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Best Things to Do in San Marcos, TX

Updated: Jul 1, 2022


San Marcos is perfectly located between Austin and San Antonio within the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Whether you are looking to make a day trip or have a longer stay, San Marcos has many experiences that are perfect for just about anyone! Below you will find a list of our favorite things (other than touring with Paddle SMTX of course) that you should try out next time you make your way into SMTX!



San Marcos Premium Outlets

The San Marcos Outlets are the number one tourist attraction in the entire state of Texas! No matter what you are looking for there is a shop for you at the outlets. With 240+ stores offering some of the best deals from clothes to accessories you can’t go wrong shopping here!


The Square (Downtown SMTX)

155 E San Antonio St, San Marcos, TX 78666

The San Marcos Square is a relaxing place to shop and enjoy great food during the day, and a vibrant zone for the best of SMTX nightlife. The square hosts a range of different experiences from vintage shops and quality restaurants to five star bars with some of the best drinks in Central Texas! If you’re visiting San Marcos, the square is one of the best stops you can make!



San Marcos Farmers Market (Saturdays Only)

Are you visiting on a Saturday morning? Do you love to shop local produce, art, and other cool things? Then the San Marcos Farmers Market is for you! Open from 9am - 12pm the SMTX Farmers Market has some of the most unique products and highest quality produce (that is all locally sourced!!) Come out and meet the friendly locals every Saturday morning!



Wonder World Park

Wonder World Park is the perfect location for you to bring out family and friends! Here you can explore the only dry cave in Central Texas and take a ride up to the Observation Tower to see all of SMTX and the beautiful Hill Country. Afterwards, you can join them on their train tour through the park to see some of our local wildlife! Wonder World Park is another must visit on your next trip to San Marcos.



Middleton Brewing Company

Do you enjoy a refreshing craft beer? How about great food? Top it all off with some fantastic live music and Middleton Brewing Co is for you! For our adult travelers, Middleton is perfect for date night or a night out with friends. As a bonus they are nestled in the beautiful Hill Country so you’ll get to enjoy a scenic drive out to their location. Check them out on your next trip to San Marcos for an evening full of good vibes!



Calaboose African American Museum

Open on Saturdays from 10am - 3pm, the Calaboose African American Museum will immerse you in the vibrant and diverse cultural history of San Marcos. In addition to both rotating and permanent exhibits, the museum hosts various events throughout the year that highlight stories of the local Black community.



Flying Armadillo Disc Golf Club

Whether you are a seasoned disc golf enthusiast or a first time player, the Flying Armadillo Disc Golf Club is the course for you! Located in the beautiful Hill Country, the Flying Armadillo offers two 18 hole courses that are family friendly and tons of fun! Even if you don’t have your own discs, you can rent some for the day or buy your own set from one of the coolest disc golf stores in the area!



Lions Club

Taking a tubing adventure with Lions Club Tube Rentals is a fun and easy way to experience the upper San Marcos River! With some of the clearest water in Texas, you will be able to see some of the most beautiful parts of the river as you go right through the heart of the city! Parking here is easy and Lions Club will drive you back to your car after the float so you can have a carefree day on the river!



Texas State Tubes

Are you are looking for a longer float on the lower San Marcos River? Then Texas State Tubes has you covered! With this tubing adventure you will get to see the San Marcos River for a relaxing and cool three hours. This tube takes you along a very scenic route where you are almost guaranteed to have fun! Texas State Tubes takes care of parking and will drive you back to your car after the float so you can have a carefree day on the river!



Purgatory Creek Natural Area

2102 Hunter Road, San Marcos, TX 78666

The Purgatory Creek Natural area is the perfect location for a day hike with friends or family! With well designed trails, you can explore some of the most beautiful routes in the Texas Hill Country. This family friendly activity is perfect for all levels of hikers and should definitely be included in your next trip to San Marcos!



The Wittliff Collections

With one of the most unique Southwestern collections, the Wittliff provides an experience that will immerse you in the fascinating cultural traditions that have originated from the southwest. From Texas Music to Southwestern Writers, this family friendly experience has an exhibit that can captivate those with a wide range of interests. Give them a visit next time you’re in San Marcos and you won’t regret it!



Glass Bottom Boat Tours

Have you ever been on the San Marcos River and wondered where all this beautiful water is coming from? The Glass Bottom Boat Tours at Texas State’s Meadows Center show you this and so much more! Take a ride on one of their tours and discover Spring Lake’s bubbling springs, unique wildlife, and vibrant history! This family friendly activity takes place at the old site of Aquarena Springs and would be perfect for your next visit in SMTX!



Patio Dolcetto

Are you looking for a relaxing way to enjoy the sunset and kick off the evening? Then head over to Patio Delcetto for the best wine in town and some fantastic bites! With a beautiful bar and patio area, you can lean back and enjoy a quality evening with family and friends here. Come on a Wednesday night and get a complementary pizza with a bottle of wine! Make sure to stop by on your next visit into town and you won’t regret it!








No matter what you choose to do in San Marcos, this humble town is ready to host your next vacation! These experiences will make memories for a lifetime to come! So, bring your family and friends and enjoy all that San Marcos has to offer! Looking for more recommendations? Feel free to email us at contact@paddlesmtx.com and our friendly team will help yah out.





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