The City of Bryan 

 

Bryan is conveniently located right in the heart of the “Texas Triangle,” less than a 3-hour drive from each of the largest metro areas in the state. Born of converging cultures and built on deep Texas roots, Bryan is a community filled with authentic stories, people, and places – our legends. Our legends are ever evolving while staying true to our Texas spirit. 

They are the unique businesses that make our town a great place to live and visit, the people you’ll meet as you explore everything we have to offer, and the stories that have been woven together over generations to create the vibrant, diverse community we love today. Click here to learn more about our Legends. 

Historic Downtown Bryan 

In Historic Downtown Bryan, the legendary stories of our past converge with a thriving arts scene, top-rated restaurants, signature events, and eclectic boutiques & antique shops to form the ever-evolving cultural hub of the Brazos Valley. This recognized Texas Cultural District is the heart & soul of our community, home to the highest concentration of unique & locally owned shops and restaurants in Bryan-College Station.

With multiple antique, boutique, and thrift stores within walking distance, along with a variety of restaurants and entertainment options lining the historic streets, it’s easy to spend a day exploring Historic Downtown Bryan.

Enjoy a cup of coffee at Tavo Coffee Co., housed in the former office building of the historic Parker Lumber Complex (where you can still see the old vault). This building, like many in Downtown, was built in the early 1900s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Down the street, you’ll find Rx Pizza, located in a former pharmacy, and Caffe Capri, an Aggie-owned Italian restaurant that turned an old grocery store into a favorite local spot for lunch and dinner. Local shops like Bird’s Nest Antiques, Old Bryan Marketplace, and Stage Left Boutique are filled with unique gifts, home goods, and stylish clothes. 

Historic Downtown Bryan is also home to Carnegie History Center, the oldest operating Carnegie Library in Texas, and Catalena Hatters, a world-renowned hat shop that’s been in Bryan for nearly 50 years.

Along with shopping and dining, you won’t want to miss seeing a movie at The Queen Theatre (first opened in 1939 as one of the finest movie houses in Texas), or seeing a concert at The Palace Theater (located where the town city hall once was). In the heart of it all is The LaSalle Hotel, a Hilton Tribute Portfolio property where history and charm unite to provide a five-star guest experience.

Lake Walk 

 

An up-and-coming area in Bryan, Texas, Lake Walk is a comfortably upscale, thoughtful but lively collection of regional dining, hospitality, retail, residential, and wellness offerings. Enjoy a stroll around the lake or free weekend fitness classes with a lake-front view. Better yet, climb the Lookout Tower for a birds-eye view of Aggieland. 

Lake Walk is the perfect location for outdoor activities and a wellness retreat, as it’s also home to the beautiful Stella Hotel and Woodhouse Spa. Elevated dining experiences abound in Lake Walk with Kanji (incredibly fresh sushi and seafood) and Campfire (excellently-prepared steaks and other American classics). 

Midtown

Midtown is the corridor along Texas Avenue & South College Avenue, running from the Bryan city limits near Texas A&M University in the south to Historic Downtown Bryan in the north. Anchored by the all-new Travis Bryan Midtown Park, this is truly a neighborhood on the rise. Take a swing at Topgolf Bryan, enjoy a baseball game at Travis Fields, or step onto the court at Legends Event Center. 

Midtown is also where talented singers, songwriters, and their fans gather for Michael Hearne’s Big Barn Dance each spring. It’s an annual event that’s not to be missed! 

Things to Do

Outside of Historic Downtown Bryan, Lake Walk, and Midtown, there’s even more to explore. Boonville Heritage Park tells the story of Bryan’s founding and showcases its early history with replica cabins and statues. Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History and Brazos Valley African American Museum (the first African-American Museum in Texas) also share integral aspects of the region’s history. 

The local art scene can be experienced along the Aggieland Art Trail, a digital passport that highlights murals, sculptures, and art galleries throughout Bryan and College Station. For more outdoor fun, head to Aggieland Safari, a drive-through and walk-through safari with over 300 animals to encounter. 

Culinary Experiences 

Simply put, Bryan is a foodie city. You won’t have to wander far or look hard for world-class cuisine. Hand-tossed, brick oven pizza. Farm-to-table fare. All-American menus with Tex-Mex flair. Leave the corporate chain eateries behind and dig into unique, authentic experiences. It’s all on the table in Bryan. All you have to do is bring your appetite! 

The Bryan Taco Trail is a free digital pass that features over 40 different restaurants where you can find different types of tacos. It’s a great way to explore the foodie scene in Bryan, Texas! Along with incredible dining options, Bryan, TX has several places where you can raise a glass to locally-made spirits. Lonestar Meadery offers rotating mead menus and tastings, Messina Hof Estate Winery is where the award-winning Texas winery first began, Blackwater Draw Brewing Co. has locally-made beer on tap, and Hush & Whisper Distilling Co. offers tours of the distillery where they make grain-to-glass vodka, whiskey, and gin.

 

Annual Events 

 

Bryan, Texas is host to many exciting events and festivals that highlight local culture, cuisine, and important holidays. Each month, the streets of Historic Downtown Bryan transform into one big stage on First Friday with live music, performances, art demonstrations, and unique & interactive events and activities! 

The Downtown Bryan Street & Art Fair also highlights local talent each April with artist booths, fun art demonstrations, and live music. During the holiday season, Lights On! and the Downtown Bryan Lighted Parade make Historic Downtown Bryan merry and bright with family-friendly activities, Santa sightings, and community fun.

Every October, Boonville Days honors Bryan’s rustic beginnings. At this annual event, The Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History showcases the pioneering era of Bryan, Texas with actors in period attire, musicians, demonstrations of frontier skills, and kid-friendly activities. The event is free, with the option to purchase an authentic chuck-wagon lunch. 

The Brazos Valley Fair and Rodeo also celebrates all things Texas every October with livestock showing, mutton bustin’, barrel racing, live music, and fun on the fairgrounds.

Visit our website for a full list of annual events. 

Unique Accommodations

Kick up your boots & settle into southern hospitality in Bryan, Texas. The LaSalle Hotel, located in Historic Downtown Bryan, has been a long-time retreat for travelers. It first opened in the 1920s and quickly became a go-to for those passing through Bryan, TX, on the nearby train route. It was renovated in 2024 as a Hilton Tribute Portfolio Hotel, and now maintains its historic charm with an elevated ambiance that brings it back to its original glory. 

The Stella Hotel was voted one of the top 3 hotels in the great state of Texas by Condé Nast Traveler. It’s a beautiful example of this new up-and-coming region in Bryan, TX. Located on Bryan’s Lake Walk, the Stella is a modern and luxurious place to stay while you enjoy and explore all of Bryan’s dining, culture and attractions.

One of Bryan’s oldest homes has been reborn to offer luxury accommodations in a vintage setting. The Milton Parker Estate Bed & Breakfast was originally built in 1885 by Milton Parker and his wife, Molly.

This historic home has stood just blocks away from Downtown Bryan for much of our storied past, and stands today as a charming bed and breakfast. It remains an incredible example of Victorian style architecture and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1967. 

Click here to start planning your visit and experience firsthand what makes Bryan, Texas a legend reborn. Our community would love to welcome you into our story.