Whether you plan to be in Bryan for a weekend, a week or a year, you can’t really say you’ve been to Bryan unless you’ve been to Historic Downtown Bryan. Incorporated as a town in 1861, Bryan began as a railroad stop but rapidly grew into the primary center for trade & commerce in the Brazos Valley. That growth centered around the railroad tracks which run through what ultimately became the downtown area.
The downtown area is part of the original one-square-mile townsite, with the bulk of the retail, food, arts & entertainment areas covering around 25 square blocks. The restaurant options are outstanding and includes options for Tex-Mex, Pizza, Home Cooking, Sandwiches, Steak and more. There’s even a farm-to-table restaurant in the old ice house. Downtown Bryan is also home to a vibrant arts & entertainment scene. Throughout the downtown area you’ll find statues, murals & galleries plus several theaters. The Queen Theater was recently renovated into a state-of-the-art movie theater showing first run movies. It sits right across the street from the Palace open air amphitheater, which hosts live concerts and other events.
The nightlife in Downtown Bryan is also worth checking out. From bars & nightclubs to wine bars & breweries, there’s something to suit a wide range of tastes. And, though we can’t officially confirm it, there may (or may not) be a speakeasy located somewhere on the premises of the historic LaSalle Hotel. And if you’re looking for the perfect time to try all this out, there’s no better time than the First Friday of every month. From 5:00 to 11:00 you can grab dinner at one of the restaurants and enjoy some live music at the Palace or one of the other venues, like the Grand Stafford Theater. There’s something for the whole family, with the shops and galleries staying open late to allow patrons to take in all that Historic Downtown Bryan has to offer. If you’ve never been, you really need to go soon and see what you’ve been missing!
Kendra Hudson
Cell: (979) 218-3905
Email: [email protected]
