College Station Is the Perfect Southern College Town to Visit in Fall

If you're looking for a pleasant, welcoming, and charming small city in Texas to visit this autumn, then look no further than College Station. There's something especially lovely about visiting college towns in the fall. The students and professors are back from break, and there's a vibrant and palpable feeling of hope and endless possibilities everywhere you go.

Further, college towns in general are full of energy, excitement, and lots of things to see and do, so even if your college years are long behind you, you're sure to have a good time exploring any town that has grown up around a college or university.

College Station is in the middle of all the Texas action, as it's less than 100 miles from Houston or Austin, yet it's also its own entity. This small city has a population of around 120,000 people—not counting the nearly 80,000 students at the college. College Station is best known for being the home of Texas A&M University. This university — formerly known as the State Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas—has the nation's largest student body enrollment. It first opened in 1876.

This town surrounds—and lives and breathes—Texas A&M. Even if you have no connection at all with this university, you're sure to find College Station a lovely place to visit in the fall, or truly, at any time of the year. There's so much to do, and the people are friendly and welcoming, through and through.

There are many things to do when visiting College Station, Texas! Of course, one thing that brings everyone together in this Texas college town is Texas A&M sports. The most popular sport at this university is football, so if you can make it to a game at Kyle Field, you'll be glad you did. If you visit during the spring instead, you might consider catching a baseball game at Olsen Field at Bluebell Park, or if you're there in the winter, you can catch an Aggies basketball game at Reed Arena. There's always something exciting happening in Texas A&M athletics!

If sports don't interest you, however, there are other options. You might enjoy a visit to the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, for one option, or you can peruse the exhibits at the Museum of the American G.I. for another. Art lovers might consider visiting the Benjamin Knox Gallery in town.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to do in College Station as well. Take a walk on the trails in Lick Creek Park or Bee Creek Park, or immerse yourself in nature at the Dr. David E Schob Nature Preserve on a sunny afternoon. The woods and wildlife in College Station are lovely.

Later, if you get hungry, you'll find lots of fantastic restaurants in College Station from which to choose. This should not be surprising, as there are no heartier eaters than college students! Layne's, founded in College Station in 1944, is well-known for its perfect chicken fingers and more. For authentic Italian cuisine in College Station, look no further than Luigi's Ristorante and Patio. You'll love the food served at this spot, the atmosphere, and the ambiance.

These two restaurants are only the beginning—there are literally dozens of memorable and enjoyable restaurants in College Station from which to choose. Visitors looking for some memorable beverages might enjoy visits to the Rio Brazos Distillery, the Perrine Winery, or the Peach Creek Winery while visiting this town.

There are many things to see and do when visiting the home of Texas A&M University. You'll love this city's charming atmosphere and overall vibe, and once you visit it for the first time, you'll want to go back time and time again. It's an excellent place for a weekend getaway to escape the hustle and bustle of the larger nearby cities of Houston and Austin. Plan your trip to College Station with Only In Your State's Dashboard itinerary planner.

Feature image: Photo by Ian Cridland via Unsplash