Cave exploring, bug hunting and water rafting – what more could a kid want in a vacation? For my daughter, adding mermaids to the list is also a priority — and guess what? — San Marcos has those, too.

San Marcos, pronounced San Mar- Kiss, is a small college town about 30 minutes south of Austin and 45 minutes east of San Antonio.

San Marcos Texas, Travel Guide with Kids

We visited last year with my parents in tow, and I couldn’t wait until the calendar had our return visit marked off this year. It seriously needs to be on your family’s travel list every single year.

Why do we love it so much? Oh, let me count the ways.

• With a clear, 72-degree year-round river running through town, you’re never too far from the water on those Texas summer days, where summer last from about March to October. You can go snorkeling, paddleboarding, rafting, fishing and swimming on the San Marcos River, and the current is calm enough even for a two-year-old to be in her own raft.
• The restaurant scene is five stars — without the stiff chin and overpriced meals. From divine breakfast spots to backyard BBQ, elevated tacos and refined pizzas, everything — and I mean everything — tastes so good in San Marcos.
• The brewery scene competes with those big city counterpoints: pubs and breweries are open-air (most of the time with live music and dogs running around). It’s easy for parents and kids to have a good time and try a new brew (well, the parents that is). There is even a winery on the river for a picturesque picnic.
• The kid-friendly attractions are fun for adults too. Wonder World Park, a popular cave tour and live animal train tour, could be pigeonholed as a kids-only itinerary suggestion, but both my husband and I loved learning about the history of the caves and seeing both Hill Country and the Plains from atop their 190 foot viewing platform.
• This is a city that loves to celebrate. It seems like almost every week there is another festival in San Marcos. Plan your trip for Thursday through Sunday if you want to see live music on the lawn and stop by the festivals over the weekend. There is nothing quite as relaxing as listening to music under the shade of the trees with the cool breeze on your face. Musicians range from local talent to nationally known artists.
• Beyond the springs and river, there is so much green space to explore for hikers, animal enthusiasts and flower peepers. From gorgeous one-day-only cactus blooms to the state’s signature bluebonnets in the spring, the trails light up in a new way as the seasons change.
• As I mentioned earlier, the location is pretty ideal for visiting one of the larger cities so close by as well as some of the bucket list outdoor adventures like Hamilton Pool and Wimberly waterhole. If you’re driving in, San Marcos located on either side of the highway. If you’re flying in, you can travel from almost anywhere in the US in the morning and be in San Marcos by lunch time.

Now that you know why we love it so much, let’s plan out your itinerary. We talked to a few people on our flight home and while in Austin and some of them said they had never been to San Marcos — that is just a shame! I cannot urge you enough to put this blissful spot on your radar stat!

*We like to pack a lot in, but you could easily adjust this to your travel style and still have an absolutely amazing time.

Day 1:

Mural hunt and explore the square: While some of the murals are huge and take up entire walls, others are smaller and a treat when you find them. Use this guide to navigate around the city but you’ll also stumble upon them as you’re exploring the parks, the Square and downtown areas. You’ll notice that a lot of the murals were created by the same local San Marcos artists and the way he sees the connection of the waterways, the animals and the city. It’s really fun!

Lunch: Kent Black’s BBQ is always our first stop in San Marcos because it rivals any of the big BBQ spots in Austin or Nashville. Order the brisket — you will not be disappointed.

Brewery: AquaBrew, located off the main square in downtown San Marcos, is the perfect spot to sit on the patio, people watch or just enjoy the beautiful weather. The brews aren’t too shabby either. Pro tip: The street corn is a must, even if it’s the only food you order there!

Walk the river: From AquaBrew, take to the streets to get your bearings of downtown San Marcos. Only a few blocks away is the riverfront, where you’ll get your first glimpse of the cool green hue of the tranquil and mesmerizing river rice, that almost dances with the flow of the water.

Live on the Lawn or other festivities: Mark your calendar for any of San Marcos’ amazing, free events – most including live music, dancing, arts and crafts.

