San Marcos, TX

Float the river, eat cheap, repeat. Texas State's college town 30 minutes from Austin.

15 listings with verified prices and hours

San Marcos is built around the San Marcos River — crystal clear, 72 degrees year-round, and the best tubing in Central Texas. The Meadows Center runs glass-bottom boats over Spring Lake, the outlet malls draw shoppers from across the state, and Wonder World Cave has been open since 1894. It's cheaper than Austin in every way and 30 minutes down I-35. Lions Club Tube Rental is the no-frills local choice — cheaper than Texas State Tubes, shorter float, and the money goes to the Lions Club. Cash preferred.

San Marcos River tubingMeadows Center glass-bottom boatsoutlet malls (Tanger + Premium)Wonder World CaveTexas State University

Texas State Tubes, The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, San Marcos Premium Outlets — all free.

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Lions Club Tube Rental

San Marcos River · Cheapest tube rental on the river — cash to the Lions Club, one-hour float

$10-15 per tube

Texas State Tubes

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

$30 adults, $20 military/student, $10 kids 7-12, free under 6

The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment

Texas State Campus · Glass-bottom boats since 1945 — see the springs that feed the entire river

$9.75 adults, $8 seniors, $6 kids 3-12, free under 2

Wonder World Cave & Adventure Park

Downtown / The Square · Only earthquake-formed show cave in the US — open since 1894

$25-30 adults, discounts for kids

San Marcos Premium Outlets

Outlet Corridor (I-35) · 240+ outlet stores between two malls — the reason people drive from Austin and SA

Free admission; individual store prices vary

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Entertainment & Experiences

San Marcos Premium Outlets

Outlet Corridor (I-35)

Free admission; individual store prices vary

The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment

Texas State Campus

$9.75 adults, $8 seniors, $6 kids 3-12, free under 2

The Root Cellar Cafe

Downtown / The Square

Breakfast $8-14, lunch $10-16

Cheatham Street Warehouse

Downtown / The Square

$5-20 cover depending on the act
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Guides for San Marcos, TX

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If it rains

  • Cheatham Street Warehouse

    $5-20 cover depending on the act

If it's nice out

  • Spring Lake Natural Area

    Free

  • Tanger Outlets San Marcos

    Free admission; individual store prices vary

  • San Marcos Premium Outlets

    Free admission; individual store prices vary

Downtown / The Square · San Marcos River · Texas State Campus · Outlet Corridor (I-35)

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15 places · Updated daily ·