Welcome to College Station, Bryan and Texas A&M |
While the City of College Station lies a bit to the west of what is normally considered "East Texas", we have personal ties there, and have visited on a number of road trips. It is really "just west of East Texas", and is home to about 120,000 residents.
The city lies about 95 miles northwest of Houston, 105 miles northeast of Austin, and 53 miles west of Huntsville on I-45. It is located on Texas Highway 6 and near US Highway 190.
Just to the north of College Station is the City of Bryan, with about 84,000 residents. Bryan is the county seat of Brazos County.
The Bryan-College Station metropolitan area has a population of over 250,000.
The cities also are home to Texas A&M University in College Station and Blinn College in Bryan.
The Houston & Texas Central Railway arrived in the area in 1860, and in 1876 the site was selected at the home of the new Texas A&M College. In 1877 the "College Station" post office was established. Today, the railway still runs through Bryan, College Station and the Texas A&M campus.
The College Station and Bryan area offers residents and visitors a wide variety of attractions and things to do. With its mild climate, it is a year-round destination.
College Station ... Home of Texas A&M University |
From art galleries and museums to Grand Station Entertainment, Historic Downtown Bryan, the George Bush Presidential Library and Aggieland Wild Animal Safari, there is something of interest to everyone. Music events, breweries and sporting complexes are always popular.
And don't miss the Benjamin Knox Gallery, the Old Bryan Marketplace and the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History.
Annual events attract many visitors, including Texas A&M football games in the fall and Santa's Wonderland in the winter.
Outdoor activities abound, with facilities like the Lick Creek Park, Veterans Park, Walk Pen Creek and Lake Bryan.
Journey a few miles south to Brenham and enjoy bluebonnets in the spring, the campus of Blinn College, and tour the Blue Bell Creamery.
With a huge selection of hotels and restaurants, the area is a favorite tourist destination for all of Texas.
College Station and Bryan have numerous motels, hotels, B&Bs, and other lodging. Included below are hotel and restaurant resources, with traveler reviews at TripAdvisor.
The GeorgeThe George™ hotel is steeped in an atmosphere of authentic Texas charm, bringing a sophisticated flair all its own to the Brazos Valley. The 162-room luxury boutique hotel is located in College Station's most vibrant community, Century Square, a walkable 60-acre mixed-use destination offering the city's best in retail, dining and entertainment venues. The George is located at 180 Century Court. Phone toll-free 844.599.3871 or direct at 979.500.6020 The George - Reviews on TripAdvisor |
The Stella Hotel, Autograph CollectionThe Stella Hotel, Autograph Collection, is a AAA 4-diamond, full-service hotel by Marriott in Bryan/College Station. Experience a fresh but familiar, authentic yet evolved Texan experience that mirrors the innovative, intellectual spirit of our surroundings. The Stella is home to four unique dining outlets including farm-to-fork eatery, Campfire, and speak-easy style bar, Hershel’s. With over 20,000 square feet of event space, The Stella Hotel is proud to be one of the Best in Texas and call Aggieland home. Located within minutes of popular nearby attractions, guests can easily visit Texas A&M, RELLIS, or historic downtown Bryan. From summer concerts to seasonally inspired cuisine, everything at The Stella Hotel, Autograph Collection, exudes the cherished traditions of Texas. The Stella is located at 4100 Lake Atlas Drive, Bryan, TX 77807, near Texas A&M University, the George Bush Presidential Library, and Easterwood Airport. Phone toll-free 844.688.9872 The Stella - Reviews on TripAdvisor |
Welcome to Aggieland! |
Texas A&M University is a unique institution in the higher education landscape, recognized in many different ways for its combination of excellence, affordability, and ability to develop leaders of character who have an impact on the state, nation, and world.
It was the first public university in Texas, and one of only two flagship universities in Texas. The university has been a member of the Association of American Universities since 2001. Today, the campus in College Station covers 5,200 acres.
With its rich history in agriculture education, students are known as "Aggies", and the school is commonly called "Aggieland".
The university offers 133 undergraduate degree programs, 175 master's degree programs, 92 doctoral degree programs and 5 first professional degrees as options for study.
The Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, (the Corps) is the largest, oldest and most visible student organization and leadership training program at Texas A&M University. It is one of the largest uniformed bodies of students in the nation that provides hands-on leadership experience, enhances a world-class education from Texas A&M, and directly involves cadets in the traditions that make Aggieland so different from all other schools. Today, the Corps of Cadets is made up of about 2,300 Texas A&M students.
Map of the A&M Campus |
The phrase "Gig 'em" and thumbs-up gesture are a universal sign of approval for Aggies and identify an Aggie or an Aggie fan. Usually done with the right hand, the Gig ‘em sign also showcases the Aggie Ring, which is traditionally worn on that hand.
Aggie upperclassmen and graduates will often say “Whoop!” as an expression of approval or excitement. It is most often used at the end of an Aggie yell. Underclassmen are not supposed to say the word until they have reached either junior or senior status.
“Howdy” is the official greeting of Texas A&M. Students greeting one another — and especially campus visitors — with a “howdy” has earned the university a reputation as the friendliest campus in the world. The origins of this tradition are unknown, but it is one that Aggies proudly continue.
In the fall of 2023 the enrollment at Texas A&M's main campus in College Station was over 71,000, while the entire A&M System count was over 77,000 students. Texas A&M is proud of its 574,000+ graduates!
