The Ultimate Bryan Summer Bucket List from Destination Bryan
You may think a college town like Bryan is low on activity in the summer, but the time between the spring and fall semesters offers a chance to slow down and enjoy everything the Brazos Valley has to offer. With smaller crowds, less traffic, and longer hours of sunshine, summer is the perfect time to enjoy your favorite events and attractions while also discovering new ones!
Our friends at Destination Bryan helped us narrow down all the incredible options to create the ultimate local Summer Bucket List!
Experience First Friday sponsored by Baylor Scott & White
For twenty years, locals and visitors alike have gathered in Historic Downtown Bryan for after-hours shopping, dining, and entertainment on the first Friday of every month! From 5-10 p.m., the streets of downtown come alive with art, local vendors, food trucks, live music, and more in addition to the permanent restaurants and shops that are worth visiting in their own right. The list of activities changes each month, so if you’ve been to one First Friday, you’ve been to one First Friday!
Catch a Bryan Yard Dogs Baseball Game
The Bryan Yard Dogs are in the middle of their inaugural season at Travis Major Field, offering affordable, family-friendly entertainment all summer long! Avid fans of America’s Pastime will enjoy the on-the-field action featuring high-level college players from around the country, but even if baseball is not your thing, you can still enjoy live music, fireworks, food trucks, and of course, ballpark staples like hot dogs, peanuts, and more! Visit bryanyarddogs.com for more information.
BONUS TIP: BTU customers receive FREE admission for up to four people at the Bryan Yard Dogs' home game on June 27! Just show your bill (or a screenshot) at the gate. Arrive early, the first 100 fans will receive a free t-shirt!
Enjoy the Bryan Taco Trail
Embark on a culinary journey with the Bryan Taco Trail, featuring dozens of authentic taquerias, Mexican restaurants, and even a few non-traditional and fusion taco offerings. Sign up for a digital passport and check-in at participating restaurants to earn points which can be redeemed for exclusive prizes! Sign up now at destinationbryan.com/eat-drink/tacos.
Drive Through Aggieland Safari
Fill your day with family-friendly fun at Aggieland Safari! Admire exotic animals from the comfort of your car at the Drive-Through Safari, or enjoy a leisurely stroll through the Walkabout Adventure Zoo. You can even feed a giraffe!
Explore Historic Downtown Bryan
First Friday is a must, but don’t miss what Downtown has to offer on other days as well! Grab a cup of coffee (and stay awhile) at one of the many local coffee shops, shop at the many boutique and specialty stores, catch a movie at the Queen, enjoy one of the many restaurants, or cap off a work day with a happy hour or night out at a local bar. There’s something for everyone to enjoy in this recognized Texas Cultural District that is the heart and soul of our community!
Learn Something New at One of Bryan's Museums
A day at the museum is the perfect way to learn something new while beating the summer heat! The Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History offers historical artifacts, cultural history, a Texas history exhibit, dinosaurs, and a discovery room with live animals, an aquarium, and hands-on interactive activities for kids. The Brazos Valley African American Museum was built on the site of one of the original Black schools in Bryan, and is the first establishment of its kind to promote the history of African American citizens in the Brazos Valley. The museum features rotating and permanent exhibits and cultivates stories from across the area to pass down to future generations.
Celebrate Juneteenth in Bryan
Juneteenth marks the day that news of freedom for enslaved Americans finally reached Texas as Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston on June 19, 1865. Many events in Bryan commemorate the holiday and are open to the entire community:
- Juneteenth Blues Fest – Sat. June 13, 6-10 p.m. at the Palace Theater
- Juneteenth Gospel Explosion – Fri. June 19, 6-8:30 p.m. at Neal Recreation Center
- Juneteenth Parade – Sat. June 20, 10 a.m. beginning at Kemp-Carver Elementary School
- Juneteenth Celebration in the Park – Sat. June 20, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Sadie Thomas Memorial Park
Enjoy a Refreshingly Local Drink
During a Texas summer, nothing beats a refreshing beverage. Even better is one made right here in Bryan! Blackwater Draw Brewing Co., KinderHill Brew Lab, Messina Hof Estate Winery, Lone Star Meadery, and Hush & Whisper Distilling Co. are some of the top spots to grab a local brew, cocktail, or glass of wine! Park
Discover a New Favorite, Family-Friendly Restaurant
No school means the chance to stay out later and build memories as a family around the table. Check out some of our favorite locally-owned, family-friendly restaurants this summer!
- Chicken Oil Co.
- Mr. G's Pizzeria
- J Cody's Steak & Barbecue
- Carney's Pub
- C&J Barbecue
- Shipwreck Grill
- Rx Pizza
- Big Dawg at the Station
These are just some of the many activities and events taking place this summer in Bryan! To stay in the know on everything happening around town, check out destinationbryan.com and follow Destination Bryan on social media.