San Marcos, Texas Weekend With Kids

San Marcos is a great place to go to spend time on the water. The San Marcos River is a popular spot for kayaking, tubing, even snorkeling. I visited in the summer, and the temperature of the river was perfect. It was cool, but not too cold. I talked to locals who say the river stays a comfortable temperature all year. In winter, the water is warmer than the air. San Marcos is also host to a lot of fun cultural events and festivals. I recommend checking ahead to learn what special events may be happening during the time of your visit. One of my favorites is the Texas Natural and Western Swing Festival which celebrates the music and history of Texas every May.

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Lions Club Tube Rental
The San Marcos Lions Club operates a tube rental service on the San Marcos River. Located right in the city park, it is also a fund raising project for the Lions Club. Proceeds from this and other projects go to help support many charities and educational opportunities. The temperature of the river is always comfortable, but I recom... More >
The San Marcos Lions Club operates a tube rental service on the San Marcos River. Located right in the city park, it is also a fund raising project for the Lions Club. Proceeds from this and other projects go to help support many charities and educational opportunities. The temperature of the river is always comfortable, but I recommend going in the spring or summer when it is the most refreshing to be in the water. Parking can be kind of a pain, but there is a shuttle included in the price of the tube that makes it easier. I highly recommend a float on the San Marcos River. It is a beautiful and relaxing way to spend an afternoon. Make sure you allow plenty of time and bring your photo ID to leave with the tube rental counter.
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Grins Restaurant
We were very impressed with Grins Restaurant in San Marcos. The menu was delightful, with tons of choices in several different categories, like chicken, beef, tex-mex, burgers, and even vegetarian. I was equally impressed with the cheap prices, ranging from about $5.00 or $6.00 for a burger, to about $13.00 or $14.00 for a steak. I ... More >
We were very impressed with Grins Restaurant in San Marcos. The menu was delightful, with tons of choices in several different categories, like chicken, beef, tex-mex, burgers, and even vegetarian. I was equally impressed with the cheap prices, ranging from about $5.00 or $6.00 for a burger, to about $13.00 or $14.00 for a steak. I ate the grilled pecan catfish, which I highly recommend. Since I was with the family, I also got to taste the southwest cheeseburger, enchiladas, and fajitas. I would definitely recommend any of these entrees, as well as the restaurant overall for an affordable, enjoyable meal.
I was equally impressed with the cheap prices, ranging from about $5.00 or $6.00 for a burger, to about $13.00 or $14.00 for a steak.
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Holiday Inn Express San Marcos
I am always impressed with the quality of Holiday Inn Express, and this location in San Marcos, Texas was no exception. The rooms were clean and spacious. The staff was very friendly. The continental breakfast was satisfactory. Overall, this hotel was a really good value. The building itself seemed a little old and could probably benefit from some upgrades. I also prefer an indoor pool, but the outdoor pool at this lo... More
I am always impressed with the quality of Holiday Inn Express, and this location in San Marcos, Texas was no exception. The rooms were clean and spacious. The staff was very friendly. The continental breakfast was satisfactory. Overall, this hotel was a really good value. The building itself seemed a little old and could probably benefit from some upgrades. I also prefer an indoor pool, but the outdoor pool at this location will suffice for most of the year.
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Wonder World
Wonder World Park made for a great afternoon with the family. The centerpiece of the park is the Balcones Fault Line Cave which was formed by an earthquake. The cave is pretty cool. You can really see how much destruction can be caused by one earthquake. There are also a ton of geologic formations that are fascinating to see. Ther... More >
Wonder World Park made for a great afternoon with the family. The centerpiece of the park is the Balcones Fault Line Cave which was formed by an earthquake. The cave is pretty cool. You can really see how much destruction can be caused by one earthquake. There are also a ton of geologic formations that are fascinating to see. There are some other attractions at the park, but in my opinion, the cave is by far the reason to go. The young kids will have a ball in the petting zoo where you can get up close to deer and other animals and feed them. But, my teenagers were bored with it. They were much more impressed with the cave and the observation tower.
I highly recommend a float on the San Marcos River.
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About the Author

Ross Pincock
Ross Pincock
I love music! I have spent most of my life either playing and writing music or listening to a live performance. I also love the outdoors, particularly camping, hiking, bicycling and sitting around the campfire. I am a father and I love spending time with my kids.
Websitemyspace.com/rosspincock
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