Bring the whole family to enjoy these local attractions this summer.Vacation time is approaching fast, but you don’t have to break the family budget to have fun all summer long. With a wealth of activities and “staycations” right here in Bryan/College Station, you can relax now knowing there is something to please everyone in your family and out-of-town guests for the long, hot weeks ahead.
50 HOT STOPS
Make a Splash
With temperatures reaching above 100° during the Texas summer, it’s important to stay cool. To beat the heat this summer, make a splash! Spending the day at Lake Bryan is an easy, inexpensive way to make summer memories. Just go for the day or bring a tent and camp all weekend. You and your family can go swimming, play sand volleyball, enjoy some of the nature trails around the lake, or go jet skiing. There are even several events to enjoy throughout the summer.
But that’s not the only way to keep cool this summer! There are several pools in the area offering the right kind of excitement for any family. If you have teenagers, you might want to try out one of the pools with waterslides such as Adamson Lagoon, Bryan Aquatic Center, or Henderson Harbor. Splash pads at Tanglewood Park and Tiffany Sale Park also offer a fun, cool alternative to a traditional pool and are great for younger kids.
Lake Bryan
8200 Sandy Point Road, Bryan
979-361-0861
www.lakebryan.com
Adamson Lagoon
1900 Anderson, College Station
979-764-3735
www.cstx.gov
Bryan Aquatic Center
3100 Oak Ridge Drive, Bryan
979-209-5222
www.bryantx.gov
Henderson Harbor
1200 Ridgedale Street, Bryan
979-209-5221
www.bryantx.gov
Visit a Museum or Gallery
Visiting a museum this summer is a perfect way to escape the heat and learn something new.Bryan/College Station has a wide selection of museums and galleries. Whether your interests range from wildlife, the military, or politics, Bryan/College Station showcases a variety of vibrant and charming museums.
The most well-known museum in the area is the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum. In fact, it is consistently in the top 30 most visited attractions in Texas. The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum reveals the unique influences and challenges that shaped George H.W. Bush’s life and presidency through artifacts, films, photographs, documents, music, and interactive video, which creates a museum experience that is both educational and entertaining. Take a break from the summer heat to enjoy a few other museums and galleries in the area as well.
If you want to learn more about the history of the area, you might stop by the Brazos Valley African American Museum where you can browse exhibits that chronicle the tragedies and triumphs of African American life, while focusing on local histories of churches, families, and schools, or visit the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History where you will learn about animals, plants, minerals, and human activity in the Brazos Valley today and in ages past. The Museum of Natural History’s interactive exhibits are also great for children. Speaking of kids, you will definitely want to take the kiddos to the Children’s Museum of the Brazos Valley, where children are encouraged to learn through play with hands-on activities.
For military history, visit the Museum of the American GI, a living history museum preserving the equipment, uniforms, and memories of the American Serviceman or the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial, which is dedicated to America’s military veterans. At the memorial there is a bronze sculpture and the Wall of Honor, which features the names of more than 4,000 veterans.
If art is more your thing, there is no shortage of art galleries in Bryan/College Station. Your first stop should be at the Arts Council of Brazos Valley. Here, you will find exhibitions featuring works from local, regional, nationally and internationally known artists as well as information about arts activities and venues throughout the Brazos Valley.
Then stop by Benjamin Knox Gallery where you can view the home gallery, fine artwork, and custom framing of nationally renowned artist Benjamin Knox. The MSC Forsyth Center Galleries is also a must-see. It is located on the Texas A&M University campus and is the home of the Bill (‘35) & Irma Runyon Art Collections, which includes one of the world’s most extraordinary collections of English Cameo Glass.
While you’re on campus, stop by the Sam Houston Sanders Corps of Cadet Center, which depicts the Corps of Cadets from its beginning in 1876 to today, the Texas A&M Athletic Sports Museum that serves as a repository for treasured sports relics of the past, and the Bonfire Memorial, which is dedicated to the 12 Aggies who lost their lives in the tragic collapse of the 1999 Bonfire.
George Bush Presidential Library and Museum
1000 George Bush Drive,
College Station
979-691-4000
Bushlibrary.tamu.edu
Brazos Valley African American Museum
500 East Pruitt Street, Bryan
979-775-3961
www.bvaam.org
Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History
3232 Briarcrest Drive, Bryan
979-776-2195
www.brazosvalleymuseum.org
Children’s Museum of Brazos Valley
111 East 27th Street, Bryan
979-779-5437
www.cmbv.org
Museum of the American GI
19124 South Highway 6,
College Station
979-777-2820
www.magicstx.org
Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial
3101 Harvey Road, College Station
979-574-7121
www.bvvm.org
Arts Council of Brazos Valley
2275 Dartmouth Street,
College Station
979-696-2787
www.acbv.org
Benjamin Knox Gallery
405 University Drive East,
College Station
979-696-5669
www.benjaminknox.com
MSC Forsyth Center Galleries
Texas A&M University Campus, College Station
979-845-9251
Forsyth.tamu.edu
Sam Houston Sanders Corps of Cadet Center
Texas A&M University Campus, College Station
979-862-2862
www.aggiecorps.org
Texas A&M Lettermen’s Association Athletic Sports Museum
Texas A&M University Campus, College Station
979-846-3024
Lettermen.tamu.edu
Bonfire Memorial
Texas A&M University Campus, College Station
979-845-5851
Bonfire.tamu.edu/memorial
Explore Culinary Tourism
If you’re looking for great Texas cuisine, look no further than your own backyard. Bryan/College Station offers some of the best locally grown produce in Texas. In fact, we’re home to several tasty restaurants that have a passion for serving local products. Learn how these items go get to the table by touring one of the local farms. Bryan/College Station is home to the fastest growing, most award-winning winery in Texas, Messina Hof Winery. Here you can see the entire process of turning grapes into wine. You can also pick your own pecans at Royalty Pecan Farms, or learn about the beer making process at New Republic Brewing. Whether dining out or touring one of the region’s hardworking farms, you’ll find delicious, unforgettable culinary experiences around every corner
Messina Hof Winery
4545 Old Reliance Road, Bryan
979-778-9463
www.messinahof.com
Royalty Pecan Farms
10600 State Highway 21 East, Caldwell
979-272-3904
www.royaltypecans.com
New Republic Brewing
11405 North Dowling Road,
College Station
415-273-9378
www.newrepublicbrewing.com
Play in the Park
Picnicking in the park is perfect for all ages. One of the cheapest forms of entertainment is to pack a picnic lunch and take your family to the park. There are several different types of parks in the area for your family to enjoy. You will find a variety of parks with walking, hiking, or biking trails such as Wolf Pen Creek, and Lick Creek Park.
