Founded on the banks of the San Marcos River, the area is thought to be among the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the Americas
General Information
How to Get There
From Austin (30 mi): Take I-35 South from Austin approximately 30 miles to San Marcos, exiting at any of the main city exits between exits 204 and 206.
Overview
San Marcos is within the Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos metropolitan area and on the Interstate 35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio. Founded on the banks of the San Marcos River, the area is thought to be among the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the Americas. San Marcos is home to Texas State University and the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment. The city is situated on the Balcones Fault, the boundary between the Hill Country to the west and the Coastal Plains to the east, and along the fault, artesian springs emerge — most notably San Marcos Springs, which forms Spring Lake and is the source of the crystal-clear San Marcos River. Every summer, visitors from across Texas descend on the city to tube the spring-fed river, which maintains a steady 68°F temperature year-round. The city also draws shoppers to the San Marcos Premium Outlets, one of the most-visited outlet malls in the United States, and adventure seekers to Wonder World Cave, a seismically formed cavern open for tours.
The historic town center — referred to locally as "the square" — was laid out in 1851 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Hays County Courthouse, built in 1908, anchors the square, and the surrounding streets are lined with bars, restaurants, boutiques, and live-music venues that reflect the energy of a thriving university city. The San Marcos River rises from San Marcos Springs and flows through Texas State University before being joined by the Blanco River four miles downstream; together they feed into the Guadalupe River 75 miles later. This stretch forms the opening leg of the Texas Water Safari, widely considered the world's toughest canoe race. The riverside park system — including Sewell Park, City Park, and Rio Vista Park — gives residents and visitors easy waterfront access for swimming, kayaking, volleyball, and picnicking throughout the year.
Things to Do
Float the San Marcos River
Enjoy tubing, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, and river recreation on the crystal-clear, spring-fed San Marcos River, one of the city's most popular attractions.
Take a Glass-Bottom Boat Tour
Experience Spring Lake aboard a unique glass-bottom boat and observe fish, aquatic plants, turtles, and underwater springs at The Meadows Center.
Explore Downtown San Marcos
Discover local boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, galleries, and live entertainment venues throughout the historic downtown district.
Visit Rio Vista Park
Relax along the river, watch kayakers navigate the rapids, and enjoy one of the city's most popular outdoor recreation areas.
See Wonder World Cave & Adventure Park
Tour the Balcones Fault Line Cave, one of Texas' earliest show caves, and enjoy educational exhibits, observation towers, and family-friendly attractions.
Explore Public Art and Murals
Discover colorful murals, sculptures, galleries, and the city's famous Mermaid March public art installations.
Visit Texas State University
Walk through the scenic campus and enjoy its architecture, public art, cultural venues, and connection to the city's identity.
Hike and Bike Urban Nature Trails
Explore miles of trails, nature preserves, and green spaces found throughout San Marcos and its surrounding Hill Country environment.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the San Marcos, Texas, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0. Sources: San Marcos attractions, San Marcos River recreation, outlet shopping, downtown activities, public art, trails, and visitor information. [1](https://www.visitsanmarcos.com/things-to-do/)[2](https://www.visitsanmarcos.com/things-to-do/attractions/) Information on glass-bottom boat tours and The Meadows Center. [3](http://www.meadowscenter.txstate.edu/Education/Glass-BottomBoats.html)[4](https://www.meadowscenter.txst.edu/) Additional information regarding San Marcos River activities, outlet shopping, Rio Vista Park, and local attractions. [5](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g56618-Activities-San_Marcos_Texas.html)[6](https://www.austintexas.org/austin-insider-blog/blog/post/san-marcos/)[7](https://www.sanmarcostx.gov/rivers)[8](https://thetouristchecklist.com/things-to-do-in-san-marcos/)
