'''San Marcos''' is a college town in Texas in the United States of America, about half an hour's drive south of the state's capitol, Austin. It was settled in 1808 by Mexican families, and is now the home to Texas State University-San Marcos [http://www.txstate.edu].

Understand

San Marcos is often considered a college town, with the huge percentage of the population attending or supporting Texas State University-San Marcos. Most bars, restaurants, and attractions are centered around services to a college crowd. There is also a considerable conservationist mindset associated with the local rivers and endangered species. Several species live only in the headwaters of the San Marcos river.

Get in

San Marcos is located along interstate 35 (I-35) in between Austin and San Antonio.

From Austin, take I-35 South about 23 miles. You can take exits 206-204 to access the town. The university is on the West (right) side of I-35 coming from the direction of Austin.

From San Antonio, take I-35 North approximately 46 miles. You may take exits 204 thru 206 to access the town. Texas State University and the town square are on the West (left) side of the freeway coming from San Antonio.

Notably, San Marcos is a popular shopping destination, as it hosts large outlet malls South of the town about 5 miles, in the direction of San Antonio. You cannot miss them from I-35 (on the East side of the freeway).

To get to San Marcos fromHouston, take IH-10 west to Luling (exit 632, about two hours), turn right (on to SH-80) and go through Luling. Continue on SH-80 north (the designated highway turns left, just after the railroad tracks). Beware of the speed traps in Martindale, just before San Marcos.

Get around

By Car

Travel in most American cities, especially outside of major metro areas, is primarily by private vehicle. Parking is almost always abundant and free. (There are a few lots close to the city square where the owners tow aggressively; be sure to watch for parking signs.) The average tourist would be well-advised to rent a car from a rental agency if they don't already have their own vehicle. Traffic is usually light.

Take caution at some low water bridges. '''Never''' drive through a flooded low water crossing. Even a couple of inches of water can wash your car into the river. You then stand a good chance of losing your life.

By Bus

Capital Area Rural Transportation System [http://www.ridecarts.com/SanMarcosFixedRoutes.html] offers limited bus service. The fare is 50 cents.

By Bicycle

Most attractions are very close to the down town and campus areas. While the hills sometimes get steep and can present an athletic challenge, many destinations are a very short ride away.

See

  • San Marcos River. The river that made the city runs through town. There are many parks and restaurants along the river, and it's pretty much impossible to see any of San Marcos without seeing a lot of the river.
  • Blanco River. Joins the San Marcos a few miles down stream. It's not as big or visited as the San Marcos.
  • Aquarena Center - Texas State University. 21 Aquarena Springs Dr.. 12-245-7570. ttp://www.aquarena.txstate.edu/. 0 AM - 5 PM. 7. Nature center, springs, wetlands, glass bottomed boats.
  • Downtown.
  • Texas Water Safari. 21 Aquarena Springs Dr.. t Aquarena Center. 12-738-6607. exaswatersafari@yahoo.com. ttp://www.texaswatersafari.org/. 0 AM. ree. A marathon boat race down the San Marcos and Guadalupe rivers. It begins at Aquarena Springs at 10 AM the second saturday of June and passes several local river crossings within a few hours.
  • Sights And Sounds of Christmas. an Marcos Plaza Park. ttp://www.sights-n-sounds.org. pm-11pm. ree. An annual Christmas festival that takes place on the first weekend of December. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. Lots of booths for food and local art. Also performances by local school children and dance schools.
  • Movies in the Park. 12-393-8400. Every other Monday in June and July, by Parks and Recreation
  • Wonder World. ttp://www.wonderworldpark.com/. A cave and theme park. With a train.
  • Rio Vista Park. ttp://bardstownboaters.com/whitewaterpark/otherparks/riovista/index.htm. ree. When the old dam was nearing collapse, the city decided to replace it with an artificial whitewater course. The new addition to the park has made it tremendously popular with swimmers, tubers, and boaters alike. There are also rope swings, good picnic areas, and a great playground just up the river.

    Do

  • Quail Creek Country Club. 701 Airport, Hwy 21. 12-353-1664. ttp://www.quailcreek-cc.com/. Golf course, swimming pool, tennis, bar, restaurant OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
  • San Marcos Lions Tube Rental. 70 Bobcat Dr.. n San Marcos City Park. 12-396-5466. ttp://www.tubesanmarcos.com/. 0 AM - 7 PM daily June through August, weekends only in May and September. 7.50. Tube rental and shuttle. Get an inflated innertube, float down the river, drink, cavort, then get a ride back to the park.

