As businesses are reopening and events plan for in-person activities, Insite's goal is to help you get plugged back into the community. What better way to support local than through your very own staycation? Here's just a handful of places and things to be aware of as the country slowly reopens.
Festivals and Events
First Friday Hosted by the Downtown Bryan Association on the first Friday of every month, First Friday is a celebration of downtown Bryan. This free, family friendly event includes live music, art, and an array of shopping and dining options. www.downtownbryan.com
Fourth of July Parade in Round Top On Independence Day, celebrate Fourth of July with a parade hosted by Round Top Rifle Association. A Civil War-era cannon kicks everything off at 10:30am, followed by a parade of handmade floats, antique cars and tractors, fire engines, trail riders, and longhorn cattle. This event will continue as planned with social distancing practices and safety measures. www.roundtoprifle.com
Cheers to Craft Beer Downtown Bryan will hold its sixth annual Cheers to Craft Beer event on Saturday, July 18, from 3 to 7pm. The event will feature craft beer tastings inside of the downtown retail stores and restaurants. Cheers to Craft Beer is a self-paced walking event. Ticket holders will receive a map of all of the participating locations and can choose which order to sample and visit merchants. This event will be held as planned. www.downtownbryan.com
Hot Nights, Cool Tunes Concert Series The city of Brenham is hosting a free-to-the-public live music event every Saturday night in July. Community members should bring a lawn chair to the Brenham Courthouse square and enjoy some great live music, starting at 7pm every Saturday night. This concert series will take place as planned. www.downtownbrenham.com
Summer Sunset Series Summer Sunset Series is a free concert series in downtown Bryan the second and fourth Fridays in June and July at the Palace Theater in downtown Bryan from 8 to 10pm for a fun night of live music. Performances will be June 12, June 26, July 10, and July 24. The Summer Sunset Series is moving forward as planned with some changing details. www.downtownbryan.com/summer-sunset-series
Breweries/Wineries
Blackwater Draw Brewing Company Blackwater Draw, a small brewery located in historic downtown Bryan, is a great taproom to try new beers crafted in the heart of Texas, including Mexican lager, coffee porter, and a New England Style IPA. They also have a variety of beers and drinks in grocery stores around the Bryan College Station area. Blackwater Draw is open on Thursdays from 5-9pm, Fridays from 5-11pm, and Saturdays from 3-10pm. www.blackwaterbrew.com
Downtown Uncorked For those looking for a great neighborhood bar, Downtown Uncorked is a wine bar that is a fun and vibrant drinking space, designed as a place to meet for a quick pizza, dessert, or glass of wine before dinner. Downtown Uncorked has a great drinking atmosphere, with nice couches, outside seating, and a bar. Downtown Uncorked is reopening at 25 percent capacity, no reservation required, on Wednesday, May 20 with reduced hours of 4-11pm on Wednesdays through Saturdays. www.facebook.com/uncorkedwinenwhiskey
Messina Hof Winery Messina Hof Winery is hosting their annual Harvest Festival, held on Saturdays and Sundays from July 24 until Aug. 15. Harvest Weekend events consist of wine tasting, culinary events, grape picking and stomping, murder mystery dinners, and more. Outside of the Harvest Festival, Messina Hof offers unique winery tours and tastings, chef-led cooking parties, the Wine & Roses Festival, and more. Messina Hof Winery is open with reduced hours and limited services. www.messinahof.com
Perrine Winery Want to relax after a long day over a glass of wine? The family owned Perrine Winery is an intimate and friendly atmosphere that is great for a small party or get together. Their variety of award-winning wines range from robust reds and crisp whites, refreshing fruit infused wines, to bubbly wines on tap. Enjoy a tasting, glass, or bottle of wine with their meat and cheese plate. Perrine Winery is open with reduced hours and limited services. www.perrinewinery.com
Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail Looking to explore the flavors of locally made Texas wine? Wine not hop in the car and discover the Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail. The trail hosts their summer Harvest Wine Trail during the second and third weekends in July. Explore eight member wineries from the area as they offer tastings, tours of their vineyards, live music, and more. This years Harvest Wine Trail has been cancelled due to COVID-19. www.texasbluebonnetwinetrail.com
Farmers Markets
The Farm Patch Check out the Farm Patch, an outdoor produce market and garden center in Bryan, where you can find a variety of delicious produce and food products. Speciality items sold include pecan pies, rotisserie chicken salad, fruit baskets, and more. The Farm Patch is open with regular hours with the exception of cancelling this year's Memorial Day sale. www.thefarmpatch.com
