A guide to visiting Aggieland

College Station, Texas — Mid-October in Aggieland is usually warm–and the weather for this weekend’s football game is set for a high of 83 and a low of 69 with a 40 percent chance of showers. Kyle Field currently holds approximately 102,000 people, so factor in large crowds when you’re making plans in the area during football season.

Tailgating in Aggieland

Aggies enjoy their tailgating, which is spread all across the campus.

If you choose to get to the stadium early and experience the tailgating, remember, this is NOT the Grove.

You will find very little evidence of fraternities and sororities; although, they are there and will be well-represented.  You will see folks wearing mostly jeans and shorts, with very few sporting dress shirts.

As for the food, there will be grills with ribs, sausage, burgers, and briskets.  (Remember, you are in Texas, so the barbecue will be mostly beef.)

There will be generators running TVs in most tailgates and plenty of games of Corn Hole and washers.

Be prepared to have your retinas burn from all the maroon and your ears ring from all the “Howdys.” However, unlike in Starkville, you will find most Aggie fans to be very accommodating and happy you are in town to support Ole Miss.

Should you be with a group of Rebels when a “Hotty Toddy” breaks out, don’t be surprised if the Aggies want to hear you do it again.  This is a university steeped in tradition, and friendliness is one of the most treasured ones.

Bryan-College Station attractions, food and drink

The Bryan-College Station area has a population of more than 225,000 people, making it slightly larger than Jackson and Oxford combined. The area has a number of attractions away from the stadium that are worth visiting.  There are several local wineries, such as Messina Hof, that give tours and tastings.

Nearby downtown Bryan offers antique shops, boutiques, and art galleries, as well as places to eat and hotels in which to stay. (Click here for information on historic Downtown Bryan, Texas where you can eat, stay, play, and shop.) The nightlife in Downtown Bryan includes wine bars, an international pub and several live music venues. For more information on the nightlife in Downtown Bryan, click here.

There are many great places to eat in the Bryan-College Station area. If you’re looking for the best of the independently owned restaurants in the area, click here.

Museums

The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum is located just a few blocks from the A&M campus. (Photo credit: Evelyn Van Pelt)

One of the most notable sights to see in the area is the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, just west of the A&M campus.

The museum has been open since the fall of 1997 and is a major hub for researchers, holding more than 100,000 artifacts.

Click here for information on the library, including its location, hours of operation and attractions.

Another museum of interest in the area is the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History.

The Star of Texas Museum is located in Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas.

If you are in town for longer than just the game, the town of Washington-on-the-Brazos is less than 40 miles away.

It is the site where the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed in 1836.  The Star of the Republic Museum located there tells the story of Texas’ journey from a Mexican territory to present day.

Bonfire Memorial

While on campus, you’ll want to visit the Bonfire Memorial, which is a dedication to those involved in the tragic collapse of the 1999 Aggie Bonfire and embodies many layers of meaning associated with the Aggie Spirit. Click here for info.

Bars

The normal college bar scene is located in close proximity to the campus, with the most famous of these areas called Northgate.  Northgate has multiple bars and restaurants and is the College Station equivalent of the Square in Oxford after an Ole Miss home game.

The Dixie Chicken is the most popular bar for A&M students–and many alumni. (Photo credit: Evelyn Van Pelt)

In the Northgate area, you will see plenty of people playing dominoes, pool, and, of course, enjoying adult beverages.

The most famous of these bars is the Dixie Chicken, which claims to serve more beer per square foot of any bar in the US.

Hospitality is very important to Aggies. Following the Aggies’ very first home game as a member of the SEC—a loss to Florida–many of the Gator fans publicly wrote about how well they were treated in Aggieland and how much they couldn’t wait to come back for another visit.

Hotty Toddy, Rebels! Enjoy your time in Aggieland.

For more information on the area, please visit the Bryan-College Station Convention and Visitors Bureau website.