Free Things to Do in San Marcos, TX

San Marcos, TX's best free activities include Downtown San Marcos, Hays County Courthouse, Rio Vista Park, San Marcos Premium Outlets, and San Marcos River Walk.

9 places9 freeOct 2026
Texas State Tubes

Three-hour float on crystal-clear water — the full San Marcos tubing experience

2024 N Old Bastrop Hwy, San Marcos, TX 78666 · Daily 10am-4:30pm (summer)

$30 adults, $20 military/student, $10 kids 7-12, free under 6
The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment

Glass-bottom boats since 1945 — see the springs that feed the entire river

201 San Marcos Springs Dr, San Marcos, TX 78666 · Daily 10am-5pm, boats every 30 min

$9.75 adults, $8 seniors, $6 kids 3-12, free under 2
San Marcos Premium Outlets

240+ outlet stores between two malls — the reason people drive from Austin and SA

3939 I-35 S, San Marcos, TX 78666 · Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-7pm

Free admission; individual store prices vary
Tanger Outlets San Marcos

The other 100+ outlet stores — between the two malls, plan half a day

4015 I-35 S, San Marcos, TX 78666 · Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 11am-7pm

Free admission; individual store prices vary
Rio Vista Park

Free river swimming with rapids and rope swings — where the tubers finish

555 Cheatham St, San Marcos, TX 78666 · Open daily, dawn to dusk

Free
Downtown San Marcos

Walkable courthouse square with restaurants, bars, and live music — start here

111 E San Antonio St, San Marcos, TX 78666 · Open daily; restaurants typically 11am-10pm

Free to walk
Spring Lake Natural Area

12,000 years of continuous human habitation — trails around a spring that never stops

601 University Dr, San Marcos, TX 78666 · Daily, dawn to dusk

Free
Hays County Courthouse

1908 Romanesque courthouse on the square — Saturday farmers market outside

137 N Guadalupe St, San Marcos, TX 78666 · Exterior always visible; Saturday market 9am-1pm

Free
San Marcos River Walk

Free river path through downtown — the water is so clear you can count the fish

100 E Hopkins St, San Marcos, TX 78666 · Open daily, dawn to dusk

Free