Things To Do In Bryan-College Station, Texas If You Plan To Skip The Game
Aggie football game weekends are some of the busiest weekends in the Brazos Valley, but don't worry it's not only about football in Bryan-College Station, Texas! Experience plenty of fun, family-friendly things to do, delicious restaurants offering BBQ, farm-to-table fare, and more! Plus, Bryan has plenty of cool breweries & fun bars too!
Be sure to follow Destination Bryan on Instagram & Facebook to stay updated on local events, live music, and more happening in Bryan, Texas!
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Food + Drink
Bryan offers the most delicious pizza, BBQ, burgers, tacos, and of course craft beers & cocktails this side of the Brazos River! Check out a few of our favorite spots below!
200 West 26th Street| Historic Downtown Bryan
With patio seating overlooking one of the most picturesque streets in Historic Downtown Bryan, RX Pizza strives to provide a unique environment for people to enjoy their leisure time. That’s why they serve their own favorites – hand-tossed brick oven pizza and amazing craft cocktails. Be sure to ask your server what their pizza and cocktail of the month are!
Campfire
4100 Lake Atlas Drive
Where southern hospitality meets authentic Texas cuisine, Campfire Restaurant at The Stella Hotel near Lake Walk serves brunch, dinner, and drinks in one of the most inviting restaurants in the Bryan-College Station area. You’ll be greeted by the mouthwatering aroma of smoke & seasonings no matter the time of day, and you won’t be disappointed by their delicious offerings made fresh with the best ingredients found in Central Texas. Plus, they have a patio with plenty of shaded seating!
Top of the Hill Greasy Burger
2444 Lakewood Drive
Top Of The Hill specializes in old-fashioned, greasy burgers with fresh-cut vegetables & hand-pressed patties. Located on the outskirts of Bryan on West OSR, Top Of The Hill offers specialty. fries, cold beer, and sodas & some of the tastiest burgers in the whole State of Texas. They’ve been featured in several statewide publications & TV shows, including The Texas Bucket List. Top Of The Hill is family-friendly and off-the-beaten-path. Go experience one of the best burgers in Texas!
Follow Top of the Hill on social.
Bavarian Brauhaus
109 North Main Street | Historic Downtown Bryan
Bavarian Brauhaus in Historic Downtown Bryan is every local's favorite pub serving traditional dishes from Bavaria and a long list of quality German beers. We're talking handmade schnitzel, späetzle, and some seriously delicious desserts! Right next door of course is Murphy's Law, a local hot spot and on the regular that features live music, delicious bites, drink specials & more! Enjoy a variety of Irish whiskies and a properly poured Guinness beer every time you visit!
If you're looking for more of the best BBQ in the Brazos Valley be sure to check out 9 must visit barbeque spots in Bryan!
If you're interested in more foodie spots in Bryan, be sure to check out The Official Bryan, Texas Taco Trail - with more than 40 spots! Sign up for free now!
Breweries + Bars
Escape the surrounding hustle & bustle of Aggieland at one of the many bars & breweries (even a meadery) in Bryan with plenty of comfortable seating and cold drinks!
Blackwater Draw Brewery
701 North Main Street | Historic Downtown Bryan
Blackwater Draw is a craft brewery & taproom at the north end of Historic Downtown Bryan that also happens to be home to one of the best food trucks in Aggieland, Blackwater Bites. They serve classic gastropub favorites, with some of the best truffle fries you’ll find in the Brazos Valley. They often have live music, too, which of course pairs great with their signature brews.
Carney's Pub
3410 South College Avenue
Affectionately called just “Carney’s,” this spot has been a favorite among Bryan-College Station locals for years. Carney’s is located in the heart of the up-and-coming Midtown area and provides full service in their astro-turf-covered back patio. Soak up some sun and get to "Carney's" as soon as you can to enjoy great drinks, delicious burgers, tasty tacos, and more!
Lonestar Meadery
216 North Bryan Avenue, Suite 100 | Historic Downtown Bryan
Serving up over a dozen types of mead, Lonestar Meadery in Historic Downtown Bryan is the place to try something new and delicious! Officially having opened in August of 2022, Lonestar Meadery produces traditional meads. We highly recommend grabbing a flight and trying a little bit of everything!
There’s plenty of after-hours fun to be had for everyone in Historic Downtown Bryan. Find the perfect spot for you & your friends below!
Vineyards + Agricultural Experiences
Learn about the agricultural side of things in Bryan, Texas. From bees to farm-to-table focused cuisine, there is plenty to see!
Messina Hof Winery
4545 Old Reliance Road
Venture over to Messina Hof Winery for a glass (or two) of true, Texas wine. Located right in Bryan’s backyard, Messina Hof Winery is one of the most renowned wineries in the state. Family-owned and operated, Messina Hof has been a local hotspot for over 40 years and offers wine tastings, winery tours, and year-round special events! We recommend their Saturday Cellar Tour and then indulging in a tasty charcuterie board in The Wine Bar.
Reserve a spot on a winery tour!
Royalty Pecan Farm
10600 State Highway 21 East
As you're traveling to and from the Brazos Valley area we highly recommend making a visit to Royalty Pecan Farms! In their shop, you'll find artisan oven-baked pies and bread, flavored pecans, and even southern pecan coffee beans! Plus, on Saturdays, you and the family can join in on their guided orchard tours and learn more about the operations and history of the orchard.
Cornerstone Bees
5104 Wallis Road | Hive Tours Available Upon Request
Cornerstone Honey Bees, owned & operated by Chris & Dalene Barnes, was established in 2013, originally as a minor hobby. Today, Cornerstone Honey Bees operates more than 50 hives and offers a diverse array of products & services, including honey & wax sales, swarm captures & colony removals, leasing hives, hive & nucleus colony sales, beekeeping consulting, and of course hive tours!
