14 Best Things to Do in College Station, TX

By VI Staff on September 16, 2019

While the city of College Station, Texas may have some small town charm about it, there doesn’t seem to be anything small about the things to do in College Station. There’s almost something for everyone within the Central Texas town that’s home of the famous Texas A&M University, from historical sites and museums covering a variety of topics to restaurants serving delicious, fresh food and university sports galore. All of this and more is located within a radius of just around ten miles.

1.George Bush Presidential Library and Museum

The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas is the presidential library of the country’s 41st president, George H.W. Bush, as well as his burial site. The museum and library are situated on Texas A&M University’s west campus, encompassing ninety acres of the grounds. As one of the thirteen libraries administered by the United States National Archives and Records Administration, the George Bush Presidential Library preserves and provides access to the artifacts and records of President George H.W. Bush, promoting civic literacy and an increase in historical understanding of the national experience.

1000 George Bush Dr W, College Station, TX 77845, Phone: 979-691-4000

2.Kyle Field

Kyle Field is the home of the Texas A&M University’s football team, located on the university’s campus in College Station. The football stadium has hosted the Aggies football team in some form since back in the year 1904, with the football field not being a permanent concrete stadium until 1927. Kyle Field, also referred to as the “Home of the 12th Man,” received a number of renovations and is now the largest stadium in both Texas and the Southeastern Conference in terms of capacity, as well as the country’s fourth largest stadium and the world’s fifth largest non-racing stadium.

756 Houston St, College Station, TX 77843

3.Bonfire Memorial

The Bonfire Memorial began back in the year 1907 as just a scrap heap and has grown into a vertical stack of logs, all the while symbolizing the “burning desire” in every Aggie to defeat the University of Texas football team. This bonfire burned every year up through 1998, except for in 1963 when it was torn down in tribute to President John F. Kennedy. It also didn’t burn in 1999 due to it collapsing on November 18, killing twelve and injuring 27 other Aggies. The Bonfire Memorial was dedicated five years later as a memorial to these fallen people.

4.Museum of the American G.I.

The Museum of the American G.I. in College Station serves as a living history museum with a commitment to the preservation of the memories, uniforms, equipment, and more of the men and women who have served in the United State Military. The military history museum houses one of the nation’s finest collections of restored and running military vehicles from World War I, War War II, and later, including M18 Hellcats, WWII Sherman tanks, and a FT-17 tank from WWI among other military tanks. The Museum of the American G.I. also showcases a variety of historic equipment and uniforms.

19124 Hwy 6 South, College Station, TX 77845, Phone: 979-690-0501

5.Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park

The Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park is College Station’s leading baseball stadium and the home of the baseball program of Texas A&M University. Dedicated in March of 1978, the baseball field is named for C.E. “Pat” Olsen, former baseball player in the farm system of the New York Yankees and 1923 Texas A&M graduate. Olsen Field has acted as a regional site for the NCAA five times and hosts many baseball tournaments. Over the years, the field has received a number of new features, such as an expanded concessions area and concourse and extended seating.

301 Olsen Blvd, College Station, TX 77840, Phone: 979-845-4810

6.St. Mary's Catholic Center

The St. Mary’s Catholic Center is a church with a dedication to serving the local community, especially the students of Blinn College and Texas A&M University. Located in the city of College Station, Texas within close proximity to the university, St. Mary’s Catholic Center has a goal of forming apostles for both Church and the rest of the world, as well as serving as a support center and church. Weekend masses are held in the morning and evening on both Saturdays and Sundays, as well as weekday mass held on during the week at 5:30pm Monday to Friday.

603 Church Ave, College Station, TX 77840, Phone: 979-846-5717

7.Benjamin Knox Gallery & Wine Depot

The Benjamin Knox Gallery and Wine Depot is a rather large art gallery facility and the National Art Gallery Headquarters of Benjamin Know, member of the Texas Aggie Class of 1990 and an American Artist. The gallery features a constant rotation of changing art exhibitions, as well as opportunities for art collectors to discover and acquire fine art prints and original works of art created by Benjamin Knox. The Wine Depot Bar is located within the Depot’s glass enclosed porch and the adjoining decks, offering more than fifty types of beer and wine for guests to enjoy while exploring the art gallery.

