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Howdy! Let’s take a little stroll to College Station, Texas in this complete travel guide!
I should start by telling you that I am a proud Aggie, as is my husband. An Aggie is someone who goes to, or has graduated from, Texas A&M University, which is in College Station, TX.
I could seriously write for days about Texas A&M, the history, the many, many, long-held traditions (Aggies are REALLY into their traditions and we take them pretty seriously), but I’ll try to keep it to a length that you can actually digest.
When you talk about College Station (aka Aggieland), you’re pretty much also talking about Texas A&M. College Station is a college town and most things revolve around, or are heavily influenced by, the university. I’ve put together just a few of the awesome things there are to see & do as well as our favorite places to eat and some great places to stay. Many places listed are on the campus of the university. Here is an interactive campus map to help you get around. Let’s get started…
THINGS TO DO IN COLLEGE STATION
Memorial Student Center
The Memorial Student Center (MSC), at first glance, is just a building on campus that houses many restaurants, a bank, a bookstore, art galleries, and the very popular Flag Room. The Flag Room is a place where students can come hang out, take a nap, study, or entertain others by playing the piano.
However, the most impressive thing about the MSC is that the building, and the grass that surrounds it, is a living memorial honoring all Aggies who have lost their lives in past, present & future wars.
Be sure to check out the Hall of Honor where large plaques are honoring those Aggies that received Congressional Medals of Honor during World War II and read about their heroism.
Because it is a memorial, you will need to remove your hat upon entering the building and not walk on the grass, as a sign of respect. If you forget to take your hat off, someone will remind you by tapping you on the shoulder and letting you know or yelling “Uncover!” at you.
Likewise, if you accidentally walk on the grass, you will probably hear “Get off the grass!” (I did warn you that we take our traditions seriously.) MSC Hours: Sunday-Thursday 7am – 12am. Friday-Saturday 7am – 1am.
The Century Tree
The Century Tree is, well, a really old tree on campus (surprised?). This massive live oak is said to be well over 100 years old. It is so cool because of its size and because many of the branches droop down and touch the ground. This spot is a popular place for Aggie marriage proposals and weddings.
The Bonfire Memorial
I don’t feel like I can even do this justice, so I am taking a piece directly off of Texas A&M’s website – https://bonfire.tamu.edu/:
“From its inception as a scrap heap in 1907 to the more familiar stack of vertical logs, the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Bonfire symbolized every Aggie’s “burning desire” to beat the University of Texas in football. Attracting between 30,000 and 70,000 people each year to watch it burn, Bonfire became a symbol of the deep and unique camaraderie that is the Aggie Spirit.
Bonfire burned each year through 1998, except 1963. That year Bonfire was built but torn down in a tribute to President John F. Kennedy who was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963. The second time in A&M’s history that Bonfire did not burn was almost exactly 92 years after the first Bonfire due to its collapse on Nov. 18, 1999 at 2:42 a.m. The collapse claimed the lives of 12 Aggies and injured 27 others.
Five years later, the Bonfire Memorial was dedicated on the exact location of the fallen 1999 Bonfire.”
Going to the Aggie Bonfire was one of the coolest experiences you could have as an Aggie. I am so glad that I got to attend. My husband helped to build Bonfire twice (years before the tragedy).
We lived in College Station when Bonfire fell and it was a day like no other. Each column of the Bonfire Memorial has the name, face, and hometown of each of the fallen Aggies.
Many of the plaques inside tell stories about them and tell about their families. It is a great tribute to those who lost their lives that day.
George Bush Library
The George Bush Library (that’s H.W.) is also located on campus. Learn all about the Bush family and his life, his time spent in the military, and his path to the presidency. I’ve been through this museum twice myself and I highly recommend it.
Dixie Chicken
The Dixie Chicken is the oldest bar on Northgate. Northgate is an area on, you guessed it, the north side of campus – right across the street from campus.
The Dixie Chicken has great burgers and other bar food and you can play pool and see a rattlesnake (behind glass, of course). Although it is a bar, it is perfectly fine to take your kids in and have a bite to eat. “The Chicken” has hardly changed at all since it opened in 1974.
