• Restaurants + Bars
  • Entertainment
  • Arts
  • Society
  • City Life
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • Real Estate
  • Home + Design
  • Innovation
  • Travel
  • Sports
  • THE TOP 100
  • City Guide
  • Events
  • Charity Guide
  • Subscribe
  • Cities
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth
Cities
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth
culturemap logo
  • Restaurants + Bars

    THE LATEST

    Eric Sandler: Power couple behind Nobie's revive seafood-focused Montrose speakeasy after 2 years
    Quiote rides again
    Power couple behind Nobie's revive seafood-focused Montrose speakeasy
    By Eric Sandler
    Eric Sandler: Comfort food restaurant FM Kitchen quietly closes Montrose location
    FM switches off
    Comfort food restaurant FM Kitchen quietly closes Montrose location
    By Eric Sandler
    Eric Sandler: Texas hot chicken restaurant brings the heat to Katy and Spring
    Hola, my friend
    Texas hot chicken restaurant brings the heat to Katy and Spring
    By Eric Sandler

    SPONSORED BY

  • Entertainment

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: Houston reality TV stars the Hos return for Season 2 and ink exclusive real estate deal
    h-town ho-down
    Houston's Ho Family back for Season 2, inks exclusive real estate deal
    By Steven Devadanam
    Alex Bentley: Aubrey Plaza scams and schemes in solid Emily the Criminal
    Movie Review
    Aubrey Plaza scams and schemes in solid Emily the Criminal
    By Alex Bentley
    Alex Bentley: Bodies Bodies Bodies hit the floor in hilarious horror comedy
    Movie Review
    Bodies Bodies Bodies hit the floor in hilarious horror comedy
    By Alex Bentley

    SPONSORED BY

  • Arts

    THE LATEST

    Tarra Gaines: First-ever Houston Theater Week stages BOGO deals for 77 of the season's hottest shows
    prices down, curtain up
    First-ever Houston Theater Week stages BOGO deals 77 hottest shows
    By Tarra Gaines
    Tarra Gaines: 9 vivid and eye-catching August art events no Houstonian should miss
    best august art
    9 vivid and eye-catching August art events no Houstonian should miss
    By Tarra Gaines
    Tarra Gaines: Houston's best fall theater showcases Broadway sensations, cutting-edge works, and world premiers
    best fall theater
    Houston's best fall theater showcases world-class productions and more
    By Tarra Gaines

    SPONSORED BY

  • Society

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: Longtime leader of Houston's beloved holiday extravaganza closes up shop after 34-year run
    a fond farewell
    Longtime leader of Houston's beloved holiday experience stepping down
    By Steven Devadanam
    Steven Devadanam: Inspiring celebrity sports power couple hosts can't-miss gala with surprise Houston Astros guests
    a home-run cause
    Sports power couple hosts gala with surprise Astros star guests
    By Steven Devadanam
    Steven Devadanam: Houston's society queen hits the dance floor in red-hot Montrose nightclub's VIP bash
    sobe's back
    Houston's society queen dances away at Montrose club's VIP party
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • City Guide

    THE LATEST

    : Stages
    Entertainment
    Stages
    : PH Design Shop
    Shops
    PH Design Shop
    : Westin Oaks Houston
    Hotels
    Westin Oaks Houston

    SPONSORED BY

  • Events

    THE LATEST

    : Color Factory
    8.16.22 | 9:00 am
    Color Factory
    : Memorial Hermann Broadway at the Hobby Center: Mean Girls
    8.16.22 | 7:30 pm
    Memorial Hermann Broadway at the Hobby Center: Mean Girls
    : Rooftop Cinema Club Uptown
    8.16.22 | 7:30 pm
    Rooftop Cinema Club Uptown

