From California, I will be attending a wedding in College Station, TX, scheduled for Friday, Dec 28. We intend to fly into Dallas, rent a van for a few other family members, and head on down to College Station. Will have a few days afterwards. Anybody got any suggestions for a New Years weekend in TX? could be back in D or Houston, or even New Orleans. Wide open for ideas, but I think not the best time of year.

Also, where could I find some good live country music, bar, concert or otherwise?

Thanks!

Bill,

If you're interested in live music, Austin (which I think proclaims itself the live music capital of the world) isn't too far from College Station. And the bars on 6th Street and elsewhere in downtown Austin are great. Don't know what Austin's New Year's celebrations are like, but I imagine you can find soomething you'll like there.

If you want a bigger city, San Antonio would be my next choice. Very, very nice place for a long weekend, and San Antonio is a big tourism city. Lots of stuff going on down on the Riverwalk, and I imagine you wouldn't have any trouble finding good live country music in San Antonio, too.

While you are in B/CS, be sure to take a few hours and visit the new Bush Presidential Library. It is really neat! I only had an hour to spend, so I had to skip a lot of the reading and the White House Garden exhibit, but I'll hit it next time I'm in town.

Are you flying back out of Dallas? If so, I would advise comingback to there for New Year's. I will warn you that most of the clubs and such are quite expensive on that weekend. $75+ per couple is not unusual. Your best bets for good live country will be Billy Bob's Texas in the Fort Worth Stockyards, or Cowboys Red River on I-35E in Dallas. You can find info on both clubs at www.guidelive.com, and call them to see what they are doing for NYE.

College Station is a great place to go, however during December it is going to be very slow with probably not much action. But while you are there you have to eat a hamburger at The Chicken. And whether to go to Austin vs. San Antonio is tough. Austin would have a wider variety to choose fun but New Years on the River Walk in San Antonio would be loads of fun.

The Dixie Chicken is definitely my favorite bar in College Station. You might find live country music at the Hall of Fame(a large dance hall) but call ahead to see if they have a band performing. I met my husband-to-be there (now married 11 years) so I have a certain fondness for the place. For New Years Eve I'd go to San Antonio Riverwalk.

You could see the George Bush Presidential Library in College Station, and then see the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library in Austin, and then go drinking on 6th street? Just a thought.

December in C.S. can be rather balmy so dress accordingly. Check out Round Rock & Austin for music, San Antonio for New Years, Houston for restaurants & the hill country for scenery. There is a winery in Bryan and several in the hill country. Local restaurants tend to be either a chain or hamburgers. For the biggest burrito (and best, with a little whimsy) try Freebirds. Best restaurants are Christopher's World Grill and Cafe Eccell. The A&M campus is beautiful and is currently listed as the 48th best institution of higher learning. The traditions are great.

Is there a Bowl game going on at A&M? That might be fun.

Just have to say that I definitely second the idea to go to Freebird's! The BEST burrito you'll ever have! Oh how I miss Freebirds! (next to the chicken, so you can do both)