Attractions in San Marcos

Whether you enjoy spending time outdoors, hunting for bargains, or perusing museums, you’ll feel right at home in San Marcos. The striking San Marcos River, vast outlet shopping malls, and hundreds of acres of parks are among the top attractions in San Marcos, an inviting Hill Country town nestled between San Antonio and Austin. Continue reading to see what San Marcos has to offer.

Calaboose African American Museum
Discover the trials, tribulations, and experiences of African Americans in the earliest days of Texas at the Calaboose African American Museum. Letters, books, photographs, and antiques make up the permanent collection at the museum, and rotating exhibits related to the Civil Rights era, World War II Military, and more are available throughout the year. The museum is open on Saturdays, and private tours can be arranged by calling (512) 353-0124.
200 Martin Luther King Dr
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 353-0124

Commemorative Air Force Exhibit
Housed in a 1943 vintage wooden hangar, the Central Texas Wing is home to airworthy historic warbirds. One of the gems of the military collection is “That’s All, Brother” a Douglas C-47 Skytrain that led a formation of more than 800 C-47s to Normandy on D-Day in World War II. The hangar also features an excellent military museum and the Stokes Library.
1841 Airport Dr
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 396-1943

LBJ Museum of San Marcos
Explore the Presidential legacy in San Marcos at The LBJ Museum of San Marcos. The museum preserves the legacy of Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) by focusing on his years spent as a student at what is now Texas State University (then Southwest Texas State Teachers College), his teaching experiences in South Texas and the impact of these experiences on his role in the development of landmark legislation in the areas of education and civil rights. Texas State University is the only Texas college to graduate a future President of the United States.
131 N. Guadalupe
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 353-3300

The Meadows Center
Visit The Meadows Center for a classic San Marcos experience – the Glass-Bottom Boat Tour. The 30-minute tour of Spring Lake gives visitors an up-close view of the local flora and fauna in the crystal-clear waters beneath their feet. Learn some of the interesting, and very long, history of the area and what makes it such a unique place. Of course, it’s not a trip to The Meadows Center without a stop at Discovery Hall for an even more up-close look at some of the creatures that live in Spring Lake, or to the Wetlands Boardwalk for a self-guided trail over the water.
201 San Marcos Springs Dr
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 245-7570

Middleton Brewing
Middleton Brewing offers an impressive range of Belgian- and American-style craft beers at its brewpub in San Marcos. Enjoy such favorites as the Garnet Belgian Amber Ale and the Black Lab Porter while you savor a relaxing ambience in the pub or the dog-friendly outdoor seating area. So bring your pup and savor a pint at Middleton Brewing.
101 Oakwood Loop
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 847-3435

Purgatory Creek Natural Area
Purgatory Creek Natural Area is a sprawling 570-acre park full of dense juniper thickets, meadows, canyon bluffs, oak trees, and a creek. Numerous hiking trails wander through Purgatory Creek, putting you in the midst of unblemished Hill Country terrain. Much of the park is still primitive, and there are no restrooms or water fountains, so make sure you’re prepared before exploring the area.
Ranch Road 12
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 393-8400

Ringtail Ridge Natural Area
A diverse set of flora and fauna provide more than enough reason to visit Ringtail Ridge Natural Area, a more than 40-acre park situated on San Marcos’ northwest side. More than two miles of trails wind through flowering meadows, cactus stands, and thickets of persimmon and oak trees. This diverse ecosystem provides an ideal environment for a wide variety of animals, including many kinds of birds and butterflies. 
1814 RM12
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 393-8400

Roughhouse Brewing
Tucked away off Ranch Road 12, Roughhouse Brewing has plenty of outdoor space for the kids to enjoy themselves while the adults relax with a cold one. Here you’ll find farmhouse-style beer and has some very tasty snacks and sandwiches.
612 Oakwood Loop
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 667-7000

San Marcos Downtown Square
The heart of San Marcos is its downtown square, where you’ll find charming cafes, lively breweries, boutique shops, and art galleries. These unique shops and restaurants face the stunning Hays County Courthouse, a three-story structure built in 1909 that is composed of brick walls, towering columns, and a copper dome. San Marcos’ bustling square hosts many of the city’s marquee events, such as Art Squared and the Mermaid Parade.
111 East San Antonio Street
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 393-5930

San Marcos Premium Outlets
Shop and save big at San Marcos Premium Outlets, an outdoor shopping center made up of 145 luxury and brand-name outlet stores. Big-time retailers such as Gucci, Coach, Jimmy Choo, Giorgio Armani, and Versace have stores at the outlet mall, where you’ll also find a large food court.
3939 South IH-35 Frontage Road #900
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 396-2200

Sean Patrick’s Irish Pub & Texas Grub
Sean Patrick’s is the perfect place to enjoy with old friends! The rotating off-site brewed selection hits the spot after a day exploring San Marcos.
202 East San Antonio Street
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 392-7310

Skydive Spaceland San Marcos
The view of San Marcos is great from above! Way, way above… Experience San Marcos from 14,000 feet above at the number one skydiving center in Central Texas.
517 Airfield Rd
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 489-4136

Spring Lake Natural Area
Hike through acres of pristine Hill Country terrain in the Spring Lake Natural Area, a primitive 250-acre park that features several miles of natural-surface hiking trails. The mostly undisturbed park is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life, including deer and other large mammals.
921 Aquarena Springs Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 392-7457

Tanger Outlets - San Marcos
Millions of bargain hunters head to Tanger Outlets in San Marcos for deals at more than 95 shops, including popular brand-name stores such as West Elm, Le Creuset, and H&M. Major restaurants like Outback Steak House and Cracker Barrel, as well as other fast casual options, make up the dining options at the outlet mall.
4015 South Interstate 35
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 396-7446

The Wittliff Collections
The Wittliff Collections is a veritable treasury of Southwestern literature, film, music, and photography created by some of the region’s top writers and artists. Browse the largest collection of modern and contemporary Mexican photography in the country, as well as the major archives of such notable writers as Cormac McCarthy and Sam Shepard. The Wittliff Collections is located on the seventh floor of the Albert B. Alkek Library on the campus of Texas State University.
601 University Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 245-2686

Wimberley Glassworks
Wimberley Glassworks is an art glass studio that produces vases, sculptures, platters, and other items. The studio features a gallery of its artworks and provides daily live glassblowing demonstrations at its location just a few miles west of San Marcos.
6469 Ranch Road 12
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 393-3316

Wonder World Cave & Adventure Park
Visit Wonder World Cave & Adventure Park, a unique theme park known for its Balcones Fault Line Cave, the first show cave in Texas. Explore the cave’s depths, climb the 190-foot-tall Tejas Observation Tower to take in a panoramic view of the Hill Country, and go for a ride through Mystery Mountain and Wildlife Park, where you can feed and interact with deer and other animals. Don’t forget the mind-bending anti-gravity house and the on-site store and café, where you can get a souvenir and a quick snack.
1000 Prospect Street
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 392-3760