    SPONSORED BY

  • SportsMap
  • Subscribe
  • City Life

    THE LATEST

    Ken Hoffman: Ken Hoffman on why a Houston Astros pivotal star's most heroic work is off the field
    the hero we need
    Ken Hoffman on why an Astros star's most heroic work is off the field
    By Ken Hoffman
    : New Texas rating system reveals which Houston-area schools make the grade
    making the grade?
    New rating system reveals which Houston-area schools make the grade
    By Jeff Ehling, ABC13
    Eric Sandler: Justin Verlander's national TV shout out for favorite Houston burger leads week's top stories
    This Week's Hot Headlines
    Verlander name drops EaDo eatery on national TV + more hot headlines
    By Eric Sandler

    SPONSORED BY

  • Fashion + Beauty

    THE LATEST

    : 5 Houston hot-pink essentials to rock this summer's viral Barbiecore trend
    I'm a Barbie girl, in the Barbie world
    5 Houston hot-pink essentials to rock summer's viral Barbiecore trend
    By Gabi De la Rosa
    : Luxe Uptown boutique fittingly wins best lingerie shop in America title
    a fitting win
    Luxe Uptown boutique fittingly named best lingerie shop in America
    By Gabi De la Rosa
    : Face the scorching Houston summer sun with these tips from local skin care experts
    here comes the sun
    Face the Houston summer sun with tips from local skin care experts
    By Gabi De la Rosa

    SPONSORED BY

  • Real Estate

    THE LATEST

    Hannah J. Frías: Stars at night are big and bright at this stunning $18.5 million Texas ranch
    down by the river
    Stars at night are big and bright at this stunning $18.5M Texas ranch
    By Hannah J. Frías
    John Egan: Retro Hill Country drive-in movie theater premieres on the market at $4 million
    Screen dream
    Retro Hill Country drive-in theater premieres on the market at $4M
    By John Egan
    Holly Beretto: Contemporary 'treehouse' masterpiece in Piney Point blooms on market for $2.8 million
    into the woods
    Contemporary 'treehouse' masterpiece in Piney Point lists for $2.8M
    By Holly Beretto

    SPONSORED BY

  • Home + Design

    THE LATEST

    John Egan: Texas builder unveils sleek prefabricated luxury homes starting at $600,000
    prefab fab
    Texas builder unveils sleek prefab luxury homes starting at $600,000
    By John Egan
    Katie Friel: H-E-B carts out new home decor and furniture for Texas shoppers
    Milk, Bread, Eggs, Accent Chair
    H-E-B carts out new home decor and furniture for Texas shoppers
    By Katie Friel
    Steven Devadanam: In-demand Houston interior designer opens door to elegant new showroom in Rice Village
    livable luxury
    Haute Houston interior designer opens elegant new Rice Village shop
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • Innovation

    THE LATEST

    : 2 Nobel Peace Prize-nominated Houston doctors land on prestigious list of most creative in business
    distinguished dynamic duo
    2 Nobel-nominated Houston doctors land on elite 'most-creative' list
    By Shaina Zucker Pherigo, InnovatioMap
    Natalie Harms: Amazon tries on same-day mall delivery in Houston for in-demand items
    PRIME SHOPPING
    Amazon tries on same-day mall delivery in Houston for in-demand items
    By Natalie Harms
    Steven Devadanam: Houston's elite hospitals score No. 1 spots in prestigious new list of best in U.S. and Texas
    med center might
    Houston hospitals score No. 1 spots in list of best in U.S. and Texas
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • Travel

    THE LATEST

    Teresa Gubbins: State Fair of Texas unleashes 10 creative fried foods for 2022 Big Tex Awards
    all's fair
    State Fair of Texas unleashes 10 creative fried foods for 2022 Big Tex
    By Teresa Gubbins
    Stephanie Allmon Merry: 7 spectacular surprises inside Chip and Joanna Gaines' new Fixer Upper castle in North Texas
    Royal revelation
    7 surprises in Chip & Joanna Gaines' North Texas Fixer Upper castle
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Brianna Caleri: New Hill Country festival jams out with 15 Texas wineries and 3 bands
    The Juice
    New Hill Country festival jams out with 15 Texas wineries and 3 bands
    By Brianna Caleri