Dinner: Keep the outdoor vibe going with dinner at Railyard Bar & Grill, where it’s totally okay if your kids run around and your dog eats your hamburger.

Day 2:

Breakfast: Blue Dahlia, located downtown facing the courthouse and near Kissing Alley, has indoor and outdoor seating and huge unique breakfast dishes.

Wonder World Park: A train trip to feeding deer, goats, and ostriches! Oh my! This is one utterly unique attraction. Once the train trip is over, cool off in the underground cave system before taking an elevator to the top of the viewing platform to see all of San Marcos and beyond.

Explore the square or outlet shop: If you haven’t explored the square yet, do this before lunch, stopping by the LBJ Museum or one of the many, super cute boutiques or vintage shops afterward. Vagabond is our favorite, plus it’s right next door to Rhea’s Ice Cream, featuring flavors like avocado and cheese and raspberry jam at the cute counter service parlor.

Lunch: Dos Gatos Kolaches or Root Cellar Café

Glass-bottom Boat Tour: Meadows Center Glass-Bottom Boat Tours take place every half hour and you can get a coupon for 10% off ticket prices at almost any downtown restaurant or shop. This is where San Marcos and the mermaids come together. There was once a live underwater show with mermaids and a swimming pig! Give yourself plenty of time to explore the springs, there is even a small aquarium inside the old hotel.

Brewery or winery: A little outside of town is Middleton Brewing, an open-air brewery that is kid and dog friendly. Order some apps from one of the food trucks and pull up a chair to enjoy the live music. If beer isn’t your thing, sunset by the river and a glass of wine does the body good. Three Dudes Winery has wine tastings seven days a week.

Dinner: Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant (get the margaritas and queso!)

Day 3:

Breakfast: Root Cellar Café and Brewery is right off the square in a charming building covered in vines and ivy. The brunch menu includes the most decadent French toast and pancakes. This is not the day to start your diet.

Morning hike before it gets too hot or LBJ Museum: Check your calendar and see if your trip aligns with one of Ben’s bug walks. Kids of all ages will love getting an in-person private tour of the countryside, identifying bugs, butterflies and fish along the way. Oh, and it’s free!

Lunch: Ivar’s River Pub, located across from Rio Vista Falls, the outdoor patio gives you a perfect view of the tubing, fishing and river rafting.

River time: Walk over the bridge to enjoy the falls and swim if it’s a really hot day. If you want to tube, drive your car up the river a bit and put in there. The walk isn’t that far (less than a mile) but the float can easily take an hour or two depending on how you float and how many people you’re with. You can bring your own tubes and get them blown up at any HEB location or rent the from the Lion’s Club Tube Rental in City Park. The Lion’s Club Tube Rental has a shuttle that will take you back to your car if you don’t want to walk.

Dinner: Patio Dolcetto is a great dinner spot for couples or if the kid is asleep on you. J If they need to run around abit, head to The Candy Wraptor Dinosaur Café (this would make a good lunch spot too with an awesome selection of milkshakes and a dino-soda fountain.)

Nighttime SUP: Glow SUP shows you that enjoying the San Marcos river is an all day and all-night activity. The paddleboards have lights on the bottom of the boards that light up the river underneath you. I’ve never heard of anywhere else doing this and it was such a fun adventure!

Day 4:

Breakfast: If you want to low key breakfast, grab some donuts from Shipley’s and hit the road. If you have a bit more time, check out The Buzz Mill (the cutest bee wall paper and great coffee) or sample the coffee at Perk Up (they have fast wifi, too)

Morning hike or shopping: We loved the desert cactus flowers we saw on our Purgatory Creek hike. It’s easy for kids of all ages and you can make it as long or as short as you want. If you don’t want to work up a sweat, head to the nearby Outlet Mall and score some sweet gifts for your family or treat yourself!

Lunch: Pie Society. This fun, laid back pizza spot has some of the most creative pizza combos and fresh salads. Plus, a killer beer selection.

Depart: start planning your return trip 🙂

Created in partnership with Travel Mindset & Tour San Marcos.

All opinions (and my love of San Marcos) are all my own.