Why College Station belongs on your Texas travel list
College Station is home to Texas A&M University (TAMU), beloved by locals and visitors from across the nation. Beyond the famed campus, Texas A&M pride, energy and enthusiasm radiate through hotels, dining, shopping and more. This Texas travel destination is packed with hidden gems that offer truly unique, memorable experiences.
Need more? Read more: Round Top: Where to stay, eat and wander
Why College Station should be on your Texas travel list
If I had to describe College Station’s vibe, it’s a mix of urban energy and Texas charm. Texas A&M may be the centerpiece of College Station, but dismissing the destination as simply a college town would sell it short.
What I discovered about this Texas charmer is that it’s a town where there’s much more than meets the eye. It’s refreshingly eclectic. It’s the kind of place you can visit multiple times and find something new each time.
Where to stay:
There are many hotels in College Station, ranging from convention-size to cozy boutique — and in between.
Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center
Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center sits directly across from Kyle Field and offers easy access to several College Station attractions, including Aggie Park, the Bonfire Memorial and the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
The hotel is a fun destination for Texas A&M enthusiasts or anyone who wants to experience the origins and lore of the university.
Guestrooms are comfortable and, not surprisingly, decked out in Aggie decor. Try to get a campus-facing room if you can. I had a direct line of sight to Kyle Field.
I also recommend having breakfast at Brazos — Proper Texas Kitchen inside the hotel. The menu offers a mix of sweet and savory favorites from pancakes to hearty omelets and more. I fueled up here before my TAMU campus tour (more on this later).
The George
The George is a boutique hotel, full of character and nods to Texas. I knew it would be a favorite when I walked into the lobby to see a wall filled with red, white and blue books arranged to look like the Texas flag…and a boutique shop (with a ton of TAMU merch).
Guestrooms incorporate more thoughtful decor details, including a wall of denim rectangles, a tabletop terrarium, a horse statue — think Art Deco meets Old West.
Amenities include:
- Fully stocked honor bar
- Coffee maker with Katz Coffee (Texas’ largest specialty coffee roaster)
- And my favorite…a garment steamer
As for its location, The George is part of Century Square, a walkable area with plenty of shopping and dining options. It’s also a short drive to many other town attractions.
Where to eat
College Station runs the gamut when it comes to dining options. Basically any food craving can be satisfied, from fried chicken to upscale Italian.
Dixie Chicken was one of my favorite food stops, even though my menu options were limited because I’m gluten-free. The ambiance has a richly raw Western saloon energy, with lots of wood, neon lights and pool tables.
I will say my grilled chicken on a bed of lettuce topped with tomato was surprisingly tasty. I also said “to heck with cross-contamination” and indulged in some French fries that were equally delicious.
Other restaurants I tried and recommend during your College Station travels:
- Casa Mangiare: This upscale Italian restaurant has an extensive menu of antipastas, pastas, pizzas, salads and mains. I doubled down on my red meat and ordered the filet mignon beef tartare with capers, pickled cornichons and truffle oil. For my main dish, I indulged in the braised beef short rib with barolo sauce served with truffle potato cream and cipollini onions — the short rib was so tender it practically melted.
- Primrose Path: I am a fiend for small plates, which made Primrose perfect for a tapas dinner. The Fried Goat Cheese, Bacon Wrapped Dates, Flash Fried Pork Belly and Roasted Brussels Sprouts are out of this world. The clear favorite: Bacon Wrapped Dates.
- The Canteen Bar & Grill: Located a few steps from The George in neighboring Cavalry Court, The Canteen Bar & Grill serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with Sunday brunch.
Places to visit
Remember how I said that College Station has much more than meets the eye for visitors to enjoy? I found several places to browse and shop, such as the Lucchese store in Century Square (you can see a $17,000 pair of boots there!), but let me share some other unique experiences to consider while in town.
- Texas A&M University Campus tour: Think campus tours are just for prospective students? Think again. I would have seriously shortchanged myself if I skipped a guided tour of Aggieland. Shout out to my guide Kimberly, who indoctrinated me into the history, customs and fun facts about TAMU and the campus. We’ll have an entire article about the experience later, but for now, I’ll just say Gig ’em.
- George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum tour: History buffs, presidential hopefuls and George H. W. Bush enthusiasts will appreciate the incredible scale and attention to detail in this museum. You can even sit at Bush’s desk in a mock-up of the Oval Office during his presidency.
- Santa’s Wonderland: Santa, his many elves and reindeer gather November 13, 2026 – January 3, 2027 for a celebration you have to see to believe. I got a behind-the-scenes look at this 175-acre dreamland and the world’s largest Christmas park. I even got a whiff of lingering BBQ when I walked through the meat smoker area. Stay tuned for a full-length story with more Santa’s Wonderland details.
- Tour Unreined Whiskey at WildHorse Ranch: Even for a non-drinker, a tour of Unreined Whiskey at WildHorse Ranch was fascinating. The working ranch is set on 600 acres, with roaming bison, and one of the most impressive features of the property — a rickhouse with aging whiskey barrels. Visitors can tour the property and rickhouse while learning about bourbon, the aging process and how the Texas climate influences the whiskey. Stay tuned for a full BOSW story on Unreined Whiskey and WildHorse Ranch.
Top BOSW picks
The George and the Texas A&M University campus tour were two standout experiences that reflect the spirit and energy of College Station.
If you go: Planning a College Station getaway
- Best for: Texas history, food, shopping, families, Aggie traditions and travelers looking for a unique Texas getaway.
- How long: I would recommend at least three days to explore Texas A&M, visit a few major attractions and work your way through the dining scene.
- Getting there: College Station is about 90 minutes from Houston and roughly two hours from Austin by car.
- Good to know: Texas A&M football weekends can dramatically change the pace of College Station, with larger crowds. Hotels and restaurants fill up fast! If an Aggies game isn’t part of your plans, check the university’s schedule before booking.