    SPONSORED BY

  • Sports

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: Houston Astros honor Uvalde visitors with special Game Day experience and big win
    uvalde strong
    Houston Astros honor Uvalde visitors with Game Day experience, big win
    By Steven Devadanam
    Ken Hoffman: Ken Hoffman reveals the ultimate insider guide to the Little League World Series — and how he fired The Boss
    big little league
    Ken Hoffman's ultimate insider guide to the Little League World Series
    By Ken Hoffman
    Steven Devadanam: Houston Astros hometown hero's big return headlines can't-miss Hall of Fame Weekend
    he's baaaaack
    Houston Astros hometown hero's return headlines Hall of Fame Weekend
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • Charity Guide
  • Tastemaker Awards
Travel Texas Houston
Promoted articles are produced by CultureMap sponsors and not by the editorial staff.
Home » Travel
On the Road
Dinos and cowboys share space at Vernon's Red River Valley Museum
On the Road
Gobble up history and good eats in Bryan, home of the Texas A&M Aggies
LATEST NEWS
Houston's Ho Family back for Season 2, inks exclusive real estate deal
On the Road

Vibrant art and tasty craft brews abound in San Marcos

Vibrant art and tasty craft brews abound in San Marcos

By CultureMap Create
Jul 6, 2022, 12:00 pm
Enlarge
Slideshow
father daughter at san marcos mural
San Marcos has a vibrant public art scene that includes large-scale murals. Photo courtesy of Visit San Marcos
beer in san marcos
The impressive craft beer scene includes AquaBrew Brewery and Beer Garden. Photo courtesy of Visit San Marcos
san marcos mural and dog
Bring Fido to seek and find the colorful murals of San Marcos. Photo courtesy of Visit San Marcos
san marcos mini mural couple
"Cupig" in Kissing Alley is a mini-mural must-see. Photo courtesy of Visit San Marcos
aguabrew brewery san marcos
Located right off Downtown Square, AquaBrew serves up amazing beer and a cool vibe. Photo courtesy of AquaBrew
father daughter at san marcos mural
beer in san marcos
san marcos mural and dog
san marcos mini mural couple
aguabrew brewery san marcos

Walking around San Marcos is a sensory experience. The smells, colors, textures, and tastes tell a story of the city, its citizens, and the unique culture that developed in this oasis town between San Antonio and Austin.

When you’re there, you’ll definitely want to stroll through the Downtown Square with its boutiques, coffee shops, cafes, and more. But what you may be most charmed by is San Marcos’ blossoming art scene — and its equally vibrant craft brew cred.

Start with the arts
With an ever-growing collection of vibrant public art and murals, sculptures, galleries, and more, San Marcos has created a thriving culture for art lovers and artists alike.

The Mermaid March is a collection of 10 larger-than-life mermaid sculptures that can be found around the city. At about seven feet tall, each mermaid represents a different aspect of what makes San Marcos unique, from local folklore to popular attractions and natural flora and fauna.

Why the mermaid? In the early 20th century, the Aquarena Springs Theme Park offered glass-bottom boat tours of the San Marcos River, featuring Submarine Theater performances from Aquamaids. Naturally, there was a diving pig, too, who delighted visitors with his “swine dive.”

In addition to those mermaid sculptures, San Marcos has impressive large-scale murals to seek and find. But you’ll also love playing eye-spy with the whimsical mini murals that are hidden in plain sight around town.

Don’t miss the work of local artist Rene Perez, who has creating charming renderings like the beloved “Cupig” in Kissing Alley.

Then check out what the next generation of artists are working on at Texas State University’s student galleries, where you’ll find fresh and unique pieces.

Or see the rotating exhibits on display at the San Marcos Art Center, where you can also shop local pieces from clay and sculpture to stained glass, fine art, and handcrafted jewelry.

Cap off your gallery tour at Wimberley Glassworks, which is known worldwide for beautiful hand-blown glass art and lighting pieces. There, artisans use centuries-old techniques and a variety of materials — even pure silver and 23 karat gold — to achieve amazing luminosity in each piece.

Stay for the craft
Take a happy-hour break from your art tour at a brewery or two, because there’s something — many things, actually — to love about San Marcos’ craft breweries, which serve up good beer and good vibes.

