Howdy, friends! Do you want to know more about the coolest college town not far from Houston? Maybe I am little biased (Class of 1999 here), but College Station is the perfect college town with a perfect-record team (so far – fingers crossed). When planning that fall bucket list, consider College Station.
If you’re an Aggie, know an Aggie, love the Aggies, or just want a new place to experience college fanfare not far from H-town, look no further than B/CS. Aggieland is ready to welcome you – tailgating, touchdowns, and more!
Exploring Aggie Park
If tailgating is your main plan, check out Aggie Park. First tip – arrive early! This hot spot will pack in the Aggie faithful. You will see former students/friends set up shop as well as many A&M departments who always welcome their alumni with good food and a good time. You don’t have to set up yourself – just walk around and catch the spirit! You can find food trucks, live music, and family-friendly games to play.
Chillin’ at the Chicken
The College Station area has plenty of places to grab a bite while waiting for the game. A well known area is Northgate with the most iconic and popular spot being The Dixie Chicken. Be prepared to wait in line as you order your food (I recommend the Tijuana fries or a juicy burger. Stick around and play a round of dominoes too!
Bottle Cap Alley is another fun little spot on Northgate. Great place for pictures as you leave the Chicken and head for the game.
Participating in Game Day Traditions
Texas A&M University thrives off tradition (many which confuse a non-Aggie quite often), but there are some fun activities to witness before a game. Yell Practice happens the night before, but you can bring your future Aggies to the Kids’ Yell Practice that begins about 2.5 hours prior to kickoff. Yell Leaders (nope, not cheerleaders) hold this event on the East side of Kyle Field.
Last year, my son and I got to witness the Aggie football team walk down Houston Street with the Aggie Band, Yell Leaders, and coaches to their locker room as part of the pre-game Spirit Walk. This walk happens about two hours prior to kick off so get their and grab a spot on the curb. We love swapping high-fives with the team before their big game.
Learning about History
No matter your stance on all things Aggie, you should definitely find time to visit the George Bush Library and Museum. Walk through all stages of George and Barbara’s life to see no only what they mean to Aggieland, but what they mean to Texas and our country. If you plan a longer trip to town, this spot is highly recommended.
Shopping til You’re Dropping
A new favorite area to shop pre-game is Century Square. You will find some familiar spots here for shopping but add in that college flare. Make a point to stop at the Memorial Student Center too – great history and a great place for Aggie gear. Here, you can learn about Aggie veterans we still honor as well as traditions such as Silver Taps and Muster.
Aggie Moms/Alumni, what are some of your favorite game day traditions? Let’s welcome all friends – Aggies or not – to a great town not far from our Houston home.
Gig ’em!