If you like sports, visit a park like Central Park, Sue Haswell Park, or Veteran’s Park that have a variety sporting fields and courts. Or for a unique park experience you might consider visiting the brand-new G. Hysmith Skate Park, which is a competition-quality skate park designed for all skill levels.
Chances are there is a park to fit your needs just around the corner from you. Whether you’re playing on a playground or skating in a skate park, the parks in the Bryan/College Station are guaranteed to be fun for the whole family.
Wolf Pen Creek
1015 Colgate, College Station
979-764-3486
www.cstx.gov
Lick Creek Park
13600 East Rock Prairie Road, College Station
979-764-3486
www.cstx.gov
Central Park
1000 Krenek Tap Road,
College Station
979-764-3486
www.cstx.gov
Sue Haswell Park & Pool
1142 East William J. Bryan Parkway, Bryan
979-209-5527
www.bryantx.gov
Veteran’s Park
3101 Harvey Road, College Station
979-764-3486
www.cstx.gov
G. Hysmith Skate Park
1520 Rock Prairie Road,
College Station
979-764-3486
www.cstx.gov
Go to a Festival or Event
Most of the festivals offered in the area are free. Festivals and events are great ways to get out and enjoy the summer. Plus, many of the events offered in the area are cheap or free, which is even better! On almost any given night throughout the year you can catch live entertainment somewhere in town, but during the summer, the City of College Station hosts the Starlight Music Series. The Starlight Music Series features leading entertainment performances that are free and fun for the whole family.
Or you can head to Downtown Bryan on the first Friday of every month for First Fridays. At First Friday, you can enjoy a family-friendly movie in the park, shopping, dining, live entertainment, art, and more. Download audio online and take a walking tour of Downtown Bryan to learn a little more about how the area was developed and the stories behind several of the historic buildings.
Brand new in Downtown Bryan – Art by Murder! – a unique three-hour event where you will explore a designated area, solve a murder and reveal the final solution through a step-by-step painting. This newest Downtown attraction is full of interactive fun and intrigue as you visit specific businesses for “clues” and create a painting that will solve the mystery. The site assures that the painting is especially designed for the non-artist and fun for all. Art by Murder events are scheduled on certain days of the month and tickets can be purchased to the events on the ArtbyMurderevent.com website.
Celebrate Independence Day at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum’s annual “I Love America” 4th of July Celebration. On that day, admission to the museum is free, and the museum will host concessions, live entertainment, and games for the children, not to mention a spectacular firework show.
You also won’t want to miss Harvest Weekends at Messina Hof Winery and Resort. During Harvest Weekends, Messina Hof Winery will feature special events such as murder mystery dinners, tours of the winery, grape stomps, and cooking classes. Even the children are invited to come out to the winery and learn about agriculture.
Toward the end of the summer, mark your calendars to attend the first-ever Brazos Valley Fair and Expo. This will be an exciting addition to the annual events held in Bryan/College Station. The Brazos Valley Fair and Expo will have attractions for everyone to enjoy including a carnival, live stock show, rodeo, educational activities, and concert!
Starlight Music Series
May 19, June 2, and June 16
Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater
1015 Colgate, College Station
979-764-3486
www.cstx.gov
First Fridays
The first Friday of every month
Historic Downtown Bryan
979-822-4920
www.downtownbryan.com
Art By Murder
May 5, 22, 24, 29, 31; June 2, 8; other dates TBA
ArtByMurderEvent.com
info@artbymurderevent.com
“I Love America” 4th of July Celebration
July 4
George Bush Presidential Library and Museum
1000 George Bush Drive, College Station
979-691-4000
Bushlibrary.tamu.edu
Harvest Weekends
July 20-22 and 27-29, August 3-5, 10-12, and 17-19
Messina Hof Winery and Resort
4545 Old Reliance Road, Bryan
979-778-9463
www.messinahof.com
Brazos Valley Fair and Expo
September 6-9
Brazos County Expo
5827 Leonard Road, Bryan
979-823-3976
www.brazosvalleyfair.com
With two cities offering some of the best attractions in Texas, there is so much for you to explore, experience, and enjoy! This summer we encourage you to break away from the ordinary, and be a tourist in your own backyard. See what Bryan/College Station has to offer. For a full list of attractions, restaurants, and community events go to www.visitaggieland.com or contact the Bryan/College Station Convention & Visitors Bureau at 979-260-9898.
