Every Day a Getaway

8 awesome adventures to have in San Marcos this summer

From splashing in the crystal-clear waters of the San Marcos River to exploring the bustling Downtown Square, there's always something to do and see in San Marcos.

Just about three hours west of Houston, San Marcos proves you don't have to travel far — or even get on a plane — to have a truly memorable summer vacation. Here are eight adventurous ways to explore this Central Texas city.

1. Make a splash
Tubing is a summer tradition in the Lone Star State, so get started at Lions Club Tube Rental. Expert tip: Purchase a shuttle pass so you can float down the river and be ferried back as many times as your heart desires. Looking for a longer, more rustic floating experience a little outside the city limits? Check out Don's Fish Camp and Texas State Tubes.

Whether you're a long-time tuber or a tubie newbie, here are some river rules to keep in mind:

Bring your drinks in reusable containers to help keep the river clean
If you must bring your drinks in disposable containers (like plastic water bottles, pouches, cans, etc.) stick to the Go Zones, or the areas of the park where there are picnic tables
Bringing a cooler into the water? There is a limit of one 30-quart cooler per person allowed in the water and along the water's edge.
Wear shoes that firmly strap to your feet, and don't bring anything into the river you don't want to lose.

San Marcos parks may close at 11 pm, but that leaves plenty of time for an only-in-San Marcos experience: a glow tour. There are now three opportunities to go on a nighttime tour in clear kayaks with LED lights underneath, allowing you to see beneath the surface in a (quite literally) whole new light. You’ll be guided upriver before being allowed to explore a bit on your own.

Paddle SMTX and Get Up and Go Kayaking offer tours of the San Marcos River, while The Meadows Center offers limited tours on Spring Lake.

Learn more about the rules and plan your river trip here.

2. Hip to be square
While "The Square" in Downtown San Marcos is literal, the vibes are anything but. You can find live music every night of the week here, at everywhere from career-launching stages to small hole-in-the-wall bars, big concert theaters to quaint coffee shops. You can find a lineup of upcoming live music here.

Hungry yet? Seek out pink coffee, crazy good pizza, homestyle favorites, colorful craft libations, chips with curry queso, margaritas with a view, unique burger toppings, cold beer, and so much more.

3. Hit the trails
From leisurely strolls on ADA-accessible trails to more challenging hikes on rugged terrain, San Marcos has trails suitable for all fitness levels. With more than 2,100 acres of natural areas and a lot of native wildlife and migratory birds, there’s plenty of nature for you to see and explore.

And speaking of birds: The Golden-cheeked warbler also likes to visit San Marcos during the spring and summer months. The Golden-cheeked warbler's nesting season starts in March and they leave again, with their little ones, in July. Please observe and respect any closed trail signage due to these special birds.

Here are a few tried-and-true spots to check out:

Upper Purgatory Creek has a beautiful ADA trail that’s perfect for families, leisure walkers, and, well, anyone! The entrance is a winding, slightly sloping 2-mile-long and 8-feet-wide crushed granite pathway. The trail is also very easy to follow: Take the Styx trail to Grandma’s Oak, take the loop, and head on back.
A quick but slightly challenging journey can be had at Spring Lake Natural Area. Enter on the Lime Kiln entrance and follow the Blue Heron trail to go in a circle (stop at the dock). There is a steep and rocky hill, so this is an intermediate-level hike. Beginners will enjoy the Tonkawa trail, which starts at the Aquarena Springs entrance.
The San Marcos River Walkway's new 10-foot-wide concrete path (which is an ongoing project) currently goes from City Park to Ramon Lucio Park. The trail offers beautiful views of the San Marcos River and runs through town, allowing a calming respite in the heart of the city.

4. Art for all
With an ever-growing collection of murals, sculptures, galleries, and more, San Marcos has created a thriving culture for art lovers and artists alike. You never know what you’ll find, and new art seems to pop up in the most unexpected places. Next time you stroll around the Downtown Square, look in alleyways and behind buildings to find your new favorite piece.

One of San Marcos' unique attractions is the Mermaid March, a colorful collection of larger-than-life mermaid sculptures scattered throughout the city. Each mermaid represents a different facet of San Marcos' history and culture, from its local stories and popular attractions to its rich natural flora and fauna. Make sure you stop at the Art Park for more cool sculptures, including four new pieces that will be installed this year.

Head to Wimberley Glassworks to see what magnificent pieces they've been hand-blowing in the hot shop. Thursdays through Sundays from 10:30 am-3 pm, you can even venture to the back to watch them hard at work. Just down Ranch Road 12, the Silo Glass Gallery features more than two dozen Texas artists specializing in 3-D art forms. Set next to a beautiful grotto with two relaxing waterfalls, Silo Glass is the largest purpose-built, warm glass studio in Central Texas. They also have classes and supplies for those ready to make their own glass creations. But wait, there's more! Visit River City Glassworks to see their stained glass studio gallery, buy supplies for your own pieces, or even take a hands-on class.

The San Marcos Art Center is a classic stop for art lovers. Located on the Downtown Square, the Art Center has gallery space with rotating featured exhibits, plus art from member artists and fine crafts for sale. Housed in an old, beautiful church just two blocks from the Art Center, the Price Center features local art and photography along with live performances of all kinds. The Walkers' Gallery at the San Marcos Activity Center, known for its rotating exhibits, features works from artists of all backgrounds and mediums, making it a longstanding staple of the local art scene.

