Location: San Marcos
Top Things to do in San Marcos
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What to do and see in San Marcos, Texas (TX): The Best Things to do Good for Kids
Located between Austin and San Antonio in Texas Hill Country, San Marcos has numerous attractions, especially for the adventure-seeking visitor. At the center of the city is the San Marcos River, which offers tubing. The nearby Rio Vista Falls has three drops for a great kayaking adventure. Explorers can visit the Wonder World activity center to discover a cave formed by an earthquake.
Restaurants in San Marcos
1. Paddle With Style
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 36 reviews
We offer Canoe/Kayak Instruction, guided tours and rentals by reservation.
2. Central Texas Wing of the Commemorative Air Force
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 57 reviews
The Central Texas Wing hangar houses seven CAF aircraft for which our Wing has maintenance and restoration responsibility: the C-47 That’s All, Brother, a very-rare flying P-39Q Bell Airacobra, the B-25J Yellow Rose, a Beech C-45 Expeditor, a North American T-6, a BT-13 Valiant undergoing a frame up restoration, and a Cessna U-3A Administrator. Other aircraft in the hangar are privately owned by CAF members or CAF sponsor groups, and used to support the missions of the CAF. Among these are a T-6, a Japanese Kate replica, built for the movie Tora, Tora, Tora, and a Bell 47 Helicopter.
Reviewed By 660donnal - Chagrin Falls, United States
We arrived to find the old WWII DC3 "That's All Brother" had just landed there a few hours earlier and we were treated to a tour of it by one of the volunteers. They are planning a trans-Atlantic flight to France later this summer with the plane to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy.They are also touring the USA to various airports and air shows with the plane this year. The restoration of the plane was meticulous. We went into the massive hangar which was built in 1943 and were in awe over the diversity of the aircraft, some still in the process of being restored. There's a small museum of military artifacts which was exceptional. Definitely one of the best air museums we've seen. Free. They accept donations. If you go to San Marcos, don't miss seeing the crystal clear spring-fed waters of the San Marcos River Falls. A true sight to behold.
3. San Marcos River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 392 reviews
A closed water supply from a natural spring at one end creates a unique environment for plants and animals found only on this river also popular with swimmers, snorkelers and for inner tubing.
Reviewed By WhatMomsThink - Austin, United States
GO! Grab your friends, partners, kids and hop in for the chillest float session around. Pack a cooler in a float and rug it behind you, bring reef safe sunscreen to protect the water critters & a wide brimmed hat because you'll be in the water a few hrs! Use tube rental places or fare on your own, either way is a guaranteed good time. If you go on your own, uses share ride service to get you back to your car!
4. San Marcos Premium Outlets
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 987 reviews
San Marcos Premium Outlets features an impressive collection of the finest brands for you, your family and your home. Include a shopping stop during your next trip to the area. You're sure to find impressive savings of 25% to 65% all year round. San Marcos Premium Outlets is located 30 minutes south of Austin and 45 minutes north of San Antonio. Complimentary hourly shuttle service is available from Embassy Suites Hotel, Spa and Conference Center. Shuttle service from San Antonio and Austin is also available.
Reviewed By christopherm339 - Vicenza, Italy
Love the amount of shops and the prices! A must go in San Marcos. Jimmy choo and Victoria secret are a must visit!
5. The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 311 reviews
Run by Texas State University, The Meadows Center (formerly Aquarena) introduces visitors to the lush diversity of the San Marcos Springs and intricate system of waterways. We are open daily to the public and offer glass-bottom boat tours (by reservation), paddling and snorkel tours (by reservation), a Wetlands Boardwalk and a Discovery Hall with interactive exhibits and aquaria.
6. Texas State University Bobcat Stadium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By Moved2Texas - Austin, United States
We went to the homecoming game at Bobcat Stadium. The stadium has grown up since the move to FBS football. The stadium features nice sight lines, decent parking options and good food choices. Beer and wine are available for purchase inside the stadium. The main concession stands have basic stadium food. They also have vendor concession areas including Chick-Fil-A and local pizza and BBQ restaurants. Good and beer are reasonably priced, as are tickets. Even the football team itself is somewhat improved, giving a more entertaining game inside the stadium. The stadium has added larger screens in the stadium and donated their old screens to the TXST baseball field. It now seats about 35,000 people but needs more fans to fill the seats! It was a fun day and we enjoyed our visit!
7. Paddle SMTX
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
PaddleSMTX is the go-to outfitter for Kayak and Paddle Board rentals, along with nightly glow kayaking tours on the San Marcos river. Experience the Ultimate Glowing paddle adventure with our Crystal Kayak Glow Night tours. This is our most popular tour that is truly an experience you shouldn’t miss. Each kayak is equipped with waterproof LED lighting that makes for a glowing spectacle of awesomeness.
8. Tanger Outlets San Marcos
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 420 reviews
Find great savings on merchandise from your favorite designer and name-brands direct from the manufacturer at stores like: Hollister, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Old Navy, Reebok, Banana Republic, Nautica, Kenneth Cole and many more. Before you travel, check out the Tanger Outlet website to find the latest Coupons & Sales Offers for Tanger Outlets in San Marcos. Or, when you arrive at the outlets, make your first stop Shopper Services to learn about the benefits of joining TangerClub (Tanger Club information is also available online). In Shopper Services you can purchase a coupon book full of great savings or if you are already a TangerClub member pick up a coupon book for free! Think Outlets, Think Tanger.
Reviewed By sbulcken1015 - La Porte, United States
Crocs had good sales. Clean restrooms. Vending machines for water, sodas, ice cream. Lots of parking
9. Wonder World Cave and Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 207 reviews
Welcome to Wonder World Park, a one-of-a-kind Theme Park, known as the 1st show cave in Texas. Visitors have enjoyed touring the Balcones Fault Line Cave for over 105 years, and now, the park has many other attractions for family fun and entertainment. Enjoy a guided tour and discover the nation's only true example of an earthquake formed cave. Go deep underground and see up close the devastation of a major quake. Exit by the "Stratavator" and ride high into the sky to the Tejas Observation Tower. Be amazed by the Topsy-Turvy World of the Anti-Gravity House where everything is backwards, even water flows up hill! Board the train and splash through the waterfalls of Mystery Mountain on your way to the Texas Wildlife Petting Park. Educational and fun for ALL ages, Wonder World Park Cave and Attractions is just minutes from I-35 in San Marcos between Austin and San Antonio. Gift shops, free picnic grounds, free parking and much more await your visit.
Reviewed By melwashere81 - Cleveland, United States
Looking for something fun to do with the whole family while in San Marcos? Wonder World Adventure Park is the perfect stop for you! If you purchase tickets for the combo tour ($27.95 per adult) you get a train ride through the petting zoo and can feed the animals, a tour of the cavern, an elevator ride up to the observation tower, and a tour of the anti gravity house. The train ride was fun and so was feeding the animals. We wanted to take the baby goat home with us...so cute!!! Just be careful because some of the smaller animals can jump on the train with you. The cavern tour was awesome! River, our guide, was very friendly and knowledgeable. There are a lot of steep stairs that you have to take to get down into the cavern and you have to duck down a lot so if you have mobility issues this tour might be a little hard for you. Luckily there is an elevator that takes you out and up to the observation tower. Nothing much to see up there. Just an overlook of the town. Kinda cool but nothing I would have paid extra for. The anti gravity house was cool but really messes with your mind. Be sure to hold onto the rails or sides of the walls because you might just fall over. Overall I would say it was a great way to spend a couple of hours and I would recommend especially if you are a family with children.
