Welcome to College Station

[Caveman Catfan]

Parking suggestions?

 

[AggieBrass]

Parking suggestions?

I'd suggest West Campus. You can buy Lot E or WCG parking passes on Stubhub. Or you can pay cash out by George Bush Library. The Basketball arena tailgating scene (around Reed) is top notch. That is Lot E.

 

[fabcat]

The only thing I will add to this terrific post is that if you are a Kentucky fan coming into town for a few days, try to go to a Friday night HS football game somewhere in the area. Doesn't matter if it's 6-man or 6-A, it's just special. Weather should be terrific. If there are any nice small towns (esp. w/ great BBQ) around College Station with an interesting HS stadium to check out, please, OP, recommend them. I had the chance to do this near Austin several years ago and didn't regret it.

Going to High School game Friday night. Lady friend Is a teacher and head of their schools pep club or spirit club. Anyway she has to be at the game and I will get a behind the scenes look at Texas High School Football. Can’t wait, coached High School Football here in Kentucky so it will be fun seeing it up close there. Will prob be meeting the staff as well.

 

[Spliceguy]

I try to put this together every year for traveling fans, so your trip to College Station is as easy as possible. Here's my take on how to maximize your fun in College Station. Keep in mind, I am in my mid 30s, so it skews more towards the Night life and tailgating than the fine dining and sight seeing.

A few notes worth mentioning. Northgate is the Entertainment District in College Station. It's a 7-8 block area with 50+ bars and a number restaurants that sits on University Avenue right across from campus. West Campus is where Reed Arena, Olsen Field and the REC Center sit and a large swath of tailgating takes place in this area. This is where 90% of the RVs are parked.

Restaurants in College Station worth visiting:
Republic Steakhouse -- Fantastic selection of bourbon and whiskeys. One of the best steakhouses in SE Texas. You would need to make reservations here.
Cafe Eccell -- Personally, my favorite for the price. It's a nice dinner, but not extravagant in price. They have great handcrafted cocktails and wood fired pizzas.
Napa Flats
Christopher's -- More fine dining.
Torchy's Tacos -- Leave the bar after a big night, find yourself here.
Freebird's -- On Northgate, large burritos
West End Elixir -- On Northgate, new place with unique cocktails and great food.
Koppe Bridge -- Best Burgers in town.
Grub Burger Bar
Hullabaloo Diner -- Featured on the Food Channel. Extremely dirty (in a good way) and delicious breakfast.
Sodolaks - Comfort Food
Fuego -- Tacos!
Café Capri -- artisan mix
The Proudest Monkey
Fargo's BBQ -- Rated the #2 BBQ joint in Texas a couple years ago.


Northgate: Bar District (I'll just go West to East down University for the ones I've frequented)
West End Elixir -- See above
Chimy's -- Deadly Margarita and Tequila selection. Fun porch and always a great place to cap off your night.
Bar 12 -- Rooftop porch, two level bar.
Shiner Park -- Dance Club
O'Bannons -- Irish Pub with great beer selection
Paddock Lane -- Same as O'Bannons
Northgate Food Truck Alley -- Explains itself with craft brew trucks
Tipsy Turtle -- New Orleans Style Daquiri Bar
The Backyard -- One of my favorites. Chilled liquor on tap and tons of games on the back porch (Beer pong, washers, darts, etc). 2 story and has a La Bodega Taco Bar in here too. Great craft Tequila shakers
Dry Bean Saloon -- Shot saloon with 200 different shots on the menu
Dixie Chicken -- College Station staple since 1974. I'd have one drink here at least. It will be slammed on Friday nights.
Dudley's -- The Chicken's less country brother
Madhatters -- 80s bar with cheap, STRONG drinks
Basil Whippets -- The "Apothecary Lounge"
Corner Bar -- Another one of my favorites. Three stories, with a large open air rooftop bar overlooking campus
Hookah Lounge -- Hookah bar that serves drinks
Foundation -- Dance Club
Kyoto Sake Bar -- Name explains itself. All sake/sake bombs all the time.
Gatsbys -- Dance Club
Logie's -- Huge beers with a porch looking at inner Northgate
Rebel Draft House -- Tons of beers and large with a wrap around porch.
Rough Draught Bourbon Bar -- Top shelf bourbon, whiskey, scotch bar. They flavor balls of ice for their old fashion drinks. It's good.
Cedar Lane -- Try a "wake me up"... Big Greek Crowd
Blackwater Draw -- Local microbrew that serves food.
Hurricane Harry's -- Dance Hall (Country centric)
Murphy's Irish Pub
The Canteen -- Attached to the George Hotel
World of Beer - Over 100 beers on Tap

Tailgating:
You'll get differing opinions on this depending on the age and tastes of the Aggie fan, so I'm going to throw all options out here.

West Campus -- This is where I tailgate and prefer. I'd suggest getting there early, and either dropping your stuff off around Reed Arena (in the grass) or around the parking garage (in the grass) and parking somewhere further out on West Campus in the pay lots. West Campus is a mix of all types, but tends to be the best collection of parties on campus. We tailgate at Reed Arena in the grass looking at the Baseball and Softball field. It is in the grass at the corner of Tom Chandler and Olsen Blvd in the link below. We have a blow up 12th Man guy, 1000+ square feet of shade and a full wet bar so stop by and drink some on us. You can drop your stuff off starting at noon on Friday.

As you know by now, the game is at 6 pm. We will be out there at 6 am (when lots open) but I'd suggest getting situated by no later than 10-11am if you want a spot on West Campus or Spence. If you just want to roll a cooler around, our fan base is a relatively friendly bunch that will offer plenty of food and drink.

