Day Trips From Austin: San Marcos, Texas

Founded in 1851 along the spring-fed San Marcos River, San Marcos has been a home for humans for more than 12,000 years. Archaeologists have found artifacts of Native Americans who lived, fished and hunted along the banks. Today, San Marcos is home to Texas State University and these other fun family adventures:

Tubing on the San Marcos River 

Float away your cares this summer on a tube down the San Marcos River! Rent a tube, float for about an hour and take the shuttle ride back. You can also bring your own tube and take the shuttle or just float without a tube in the cool river water. Note: Rentals are good for a full day.

Hours: 10am-7pm
Cost: $10 single tube
Location: The Lions Club Tube Rental is located in City Park at 170 Charles Austin Drive, San Marcos.
Phone: (512) 396-5466

Children’s Park

This wooden playground resembles a fort and offers up a myriad of ways for kids to play with slides, monkey bars, rings, swings and climbing tires. The park sits on 7-acres and has restrooms, picnic tables, and BBQ pits.

Cost: FREE
Location: 205 S CM Allen Pkwy, San Marcos
Phone: (512) 393-8400

The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment 

Visit the Discovery Hall and Aquarium featuring a 1,000 gallon aquarium of native fish found in Spring Lake, an endangered species exhibit where you will see Texas Blind Salamanders, San Marcos Salamanders and Fountain darters, a baby turtle aquarium, a multi-screen video wall and interactive exhibit about the Edwards Aquifer and the Water Systems of Texas. Then, plan to take a 30-minute ride on a glass bottom boat.

Hours: 9:30am-6pm daily
Cost: Boat tours cost $9.74 for adults, $8 for Seniors (62+), $6 for Children 3-12 and FREE for 2 and under
Location: 201 San Marcos Springs Dr., San Marcos
Phone: (512) 245-7570

Wonder World Park

Take a tour of the Balcones Fault Line Cave and discover the nation’s only true example of an earthquake-formed cave at Wonder World Park. Go deep underground and see up close the devastation of a major quake. Exit by the “Stratavator” and ride high into the sky to the Tejas Observation Tower. Be amazed by the Topsy-Turvy World of the Anti-Gravity House where everything is backwards, even water flows up hill! Board the train and splash through the waterfalls of Mystery Mountain on your way to the Texas Wildlife Petting Park.

Hours: Daily 9am to 8pm
Cost: Adult Combination $24.95, Youth Combination (6-12) $16.95, Youth Combination (3-5) $9.50, Seniors (65+) $16.95, Military (immediate family - Active Duty ID) $12.95, Military Child (6-12) $8.95, Military Child (3-5) $5.50
Location: 1000 Prospect Street, San Marcos
Phone: (512) 392-3760

Hungry? Gils Broiler serves up traditional burgers, veggie burgers, burritos, and some kid-friendly grilled cheese. Throw in a world-famous cinnamon roll, also known as a Manske roll, and you’ve got yourself a full belly for your trip home.

Share your photos on Instagram as you complete items off the Austin Summer Fun Checklist for Kids for a chance to win weekly prizes. Tag #AustinSummerFun and be sure your profile is set to public. We can't wait to see your family having fun together this summer!