Brenham First Fridays Farmer and Artisan Market Downtown Brenham hosts a farmers market on the first Friday of every month from 3 to 7pm, featuring homegrown fresh foods and homemade products all right in the heart of downtown Brenham. This event will continue as planned. www.downtownbrenham.com
Washington-on-the-Brazos Farmer’s Market Washington-on-the-Brazos is hosting their monthly Farmers Market every third Saturday starting May 16. Taking place from 10am to 2pm, products sold include seasonal produce, baked goods, honey, handmade lotions, jams, and more. Live music is on site. The Farmers Market event is cancelled through June, with subsequent events TBA. www.facebook.com/events/556159308443483
Bellville Farmers Market The Bellville Farmers Market, held on the first Saturday of every month except January, is a great place to find local produce. Taking place at the Jim Bishop Pavilion from 9am to noon, vendors sell seasonal fruits and vegetables, grass-fed beef, local honey, fresh floral bouquets, and more. The Bellville Farmers Market will continue to be held as planned. www.bellvillefarmersmarket.com
Family Entertainment
Urban Air Adventure Park Voted Best Gym in America for Kids by Shape Magazine, Urban Air is the perfect destination for kid’s birthday parties or a family weekend activity. With dozens of attractions, take your kids’ birthday party to the next level or spend a day of fun with the family. See why they consider themselves more than a trampoline park. Urban Air is temporarily closed, with re-opening TBA. www.urbanairtrampolinepark.com
Altitude Trampoline Park Jump into fun with Altitude Trampoline Park, a place where families can enjoy a range of high-energy activities in a positive and safe atmosphere. Featuring more than 20,000 square feet of equipment, such as trampolines, a foam pit, a rock climbing wall, a trapeze, a zipline, and more, it is a great all-ages place for birthdays and special occasions. Altitude Trampoline Park is temporarily closed due to COVID-19, with re-opening TBA. www.altitudecstat.com
Jumping World Set in a family friendly atmosphere, Jumping World is a family entertainment center for all ages and is filled with trampoline fun! They have a vast amount of activities and attractions, including tumbling lanes, a foam pit, supreme dodgeball, and more. Jumping World is temporarily closed, with re-opening TBA. www.jwentertainment.com/location/bryan
Padlock Escape Games One of the most unique entertainment venues, escape rooms provide a fun and family friendly experience that has guests solving puzzles to escape a locked room. For those who haven’t tried it, Padlock Escape Games is a great place to spend time with friends and family. Padlock Escape Games is temporarily closed through the end of May, with re-opening TBA. www.padlockescapegames.com
Escape Room BCS Another great escape room location nearby is Escape Room BCS. They have rooms designed to be challenging and fun for groups, co-workers, teammates, or friends. This venue combines state-of-the-art technology with team building activities to create a worthwhile experience. Escape Room BCS will re-open on Friday, May 22 at noon with staggered scheduling and precautions. www.escaperoombcs.com
Grand Station Entertainment An all-in-one entertainment spot, Grand Station Entertainment is a great place to spend the night. With a variety of entertainment options, including bowling, virtual reality games, laser tag, and a fully functional arcade, Grand Station is a great place to host any birthday party, run a fundraiser or company gathering, or just hang out with friends or family. Grand Station Entertainment will re-open on Friday, May 22. www.grandstationent.com
Spirit Ice Arena With the scorching heat of Texas summer, Spirit Ice Arena provides a nice reprieve, giving a varied entertainment venue in the area. Spirit Ice Arena is an outstanding and unique party venue for all special occasions in a family friendly environment. Spirit Ice Arena is open with safety practices and measures in place. www.spiriticearena.com
Nerdvana Vintage Arcade & Toys A staple of the 80s and 90s, Nerdvana Vintage Arcade & Toys captures that feeling of a retro arcade, providing a fun video game experience for both adults and children, allowing locals to play classic video games. Nerdvana Vintage Arcade & Toys is open with regular hours and safety measures. www.vintagenerdvana.com
Shopping
Post Oak Mall Located in the heart of the Brazos Valley, Post Oak Mall offers a premier shopping experience, giving College Station high-quality shopping options, including Macy’s, Bealls, JCPenney, Dillard’s, Abercrombie & Fitch, Aeropostale, and 120 more shops. Post Oak Mall is open, with individual stores varying in hours of operation. www.postoakmall.com
Century Square Century Square is a 60-acre dynamic community center just outside of Texas A&M University where people work, shop, play, and connect. Century Square features premier retail, restaurant and entertainment, two full-service hotels, and luxury apartments. Century Square is open, with varying hours per store and dine in options. www.century-square.com
