11 Best Day Trips From College Station, TX

Looking for the best day trips from College Station, Texas?

Whether you’re an Aggie looking to ditch campus for a bit or a weekend visitor hoping to get to know the region beyond the small town, you’ll have plenty of short road trips from College Station to choose from.

Here are the best day trips from College Station!

shaded road leading into washington on the brazos one of the best day trips from college station tx

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The Best College Station Day Trips in Under 1 Hour

Bryan

Bryan may be practically melded to College Station, but it still makes for a fun trip away from campus!

The historic downtown Bryan is home to a variety of shops and restaurants that have been enjoyed for generations.

Whether you are looking to visit its farmer’s markets and antique shops or want a place to unwind after an Aggie football game, this gorgeous, brick-paved strip has so much to offer.  

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Start your day with a journey into The Bird’s Nest antique store that will spark some imagination in any vintage collector.

For a fun dining experience, take a seat at Proudest Monkey or RX Pizza and Bar–two of the area’s most unique establishments.  

If you’re looking for a place to cool off during a hot summer afternoon, take the short drive over to Lake Bryan.

With its various hiking trails and canoe ramps, this adventure will be full of enjoyable and cost-effective activities.  

Driving Distance From College Station

15 minutes.

gazebo in downtown bryan texas

Navasota + Washington-on-the-Brazos

Home to some of the greatest art in the area, a quick trip to Navasota, TX will be well worth your drive.

Also known as the Blues Capital of Texas, each door you walk through in this beautiful town only exemplifies its historic past. 

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Known for its unique trinkets and antiques, possibly take your first stop into Bluebonnet Vintage Collectibles.

Navasota is also easily combined with a trip to the historic Washington-on-the-Brazos, one of the best historical sites in Texas and the place where Texas began!

Driving Distance From College Station

30 minutes.

kate storm standing in front of "greetings from historic navasota" mural

Brenham

Located just a short, scenic drive from College Station, the charming city of Brenham has numerous activities to occupy your day trip itinerary.  

Of course, a must-see is the famous Blue Bell Creamery!

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Check out views of the factory and sample some of your favorite flavors from this renowned location.  

Driving Distance From College Station

45 minutes.

two scoops of blue bell ice cream being held up in the sunshine at a tour blue bell brenham

The Best Day Trips from College Station in Less than 2 Hours

Round Top

With a population of only 90 people, this little town is home to some of Texas’ most unique attractions. 

Round Top is primarily known for its famous (and gigantic) Texas antique shows, but even outside of fair days, you’ll find plenty of things to see and antiques to peruse in town.

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Begin your day with a stop by the Round Top Coffee Shop for the best latte in a quaint cafe.

Take a stroll around Heritage Square to see some of the most authentic merchandise that is handmade by the town’s locals.

To top off your trip, take a seat in Royers Cafe for a dining experience that will take you down the town’s memory lane.

Driving Distance From College Station

1 hour.

henkel square market in round top texas, one of the cute towns in texas

La Grange

With its rich history and incomparable terrain, La Grange is the perfect destination if you’re looking to see a storybook town.  

Check out the area’s numerous vintage shops before swinging by Blissful Folly Farm for a yummy bite to eat (or select from their length wine list!).

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If you’re looking for a fun attraction, take a tour through Jersey Barnyard to witness and learn more about the dairy-making process. 

Through the town’s winding roads lies the Colorado River, a beautiful, wide stretch of land with ample fishing and outdoor experiences.  

Driving Distance From College Station

1 hour, 25 minutes.

fayette county courthouse in courthouse square, one of the best things to do in la grange texas

Conroe

Known for its lake, its authentic breweries, and its restaurants, Conroe is the ideal spot for foodies and adventurers alike. 

Upon arrival, check out some of the town’s history by visiting one of the many museums.

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If you’re looking for more of a family experience, the Children’s Museum of Crighton Theatre is constantly putting on events for both children and parents to enjoy.  

If looking for an outdoor adventure, the W.G. Jones State Forest provides various hiking trails and scenery.  

Driving Distance From College Station

1 hour, 20 minutes.

Sunset over Lake Conroe Texas

Waco

Waco’s rich history and spacious layout allow for the city to provide a variety of experiences.

No matter if you’re looking for some relaxing places to shop or a museum tour, your day trip is sure to be eventful in this city! 

A one-of-a-kind establishment that is visited by people all over the world is the Magnolia Silos.

Home to authentic merchandise and yummy food-truck cuisine, one is sure to have a blast while walking through this 26,000 square foot property.  

After a tour through the unique Dr. Pepper Museum or the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, grab a seat at Cafe Homestead for one of the city’s most unique dining experiences.  

Driving Distance From College Station

1 hour, 30 minutes.

front facade of the old church at magnolia in waco, one of the best day trips from college station tx

Day Trips More Than 2 Hours From College Station

Austin

With some of the most diverse establishments in Texas, downtown Austin is the perfect day trip from College Station if you’re looking to see all that the state’s capital has to offer. 

A stroll down South Congress is sure to show you some of the city’s most famous attractions.

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Similarly, a walk through the Zilker Metropolitan Park and Botanical Gardens is the perfect spot for some outdoor relaxation and photo opportunities. 

For some authentic restaurants and nightlife locations, take your pick of one of the many bars and clubs down 6th Street.

Layered with unique cuisine and live music from local bands, this area of downtown Austin is sure to immerse you in the city’s culture. 

Driving Distance From College Station

2 hours.

view of austin skyline from lou neff point, college station day trips

San Antonio 

Home to some of South Texas’ richest culture, a visit to San Antonio makes for a long day in the car, but is still one of the best day trips from College Station.

Begin your day by taking a tour of some of the city’s greatest museums and national monuments, such as the Alamo or Tower of Americas.

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The San Fernando Cathedral and the less-visited San Antonio Missions like Mission San Jose are also among the best attractions in San Antonio.

Be sure to stop by the Riverwalk, a miles-long stretch of shops and restaurants aligning the San Antonio River.

Finally, top off your day with a meal at Mi Tierra’s Cafe and Bakery. 

Driving Distance From College Station

2 hours, 45 minutes.

frozen margarita being held out on the riverwalk san antonio with red boat going by

Fort Worth

As part of one of the largest metropolitan areas of North Texas, Fort Worth is the ideal spot for a family adventure.  

With plenty to do in a fairly compact area for a city of its size, Fort Worth makes for a fun road trip from College Station.

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The city is known for its Stockyards, a large historic district with some incredible shops and BBQ restaurants.

Take a bike tour through the strip to see all the sights, or even stop by the famous Billy Bob’s Honky Tonk for a true Texas dance hall experience.  

Driving Distance From College Station

2 hours, 40 minutes.

longhorn cattle on the road at the ft worth cattle drive, one of the fun fort worth attractions to visit

Nacogdoches

Nacogdoches, one of the first established towns of Texas, is full of unique attractions and places to discover. 

With numerous shops and cafes to choose from, the historic, brick-paved downtown district is a can’t miss stop.

If you’re feeling a bite to eat, be sure to check out Clear Springs Restaurant for some authentic seafood.  

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Take a walk through the Azalea Gardens for some bird watching and hiking excursions.  

For history buffs, a visit to the Stone Fort Museum will give a peek into Texas in the 18th century.

Driving Distance From College Station

2 hours, 25 minutes.

photo of round top on top of a photo of washington on the brazos, black and red text reads "11 fun day trips from college station"

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