Things to do & places to visit in San Marcos, Texas, United States

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.

San Marcos city in Texas, United States. Timezone: America/Chicago, current date and time: Monday, April 29, 2024, 0:55.

Top things to do (25)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Paddle SMTX (236 reviews)
- It was lit!
Monday: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM River Rafting & Tubing • Night Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Stand Up Paddleboarding • Kayaking & Canoeing

I loved paddling out at sunset, the water is the prettiest, clear water to see! The boats were not only lit up, but see through, so you could see fish and everything underneath! Our tour guide Nate was wonderful. He was a geology major and was so insightful, gave us history of the river, river facts and tips on wildlife. I only wish I had brought some glow sticks for bracelets to jazz up my pictures. He even took great pictures for us. I loved it and would recommend to anyone! See more..
5.0 Central Texas Wing of the Commemorative Air Force (63 reviews)
- Great visit, great for families, a must see
Monday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Speciality Museums

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. See more..
5.0 The Wittliff Collections (26 reviews)
- Wonderful Free Collection, Beautiful Photogrophy
Spent 1-2 hours Art Galleries

Founded in 1986, the Wittliff Collections are devoted to collecting and preserving the creative legacy of the Southwest and to fostering “the spirit of place” in the wider world through the acquisition of significant archives and works of the Southwest’s literature, film and music, as well as the photography of the Southwest and Mexico. The Wittliff Collections welcome visitors, tours, and classes, host lectures, readings, and symposia, assist researchers, and present major exhibitions year-round from their archival repositories in over 6,600 square feet of viewing space. See more..
5.0 Lost Paintball (1 review)
- great place!
Spent 2-3 hours Game & Entertainment Centers
My son had his birthday here and the boys played airsoft! They provided their gear and played all day as much as they wanted (or as fast as they could reload!) You can bring your own food/drinks/snacks, it’s well shaded and covered picnic areas are available. Great place and will go back!! See more..
5.0 Putt Pub (1 review)
- Drinks and Fun and Putt Putt Golf!
Monday: 3:00 PM - 2:00 AM Bars & Clubs

Putt Pub is a good time place! You can play a tough little putt putt course, drink your favorite cocktail or have a beer while listening to some good vibes. In addition, there is an adult teeter totter, ping pong, tether ball, corn hole, and some games I have never personally played. There is indoor our outdoor seating available with additional comfy seating tucked here and there around the property. The decor is flat out fun with an eclectic style. Putt Pub doesn’t serve food, but, there is a food truck located on site. With Covid rules, you might want to check to see if the truck is open for your visit. There is free parking on site and if you are coming from out of town, Putt Pub is located very conveniently not far from I-35 interstate hwy. My friends and I had a great afternoon of putt putt, liquids, and laughs. We will definitely be back again in the future! See more..
5.0 Wimberley Chair Company (1 review)
- Wimberley Chairs is a disabled veteran owned and operated business
Speciality & Gift Shops

Hand crafted custom outdoor Adirondack chairs, tables, loveseats, ottomans, and swings. Custom colors available with wine holders and a variety of style choices. See more..
5.0 Studio San Martian (1 review)
- Art and Music Experience
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Art Galleries

Studio San Martian is an artist-owned co-op featuring a gallery retail space, working studio space and tea room. The studio hosts a variety of different art forms represented by Texas artists as well as services and events such as classes, workshops, painting parties, Chinese inspired tea service, music, poetry, film, meditation events and much more! See more..
4.5 San Marcos Premium Outlets (999 reviews)
- HUGE outlet with a wide variety of stores
Monday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Factory Outlets

My wife stopped here on forth of July weekend on our way back to Houston. It was in the midst of the Covid 19 case surge in TX, so we were cautious. We drove around the parking lot (huge) and parked near stores we wanted visit. All were responsible controlling the number of customers in the store as necessary, offering hand sanitizer or even requiring its use upon entering. One inconvenience was that some stores did not allow the use of fitting rooms. The return policy for some of those stores was a generous 60 days, but if there was no outlet store near you or you were not planning on returning to San Marcos during that time, you would think twice about purchasing. Other stores did allow the use of fitting rooms and sanitized the stalls as soon as customers would leave them. As a side note, if someone was looking for cool/cold weather items that were typically sold during winter months, there was A LOT of DEEPLY discounted stock - presumably due to the pandemic. See more..
4.5 San Marcos River (400 reviews)
- Surprised it was so nice
Bodies of Water

