The following side trips highlight Texas A&M University, the cities of Bryan and College Station and the surrounding areas. They serve as options for conference participants that choose to arrive before or stay after the conference.
Gig'em Aggies! If you enjoyed the bus tour and would like to have a closer look at the seventh-largest university in the nation, take an informative and entertaining walking tour. The walking tour of campus teaches the traditions and spirit surrounding Aggieland. Contact the Appelt Aggieland Visitor Center, (979) 845-5851), for more information. Visit the MSC Forsyth Center Gallery, which houses the Bill and Irma Runyon art collection, a stunning collection of English and American art glass. The gallery showcases American paintings as well as touring exhibits. Explore the Texas A&M Sports Museum at Kyle Field, which features Aggie memorabilia such as John David Crow's Heisman trophy and over 120 other Aggie greats. Stop by the J. Wayne Stark University Center Galleries, which hosts a variety of visual art exhibits, or step back in time in the Sam Houston Sanders Corps of Cadets Center, which preserves the past, highlights the present and looks to the future of the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University. Also housed in the Corps Center is the Meztger Antique Firearms Collection. Make your way to the Cushing Memorial Library and Archives, which is home to Texas A&M's rare books, special collections, manuscripts and university archives. Opened in 1930, Cushing Library is the first building on campus that was constructed solely as a Library and still has most of the original murals and tables including a ornamental ironwork grill doorway frame made up of brands of famous Texas ranches that leads into the Reading Room. If you're interested in horticulture, stop by the Horticulture Garden and Laboratory, which consists of over 1,000 specimens in 30 different beds and planting areas. Habitats currently range from bog and wetlands to desert southwest. The walking path winds through the gardens for approximately one-eighth of a mile, with seating every 100 feet. Take a tour of the Student Recreation Center and if you are interested in working out during your stay, visit member services desk for information about a pass.
Is golfing a hobby? The Texas A&M University Golf Course has been serving the A&M Community since 1950 with an 18-hole course, practice facility and driving range. Located on the beautiful Texas A&M campus. Pro shop includes a snack bar and dining facilities.
Arctic Wolfe Ice Center, a 40,000 square-foot ice arena in the Wolf pen Creek District, opened its doors in 2005, bringing new recreational choices to the Brazos Valley. The arena features a standard national Hockey League-sized rink that is open to the public and used by Texas A&M University and independent hockey teams. The multi-million dollar facility houses an ice rink with seating for up to 500, a Pro Shop, skate rentals, meeting and party rooms, locker rooms, concessions and a video arcade. The ice skating facility is designed to provide exciting experiences for the beginner through advanced skater and offers fun for the entire family.
The Arts Council exists to make the arts accessible to all citizens and visitors of the Brazos Valley through funding, promotion, advocacy and partnership building. Dartmouth Street is home to the Arts Council of Brazos Valley, the Texas Gallery, Brazos Valley Art League and the Brazos Valley Veteran's Memorial Office. The facility also houses conference and class rooms and an extensive permanent collection of art featuring works from regional and Texas artists, sculpture, paintings and artifacts from around the world dating from the 11th century to the present.
Located in the historic 1900 College Station Train Depot, Texas artist Benjamin Knox is internationally known for his fine art depictions of universities, unique places, Texas and western scenes.
This museum chronicles the tragedies and triumphs of African American life from ancient civilizations to the present day, while also focusing on local histories of churches, families and schools. The society is committed to maintaining the integrity of black art and artifacts. A significant objective of the museum is to portray, specifically to the younger generations, the strong foundation, struggles and accomplishments of their ancestors. The public is invited to examine the artifacts and historical records, participate in school and group visits and explore curriculum-based trunks. Individuals will also be able to delve into genealogical records, attend a diverse selection of lectures, workshops and performing arts programs.
The museum's principal function is to increase public awareness of animals, plants, minerals and human activity in the Brazos Valley today and in ages past. The museum includes a gallery with exhibits of fossils, sculptures, antique farming and survey equipment and many other artifacts. The museum also holds a discovery room with more than fifteen varieties of live animals, an active glass-front beehive, dozens of taxidermy mounts, educational resources and several exhibits.
Built in 1903 with funds from the Carnegie Foundation, this library is the oldest existing Carnegie Library in Texas. The library features a state-of-the-art history lab, historical documents and periodicals, rare books, portraits, photographs and memorabilia relating to the ballet career of Ana Ludmila Gee. The second floor of the center houses an extensive genealogical collection. The grounds boast a xeriscape garden featuring jasmine ground cover, daylilies, lavender, antique roses, crepe myrtles and other native plants.
The Children's Museum of the Brazos Valley is a hands-on, interactive and educational museum. Kids learn through play with hands-on activities. Some exhibits include: the Dramatic Play area for exploration of the world of theater, the Valley Grocery for exploration of the world of commerce, the Health and Fitness exhibit for focus on medicine and nutrition, the Town News area for future broadcast reporters, writers and DJs and the Volkswagon Beetle for expression through painting.
Bryan Municipal Golf Course, located at 206 W. Villa Maria Road, is an 18 hole course with cart rental. Call (979) 823-0126 for more information.
