College Station is located in the heart of the Brazos Valley and is home to the main campus of Texas A&M University. Due largely to the presence of the University, College Station was named by Money Magazine in 2006 as the most educated city in Texas, and the 11th-most educated city in the United States. In 1997, College Station drew national attention when the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library opened on the Texas A&M Campus. College Station together with neighboring Bryan make up the Bryan-College Station metropolitan area. The city of College Station is divided into three districts, Northgate, Wolf Pen Creek, and Wellborn. Northgate is a mixed-use district north of Texas A&M University that features a combination of businesses, restaurants, apartments, Airbnbs vacation rentals, churches, and entertainment. It is a vibrant part of the city known for its eclectic mix of restaurants and bars. The Wolf Pen Creek District is a large commercial development that contains a greenway of trails, an amphitheater and entertainment area, a lake and an ice arena. The Wellborn District is the newest having been annexed into College Station in 2011.
1. George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
Located on the campus of Texas A&M University, The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum is one of the top attractions in Texas. The museum has exhibits representative of the influences and challenges that shaped President Bush’s life and presidency. Through artifacts, film, photographs, documents, music, sound effects and interactive videos, the museum encompasses much US history since 1941. Exhibits include a World War II Avenger Torpedo Bomber, a 1947 Studebaker, a slab of the Berlin Wall, and precise replicas of President Bush’s Camp David and Situation Room. You can have your picture made while seated at the desk in the replica of the Oval Office. In addition, a special section is dedicated to First Lady Barbara Bush and her efforts on behalf of literacy, AIDS awareness and prevention, and volunteerism.
George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
Opening Hours Monday-Saturday 9:30 am-5:00 pm, Sunday 12-5:30 pm
Address: 1000 George Bush Dr W, College Station, TX 77845
2. Messina Hof Winery
Messina Hof is a family owned winery in Bryan, Texas and became the 4th winery in the state when founders of Messina Hof, Paul & Merrill Bonarrigo re-introduced the concept of wine making in Texas. The winery is named after Messina, Sicily and Hof, Germany origins of the Bonarrigo famiily. Barrel Reserve Port, Private Reserve Chardonnay, and Private Reserve Orange Muscat are three of their award winning wines. Additional varietals that they produce are other red and white wines, rose and sparkling wines, ports and dessert wines. The estate winery has a tasting room, Villa Bed and Breakfast, and Vintage House Restaurant. You can find gourmet food, gifts and accessories in their gift shop.
Messina Hof Winery
Opening Hours Thursday-Saturday 10:00 am-11:00 pm; Sunday 11:00 am-6:00 pm; Monday-Wednesday 10:00 am-9:00 pm
Address: 4545 Old Reliance Rd, Bryan, TX 77808
Website: Messina Hof
3. Northgate District
For the last 30 years, The Northgate District has earned the reputation as the bar district of College Station’s Texas A&M University. The name comes dates back to 1912 when a gate separated the district from the north side of Texas A&M University campus. Today, it is a mix of old and new and has become a vibrant part of the city known for its eclectic mix of restaurants and bars, most of which are non-chains serving local food. Live music is a major draw to the Northgate area, with venues such as Church Street BBQ and Hurricane Harry’s consistently providing evening concerts. A four-day music festival, “North By Northgate”, was introduced in 1998 and has become an annual tradition, renamed the “Northgate Music Festival” in 2002.
Northgate District
Address: Northgate, TX 77840
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4. Museum of the American GI
The Museum of the American GI endeavors to keep the living history of American Servicemen who proudly served their country alive. They maintain and display historical uniforms, restored and running WWI, WWII and later era military vehicles that have been used in battle. Through educational programs, history displays and historical re-enactments, they strive to increase the public’s appreciation of the American Servicemen and women. Every spring, the museum hosts its annual Living History Weekend, in which re-enactors, vendors, and military history enthusiasts gather on the museum’s grounds to educate the public through camps, weapons demonstrations, and the largest WWII battle reenactment in the South. The museum is also home of the award-winning Texas Vietnam Heroes Exhibit, an interactive display featuring hand-embossed dog tags representing every Texas serviceman who died or went missing in action in the Vietnam War.
Museum of the American GI
Opening Hours Wednesday-Sunday 10:00 am-5:00 pm; closed Monday and Tuesday
Address: 19124 Hwy 6, College Station, TX 77845
Website: Museum of the American GI
5. New Republic Brewing
This small-production brewery features a weekend taproom with draft microbrews, tours & live music. Founded in 2010 by Dean & Adrienne Brundage and John & Lisa Januskey, New Republic brews craft beer in College Station. You can get a tour of their taproom and imbibe some of their offerings or taste test some of their new recipes. Nearly every weekend they have live local music in the taproom and a food truck. They brew Amber, Blonde, IPA, Belgian Triple, Moreish Poter beers and spring and fall seasonal beers.
New Republic Brewing
Opening Hours: Thursday-Friday 5-10 pm; Saturday 12-10 pm; Sunday 2-8 pm; closed Monday-Wednesday
Address: 11405 N Dowling Rd C, College Station, TX 77845
Website: New Republic Brewing
6. Brazos Valley Natural History Museum
The Brazos Valley Natural History Museum’s focus is science and natural and cultural history. The museum preserves artifacts and natural specimens, and presents exhibits and educational programs such as tours, lectures, and classes. Educational programs for children include Nature Camps (held every spring/winter break, and summer), and school field trips. They provide guides to the adjacent Carter’s Creek Nature Trail, picnic area, and restored wildlife habitats. Galleries located in the museum include: fossil exhibits, sculptures, antique farming and survey equipment, a discovery room with more than fifteen varieties of live animals, dozens of taxidermy mounts, educational resources and several rotating exhibits. There are also archaeological, botanical, conchology, cultural history, geological, mammalogy, ornithology, and paleontology collections.
Brazos Valley Natural History Museum
Opening Hours Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 am-5:00 pm; closed Sunday and Monday
Address: 3232 Briarcrest Dr, Bryan, TX 77802
Website: Brazos Valley Natural History Museum
College Station: more than just a college town
Located in the Brazos Valley of Texas, College Station is known as the home of Texas A&M University. While the university is a big part of College Station’s cultural, educational, and sports attraction, there is much more to discover. College Station’s most recent claim to fame is that it is home to the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. College Station also has another proud patriotic museum, the Museum of the American GI where soldiers from past wars are honored and memorialized for their service. If you’re into natural history, the Brazos Valley Natural History Museum is a must. And if you want to imbibe on locally produced beer and wine, stop by New Republic Brewing and Messina Hof Winery where you can enjoy their offerings in their tasting rooms. If nightlife is your scene, head to the eclectic Northgate District to check out the local bars. There also great places to eat breakfast for the morning after a night of revelry.
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