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. See more..
4.5 Wimberley Glassworks (201 reviews)
- I could have stayed for hours just watching!
Monday: Factory Tours

Such an amazing and unique spot hidden in the hill county of Texas. Friendly glass artists will and excited to answer all your questions. Shop for beautiful pieces and stay to see how they are made! A must see for your travels. See more..
4.5 Texas State Tubes (98 reviews)
- Must do with a Great Company!
Monday: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM River Rafting & Tubing

This was so much fun! We were visiting Austin for the first time and over the weekend, it was highly recommended that we try out the float down the river! I am so glad that we found Texas State Tubes to get us there it was a seamless process from start to finish. We opted for the drive yourself option and rented tubes as well as a cooler tube for the day. We stopped on the way to the start location and picked up drinks and a collapsible cooler. We arrived, checked in, and hit the water within 20 minutes. The entire time we were able to stay connected by all connecting to our cooler so we had a total of 4 floating together. Beware of larger groups on the water 10+ that want to float together and can easily overtake a smaller group. The best thing to do is go with the flow of the river and enjoy it! Will definitely be recommending to anyone who visits! See more..
4.5 Texas State University Bobcat Stadium (41 reviews)
- Fun place to watch a football game
Arenas & Stadiums

I enjoyed it here! Not extremely crowded due to the football team being somewhat disappointing, but I have fun every time I go! See more..
4.5 Middleton Brewing (38 reviews)
- Hidden Gem in the Hill Country
Breweries

What is not to love about this place. Fresh beer made on-site, events like beer pairings with cheese, nice people, a beautiful facility and a rooftop deck overlooking the hill country. We started with their beer flite of 5 different beers (they have over 10 of their own beers on tap all the time) and then became regular customers. My favorite is the Bobcat Red which is a red ale with a decent amount of hops. My wife's favorite is the Topaz Tripel which is a Belgian style tripel at over 9% ABV. Whatever type of beer you like, you will be able to find something here that pleases you. With all the wonderful things Middleton offers, they won't be hidden for long. See more..
4.5 Xit Game (19 reviews)
- Fun experience to exercise your brain!
This location was reported permanently closed Spent < 1 hour Escape Games

San Marcos first and only Escape Room Game. You Have 60 Minutes. You’re trapped in a room and your adrenaline is surging. Teamwork and sharp wits will help you solve puzzles and regain your freedom. There is nothing virtual about this real-life room escape game See more..
4.5 Cheatham Street Warehouse (19 reviews)
- The Real Deal
Monday: 3:00 PM - 2:00 AM Bars & Clubs

Not much to look at, but it is a hallowed spot of Texas Music history. Saw Paul Cauthen this weekend and the joint was jumping. Intimate setting for big time talent. Doesn't get any better. See more..
4.5 Patio Dolcetto (15 reviews)
- Eclectic Atmosphere & good wine
Wine Bars

We visited Patio Dolcetto on a Saturday night. They have “flights” of wine consisting of 3 half glasses of various types of wine- sweet, bold, red, white , etc with 3 half glasses of wines in each flight. They also have wine By the glass and bottle as well as beer. This night they had a jazz band playing outside. It is a very laid back spot with some light food options as well. It was a great place to visit! See more..
4.5 Roughhouse Brewing (15 reviews)
- Great beer
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Breweries

Roughhouse Brewing is a family-run craft brewery located on 5 acres of the Pasternak family ranch just south of Wimberley. Focusing on farmhouse ales, Roughhouse offers a lineup of dry, crisp, refreshing beers to enjoy on a hot Texas day! The brewery and taproom is housed in a wooden barn with plenty of shady outdoor seating (indoor access limited during COVID-19). The facility is pet- and kid-friendly and offers a full menu of scratchmade food using ingredients primarily sourced from Texas producers. Come visit the brewery and taproom, open every weekend, Thursday through Sunday. Draught beers and bottles to-go are available for purchase, along with wine, cider and non-alcoholic options sourced from other Texas providers. Visit our website for up-to-date hours and event information. See more..
4.5 Zelicks (11 reviews)
- Mardi Gras
Monday: 3:00 PM - 2:00 AM Bars & Clubs