Texas A&M Golf Course has been serving the A&M community since 1950 with an 18-hole course, practice facility and driving range. Located on the beautiful Texas A&M campus. Pro shop includes a snack bar and dining facilities.
Bryan Golf Range is the only stand-alone driving range in the Brazos Valley. They provide forty natural grass tee boxes, driving distances up to 300 yards in an exquisite wooded setting, and free club cleaners and "rental" clubs.
Bryan provides a variety of recreational opportunities on 275 acres of land adjoining the lake to entice public enjoyment and safety. Many open areas allow for outdoor entertainment to meet everyone's needs. Swimming is allowed in the sandy beach area, sand volleyball, boating, camping, fishing, picnicking, hiking and biking. A mountain bike trail circles the lake for a strenuous 16 miles.
The most awarded premium winery in Texas, producing over 50 varietal wines at their state-of-the-art winemaking facility. Messina Hof Winery and Resort offers daily winery tours, wine tasting at the Winemaster's Room Tasting Bar, vineyard cuisine at the award-winning Vintage House Restaurant and luxurious overnight accommodations at the Villa, voted one of the most romantic bed & breakfasts in the United States.
What started as a small commercial area to service the local college is now a popular eclectic entertainment and specialty district. Located on University Drive adjacent to the Texas A&M campus; with night life from trendy to country and cuisine for any palate. Visit the new Northgate Entertainment District – one that plays host to concerts and special events throughout the year.
The definition of great shopping, Post Oak Mall is home to five major department stores, more than 100 specialty shops, a tantalizing blend of eateries and a new children's play area.
The Texas Cooperative Wildlife Collection (TCWC) is a natural history collection that focuses on vertebrate life from Texas. It's collection of preserved specimens range from reptiles to mammals, fish to birds and number close to 1 million. No live animals are on display. If interested in a visit, be sure to call TCWC ahead of time. Located adjacent to TCWC is a nature trail that is open year round. It includes 52 plant ID stations, a bird blind, bat boxes and an outdoor classroom.
The Texas Reds Festival is a Steak & Grape Festival that celebrates the beef and wine industries and their impact on the City of Bryan, Texas. Using Historic Downtown Bryan as a backdrop, Texas Reds will feature a steak cook-off, Texas wine tasting, grilling exhibitions, live entertainment, children's activities and much more—all in a festival atmosphere worthy of the City of Bryan's slogan: The Good Life, Texas Style. The dates for the 2008 Texas Reds Festival are June 20-21.
The Veterans Memorial is dedicated to America's military veterans. A bronze sculpture and the Wall of Honor which features the names of over 4,000 veterans, serves as the centerpiece of the memorial.
The Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater is located in the heart of College Station, home of Texas A&M University. Serving the Southeast Texas Market Area, the amphitheater's potential is unlimited. Wolf Pen Creek has hosted over 250 events. The facility has established a remarkable reputation for quality shows, clean beautiful grounds, and down-home hospitality to both performers and guests. The Starlight Music Series is an 8pm-10pm, event concert series that takes place each spring and summer. All Starlight Music Series events are free to the public.
41.6 miles south of Bryan-College Station, Brenham has been recognized as a National Main Street City for two consecutive years. Host to the Bluebonnet Festival in April and Maifest in May. Other pints of interests include the Antique Carousel, the Brenham Heritage Museum, and The Main Street District.
Brenham is home to the famous Blue Bell Creameries. Founded in 1907, Blue Bell Creameries is considered to be what many believe the "best ice cream in the country."
(800) 327-8135
This is the only commercial wholesale greenhouse operation in the state that allows the public to tour its working operations and five acres of greenhouses.
(800) 776-2287
The monastery has been in operation since 1981, it is owned and operated by the Franciscan Poor Clare Nuns, a non-profit religious organization devoted to the contemplative life of prayer, penance, and union with God. Contemplative nuns support themselves in a variety of ways, and along with the traditional altar bread work, the Poor Clares of Brenham, Texas express their creativity through ceramics and other arts and crafts sold in their Art Barn and their love and care of creation in their work with the miniature horses.
(979) 836-9652
Tucked within the verdant, rolling hills of Brenham is Pleasant Hill Winery. This Texas winery springs enchantingly from a tiny hilltop and overflows into the southwest corner of Washington County. View their corkscrew collection, vintage television sets and radios.
(979) 830-VINE (8463)
Located just 25.7 miles south of Bryan-College Station, Independence is home to the original site of Baylor University. Other points of interests include the John P. Coles Home Tours, Old Baylor Park, Sam Houston Homesite, the Seward Plantation, and the Texas Baptist Historical Center.
This multi-acre garden features hundreds of roses, perennials, herbs and native flora reflecting the personality of each location. Each site contains herb gardens, cottage gardens and many perennial borders. All plants displayed are also offered for sale.
(800) 441-0002
This 293-acre park includes the site where Texas declared independence from Mexico on March 2nd, 1836. The site includes Independence Hall, a visitor's center and Barrington Living History Farm, a working farm of the 1850's centered around the home of Anson Jones who was the last President of the Republic of Texas. In Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park, the museum is dedicated to the history of the Texas Republic through state-of-the-art interactive exhibits, publications and media presentations.
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Texas Transportation Institute Texas A&M University System 3135 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843-3135
(979) 845-1713 (979) 845-9356 (FAX)