 CR 4405, Jacksonville, TX 75766, contact@cherokeetrace. org.

NYTX ZipLine Adventures, 903-681-3791, 7290 CR 4328, New York/LaRRe ue, TX 75770. www.goziptexas. com/page04.html

The Villages Water Park, 903-534-8400, 18270 Singing Wood Lane, Flint, TX 75762, www.silverleafresorts. com/waterpark

Splash Kingdom Water Park, 903-567-0044, Interstate 20, Canton, TX 75103, www.splashkingdom.com

First Monday Trades Day, Canton, Texas. The weekend before the first Monday of each month; more merchandise than you can imagine spread across acres of what used to be pasture.

If you are planning our big day and would like this list as an efile, just let me know.

Best wishes for a happy wedding and a happy life together.

Cathy Primer Krafve lives and writes with a Texas twang. Visit checklistcharlie. blogspot.com.