Came here for drinks and crawdads! The crawdads were great and so were the Bloody Marys!! These are the best Bloody Marys in town! See more..
4.5 Two P's & Calli's Boutique (10 reviews)
- Wonderful Boutique!
Monday: 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality & Gift Shops

We come once a year to San Marcos, and have stopped in the lovely boutique each time. The service is unbelievable--- they allow you to leisurely look, but attentive to needs and very helpful! I love the Christian music that is played while shopping. It is just a relaxing time of shopping. The merchandise is different than the average, which makes it fun to shop! See more..
4.5 Silo Gallery & Glass Studios (9 reviews)
- An unusual and worthwhile stop
Monday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Art Galleries

Silo Gallery & Glass Studios is just 5 miles from Wimberley, 9 miles from San Marcos, TX. It is one mile from Wimberley Glassworks and across the street from Middleton Brewery. Tours, classes, 3D fine art gallery, with gifts for everyone. Find jewelry, sculpture, fused and cast glass pieces for entertaining or to enjoy around the home. The Architectural showroom and studio is on one side of the koi pond and the Gallery and fused glass studio is on the other side. This purpose built warm glass studio is the largest in Central Texas. Relax next to the beautiful grotto with two waterfalls and a koi pond. A great stop on your journey. See more..
4.5 The Marc (7 reviews)
- You can't go wrong at Texas State for Musical Theatre
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Theaters
Good production values at this college theatre located at Texas State. A very good value for the price! See more..
4.5 Flying Armadillo Disc Golf Club (2 reviews)
- Loads of fun
Monday: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Game & Entertainment Centers

One of the most unique and fun courses in all of America. Disc golf putt-putt style fun! Get out there and enjoy this crazy wacky course. See more..
4.0 Tanger Outlets San Marcos (422 reviews)
- Large outlet with wider variety of shops
Monday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Factory Outlets

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. See more..
4.0 Wonder World Cave and Park (224 reviews)
- Better than Natural Bridge Caverns.
Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Amusement & Theme Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas

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. See more..
4.0 Hays County Historic Courthouse (11 reviews)
- Historic Courthouse
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings • Government Buildings

This historical building is one-of-a-kind; it is gorgeous. It was built in the classical revival style house built in 1908 and in on the National Register of Historic Places. See more..
4.0 Paper Bear (9 reviews)
- Kimber
Spent < 1 hour Speciality & Gift Shops
Went in on a whim and found a gem! Wonderful place to just walk around and look. So many different things you will never get bored. Fun. See more..
4.0 Strahan Coliseum (6 reviews)
- Cozy
Arenas & Stadiums

Been here several time on different occasions and it is a pleasant coliseum, pretty much all seats are good. See more..
4.0 Escape Space Games San Marcos (5 reviews)
- The Play Room
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games

We design rooms with a specific theme or story line! Within these rooms, you'll find various puzzles, clues, and mysteries that you and your group will need to solve before your time runs out!! You will be given 60 mins to solves the puzzles and escape! You will have to work together as a team in order to accomplish your goal. See more..
3.5 Sunset Bowling Lanes (13 reviews)
- Bowling, good family entertainment
Monday: 9:00 AM - 11:30 PM Bowling Alleys

I took two of the grandchildren bowling during Spring Break. Bowling is good--not weather dependent--as our weather is absolutely crazy from day to day! I didn't know the prices had gone up--3 people, two games + shoes = $31. Specials, I learned, were from 9 p.m. until closing! The young man waiting on my was very kind when I showed my shock! It wasn't that I couldn't afford it; I had just spent a chunk of change the day before. Anyway the kids had a great time. Nice established place that needs a little upgrading here and there. Best part: No more smoking allowed inside! See more..
Charles S. Cock House Museum (0 review)
History Museums
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