Weekend Getaway: Bryan / College Station
Located about halfway between Waco and Houston is Bryan-College Station, a booming metro area of almost 300,000 people and home to Texas A & M University. The first public institution of higher education in Texas, Texas A & M University is powerhouse SEC Conference School that stands out both in Texas and around the country and even the world. With almost 60,000 undergraduate students, the university is an integral part of the Bryan-College Station community.
We previously featured an article about all the fun things to do with kids and families in the area, but did you know about all the fun you can have while on the Texas A & M campus? You don’t need to be an Aggie fan to appreciate the architecture and tradition of the college that was founded in 1876. And even fans of rival schools can appreciate Kyle Field, where the Aggies attempt to dominate college football every fall. If you’re thinking of visiting the Bryan-College Station area, you don’t want to skip seeing all that Texas A & M University has to offer.
Six sites to see at Texas A & M University in Bryan-College Station, Texas
Bonfire Memorial– In 1999, the well-known tradition of the Texas A & M Bonfire, started in 1907 to symbolize the Aggies’ burning desire to beat the University of Texas-Austin at football, collapsed, killing 12 students and injuring 27 others. Today the memorial stands in its place, a forever remembrance of the 12 fallen Aggies who lost their lives that tragic day.
Campus Sculptures– Peppered throughout the campus are numerous statues with varied meanings, all of which are significant to students, alumni and fans of the university. Among the elegant statues is a tribute statute to the legendary 12th man, a symbol to all Aggies about standing by and being ready to support their team should the need arise.
The L.T. Jordan Collection- Experience the art collection of an Aggie who graduated almost 100 years ago in 1929. Leland T. Jordan worked for the Gulf Oil Company and the Kuwait Oil Company for much of his career and collected art and other wares during his travels. His collection encompasses a wide selection of items, including artwork, silverwork, paintings, rugs and more. It is truly a diverse collection that tells the story of an exciting career.
University Art Galleries– Texas A & M is home to two art galleries that are free and open to the public. The art galleries include sculptures, paintings and more sourced from around the world. The galleries also frequently host traveling exhibits and the schedule of what’s in store can be found on the website.
Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts– To catch art in motion, you’ll want to keep your eye on the list of talented singers, performers and dancers who have scheduled upcoming shows at the University. The Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts frequently hosts talented artists from all over that will wow audiences on the stage. See the website for events and tickets.
Kyle Field– If you visit when one of A & M’s phenomenal sports teams is playing, you might want to see if you can snag tickets. If you’re in the mood for football, of course, there is no better place to be on game day than Kyle Field. Home of the Aggies, Kyle Field is the spot for the boys of fall. The largest recorded crowd at Kyle Field on game day included more than 110,000 fans cheering for their team. Pretty crazy!
Bryan/College Station Lodging
When you visit Texas A & M and embark on a fun weekend exploring Bryan/College Station, you’ll want nice spot to rest and relax during your stay. Look no further than Hidden Creek RV. With 96 RV stations and 6 cabins, this is the spot to be! Guests will enjoy a fitness center and seasonal pool, club house and mercantile, laundry facilities, planned activities and so much more. If you’re wanting to secure a space during a football weekend, don’t delay! This spot is hot hot hot when the Aggies play at home!