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK IN COLLEGE STATION
Northgate
See the Dixie Chicken above. It's a strip of bars and restaurants and a very popular place for Aggies to hand out on Friday & Saturday nights (and every other night for some – possibly a part of what kept me at A&M far passed my graduation date). Freebird’s World Burrito is another favorite of ours for a filling lunch or dinner.
Sweet Eugene’s
Grab a latte and a bite to eat. Find a cozy spot on a couch or one of their cushy chairs. You can even grab a book off the shelf to pass the time. It's a good cup of coffee in a laid-back atmosphere. My BFF and I spent many hours at Sweet Eugene's back in the day, solving all the world's problems.
Wings ‘N More
This is a local favorite. It’s the first place I ever tried chicken wings and still, BY FAR, my favorite. I get mine extra crispy with medium garlic sauce. Their onion rings are also the bomb! My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
Stella Southern Cafe
We recently discovered this little gem and WOW! Fun atmosphere, great food, and great service. If you like biscuits, you will be in heaven. There are some unusual items like Cookies and Cream Biscuit French Toast and Bonuts (a delicious spin on donut holes)!
There was a line out the door when we arrived on a game day (football) Saturday morning, but the line moved swiftly and the food was worth the wait. Hours: 7am – 2pm.
Fuego Tortilla Grill
Another recent discovery. Y’all – this place is amazing! They have soft tacos with all kinds of fillings from chicken and waffles, to fried avocado, and one even comes with Cheetos!
We tried a few and our hands-down favorite was the Fuego A-Go-Go which comes with beef, fried mushrooms, smoked bacon, guacamole, and roasted poblano queso – YUM! Get a side of queso too. The line moves fast, so don’t let a long line deter you. Oh, and they're open 24/7!
WHERE TO STAY IN COLLEGE STATION
There are a TON of lodging options in College Station. Many hotels and plenty of Airbnb’s and VRBO’s to choose from. Prices vary greatly depending on what is going on at Texas A&M at the time.
Unless you’re heading to an Aggie football game (absolutely something you should do at least once in your lifetime), you want to avoid going on a game day weekend. The town and lodging fills up fast and prices get a little crazy.
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The Stella Hotel
This is a nice little boutique hotel. It has a great outdoor patio with fire pits, lawn games, and a little pond. Technically, this one is in Bryan, but the two towns flow right into one another.
You probably won’t even notice when you leave one and enter the other. Anywhere in Bryan is just a short drive to anywhere in College Station.
Messina Hof – Villa Bed & Breakfast
Messina Hof Winery is another great place to visit, so why not stay there too? This one is also located in Bryan – 10 minutes from Texas A&M. Don’t forget to pick up some wine to take home!
The George
This boutique 4-star luxury hotel has an ultra-cool, but comfortable country feel.
Home2 Suites by Hilton
A simple, clean hotel in a great location extremely close to campus that offers a good breakfast (though, you really need to go to Stella for those bonuts).
Fabulous Farmhouse Getaway! Big Oak Farmhouse
Perfect for the whole family – accommodates up to 9 guests. This home boasts of southern charm! Shiplap walls are featured in all 3 bedrooms, the living/dining area, and kitchen. The tin ceiling in the kitchen, leathered granite countertops, farmhouse sink, new cabinets, and stainless appliances give the home a farmhouse charm and modern functionality. Photo courtesy of VRBO.
Texas A&M is an awesome school and College Station, TX is a great college town (I might be a little biased, but it really is). As I said at the beginning, I could go on and on but, I think this is a great list to get you started. Of course, no trip to College Station would be complete without some new Aggie gear, so don’t forget to pick up a t-shirt!
If you are planning your first visit to Texas, be sure to check out Traveling to Texas? Fact vs. Fiction. I’ll clear up any myths you’ve heard!
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Until next time…
About The Author
My mission is to inspire and empower families to prioritize travel now, creating unforgettable memories and deeper connections with their loved ones.
I provide guidance and practical solutions to help busy parents integrate travel into their lives, fostering joy, fulfillment, and stress-free adventures. Don’t wait until it’s too late; the time to travel is now.
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