San Marcos (Texas)

San Marcos is often considered a college town, with the huge percentage of the population attending or supporting Texas State University-San Marcos. Most bars, restaurants, and attractions are centered around services to a college crowd. There is also a considerable conservationist mindset associated with the local rivers and endangered species. Several species live only in the headwaters of the San Marcos river.

San Marcos is located along interstate 35 (I-35) in between Austin and San Antonio.
From Austin, take I-35 South about 23 miles. You can take exits 206-204 to access the town. The university is on the West (right) side of I-35 coming from the direction of Austin.
From San Antonio, take I-35 North approximately 46 miles. You may take exits 204 thru 206 to access the town. Texas State University and the town square are on the West (left) side of the freeway coming from San Antonio.
Notably, San Marcos is a popular shopping destination, as it hosts large outlet malls South of the town about 5 miles, in the direction of San Antonio. You cannot miss them from I-35 (on the East side of the freeway).
To get to San Marcos from Houston, take IH-10 west to Luling (exit 632, about two hours), turn right (on to SH-80) and go through Luling. Continue on SH-80 north (the designated highway turns left, just after the railroad tracks). Beware of the speed traps in Martindale, just before San Marcos.

By car

Travel in most American cities, especially outside of major metro areas, is primarily by private vehicle. Parking is almost always abundant and free. (There are a few lots close to the city square where the owners tow aggressively; be sure to watch for parking signs.) The average tourist would be well-advised to rent a car from a rental agency if they don't already have their own vehicle. Traffic is usually light.
Take caution at some low water bridges. Never drive through a flooded low water crossing. Even a couple of inches of water can wash your car into the river. You then stand a good chance of losing your life.

By bus

Capital Area Rural Transportation System offers limited bus service. The fare is 50 cents.

By bicycle

Most attractions are very close to the down town and campus areas. While the hills sometimes get steep and can present an athletic challenge, many destinations are a very short ride away.

• San Marcos RiverThe river that made the city runs through town. There are many parks and restaurants along the river, and it's pretty much impossible to see any of San Marcos without seeing a lot of the river.

• Blanco RiverJoins the San Marcos a few miles down stream. It's not as big or visited as the San Marcos.

• Meadows Center for Water and the Environment - Texas State University

  phone: +1 512-245-7570
  address: 201 San Marcos Springs Dr
  Nature center, springs, wetlands, glass bottomed boats on Spring Lake.

• Downtown (The Square)

• Texas Water Safari

  phone: +1 512-738-6607
  address: 921 Aquarena Springs Dr.
  A marathon boat race down the San Marcos and Guadalupe rivers. It begins at Aquarena Springs at 10AM the second Saturday of June and passes several local river crossings within a few hours.

• Sights And Sounds of Christmas

  address: San Marcos Plaza Park
  An annual Christmas festival that takes place on the first weekend of December. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. Lots of booths for food and local art. Also performances by local school children and dance schools.

• Movies in the Park

  phone: +1 512-393-8400
  Every other Monday in June and July, by Parks and Recreation

• Wonder WorldA cave and theme park. With a train.

• Rio Vista ParkWhen the old dam was nearing collapse, the city decided to replace it with an artificial whitewater course. The new addition to the park has made it tremendously popular with swimmers, tubers, and boaters alike. There are also rope swings, good picnic areas, and a great playground just up the river.

• Quail Creek Country Club

  phone: +1 512-353-1664
  address: 2701 Airport, Hwy 21
  Golf course, swimming pool, tennis, bar, restaurant OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

• San Marcos Lions Tube Rental

  phone: +1 512-396-5466
  address: 170 Bobcat Dr.
  Tube rental and shuttle. Get an inflated innertube, float down the river, drink, cavort, then get a ride back to the park.

• The Texas State University Golf CourseArguably the best buy for any golf course in the state. In the summer, it is not uncommon to see deer and other examples of central Texas wildlife freely venturing through the roughs and fairways.

• Paper Bear

  phone: +1 512 396-2283
  address: 214 North L.B.J. Dr
  Crafts, cards, gifts, and treats.

• DowntownLots of shops and stores for the browsing are in the downtown district.

• Tanger Outlet Center

  phone: +1 512-396-7446
  address: 4015 I-35
  Designer clothes at closeout prices.

• Premium Outlets - San Marcos

  phone: +1 512-396-2200
  address: 3939 I-35 S.
  Clearance prices Shopping Center

Budget

• Herbert's Taco Hut

  phone: +1 512-353-7440
  address: 419 Riverside Dr.
  Tex-mex. Local taco joint, loved by the locals.

• Mamacita's Restaurant

  phone: +1 512-353-0070
  address: 1400 Aquarena Springs Dr.
  Tex-mex. A chain, but good.