Located right off the Downtown Square, AquaBrew is easily accessible and boasts celebrated brews and food along with an expansive outdoor beer garden. You’ll quickly become obsessed with the quirky labeling and can art that pay homage to San Marcos icons like Ralph the Swimming Pig and the mermaids.

Also downtown is Sean Patrick’s Irish Pub, which is housed in an 1885 historical building. With a wide range of beers on tap, including some of their own in-house brews, you’ll have a lot to choose from at this popular hangout.

Roughhouse Brewing is a family-owned and operated craft brewery located on the Pasternak family ranch. They specialize in farmhouse ales, traditional lagers, and cave-aged brews and serve them with scratch-made fare like build-your-own tacos, Texas Wagyu brisket sandwiches, warm pretzels, and more.

Hang out in the rustic brewery barn or listen to live music on the weekends amidst the oak tree-surrounded outdoor patio.

Great brews and great burgers are Middleton Brewing’s calling card. Live music is frequently on tap, too. But no matter what, you’ll want to grab a glass and head to the rooftop deck for beautiful Hill Country views. Also, a word to the epicureans: Schedule your visit to coincide with one of Middleton’s special chef-paired beer dinners.

For more ways to savor San Marcos — and beat the summer heat — check out this list of additional things to do, including a day on the San Marcos River, a tour of Wonder World Cave, and cool museums to explore.

Read These Next
Festival Acadiens
Let the good times roll this fall in Lafayette, Louisiana
midland rockhounds baseball
From baseball games to outer space, here are Midland's must-dos
epic waters indoor water park
Make a splash in Grand Prairie with swimming, shopping, and more
Festival Acadiens
Let the good times roll this fall in Lafayette, Louisiana
midland rockhounds baseball
From baseball games to outer space, here are Midland's must-dos
epic waters indoor water park
Make a splash in Grand Prairie with swimming, shopping, and more
  • Latest News
  • Most Popular
  • Houston's Ho Family back for Season 2, inks exclusive real estate deal
  • Power couple behind Nobie's revive seafood-focused Montrose speakeasy
  • Ken Hoffman on why an Astros star's most heroic work is off the field
  • Let the good times roll this fall in Lafayette, Louisiana
    - promoted -
  • 2 Nobel-nominated Houston doctors land on elite 'most-creative' list
See All Latest News >
  • Verlander name drops EaDo eatery on national TV + more hot headlines
  • Justin Verlander shouts out his favorite Houston burger on national TV
  • Regal River Oaks-area high-rise evacuated amid structural concerns
  • Houston's Ho Family back for Season 2, inks exclusive real estate deal
  • Comfort food restaurant FM Kitchen quietly closes Montrose location
Vote Now
Whats Eric Eating
8/12
Meet Eculent's mad scientist chef, plus more hot Houston food news
7/28
Riel talk about Montrose's award-winning restaurant, more food news
7/21
The dish on new Thai tapas, plus best Houston Restaurant Weeks hacks
Hoffman's Houston
8/15
Ken Hoffman on why an Astros star's most heroic work is off the field
8/9
Hoffman on the Houston stars dominating the Radio Hall of Fame awards
8/1
Hoffman's stone-cold prediction on the demise of a U.S. ice cream fave
Where to Eat Houston
6/23
Where to eat in Houston right now: 9 stupendous new restaurants
4/20
Where to eat in Houston: 9 new restaurants for steak, ramen, and more
3/21
Where to eat in Houston: 10 new restaurants from Wild fare to steaks
Home | About Us | News Tips & Suggestions | Submit An Event | Submit A Charity | Advertise | Media Sponsorship | Jobs | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
© 2022 CultureMap LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Be A CultureMap Insider
Get Our Emails
Sign Up

We will not share or sell your email address

Newsletters for exploring your city

Thank you for signing up Please verify your e-mail by following the link we just sent you.
Look for an e-mail from CultureMap <info@culturemap.com>
Tootsies invites you to shop for a worthy cause