San Marcos is an active and small town located between Austin and San Antonio cities. It is famous for the San Marcos River where people can engage in rafting.
The water temperature ranges average 72 degrees, making it the best place to relax and take a break in any part of the year. The city also offers a nice combination of outdoor activities, shopping, and active nightlife that can be enjoyed during a weekend or just spent time.
Here are 20 exclusive things to do in San Marcos for the best experience:
1. Private Shopping Tour From San Antonio to San Marcos Outlets
This is a roundtrip service. You can choose a time of pick up from your accommodation in San Antonia. Here you have six hours of leisure time to shop or dine around in the prestigious San Marcos Outlets.
This place is immersed with great luxury boutiques and some of the best shops where one could find clothing accessories, cosmetics, and home products among others.
Affordable as can be, with some fashionable cafes and restaurants you will get one of the finest shopping centers in and around San Antonio. After your excursion ends, you will be delivered directly to your hotel in Antonio.
2. Explore The Wonder World Cave & Adventure Park
It is one of the unique family-friendly places to visit San Marcos. The place is super informative and educational, highlighting not only the Balcones Fault Line cave but the entire area as a whole.
This particular cave is the only earthquake-formed place open for public tours in the US. A guide will help you explore its geological history and see the remaining fossils.
Besides, the cave tour, visitors can engage in other attractions such as an anti-gravity house, a Texas wildlife petting park, and a train ride to the top of the Wonder World Tower. Book online from the Wonder World Cave & Adventure Park website to secure your spot.
3. Clear Kayak Sunset Glow Tour
For someone new to this city, going out on the San Marcos River at night is a difficult task. But this kayak sunset eco-tour makes it convenient to explore the river in the dark with a guide leading the way.
The kayaks are equipped with glow lights illuminating the water for cool underwater views. Look for fish, crawfish, beaver, and any others pointed out by your guide while sharing stories about the wildlife of that region.
You will receive a dry bag to keep all your important belongings from getting wet. Capture those candid moments in these serene surroundings with your family or someone special.
4. Watch Football At Jim Wacker Field at UFCU Stadium
Jim Wacker Field is the football field at Texas State University. It has been the home of the Texas State Bobcats football team. The place is huge with great pricing compared to some college football stadiums.
Moreover, the stadium is a great venue for the kids as well. It has the latest facilities and accommodation facilities such as luxury boxes and a very natural playing tenure.
In addition to having become the home of college football games, UFCU Stadium has continued to be used in other events like Special Olympics in Texas and even in scenes shooting series such as Friday Night Lights.
5. Private Cabana Rental on the San Marcos River
Depending on the size of a group, one can select from small or large daily private cabana rentals. The small cabanas carry groups of up to 5 travelers, while the large cabanas comfortably escort up to 10.
The cabanas are seated close to the San Marcos River and are loaded with a screen-in picnic table and new grills. This rental also provides access to the nearby sand badminton court, concrete dock, and water slide.
The property allows pets and you are expected to carry floaties or life jackets for children and everything you need to grill. Bring your food and beverages and make the most of your time relaxing near the river.
6. Stop By The Silo Gallery & Glass Studios
The Silo Gallery and Glass Studios is an excellent little shop of glass for art lovers. Here you will find the work of many Texas artists specializing in 3D fine art galleries, wood, pottery, and bronze sculptures.
Do not have the impression that this is a typical gallery with just paintings. You will find many creative items perfect for home decor or gifts. It is even more special because of the warm glass studio which is the biggest in the entire central Texas region.
This is a fun stop between Wimberly and San Marcos or to make an impulse purchase after visiting one of the two nearby breweries.
7. San Marcos Shuffle Scavenger Hunt
Indulge in a fun, non-traditional scavenger hunt game while exploring San Marco TX. This is a self-guided tour that blends in challenges as you move at your own pace.
You can either walk or drive to the various checkpoints as you solve clues and uncommon challenges, and get outside of your comfort zone.
A live, remote host can assist you if you get stuck along the way. The tour begins at a scenic spot, The Coffee Bar which is a local favorite. As a result, during this trip you cannot avoid having fun, uncovering hidden gems, making memories, and laughing along the way.
8. Drink Great Beers At Middleton Brewing
The Middleton Brewing Company is a brewery that is pet and family-friendly. It is big with amble indoor and outdoor beer garden. The ambiance of this place is the most talked about feature.
The beers also are great and they have a good selection of non-beer drinks. The observation deck upstairs offers a good view and the staff is helpful when it comes to any beer questions.
Visit the complimentary popcorn station or get some food from the food truck outside. To your surprise, they also provide some outdoor games. Cornhole and big Jenga are available outside on the patio.
9. Guided Stand Up Paddleboard Tour of San Marcos River
This guided stand-up paddleboard tour of the San Marcos River makes it convenient to roam around the river. The hassle of dragging your stand-up paddleboards out to the area is covered.
With all the necessary equipment provided by the company, you also get to spend some additional time with the guide who knows the river well. The tour begins during the morning and ends before noon.
This way the rest of the day and night are free for other activities. You can check out these things to do in Texas today during those escape hours.
10. Explore The Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing
This is an aviation museum with free admission. Anyone interested in military aviation history will be amazed by the exhibits at this place. It is located at a vintage wooden hanger and houses many historic aircraft.
The best of them is the C-47 "That's All, Brother" which was used in the Second World War for D-Day. It is pretty popular and the back story to it is quite fascinating. The wing also has other historic planes such as the B-25 "Yellow Rose" where you can take a closer look via the glass.