405 University Dr. East, College Station, TX 77840, Phone: 979-696-5669

8.Post Oak Mall

The Post Oak Mall in College Station, Texas is home to many different popular retail shops, including Wet Seal, Victoria’s Secret, University Sportswear, JCPenney, The Gap, Macy’s, Express, Dillard’s, Claire’s, The Buckle, Bealls, Bath and Body Works, American Eagle Outfitters, Aeropostale, and numerous others with the majority of the 125 retail shops being accessory and clothing stores. The Post Oak Mall also contains a food court with variety of dining options for shoppers and a play area for children. An entertainment section and full-service restaurant has replaced what was originally a movie theater owned by Cineplex Odeon, then Carmike Cinemas.

1500 Harvey Rd, College Station, TX 77840, Phone: 979-764-0777

9.Reed Arena

Reed Arena opened to the community in 1998, named after Chester Reed, its primary donor and a member of the university’s Class of 1947. With a capacity of more than 12,800 people for indoor seating, the Reed Arena is an ideal venue for many different university ceremonies and events, as well as a number of concert and other performances. During its more than twenty years in operation, the arena has played host to many famous performers and shows, such as the Barnum and Bailey Circus, the Ringling Brothers, Cirque du Soleil, Casting Crowns, Ludacris, and Garth Brooks among several others.

730 Olsen Blvd, College Station, TX 77843, Phone: 979-862-7330

10.Porters Butcher and Dining

Porters Butcher and Dining is upscale, yet approachable and modern, yet still inviting. The menu served here was created originally by Chef Martin Campos and Chef Bill Greenwood, featuring expertly prepared modern American cuisine in a redefined fine dining atmosphere. A southern influence can be found throughout the menu, enhanced by a use of hickory, mesquite, and oak woods. An extensive wine list and handcrafted classic cocktails complement Porters Butcher and Dining’s contemporary menu, along with sophisticated, yet comfortable decor. The restaurant is known for its hand-cut, cooked-to-order chops and steaks, available for dining in or taking home.

180 Century Square Dr, College Station, TX 77840, Phone: 979-977-0700

11.Veritas Wine and Bistro

The Veritas Wine and Bistro offers unique combination of cosmopolitan ambiance and contemporary decor, inviting guests to has a glass of wine and taste Executive Chef Tai Lee’s culinary creations. The modern Asian-American-French bistro is place where traditional French cuisine meets flavors of the Asian and American market with a seasonally changing menu and a focus on simple, fine ingredients. The Veritas Wine and Bistro is part of a new restaurant generation in which classically trained chefs provide creative cuisine within a contemporary, comfortable, and casual setting. Dishes are prepared in the restaurant’s open kitchen visible to diners.

830 University Drive East, College Station, TX 77840, Phone: 979-268-3251

12.Koppe Bridge

The Koppe Bridge Bar and Grill first opened the doors of its original College Station location in 1992 on Wellborn Road. Originally a feed store, the restaurant gets its name from the Koppe Bridge that once stood over the Brazos River as the only means of crossing the river in the 1920’s and was later destroyed by floodwaters. The timbers and piers from the bridge were used in the flooring of the feed store. Koppe Bridge Bar and Grill is particularly famous in College Station and the surrounding area for serving some of the best burgers in town.

11777 Wellborn Rd, College Station, TX, Phone: 979-764-2933

13.C&J Barbeque

C & J Barbeque in College Station, Texas has an interesting backstory. Jo and Chip Manning purchased a convenience store in 1981 along Harvey Road. The store sold soda, beer, cigarettes, and gas, but not after opening, Chip also decided to add a barbeque pit. People started to come for gas, as well as a sandwich, with the barbeque eventually growing in popularity. The convenience store was converted into a deli-style barbeque restaurant in 1997. C & J Barbeque has been awarded the “Best BBQ in the Brazos Valley” Readers Choice Award for more than seventeen years, since 2000.

4304 Harvey Rd, College Station, TX 77840, Phone: 979-776-8969

14.Napa Flats Wood-Fired Kitchen

The Napa Flats Wood-Fired Kitchen was opened in College Station, Texas to be a neighborhood restaurant and place where the owners could share their passion for chef-inspired food with their family, friends, and the local community. The restaurant specializes in California flavors prepared with Italian flair, with all dishes prepared from scratch and cooked in the open kitchen over the wood-fired grill, and providing a menu to guests that will feel familiar, but not common. The steaks and seafood are hand-cut, the gelato is made in house, and the pizzas are all hand-tossed. There is also an extensive California wine list.

1727 Texas Ave S, College Station, TX 77840, Phone: 979-383-2500