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Spring Break Activities
By DEBBIE PETERSON

Spending the Spring Break at home? There’s no need to travel far to find family fun. There are lots of fun activities to do right here close to home.


BUSH LIBRARY

Are you a baseball fan? The George Bush Presidential Library’s new exhibit, Born to Play Ball, is opening right before Spring Break. The exhibit will be showcasing some of baseball’s most famous players with items from private collectors and the Baseball Hall of Fame. Enjoy learning about the history of the game, including the Negro Leagues and Women’s leagues, and the relationships presidents have had to the game. Finish your day of learning about baseball by seeing some future hall-of-famers at an Aggie baseball game. Several home games are scheduled for the week of Spring Break.

The George Bush Library is also hosting its annual Easter Egg Hunt in conjunction with the city of College Station on Saturday March 16th. From 9:30am-12:00pm kids can hunt eggs, play games, win prizes, and visit with the Easter Bunny.

LICK CREEK PARK

The mild days of March are perfect for outdoor fun. Lick Creek Park, located at 13600 East Rock Prairie Road in College Station offers 3.5 miles of marked trails for hiking, biking, bird watching, and nature study. Maps are available at www.cstx.gov or call 764-4386 for more information.

Or try Lake Bryan, with 15 miles of Class I trails and 823 acres of water. There is a charge for Lake Bryan per car of $5.00, but kids 12 and under are free. See www.lakebryan.com or call 361-0861.

DOWNTOWN FUN

If an urban walk is more your family’s style, try a walking tour of historic downtown Bryan. Walk down Main Street to see two of the painted trains from last year’s George Bush Library train exhibit. Two more trains can be seen in front of Old Bryan Marketplace on Bryan Ave. and in front of the Children’s Museum on 27th St.

Main Street also boasts two bronze statues by Lynn ‘, “Treasured Moments” in front of the Carnegie Library and “The Bryan Bomber” in front of the La Salle Hotel, and the large clock at the corner of 26th and Main. Enjoy window shopping the unique stores such as Earth Art, Catalena Hatters, and the String and Horn Shop. Take in lunch at one of the great Mexican restaurants downtown, try the homemade pizza at Mr. G’s on Bryan Street, or have a drink and snack at the La Salle Café or at the soda fountain at Corner of Time on Bryan Ave.

Ring the giant bell in front of the Bryan Library on 26th St., and check out their wide selection of DVDs and books on CD inside. While you’re there, peek inside the Victorian dollhouse on the 2nd floor which is decorated according to the seasons. Finish the walk with a trip across the street

SPRING BREAK CAMPS

If you need something to keep your kids busy all day, consider taking advantage of the City of Bryan’s Spring Break Camp held March 10-14. The camp meets at Austin’s Colony Park from 7am-6pm and includes arts and crafts, games, nature walks, basketball, and a field trip on Friday. The cost is $80.00 for the whole week and $20.00 per day and is for children in grades K-6. For more information and to register call 209-5528.

Another all day camp is being offered by the Brazos Valley Natural History Museum located at 3232 Briarcrest Dr. in Bryan. The camp will be held from March 10-14, 9am-3pm. The theme is Animal Rule Breakers, about those animals that are the exceptions to the rule. Children can come for $35/day for members and $40/nonmemebers, or can sign up for the entire week. Call 776-2195 for more information or to register.

DAY TRIPS

If you have more time and would like to make a day trip, there are a lot of activities in the bigger cities nearby. But how about trying one of the smaller towns? Brenham has a unique restaurant located in the Brenham Municipal Airport called the Southern Flyer Diner. This 50’s style diner offers classic diner food and milkshakes, a jukebox and poodle-skirted waitresses. In addition, there is free entertainment provided by the small planes landing and taking off. The restaurant is located a little out of the way at 3001 Aviation Way. See the web site for directions, www.BrenhamMunicipalAirport.com, or call 979-836-5462. While you’re in Brenham, visit the famous Blue Bell Creameries for a tour and ice cream cone.

For another fun day trip, try the Cameron Park Zoo in Waco. If you have wanted to visit a zoo but dread the Houston traffic, this zoo is easier to get to and just as enjoyable. The cost is $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 4-12, with 3 and under free. In addition to the typical zoo animals, the Cameron Park Zoo has a unique interactive exhibit on animals in the Brazos River Country area and includes a fun playground and splash pad.

Don’t feel like your family is missing out if you’re staying home for Spring Break. Take advantage of the great weather and all this area has to offer for family fun.