Downtown Bryan Continually growing and developing, downtown Bryan has grown into a haven for small businesses and local restaurants. Downtown Bryan offers an array of music, food, shopping, and art that is the foundation for its designation as one of Texas’ Cultural Arts Districts. www.downtownbryan.com
Parks and Recreation
Lake Bryan A great place to visit this summer with friends and family, Lake Bryan is the Brazos Valley’s recreation destination for all things outdoors. Whether you’re biking with friends, canoeing and fishing alongside the lake, or camping with the entire family, there is a lot to explore at Lake Bryan. Lake Bryan is allowing daytime access to guests, with plans to offer full access beginning on June 1. www.lakebryan.com
Bryan Aquatic Center The Bryan Aquatic Center boasts an Olympic-sized heated pool, featuring two waterslides, a public diving board, a zero-depth beach entry area perfect for families, and plenty of space for the whole family to enjoy the sun. The pool is open to the public throughout the year and is available for rent after hours on a first-come, first-served basis. www.bryantx.gov/parks-and-recreation/pools-and-aquatic-facilities
Washington-on-the-Brazos Have you ever wanted to see the place where Texas became Texas? Located in Washington County, Washington-on-the-Brazos offers a variety of child-friendly events and historic venues for the whole family to see, including a recreation of an 1850s plantation.Washington-on-the-Brazos grounds and facilities are open at 25 percent capacity. www.wheretexasbecametexas.org
City of College Station Pools Looking for a place to cool down in the hot summer sun? College Station has three outdoor pools open to the public that are great for the whole family. Located in parks around town, these public pools — Adamson Lagoon, Cindy Hallaran Pool, and the W.A. Tarrow Splash Pad — are all great places to relax, host a celebration, or hangout with friends. The Cindy Harallan Pool will remain closed through the 2020 season, and the re-opening for both Adamson Lagoon and all splash pads is TBA. www.cstx.gov
Live Theatre
The Wedding Singer The Theatre Company presents the musical The Wedding Singer Aug. 15 through Aug. 30. Based on the hit 1998 Adam Sandler movie, The Wedding Singer tells the story of Robbie, a wedding singer who was left at the altar, and his relationship with a waitress he starts falling in love with. www.theatrecompany.com/tickets
Macbeth Stagecenter Community Theatre presents the Shakespearean classic Macbeth May 28 through June 13. One of Shakespeare’s most famous and chilling plays, Macbeth tells the story of what unchecked power and ambition can do. Due to COVID-19, the Macbeth performances will be virtual events with ticket purchases available. Further details are TBA. www.stagecenter.net
Dixie Swim Club Brenham Unity Theatre presents the comedy play Dixie Swim Club June 4 through June 21. The play focuses on the relationship between five women who meet every year in August, covering 33 years of their life, and is a hilarious and touching comedy about the strength of friendship. The Dixie Swim Club comedy play has been cancelled due to COVID-19. www.unitybrenham.org/main-stage
Jack and the Beanstalk Brenham Unity Theatre presents the musical Jack and the Beanstalk June 4 through June 21 as their Children’s Summer Family Musical. Based on classic fairy tales, Jack and the Beanstalk weaves the story into a musical about Jack’s adventure to escape the “magical kingdom.” The Jack and the Beanstalk musical has been cancelled due to COVID-19. www.unitybrenham.org/special-events
Sports
Brazos Valley Bombers This summer, head out to Travis Field to support the local collegiate summer baseball team, the Brazos Valley Bombers. Playing baseball in June and July, the Bombers are a great way to enjoy America’s Pastime in the B/CS area. The Brazos Valley Bombers will hold their home opener on Friday, June 10. www.bvbombers.com
Brazos Valley Roller Derby This summer, come out and support the Brazos Valley Roller Derby, as they continue to skate their way in the B/CS area. Heading into a new season, they show up all over the area, including at First Friday and Third Thursday Art Step. The Brazos Valley Roller Derby is temporarily closed until further notice. www.brazosvalleyrollerderby.com
Brazos Valley Calvary FC Pack the pitch this summer as Brazos Valley Calvary FC, a local USL League Two soccer team, fights to win the Mid-South division for the third year in a row. Head to Travis Field to support the hometown team. The Brazos Valley Cavalry FC will not be playing this year's season due to COVID-19. www.bvcavalryfc.com
Golf Courses
Traditions Club Traditions Club is a private golf club in the heart of Bryan, serving as the home for the Texas A&M Men’s and Women’s Golf Teams. Nestled among majestic native hardwoods, rolling hillsides, and the natural banks of the Turkey Creek, this luxurious golf course is built like no other in the Brazos Valley. Traditions club is open. www.traditionsclub.com
