San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country: Weekend Trips Under an Hour from TXST

San Marcos sits in the heart of the Texas Hill Country — limestone hills, crystal-clear rivers and small towns full of Texas character. It is the weekend playground of TXST students, and it doesn't cost much.

San Antonio (45 min)

• River Walk: a long canal lined with restaurants and boat tours, magical at night — the city's icon.
• The Alamo: Texas's historic fort, free to visit.
• Six Flags Fiesta Texas & SeaWorld: major theme parks with student discounts.
• Pearl District: food hall and weekend farmers market.
• Vietnamese community: many restaurants and markets on the northwest side.

Right in San Marcos

• San Marcos Premium Outlets & Tanger Outlets: one of the largest outlet clusters in the U.S. — Nike, Adidas, Coach, Polo… 30–70% off. Ten minutes from campus.
• San Marcos River: swim, kayak, tube — 22°C year-round, starting right on campus.
• The Meadows Center: glass-bottom boats over Spring Lake's springs.
• Downtown Square: cafés, live music, Saturday farmers market.

Hill Country (30–60 min)

• New Braunfels & Gruene: tubing on the Guadalupe/Comal, Gruene Hall — Texas's oldest dance hall, Schlitterbahn waterpark.
• Wimberley: an arts town with Blue Hole and Jacob's Well — famous swimming holes.
• Natural Bridge Caverns: the largest caverns in Texas.
• Fredericksburg: German-heritage town with peach orchards, wineries and Enchanted Rock to hike.
• Lockhart: the BBQ capital of Texas, 20 minutes away.

A bit further

Houston (2.5 h) — NASA Space Center and the largest Vietnamese community in Texas. Dallas (3.5 h). Corpus Christi / Port Aransas (3 h) — Gulf of Mexico beaches for spring break.

Saving tips

1. Travel four to a car and split gas.
2. Always ask for student discounts with your Bobcat Card.
3. Join trips run by Campus Recreation / the Outdoor Center — guided group outings with kayak and tent rental, very cheap.

Student life at TXST is more than lecture halls — see more about life in San Marcos.