Learn more about Cornerstone Bees.
Ronin Farm & Restaurant
800 North Main Street | Historic Downtown Bryan
Offering beverage classes, Thursday trivia nights, live music on Fridays & Saturdays, and delectable brunch offerings on Sundays, Ronin’s Spring calendar is full of things to do! Be sure to check their calendar here, as Ronin’s events take place at their restaurant in Historic Downtown Bryan and their Farm in Bryan.
If you're looking for date night ideas, check out Ronin's Full Moon Dinners at Ronin's Farm. The evening begins with a tour of the family, and then dinner in the forest showcasing produce from the farm and prepared in a professional kitchen converted from an old barn on the property. The night concludes with dessert in the herb garden, under the full moon and the bright Texas stars.
Family-Friendly Spots
Let the whole family get in on the fun in Bryan! Check out a few of our favorite family-friendly activities below.
Aggieland Safari
18075 FM 974
Pack up the car and see the "Serengeti of the South" at Aggieland Safari as you explore their drive-thru safari & wildlife recreation center. Aggieland Safari is home to an assortment of reptiles and critters including snakes, tortoises, birds, and giraffes! You can even offer the giraffes & tortoises a fresh, cool snack by hand!
Get your tickets to the Safari!
The Queen Theatre
110 South Main Street | Historic Downtown Bryan
The Queen Theatre originating in 1913 as a single-room movie theater officially reopened in March 2022 and now features luxury seats and a full dining menu! Theater-goers can enjoy first-run movies in the heart of Downtown Bryan all while enjoying delicious food & drinks! Plus, The Crown Bar on the 3rd floor serves some delicious cocktails.
You’ll find plenty of wide open spaces in the Bryan with so many ways to relax, recreate, and connect with nature at our dozens of parks, outdoor events, lakeside trails, and more!
Lake Bryan
8200 Sandy Point Road | Open Daily | $5 Entry Per Car | $75 Annual Pass
Find room to breathe, get on the water, and soak up the sunshine at Lake Bryan, an outdoor recreation oasis in the heart of the Brazos Valley. With more than 20 miles of hiking, biking, and running trails, swimming areas, campgrounds, and largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and redfish stocked by Texas Parks & Wildlife, there are plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in nature and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life!
There are even opportunities to rent kayaks and paddle boards for your day at Lake Bryan! Reserve yours here. Plus, the food & drinks at Cadillac Ranch Bar & Grill do not disappoint!
Lake Atlas At Lake Walk
4100 Lake Atlas Drive
Enjoy biking and walking trails, nearby coffee shops and restaurants, and more at Lake Walk. With an emphasis on wellness and an appreciation of your healthy lifestyle, Lake Walk is the perfect place to begin and end your day during Aggie football season. Check out the Lake Walk events calendar here, to learn more about community yoga, live music, and their upcoming markets.
Booking a spring vacation at The Stella Hotel? Guests receive complimentary access to paddle boards and bicycles!
In Bryan, Texas the whole family can experience a number of museums, a thriving arts scene, and so much more that has made our unique community what it is today.
Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History
232 Briarcrest Drive
The Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History features a rich variety of exhibits exploring the natural world and the history and culture of the Brazos Valley. Alongside these displays, visitors can enjoy special exhibits, which include traveling exhibits or in-house exclusive exhibits on a diverse range of topics.
Learn more about the museum's current exhibits.
Brazos Valley African American Museum
500 East Pruitt Street
At the museum take the time to learn about deeply-rooted Black history in Bryan, Texas with influential stories of Bryan's African American educators, doctors, business owners, political officials, and families that worked to transform the Brazos Valley into the prosperous community it is today. Stop by to see & learn from these emotional, touching, and informative displays today!
George Bush Library & Museum
1000 George Bush Drive West
You and the whole family can experience presidential history and learn about the life & love story of George & Barbara Bush at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum. Enjoy exploring records and artifacts from the presidency of George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States.
Bryan is a vibrant, diverse community home to a thriving arts scene, rich in cultural diversity, and rooted in a storied past more than 150 years in the making. From 30-foot murals & historical statues, to local artwork displayed in almost every business you visit, there is no question that Bryan embraces the art and artists that call this community home.
Shopping
Get in a little shopping spree at all the eclectic boutiques & shops in Downtown Bryan!
Old Bryan Marketplace
202 South Bryan Avenue | Open Monday - Saturday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Featured in Southern Living Magazine as one of the best home design shops in the South, Old Bryan Marketplace is filled to the top with unique finds of home decor, florals, accessories, collectibles, and more! Owned and operated by a fourth-generation Bryan resident, this establishment is sure to give you a warm, Bryan welcome to you and your friends.
Take a peek at the online store here.
Catalena Hatters
203 North Main Street | Open Monday - Saturday | Hours Vary
Recognized as a Bryan, Texas Legend, Catalena Hatters is owned and operated by the Catalena family and has been producing custom hats since 1983. Visit their shop and pick out your very own cowboy hat to have custom-fitted right in the store!
Watch Catalena Hatter Legends story.
Sparrow Lane
205 South Main Street | Open Tuesday - Saturday | 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Located right on Main Street, Sparrow Lane is an eclectic shop that sells ornate European antiques, home décor, kitchenware, gift sets, jewelry, apparel and more. If you need a hostess or celebratory gift we highly recommend you check out their cute tea towels and candles!
Texas Rose Boutique
205 North Main Street | Open Monday - Saturday | Hours Vary
Texas Rose Boutique is one of the cutest women’s clothing shops in Bryan, Texas, and offers a wide selection of urban western ware with a twist. Conveniently located on Main Street, this shop offers a variety of items like women’s tops, denim, dresses, jackets, shoes, jewelry, handbags, and more!
