In our Must Do Things Around Greater Houston series, we take a look at Houston’s vast array of communities, neighborhoods and destinations to bring you five fun, tasty, surprising and enticing reasons you should give each one a visit.
About 100 miles from Houston, the city of Bryan sits in Brazos Valley. Together with College Station, it makes up the Bryan–College Station metropolitan area.
Take a trip to explore the relaxed town’s boutiques, restaurants, museums and arts; and while you’re there, check out neighboring hood College Station to cheer on the Aggies, visit a presidential library, and more.
5 Must Do Things in Bryan, Texas
Explore Historic Downtown
Bryan’s Downtown is lined with quaint shops, restaurants and bars, galleries and more.
Shop for unique gifts at Alice’s Attic, Bird’s Nest Gifts & Antiques and Sweet Pickin’s Boutique; get boutique chocolates and candies at The Chocolate Gallery; check out the working glass studio and retail store at Brazos Glassworks; and catch a classic film or show at The Queen Theatre.
When you’ve worked up an appetite, fill up on beer, bbq, and bourbon at All the Kings Men; get Wagyu chicken fried steak and beignets with wild boar caramel at Ronin Restaurant; feast on German fare and biers at Bavarian Brauhaus; treat yourself to vintage Tex-Mex at Casa Rodriguez; have a late night at 3rd Floor and 5 Knocks Speakeasy, or sip suds and drink wine at Blackwater Draw Brewing Co. and Downtown Uncorked. And that’s just a taste.
Check out the lineup of annual events
From art walks and holiday light parades to farmers markets and festivals celebrating wine and art, Bryan is chock-full of fun events year-round.
On Saturdays, the Brazos Valley Farmers’ Market rocks locally-grown produce, farm-fresh eggs, jellies and jams, honey, herbs, garden crafts and more.
Hit the wine bar and tasting room at Messina Hof Estate Winery
Brazos Valley staple Messina Hof got its start in 1977, helping to pioneer the growing wine industry in Texas.
Today, you can visit the grounds to sip wine flights at the bar, take tours and go shopping at the tasting room, enjoy fine dining at The Vintage House Restaurant and weekend getaways at The Villa Bed & Breakfast, and check out specials events and festivals. The winery is also a stop on the famed Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail.
Experience its arts and museums
In Downtown Bryan, the West 31st Street Murals bring bold and bright art to the side of the Conlee-Garrett Moving and Storage building. Check out the outdoor gallery and be sure to snap a pic or two. Be sure to also check out the super cool Arc De Luna on the 600 block of South Texas, and look out for other art happenings in the Texas Cultural District.
At Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History, you’ll find fossil exhibits, sculptures, antique farming and survey equipment, discovery rooms and more. Explore the past at the Brazos Valley African American Museum, which hosts a lineup of rotating exhibits and events as well as a library of books on African American history. And the Children’s Museum of the Brazos Valley is the perfect place to bring the kiddos, with interactive exhibits like the Giant Piano, Rocket Ship, Train Table, and High Flying Wind Tunnel.
Go full cowboy at The Cowboy Club
Break out the boots for local honky-tonk The Cowboy Club, a Bryan institution since 1976. Part sports bar and dance hall, the club offers a friendly atmosphere, a full bar of whiskey, spirits, beer, and wine; open mic nights and live jams; and no cover charge for the 21-and-up crowd.
Find More Things to Do in Houston All Year Long
You can find more fun in our interactive event calendar and 365 Weekend Guides.
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