Mid-range

• San Marcos River Pub & Grill

  phone: +1 512-353-3747
  address: 701 Cheatham

• Grins

  phone: +1 512-396-4746
  address: 802 N. LBJ Dr.

• Fuschak's Pit Bar-B-Q

  phone: +1 512-353-2712
  address: 920 Highway 80
  Bar-b-cue, legendary brisket.

• Hill Country Grill and Martini Bar

  phone: +1 512-396-6100
  address: 100 West Hopkins Street.

• Woody's Bar-B-Que

  phone: +1 512-392-6000
  address: 2601 Hunter Rd

Splurge

• Palmer's Restaurant, Bar & Courtyard

  phone: +1 512-353-3500
  address: 218 Moore St.

Downtown San Marcos is surrounded by what the locals call "The Square." There are more than enough bars next to and around each other to "bar hop" until you find an establishment that is right for you.

Bars

All the bars are open until 2AM every night now, and you are allowed to smoke cigarettes inside

• The Tap Room

  phone: +1 512-392-9824
  address: 129 E Hopkins St Suite 120
  A wide selection of beer.

• Showdown

  address: Hutchinson and LBJ
  Liveliest bar in town

• The Den

  phone: +1 512-392-3700
  address: 700 N LBJ Dr.
  This is an awesome place. The bartenders are great and the drinks are cheap. They have two big projector screens and free pool during happy hour, shuffle board, foosball and darts. They open at 3 and close at 2. Great place for any game.

• Triple Crown

  phone: +1 512 396-2236
  address: 206 N. Edward Gary
  Live music 365 days a year. Acoustic sets to punk rock, hip hop, good country, salsa and everything else. Open mic on Su. Nights one pool table, ring toss, electronic touchscreen jukebox (no internet downloads) all songs $.25 cents.

• Sean Patrick's Irish PubOn the southeast corner of the downtown square. It offers a nice assortment of beers and whiskies and fine examples of Irish fare and Texas bar staple foods. Sean Patrick's also has shuffle board and billiards.

Local Beer

• Real Ale Brewing CompanyMakes several distinct brews, available at retail outlets in the area.

Budget

• Best Budget Inn

  phone: +1 512-392-3990
  address: 903 IH 35 North

• Days Inn

  phone: +1 512-353-5050
  address: 1005 IH 35 North

• Econo Lodge

  phone: +1 512 353-5300
  address: 811 S. Guadalupe St
  All guest rooms have Refrigerator, Microware and High Speed Internet Access and hotel have free continental breakfast and outdoor Pool

• Pecan Park Retreat

  phone: +1 512-392-6171
  address: 444 Pecan Park Dr.
  A family-oriented campground on the San Marcos river. Primitive and improved sites are available, a tent or RV is recommended as there are no sleeping shelters. Hot showers and full restrooms are in a central building.

Mid-range

• Amerihost Inn

  phone: +1 512-392-6800
  address: 4210 IH 35 South

• Quality Inn

  phone: +1 512-353-7770
  address: 1433 IH 35 South
  92 new rooms. 3 Suites. Select rooms with Big Screen High Definition Televisions. Wireless internet in all rooms. Hot Breakfast including sausage, eggs, biscuits and gravy. Hot tub and pool.

• Blair House Inn

  phone: +1 512-847-1111
  address: 100 West Spoke Hill Drive
  A bed and breakfast in the village of Wimberley, Texas offering guest rooms, suites and cottages sitting on 22 acres of property.

Splurge

San Marcos is a small city, and tends to be very safe. Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, so it's not necessary to carry large amounts of cash.
Emergency services such as police, fire, and medical can be reached by calling 911.
There are many places to swim in the local rivers. Some are often crowded, some are very secluded. Regardless of where you swim, always use the buddy system, and always have a way to contact emergency services (note that cell phones often lose service in the low area immediately about the river, so check the signal at your designated "towel spot" before swimming if you will rely on your cell phone for calling emergency services).

• Comal River, a popular tubing destination.
• Guadalupe River, tubing and canoeing.
• Hill Country
• Bastrop
• Austin
• Luling
• San Antonio
• New Braunfels - Located 19 miles southwest of San Marcos, this town is best known for its German culture and heritage, not to mention the Schlitterbahn, persistent in being voted the world's best waterpark.

Wimberley

• Jack Glover's Cowboy Museum

  phone: +1 512 847-3338
  address: 333 Wayside Dr
  Museum run by 90+ years old cowboy - Jack Glover, who is very willing to show you the place and tell more about his collection. Museum displays large collection of cowboy exhibits, story of Jack 'Barbed Wire King' Glover and stories about past life.