Bryan

Bryan is a city located in the heart of the Brazos Valley in East and Central Texas, United States. It serves as the seat of government for Brazos County. As of the 2020 census, Bryan had a population of 83,980. The city is adjacent to College Station, and together they form the Bryan–College Station metropolitan area, which has a population of more than 250,069. The city was settled in the 1820s and formally founded in 1855. It was named after William Joel Bryan, who inherited the land for the town site from his uncle, Stephen F. Austin, a founder of Texas. Bryan offers a variety of tourist attractions and family-friendly activities. Some of the top attractions include:

• Messina Hof Estate Winery: A popular winery where visitors can enjoy wine tasting³.
• Aggieland Safari: A zoo where you can feed giraffes³.
• Old Bryan Marketplace: A great place for shopping³.
• Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History: A small but well-maintained museum that’s good for a family visit³.
• Boonville Heritage Park: A history museum located near the Kroger shopping center just off Bypass 6³.
• The Queen Theatre: A theater that looks fantastic after its remodel and preservation work³.
• Ronin Farm: A farm that hosts a full Moon Dinner with outstanding food³.
• St. Anthony Catholic Church: A beautiful church with stunning paintings and statues³.
• The Theatre Company: A local institution that has been entertaining audiences for over 20 years³.
• Carnegie Center of Brazos Valley History: A library that offers a quiet place to read or study³.

For families with children, Bryan offers numerous activities such as a children’s museum for toddlers and plenty of outdoor fun for older kids and teens like a safari tour, boating on the lake, and family-friendly dining. The city also boasts an impressive parks system covering 56 properties totaling more than 2,400 acres. Some notable parks include:

• Allen Ridge Park: Located at 1517 Prairie Drive, it features a lake/pond/creek and a trail for non-motorized activities.
• Austin’s Colony Park: Located at 2496 Austins Colony Parkway, it offers amenities such as archery, basketball, BBQ grills, disc golf, lake/pond/creek, natural areas, parking, pavilion, picnic table, playground, restrooms, soccer, tennis court, trail (non-motorized), water fountain, and outdoor pickleball courts.
• Billie Madeley Park: Located at 760 Sunny Lane, it offers lighting, natural areas, parking, and trail (non-motorized).
• Bonham Park: Located at 2315 Russell Street, it offers baseball/softball fields, basketball courts, BBQ grills, disc golf facilities, lake/pond/creek access points, lighting facilities for night activities, parking spaces, pavilions for gatherings or picnics, picnic tables scattered around the park for visitors to use freely or reserve ahead of time if needed for an event or gathering. It also has playgrounds for children to play on as well as restrooms for public use. There are also tennis courts available for use by visitors who enjoy playing tennis. The park also has trails (non-motorized) that visitors can use to walk or run on. There are also water fountains available throughout the park for visitors to use freely.

Bryan is a vibrant city with rich history and culture. It offers a wide range of attractions and activities that cater to all ages making it an ideal destination for tourists and families alike.