And posting the "to do" thread on this one as well....

As for things to do in CS, I posted this on the SEC rant, but here you go....

As for CS, they are building 6 new hotels this offseason, so if you can't find one right away, keep checking.... Bryan/College Station twin cities is 215,000 and growing rapidly so there is a lot planned for the next couple of years.

As for travel/game advice, here is a write up I did for the Idaho and Okie State radio folks this year.

I'll outline Restaurants, Bars and the sights then breakdown how a typical game weekend goes for my crew.

Before I start, a few landmarks I should point out. Northgate is the largest Bar District in town. About 25-30 bars on University Avenue that backs up to Campus. About a mile walk from Kyle Field. Main Campus is where Kyle Field is. West Campus is across Wellborn Road which is home to the bulk of tailgaters on Gameday. Spence Park is the park right next to your visitors section and has thousands of tailgaters on gameday.

Restaurants/Local Eateries that I like:

Freebirds - Monster Burritos that you make yourself. On Northgate

La Bodega - Great Baja tacos and tex-mex on Northgate.

Cafe Eccell - A little higher end, but wonderful food and award winning desserts on Northgate.

Kyoto Sushi -- Northgate

Atami Sushi -- University Drive

Antonio's Pizza - Boston Style Pizza on Northgate

Zapatos on Northgate -- Trash Can Nachos.... nuff said

Fuego -- 24 hour taco service -- drunk food, but wonderful, lots of tail running around here at 3 am.

Republic Steakhouse -- If you want an expensive dinner but really good steak, try here.

C & J's BBQ -- Texas BBQ

Rudy's BBQ -- See above

Koppe Bridge -- Best Burgers in town and the beer is ICE cold

Cafe Capri -- Higher end, but great

Christophers -- Higher end like Republic and an intimate atmosphere

Bars (most on Northgate):

Corner Bar -- 3 story bar with a rooftop bar on Northgate

Dixie Chicken -- Staple of Northgate that sells an arse ton of beer per square foot (Northgate)

Dry Bean Shot Saloon -- 250 shots on menu (Northgate)

Schotzi's -- Live Music outside and inside on Northgate

Zapatos -- Live Music on the porch, good margaritas on Northgate

Barber Shots -- Shot bar next to Zapatos on Northgate

Daisy Dukes -- Dancing, young college girls in basically nothing on Northgate

OBannons -- Irish Pub with 100 beers available on Northgate

Paddock Lane -- Low key, good service on Northgate

Tipsy Turtle -- Daquiri Bar New Orleans Style on Northgate

Fitzwillys -- two story live music venue, cheap drinks on Northgate

Duddleys Draw -- Front and back porch with cheap drinks

315 Shot Bar -- Like Dry Bean on Northgate

Madhatters -- 80s bar with a back porch and tall beers on Northgate

Basil Whippets -- Apothecary Lounge (two story) on Northgate

Logans -- Sports bar with 44 oz. beers on Northgate

V Bar -- more greek crowd, dancing

Gatsbys -- dancing, small (on Northgate)

Hookah Lounge -- hookah bar that serves booze on Northgate

Cedar Lane -- New bar with plenty of outdoor seating and an interesting "wake me up" drink that will make you forget 10 minutes ago.

Rebel Yell -- New draft house right next to Cedar Lane

Hurricane Harrys -- Country Dancing on Northgate

The Tap -- my favorite bar not on Northgate (Harvey Road)... cheap drinks, good food

Fox and Hound -- Tons of beers on tap on University Drive

Carneys -- On South College on Bryan/College Station Line

Downtown Bryan -- 4 or so bars in a revamped Downtown that has live Music most every night and good eating as well. About 20 minutes from campus.

Random Sights of College Station:

George Bush Sr. Library -- On West Campus

Messina Hof Winery -- You can also lodge here, but the view in the garden is fantastic and you can dine here as well.

Bonfire Memorial -- On Main Campus (pretty emotional memorial for those of us who were in school when the 12 students died in 1999).

Golf:

Traditions Country Club (Nicklaus designed Course....Home of Texas A&M Golf -- 2009 National Champions)

Miramont Country Club (Private, but can drive by it... Robert Trent Jones Course... Beautiful!)

There are some cheaper options like Bryan Muni, Bluebonnet in Navasota, Pebble Creek in College Station (Decent), Briarcrest in Bryan (decent)

Tailgating/Gameday:

Our crew usually arrives around 7 am (lots open at 630 am) and we tailgate in Lot 100 on the Southeast side of Reed Arena. I've attached the parking map. I suggest Reed Arena or Spence Park. You won't be able to park at Reed, but across the street is the WCG (West Campus Parking Garage). You can drop your stuff off on the curb at Reed and set up in the grass with everyone else, but you'll have to park in the garage. It is $15. Don't park in the green cash lots way out on West Campus. Its a long walk or shuttle and its for the few folks who come in and out.

Reed Arena and West Campus - Largest concentration of tailgaters. West Campus. Party Buses, RVs, larger tailgate spreads, bands, etc. Home to most of the RV Lots (Lot 100, Penberthy, Olsen RV lot, Lot 88, Lot 74 are the RV lots on West Campus). Lot 50 is another RV Lot on Main Campus. Northgate is on University Drive across from campus lots 30a, 30c and Northgate Parking Garage... It spans about 4 blocks.

Spence Park - Large concentration of tailgaters on the East side of Kyle Field. Lots of fun, mostly a younger crowd. Cannot park here, must drop stuff off and park in garages or across the street.

Duncan Field - Where most alumni club tailgates of visiting fans are... also the same place that the Fraternities and Sororities tailgate.

Parking Map: Parking Map

RV Parking Map: RV Parking

Duncan Field is in pink at the bottom. My tailgating lot is 100g (Lot E) by Reed. Feel free to come by. Shoot me a PM and I'll give you my contact info.

If you have any other questions, I'm here to help out.