The RV lots here are at Reed Arena, Olsen Field, George Bush Library, across from the intramural fields and the Steam Building. http://transport.tamu.edu/Parking/maps/RV/RV.pdf



Here is the overall parking map. http://transportmap.tamu.edu/parkingmap/tsmap.htm?map=ft

Spence Park -- This is the park on the East Side of the stadium. Tends to be a mix of families and students/Greek. You can't park anywhere around here, but you can drop off starting at noon on Friday. It's another good mix of students and alum, but you can't have the big trailers in Spence. Again, a nice place that's fun, just a little more of a hassle to set up up and pick up.

Cain Park -- This is the Reserved tailgating. A little less rowdy and more corporate, but crowded nonetheless.

Pay Lots -- The Pay lots are on the periphery of campus and not nearly as crowded as inner campus tailgating. If you want a quieter area, this is your place, but if you're anything like me, you don't come all this way to not mix it up with the locals.


Golf:
Traditions Club -- A&M Golf Team home course and a Nicklaus course. The Stella Hotel borders this course and has 3 bars in it (one is a speakeasy style) and two separate restaurants and cabanas poolside.
Miramont -- Private RTJ course
A&M on campus course -- I actually like this course since it's been redone.
Briarcrest in Bryan — Great value

Sights and Sounds --
George Bush Library -- 41s Presidential Library on West Campus. RV Field parking is right beside it.
Bonfire Memorial -- On the NorthEast Side of campus recognizing the 1999 tragedy.
Messina Hof Winery -- Local winery in Bryan. I love it here at dusk..


If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask.

What part of the game day traditions would you suggest seeing? I know Friday night is the midnight yell? What else

 

[AggieBrass]

What part of the game day traditions would you suggest seeing? I know Friday night is the midnight yell? What else

The spirit walk and band march in is 90 minutes before kickoff. They march right through the tailgating at Spence Park on the east side of the stadium.

 

[Spliceguy]

Great, I have son at Notre Dame and love watching the traditions of college football.

 

[DTAJR14]

I'd suggest West Campus. You can buy Lot E or WCG parking passes on Stubhub. Or you can pay cash out by George Bush Library. The Basketball arena tailgating scene (around Reed) is top notch. That is Lot E.

Thanks so much OP!

I’m coming with a group of 12. We have 3 Lot E passes (and 3 sober drivers luckily). Just to clarify something you said, dropping stuff off isn’t really an option for us. I assume we won’t have any problem just parking late morning/early afternoon and tailgating out of our cars?

Thanks again. My group can’t wait!

 

[Darkcide]

WOW, AggieBrass... your post reflects what college football fans should be. Don't know when I have seen a friendlier welcome in all the years I have followed this board. I don't post very often, but I read it several times a day. God bless, and take care.

 

[vhcat70]

I take it you & all of A&M are fine to be done with the sippers.

 

[KYtotheCore]

Always appreciate these ... even when I can’t go.

It’s back! Nice!

 

[54runner]

Aggie Brass: Thanks for your kind hospitality by listing restaurants & bars. I'm in a little older age group than you...any suggestions for good restaurant & bar? Where is the Midnight Yell held?

 

[AggieBrass]

Thanks so much OP!

I’m coming with a group of 12. We have 3 Lot E passes (and 3 sober drivers luckily). Just to clarify something you said, dropping stuff off isn’t really an option for us. I assume we won’t have any problem just parking late morning/early afternoon and tailgating out of our cars?

Thanks again. My group can’t wait!

You should be good. I’m by the softball field on the southeast side of Reed in the grass. If you want to grab my cell, I’ll save you some room so you can spread out and tailgate by us.

 

[AggieBrass]

Aggie Brass: Thanks for your kind hospitality by listing restaurants & bars. I'm in a little older age group than you...any suggestions for good restaurant & bar? Where is the Midnight Yell held?

Midnight yell is at the stadium.

Best place for a good restaurant and bar on Friday or gameday can be found at Northgate. It’s a 10-15 minute walk to true stadium. I’d try the Backyard, West End Elixir or the Chicken

 

[AggieBrass]

I take it you & all of A&M are fine to be done with the sippers.

For now, yes. The reasons behind it are complex.

 

[Pharmboy007]

Aggie- Again thanks for the info. Any places good to eat close to the Stella? Good food there in the hotel?

Thanks

GO CATS

 

[AggieBrass]

Aggie- Again thanks for the info. Any places good to eat close to the Stella? Good food there in the hotel?

Thanks

GO CATS

The Stella has amazing restaurants inside of it as well as a top shelf speakeasy style bar. Outside of the Stella I’d make your way down University to Northgate or go to Downtown Bryan. There’s a new farm to table place called Ronin in downtown Bryan that’s fantastic.

 

[Pharmboy007]

Thanks for the info and quick reply. I am really looking forward to the trip. My Mom's family was from Oklahoma and Texas and have always thought that Texas hospitality was awesome and you have confirmed that.

GO CATS

 

[AggieBrass]

Thanks for the info and quick reply. I am really looking forward to the trip. My Mom's family was from Oklahoma and Texas and have always thought that Texas hospitality was awesome and you have confirmed that.

GO CATS

Apparently there was a soft opening last weekend for a new Brunch place right next to the Stella. Grand opening is this weekend. A lot of people spoke very highly about it. Let me know if you try it out. I’ll be at the tailgate at day break and will be heading back home early Sunday morning.

 

[Knotted Shorts]

If any of you guys get the chance, stop by the Hall of Honors. They have 7 or 8 displays of their Medal of Honor Recipients and their writeups. Take your hat off before walking in, and go look at what these men did.