Arts, Culture, & History

The best way to experience all that Bryan has to offer is to experience the arts first-hand, immerse yourself in our shared history, and explore all the cultural threads that have woven together to form the beautiful fabric of our community.

With dozens of murals, galleries, studios, and events throughout the year, the artsy side of Bryan may be a bit unexpected, but it’s one of the aspects in our community of which we’re most proud! While much of the artistic energy in town is concentrated in Historic Downtown Bryan, an official Texas Cultural District, you can find artists at work in just about every corner of the city.

From local artists' artwork hung at Polite Coffee Roasters., to live music at Lake Walk and The Grand Stafford Theater, and from art classes & First Saturday Art Fair at DeGallery to wine label design competitions at Messina Hof Winery & Resort, the arts truly thrive in Bryan, Texas.

Bryan, Texas got its start as a railroad town more than 150 years ago when William Joel Bryan, nephew of Stephen F. Austin, sold a single square mile of land to representatives of the Houston & Texas Central Railroad. That $3,200 plot of land would soon become a full-fledged city, named in William Joel Bryan’s honor. The town quickly became the agricultural and commercial hub of the Brazos Valley, and the City of Bryan was officially incorporated in November of 1871.

Discover our storied past with the official Bryan, Texas History Tour! This self-guided tour will lead you on a journey through time as you take a look into the legends of our past at more than 20 historical sites & landmarks throughout the city. Get started on your self-guided history tour today by signing up below. Check in to all the stops to receive a Bryan-themed prize pack that can be picked up at Destination Bryan's office.

Many visitors are surprised by the level of cultural diversity here in Bryan, but with a world-renowned university & a wonderful quality of life, it just makes sense that people of all backgrounds would settle down here – and we welcome them with open arms & a friendly “howdy!”

Events like Fiestas Patrias each September, Boonville Heritage Days in October, Brazos Valley Worldfest every fall, and Juneteenth celebrations in the summer provide great opportunities to partake in & enjoy the customs, traditions, and contributions of many of the groups that have helped build Bryan into the city we so cherish.

When we’re not actively celebrating the many cultures that find a home in Bryan, we’re busy chowing down on culinary delights from around the globe. Authentic Thai and top-notch taquerias… All that (and more) are on the table in Bryan, Texas!