You will be walked through by a guide who shares impressive stories about the planes. You can even climb into the planes and try a flight simulator.
11. Private Shopping Tour from Austin to San Marcos Premium Outlets
This captivating shopping tour begins at the Austin. So if you need ideas for things to do in San Marcos TX, this can be an elaborate method of getting there.
The San Marcos Premium Outlets consist of 145, luxury as well as name stores that offer fashionable apparel for both males and females including children. You will be surprised by actual outlet stores that are not located in any different spot in the state area of Texas.
A friendly driver picks you up from your hotel or accommodation. Step into a comfortable, air-conditioned private vehicle, towards the Outlet Shopping. Shop or dine within the four hours of free time.
12. Dine In At The Root Cellar Cafe
Located in a historic building, the cafe has a cool ambiance. It has been a local favorite serving comfort food for the past 16 years.
One of their main selling points also that they offer breakfast any time of the day. Some of them include chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, and some yummy sandwiches.
They also serve many vegetarian options. For every section in the menu, you will find 2 vegetarian options. If you are not satisfied, they can always personalize it for you to either vegan or vegetarian. Also, try some tasty drinks like mimosas and local beers to complement your dish.
13. Double Decker Austin Single Loop Sightseeing Tour
After exploring most of the attractions San Marcos, if time permits you can try out this fun-day excursion. Don't look up bus schedules and opt for this easy Austin sightseeing bus tour instead.
You will travel on a loop around the city that passes by top landmarks in Austin's downtown area. Some of the highlights are the Austin Fire Museum, Joseph and Susanna Dickinson Hannis Museum, Museum of the Weird, and many others.
Throughout the way hear commentary from a guide, capture great photos from the top deck, or sit in the cimate-regulated lower deck. A maximum of 35 travelers can book this trip at a time.
14. Take A Tube Ride Down The Rio Vista Park
You begin your float at City Park, and if you need to rent a tube, you can get one from Lions Club Tube Rental or use your own. It takes approximately one hour while the ride stops rising before some rather nice rapids at Rio Vista Park.
Oh yes, do not expect to be floating on a pool of water here. You are gonna hit the rocks sometimes and probably come across various forms of wildlife.
When you get to Rio Vista Park there are amenities that one can explore such as hiring pedal boats, fishing, and taking pictures by the river.
15. San Antonio Missions UNESCO World Heritage Sites Tour
The city of San Antonio lies 50 miles away from San Marcos. Antonio has the famous San Antonio Missions which are UNESCO world heritage sites.
This is a journey filled with history and religious importance, you don't want to miss. Get full details about those five missions that seats close to one another from a guide who is well acquainted with the place and its early history.
You will not only visit the four missions but also other places such as La Villita Historic Arts Village, Alamo Plaza, and the Espada Aqueduct.
16. Check Out Historic And Photographic Items At The Wittliff Collections
This place is all about enjoying and promoting the culture of South West America as well as Mexico from the works of writers, photographers, and directors. There are items from famous writers and lots of movie relics.
The museum is free to visit. The photographs and exhibits are wonderful and the historical photos by Edward Curtis and the Big Bang of Texas Music are popular. If you are a Lonesome Doev fan, be sure to see the collection of memorabilia from the movie.
Be sure to read the instructions on where to park and the location of the museum on the website. They explain it pretty clearly.
17. Catch A Movie or Play Game At EVO Entertainment San Marcos
A very cool place to get the newest movies, eat something delicious, and even play different games. It has all sorts of things, from rather cozy theaters to a full arcade.
The atmosphere is relatively laid back, thus it would be perfect for parents groups of friends, or even two people on a date. It has a bar and a food menu with small foods like pizzas, burgers, and other meals which you can order as you wait.
Note that a visitor must be above 21 or above to indulge in this activity. Nevertheless, in movies or games, this place offers amazing things to do in San Marcos Texas.
18. Outdoor Fun At The Meadows Center For Water And The Environment
Students enrolled in scuba classes at Texas State University use this lake as part of their sports and physical education curriculum. The boat tour runs every half hour without waiting for $12 per person.
This nature reserve is well maintained with friendly employees. It encompasses the seven water sprouts from the underground limestone water springs that created the San Marcos River.
The walking paths have information spots to read and learn about the wildlife and plant life in the area. There is also a fourth-story open-air lookout on top of the administration building, which houses a small museum and aquarium.
19. Drive Supercars At The Longhorn Racing Academy
The Longhorn Racing Academy is all about letting you take the wheel of some awesome supercars on an actual racetrack. Have you ever considered driving a Ferrari, Lamborghini, or Porsche; no more pace cars or speed limits to slow you down.
It is best for everyone starting from those who have no experience at all to those who have some. They provide many types of driving, including fast rides with an expert driver, so that the individual does not have to drive fast themselves.
Besides, there is a comfortable clubhouse where people can sit, relax, and enjoy the show. That is a fun place for anyone who feels the desire to race like a Formula One driver and have great experiences.
20. Admire The Hays County Historic Courthouse
The courthouse is an example of a Classical Revival type and, therefore has an amazing facade. It is used for meetings and ceremonies that take place in the County.
People do drop casually not only to appreciate its facade but also for the special tourist attractions within the place. Also, the building has a neat statue of a woman called Lady Justice on the top. Just do not stay under her, the justice once broke through the dome.
Visiting here can be one of the cool things to do in Texas on weekends.