While the main campus is in College Station, the Texas A&M System has other campuses in Galveston, Qatar, San Antonio, Commerce, Kingsville, Corpus Christi, Texarkana, Prairie View, and other locales.
at the Official website of Texas A&M |
Texas A&M University aerial view (photo courtesy of Texas A&M)
Haynes Ring Plaza |
Bonfire Memorial |
Texas A&M’s Kyle Field has been the home of the Aggie football team since 1905.
Over a two-year span (2014-15), Kyle Field underwent one of the largest and most extensive redevelopment project in the history of collegiate athletics. The redeveloped Kyle Field features an expanded seating capacity of 102,733, making it one of the five largest stadiums in collegiate football. The $485 million redevelopment was completed in two phases and made its debut for the 2015 season.
Kyle Field was named for Edwin Jackson Kyle, who served as Texas A&M’s dean of agriculture and athletic council president.
Nearby Reed Arena features 12,989-seats, and hosts Aggie basketball and volleyball teams as well as graduation ceremonies and special events/concerts.
at 12thMan.com |
Kyle Field Exterior View |
Game on ... at Kyle Field |
Texas A&M 12th Man Sculpture at Kyle Field
The Gardens at Texas A&MThe Gardens span 27 acres of beautiful public gardens and green space on the Texas A&M University West Campus. The first seven acres, the Leach Teaching Gardens, opened in 2018 and feature 21 demonstration gardens and a climate-controlled pavilion. Students and visitors can relax and learn simultaneously in a peaceful sanctuary on campus. It is located on the campus of Texas A&M at 556 John Kimbrough Boulevard. For details and information about opening dates/times, visit the Website of the Gardens or phone 979.458.4910 |
The museum's core exhibits reveal the unique influences and challenges that shaped George Bush's life and presidency, and frequently changing temporary exhibits present visitors new and interesting perspectives on President Bush, his life and work.
Through artifacts, film, photographs, documents, music, sound effects and interactive videos, this special museum experience encompasses much of U.S. history since 1941.
The grounds feature the Bush Family Gravesite, and the "Day the Wall Came Down" sculpture.
It is located on the campus of Texas A&M University at 1000 George Bush Drive West.
For details and information about opening dates/times, visit the Website of the George Bush Presidential Library or phone 979.862.2253
Union Pacific 4141 at the Bush LibraryThe Union Pacific Railroad paid tribute to President George Herbert Walker Bush with a custom-painted EMD SD70ACe locomotive. Incorporating colors and elements of the Air Force One used during Mr. Bush's presidency, the Union Pacific locomotive bears the number 4141, in honor of the 41st president. On December 6, 2018, Union Pacific was honored to participate in President Bush's funeral train, led by No. 4141, from Spring to College Station, Texas. No. 4141 is now on dispoay inside a new wing of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum on the Texas A&M campus; dedication was in June of 2024. |
Lakeside view of the Library |
The Day the Wall Came Down |
Presidential Limo |
The Oval Office |
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Blinn College at Bryan website |
Veterans Park & Athletic Complex is both a premier athletic facility and a memorial in Bryan College Station. This complex was built to honor veterans of the Brazos Valley and serves the community well by hosting sports events and tournaments. This space is ideal for sports including baseball, football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, ultimate Frisbee and rugby.
This premier athletic facility has 11 athletic fields, 5 softball fields and pavilion. It is located at 3101 Harvey Road.
Along Veterans Park Loop are life-size sculptures of American soldiers who fought and defended our country through various wars and conflicts.
Veterans Park & Athletic Complex |
Sculpture inside Veterans Park |
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On display at the museum is one of the finest collections in the US of restored, running WWII and later era military vehicles including WWII Sherman tanks, M18 Hellcats and Vietnam-era Patrol Boat.
What really makes this museum unique is its ability to exhibit the vehicles and weapons in action. The museum hosts an annual Living History Weekend for the public to experience the rumble of tanks and whine of engines.
The Museum is also honored to be the home for the Texas Vietnam Heroes Exhibit.
For details and opening dates/hours, visit the website of Museum of the American G.I.
Santa's Wonderland features a large variety of events and things to do, such as hayrides, Santa's Cottage, Texas-sized gingerbread villa, Lone Star Lane, the nightly Texas snow, a petting zoo and much more!
It is located at 19124 Highway 6 South in College Station. Phone 979.690.0501
For details, ticket information and opening dates/hours, visit the website of Santa's Wonderland
Post Oak Mall in College Station features 120 stores on an 97 acre plot of land, and is the only super regional shopping center within a 75-mile radius.
The mall has a variety of retailer and dining options.
It is located at 1500 Harvey Road at the intersection with Texas Highway 6.
Post Oak Mall - Official Website |
Easterwood Airport (CLL) in College StationEasterwood Airport (CLL) is served by American Eagle, with daily flights to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Easterwood Airport is owned and operated by Texas A&M University (TAMU) and is the sole air facility within the Bryan-College Station metropolitan area and the Research Valley. Easterwood is a thriving non-hub regional airport providing scheduled commercial airline service and outstanding general aviation facilities. Its longest runway is 7,000ft in length. The William A. McKenzie Terminal provides a rang of airport-related services.
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Blue Bell Creamery in Brenham |
Texas Bluebonnets in the Spring |
Antique Rose Emporium |
Texas ... the Lone Star State |