    Buy

  • '''Paper Bear''', 214 North L.B.J. Drive, 512 396 2283, [http://www.paperbear.com/]. Crafts, cards, gifts, and treats.
  • '''Downtown''', lots of shops and stores for the browsing are in the downtown district.
  • '''Tanger Outlet Center''', 4015 I-35, 512-396-7446, [http://www.tangeroutlet.com/cgi-bin/centers.cgi?center=SAN]. Designer clothes at closeout prices.
  • Eat

    Budget

  • Herbert's Taco Hut. 19 Riverside Dr.. 12-353-7440. 5-$15. Tex-mex. Local taco joint, loved by the locals.
  • Mamacita's Restaurant. 400 Aquarena Springs Dr.. 12-353-0070. 7-$12. Tex-mex. A chain, but good.

    Mid-Range

  • San Marcos River Pub & Grill. 01 Cheatham. 12-353-3747. anager@riverpubandgrill.com. ttp://www.riverpubandgrill.com/. 10-$20.
  • Grins. 02 N. LBJ Dr.. 12-396-4746. rinsrestaurant@hotmail.com. ttp://www.grinsrestaurant.com/. u-Th 11 AM - 10 PM, Fr-Sa, 11 AM - 11 PM. 10-$15.
  • Fuschak's Pit Bar-B-Q. 20 Highway 80. 12-353-2712. 10-$20. Bar-b-cue, legendary brisket.
  • Hill Country Grill and Martini Bar. 00 West Hopkins Street.. 12-396-6100. inda@hillcountrygrill.com. ttp://www.hillcountrygrill.com/. o-Th 11 AM - 10 PM, Fr-Sa, 11 AM - 11 PM. 10-$25. ttp://www.hillcountrygrill.com/.
  • Texas Roadhouse. 502 IH 35 South. n the southbound frontage road of I35, between Guadalupe (123) and Wonder World drive. (512) 353-7427. ttp://www.texasroadhouse.com/restaurant/265/. o-Th 4 PM - 10 PM, Fr-Sa, 11 AM - 11 PM.

    Splurge

  • Palmer's Restaurant, Bar & Courtyard. 18 Moore St.. 12-353-3500. ttp://www.palmerstexas.com. 12-$25.

    Drink

    Bars

    All the bars close at midnight Sunday - Friday and 1am on Saturday, as San Marcos restricts the sale of alcohol after midnight.
  • The Tap Room. 29 E Hopkins St Suite 120. 12-392-9824. A wide selection of beer.
  • Nephews. 00 N Guadalupe St.. 12-558-2337.
  • The Den. 00 N LBJ Dr.. 12-392-3700.

    Local Beer

  • Real Ale Brewing Company. ttp://www.realalebrewing.com/. makes several distinct brews, available at retail outlets in the area. </drink>

    Sleep

    Budget

  • Best Budget Inn. 03 IH 35 North. 12-392-3990.
  • Days Inn. 005 IH 35 North. xit 205. 12-353-5050. ttp://www.daysinnsanmarcos.com/.
  • Econo Lodge. 11 S. Guadalupe St.. 12 353 5300.
  • Pecan Park Retreat. 44 Pecan Park Dr.. 12-392-6171. ttp://www.pecanparkretreat.com/. A family-oriented campground on the San Marcos river. Primitive and improved sites are available, a tent or RV is recommended as there are no sleeping shelters. Hot showers and full restrooms are in a central building.

    Mid-Range

  • Amerihost Inn. 210 IH 35 South. xit 200. 12-392-6800. ttp://www.amerihostinn.com/ctg/cgi-bin/AmerihostInn/home/AAACEgAAWAAAiVsAAf?page=t_tx_129.htm.

  • Quality Inn. 433 IH 35 South. xit 206. 12-353-7770. 12-353-7774. ww.sanmarcosqualityinn.com. 92 new rooms. 3 Suites. Select rooms with Big Screen High Definition Televisions. Wireless internet in all rooms. Hot Breakfast including sausage, eggs, biscuits and gravy. Hot tub and pool. Approx. 1 mile from campus and minutes from Prime and Tanger Outlet Malls.

    Stay safe

    San Marcos is a small city, and tends to be very safe. Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, so it's not necessary to carry large amounts of cash.

    Emergency services such as police, fire, and medical can be reached by calling 911.

    There are many places to swim in the local rivers. Some are often crowded, some are very secluded. Regardless of where you swim, always use the buddy system, and always have a way to contact emergency services (note that cell phones often lose service in the low area immediately about the river, so check the signal at your designated "towel spot" before swimming if you will rely on your cell phone for calling emergency services).

    Get out

  • '''Comal River''', a popular tubing destination.
  • '''Guadalupe River''', tubing and canoeing.
  • Hill Country
  • Bastrop
  • Austin
  • Luling
  • San Antonio
  • New Braunfels
  • Wimberley