“Local Gems” Series: San Marcos

While San Marcos may be best known as a college town, it’s also an increasingly popular tourist destination. Visitors and locals alike enjoy the many outdoor attractions, great shopping, and the small-town feel of the city center known as “The Square.” The city was also named the fastest growing city in the U.S. in the 2013 and 2014 United States Census Bureau and #9 on Business Insider’s “10 Most Exciting Small Cities In America” list. Whether you’re just visiting or thinking about making San Marcos your new home, there’s a lot to love about the ever-growing city. Here are just a few of our favorite things:

1. San Marcos & Blanco Rivers

The San Marcos & Blanco Rivers flow through the city and offer tons of fun! If you want to spend a sunny afternoon floating the river with friends numerous tube rental companies are scattered throughout San Marcos. We recommend you check out Lion’s Club Tube Rental, Texas State Tubes, and Don’s Fish Camp. Each facility offers shuttle rides to and from different drop off and pick up points along the river. You can also do a DIY float and pick up some tubes at the H-E-B in town (they’ll let you blow your tubes up for free!) and hop into the river at one of the many access points listed here. If you’re into kayaking or paddle boarding check out Paddle SMTX. They offer SUP Glow Night Tours where you get to explore the river under the stars on a glow in the dark board!

2. Louie’s Oyster House & Beer Garden

Located just a block away from The Square on East Hutchison Street, Louie’s is one of the best spots in town. You’ll find locals here in the afternoons and evenings listening to live music and enjoying great seafood and Louie’s famous $1.50 margaritas. During the spring and summer head to Louie’s every Saturday for the only crawfish boil in town. Get there early though, because they’ll sell out fast!

3. San Marcos Outlet Mall

Visitors flock from all over to shop at San Marcos’ Outlet Mall. There are two sides you can shop in – the Premium Outlets and the Tanger Outlets – and you’ll definitely want to hit up both! The premium side features 145 shops including stores like Gucci, Prada, North Face, and Nike. Across the street at the Tanger Outlets you’ll find an equally impressive line-up including Express, American Eagle, Kay Jewelers, and H&M. There are outlet stores you won’t find anywhere else in the state! With something for everyone and some of the best deals you’ll ever see, it’s a must shop!

4. Glass Bottom Boat Tours

The Meadow Center for Water and the Environment offers tours of Spring Lake, where the San Marcos Springs bubble up from the bottom of the lake. The boats feature a fully glass bottom, so while you learn about the Springs and the Edwards Aquifer from your tour guide you can wander along the boat and get a glimpse at the springs and the wildlife that calls Spring Lake home. Tours are 30 minutes long and run from 9:30AM – 4:30PM daily.

5. Wonder World Park

Home to the only tour of an earthquake-formed cave in the country, Wonder World Park sits within the Balcones Fault Line and is great for all ages! Tours last an hour and a half, starting deep underground with an exploration of the cave. Once you exit the cave you’ll take a ride up to the Tejas Observation Tower in the “Stratavator.” At 190 feet high, the tower gives you a spectacular view of the Fault Line below and the surrounding Texas Hill Country. Next check out the Anti-Gravity House for some crazy and topsy-turvy fun. Then, finish your adventure by catching the train into the Texas Wildlife Petting Park.