Pebble Creek Country Club Pebble Creek Country Club is the only private club in College Station, providing a fun 18-hole golf course and a spacious 40,000 square foot clubhouse to members. This golf course, designed for both challenge and enjoyment by nationally recognized golf course architect Ken Dye, brings out the best in players of all skill levels, while leaving the best of nature in play. The Pebble Creek Country Club is open. www.pebblecreek.cc
The Golf Club at Texas A&M Near the Texas A&M campus, the Golf Club at Texas A&M is the premier golf course in B/CS. A 71-par course, the Golf Club provides a fun and challenging golfing experience for anyone visiting the B/CS area. The Golf Club at Texas A&M is open for play, with closed practice facilities. www.golfclubtamu.com
City Course at the Phillips Event Center Part of the Phillips Event Center at Briarcrest is a thrilling 18-hole golf course, with tight fairways and small greens making a challenge for experienced golfers. Locals can sign up for a full golf membership or can join as a guest.The City Course at Phillips Event Center is open with safety regulations in place. www.phillipsevents.com/golf
Pecan Lakes Golf Course Located in Navasota, Pecan Lakes Golf Course provides a blend of challenging play for golfers of any skill level and a beautiful course to play through, giving golfers a golfing experience they won’t regret. The Pecan Lakes Golf Course is open. www.pecanlakesgolfclub.net
Bluejack National The first Tiger Woods designed golf course opened in the United States, Bluejack National in Montgomery is a masterful experience for golfers, providing a course with no rough that was rated the number one residential course in Texas by Golfweek. www.bluejacknational.com
Trivia Nights
Trivia On the Green Head to Century Square every Thursday evening for a fun night of Trivia on the Green, where you can compete with friends and family to win prizes. The Century Square trivia night will resume on June fourth. www.century-square.com
O’Bannon’s Taphouse O’Bannon’s hosts a fun trivia night every Wednesday night. With a lively atmosphere and great weekly specials, O’Bannon’s is a great place to end your evening. O’Bannon’s Taphouse re-opens at midnight going into Friday, May 22. Information about their trivia night is TBA. www.obannonstaphouse.com
The Corner Rooftop Bar and Grill The Corner Bar and Grill hosts a game night every Thursday night at 10pm including trivia night, ping pong tournaments, and more. The Corner Bar and Rooftop Grill is open, with information about their game night TBA. www.thecornerbcs.com
P.O.E.T.S. Billiards and Bar P.O.E.T.S. Billiards and Bar is a great sports bar and hangout destination for anyone, with 43 beers on tap, a variety of activities to enjoy with friends, including pool tables and a poker table, and an assortment of fun events almost every night, including live music three nights a week, karaoke on Friday nights, and more. P.O.E.T.S. Billiards and Bar hosts an adult-themed trivia night on Monday nights.The Corner Bar and Rooftop Grill is open, with information about their trivia night TBA. www.facebook.com/POETSBilliardsBCS
Off the Beaten Path
Salsa Dancing at the Village Cafe Have you ever wanted to learn how to salsa dance? Every Saturday night, the Village Cafe in downtown Bryan is hosting a Salsa Dance Night. Starting at 10pm, the event begins with a fun salsa lesson, before transitioning into a salsa soiree until 2am. Village Cafe is open, with plans for dine-in services TBA. www.thevillagedowntown.com
The Break Room The Break Room in Bryan offers a unique and fun local entertainment, giving people the ability to smash any item they desire, from computers and glass trinkets to beer bottles and cups. Whether you want to relieve stress or just have fun destroying TVs, the Break Room is an entertainment venue ready for you. The Break Room is open by appointment until further notice. www.thebreakroombcs.com
Halo Bar For those looking for a high-quality party and dancing atmosphere, Halo Bar in downtown Bryan is the premier dance club in the Brazos Valley. Halo is staffed with award-winning DJs and state-of-the-art audio and video equipment on their two levels of the club. Events at Halo include a karaoke night hosted every Thursday night, and a noteworthy drag show hosted Friday and Saturday night at midnight. Halo Bar is temporarily closed. www.facebook.com/HALOBCS
Hurricane Harry’s Have you ever felt the urge to boot scootin’ boogie? Located just off of Northgate, Hurricane Harry’s is a great bar and dance hall to enjoy a fun Saturday night with friends or family. Harry’s has live music on Friday nights, and a variety of special discounts, including College Thursday Night, Ladies Night, an Aggie Ring discount night, and more. Hurricane Harry’s will be re-opening at 25 percent capacity on Friday, May 22, at 9pm. www.harrys.bcsclubs.com
Editor’s Note: All events are subject to change. Some businesses may remain closed.
