Top 5 Places to Visit in San Marcos, Texas

The area around San Marcos, Texas and Spring Lake, which is the headwaters for the San Marcos River, has played host to human populations for thousands of years. The springs are ever-flowing which kept the lands fertile during droughts and attracted animals for hunting. Native inhabitants walked these land long enough to have shared trails with wooly mammoths. The town of San Marcos was founded in the late 1800's, after spending a few years as Fort San Marcos, and almost immediately became a center of higher education for people wanting to become teachers. Almost 150 years later, that teaching institution is now Texas State University. There are plenty of things to do and places to visit in San Marcos.

The LBJ Museum of San Marcos is located at 131 N. Guadalupe, San Marcos, Texas, 78666. The hours of operation are Thursday-Saturday from 10am-5pm. Admission is free. To learn more, call 512-353-3300.

Our 36th President, Lyndon Baines Johnson aka: LBJ, was born in Stonewall, Texas near Johnson City on August 27, 1908. Although many people believe Johnson City to be named after him, it was actually named after his cousin James Polk Johnson.

LBJ attended Southwestern Texas State Teachers College, which later became Texas State University, from 1926-1930. While attending, he would often partake Sunday dinners at a house only 2 doors down the street from my current residence.

The LBJ Museum of San Marcos commemorates his early years while at college and it's impact on his teaching and political careers.

The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment is located at 201 San Marcos Springs Dr., San Marcos, Texas, 78666 and it's hours of operation are from 9:30am-6:30pm everyday. This place is a great way to see the geological, geographical, and anthropological history of the Spring Lake area.

The Discovery Hall features interactive and animal exhibits, including a 1,000 gallon aquarium. Guided tours can be reserved at the price of $3.50 for adults, $3.00 for Seniors age 65+, and $2.00 for kids ages 3-12.

Glass-Bottom Boat Tours run daily so visitors can view the bubbling springs at the bottom of Spring Lake through crystal clear water. For 30 minute tours, pricing is $9.75 for Adults, $8.00 for Seniors age 65+, $6.00 for kids ages 3-12, and free for kids ages 2 and under. For the extended 45 minute tour, pricing runs $13.25 for Adults, $11.00 for Seniors age 65+, and $8.00 for kids ages 3-12.

Guided Wetlands Boardwalk Tours run daily so visitors can see the varied wildlife that live in the wetlands. The tour last about 25 minute and the pricing is $3.50 for Adults, $3.00 for Seniors age 65+, and $2.00 for kids ages 3-12.

When is comes to county courthouses, Hays County has had a colorful history. There have been 4 courthouses located in the town square of San Marcos, Texas. The first courthouse, built in 1861 by contractor C. F. Millett and was burned to the ground in a fire just 7 years later in 1868. The second courthouse was built in 1871 from locally quarried limestone but was damage by shifting soil and had to be demolished in 1881. It was replaced by architect F. E. Ruffini with a harder limestone structure, also quarried locally. The top floors were damaged by a second fire and the building had to be, once again, demolished. The 4th, and current, courthouse was constructed by architects C. H. Page and Brother and was completed in 1909. In 1974 it was fully refurbished. Just this past year, however, the last of the remaining offices that were located here relocated to the new Hays County Government Building located at 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos, Texas, 78666.

The Downtown San Marcos Square has also had a long-lasting history. The Heritage Association of San Marcos hosts tours and events letting people know about the wonderful life and history of San Marcos. Some of the places you can visit on the square are restaurants such as The Root Cellar Bakery, Valentino's Pizzeria, Sean Patrick's Pub and Texas Grub, Blue Dahlia Bistro, and Café on the Square. There are more bars, clubs, and live music venues than you can shake a stick at, such as The Marc, Stonewall Warehouse, Kiva Lounge and Bar, Nephews Bar, and many, many more. There are also many shops, offices, and boutiques as well. Come hungry, come thirsty, and come with money to burn!

The Tanger Outlet Mall and Premium Outlet Mall, both are located at the Centerpoint Rd. interchange of I-35. The Tanger Outlet Mall is at 4015 I-35 S., San Marcos, Texas, 78666 and the Premium Outlet Mall is at 3939 I-35 S., San Marcos, Texas, 78666. The hours for most stores are from 9am-9pm most days.

The Tanger Outlet Mall features store such as: American Eagle Outfitters, Banana Republic, Build-a-Bear Workshop, Calvin Klein, Cavender's Boot City, Claire's, Direct Tools, Disney Store, Fossil, GNC, Hollister, High Sierra, Hurley, Justice, Kirkland's, Old Navy, Skechers, Spencer Gifts, Hot Topic, Torrid, Wilson's Leather, and many more.

The Premium Outlet Mall features stores such as: Gucci, Tory Burch, Victoria's Secret, Pottery Barn, Coach, Abercrombie & Fitch, Armani, Bath & Body Works, Bose, Hugo Boss, Brook Bros., Columbia, Gap, Guess, Michael Kors, Niemann Marcus, Polo, Prada, Saks Fifth Avenue, The North Face, Tommy Hilfiger, White House/Black Market, and many more.

People come from all over North and Central America, from Canada to Panama to shop at these outlet malls. If you can't find what you need here, you had better click on over to Amazon.com!

There really isn't much more to say about the San Marcos River. These photographs say it all! The headwaters of the San Marcos River is at Spring Lake. The water is a constant 72-ish degrees year round and is home to the endangered blind salamander and Texas Wild Rice. Bring a tube or rent one from the Lion's Club of San Marcos. Other activities that regularly take place on the river are kayaking, canoeing, and paddle-boarding. If you visit San Marcos, bring your bathing suit and cool off in the river from the scorching Texas heat! And when your trip has come to an end, always remember that friendly Texas saying: "Ya'll come back now, ya hear!!!"