Find a list of current exhibits around town here.

5. Out and about
Head over to The Meadows Center for a very cool — and quintessential — San Marcos experience: the Glass-Bottom Boat Tour. The 30-minute tour of Spring Lake allows you to see the very bottom of the lake through a glass panel on the boat. The guides are full of facts and trivia about the history of the area and the many creatures that call Spring Lake and the San Marcos River home. Also at The Meadows Center is the Wetlands Boardwalk, where you can walk a self-guided trail over the water to see more of the local flora and fauna in their natural habitat.

The Meadows Center's Eco Adventures include kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkeling tours that explore one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in North America.

Head to Wonder World Park to explore the very cool (literally) earthquake-formed cave. Guides lead visitors deep into the Balcones Fault Line Cave for an educational and entertaining tour where you'll see fossilized prehistoric life embedded in the formations and learn about the Edwards Aquifer. After the cave tour, visit the park’s other quirky attractions like the Anti-Gravity House, where water flows uphill, and the Texas Wildlife Petting Park.

6. San Marcos from above
Soar to new heights at Skydive Spaceland San Marcos and experience the thrill of free-falling from the sky. Whether you're a first-timer or an experienced skydiver, Skydive Spaceland San Marcos offers a year-round picturesque setting for your jump.

If you prefer to keep your feet (mostly) on the ground, take a ride in a military warbird from World War II at the Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing. While you won't be doing any literal spins (due to their age), flying in these warbirds promises an exhilarating and historically significant experience.

For a different kind of aerial adventure, channel your inner Schwarzenegger with a Leading Edge Helicopter tour. Choose from various flight paths, including over Texas State University, the San Marcos Outlets, the San Marcos River, and more.

7. History haven
Interested in historic military warbirds? You'll absolutely want to make a quick jaunt to the Commemorative Air Force Exhibit for the military museum and amazing WWII planes. Housed in a 1943 vintage wooden hangar, the CAF is home to airworthy historic military warbirds, including “That’s All, Brother,” the Douglas C-47 Skytrain that led the Allied invasion on D-Day in Normandy. There’s also a military museum that’s dedicated to aviation through all eras, though primarily focused on WWII.

History lovers with a penchant for pop culture will really enjoy a trip to the Wittliff Collections, housed on the Texas State University campus. The exhibitions tell the stories of the Southwest and Mexico, taken from the diverse collections of work by writers, photographers, filmmakers, and musicians. While the exhibitions change continually and there is always something new to discover, the Lonesome Dove collection remains on display year-round. The costumes, props, and other memorabilia used in the miniseries are a must-see for any TV buff. The Texas Music Collection is also incredible, with handwritten song lyrics, beloved instruments, iconic outfits, and so much more from a variety of Texas musicians.

Did you know Texas State University (it was Southwest Texas State Teachers College at the time) is the only Texas university to graduate a future President of the United States? (It’s the only one for Vice Presidents as well.) The LBJ Museum of San Marcos showcases the legacy of Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th President of the United States, and focuses on his years spent as a student in San Marcos. See mementos up close, learn about the city's Presidential past, and hike up the hill to the Texas State University Quad for a photo with the LBJ statue.

The Calaboose African American History Museum is dedicated to African American history and culture within San Marcos and Hays County. The museum is a great place to learn about Buffalo Soldiers, Tuskegee Airmen, WWII, civil rights, Ku Klux Klan, and general San Marcos-area history. There is also lots of memorabilia from Eddie Durham, who was a renowned composer and musician born in San Marcos in 1906.

8. Shop 'til you drop
Explore more than 240 name-brand and luxury stores spanning 1.2 million square feet at the San Marcos Outlet Shopping Center. Covering the entire center clocks in at four miles, so make sure to dress comfortably for the hot weather, rest and refuel at one of the 20 eateries and restaurants on-site, and let the little ones burn off some energy at the play areas.

Don't miss out on San Marcos' vibrant markets. From arts and vintage to farmers and mystical, there's a market for every taste and interest. Discover the creations of local artisans, savor the flavors of San Marcos from regional vendors, and uncover hidden gems you never knew you needed.

Keep the shopping going by browsing through artisanal stores and galleries offering San Marcos-made ceramics, hand-blown glass, textiles, jewelry, and more. Go treasure-hunting at vintage shops, a handmade soap store, apothecaries, a toy store, trendy boutiques, record stores, and more. You just might find the perfect souvenir to take home.

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Learn more and plan your perfect summer itinerary in San Marcos here.

Photo courtesy of Visit San Marcos

It's not summer in Texas until you tube the river.

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New at the Marlene

Boutique Houston hotel steps up with 4 new suites, antiques shop, and more

Photo by Claudia Casbarian

The breakfast nook and coffee bar in the Julie Suite.

Perspicacious Houstonians have been ceremoniously embracing The Marlene Inn and Bar Madonna since its opening last year. Receiving nearly immediate icon status from Montrose locals, the boutique hotel has already received a coveted Good Brick Award from Preservation Houston, is a staple on Avondale walking tours, and even earned a nod from Architectural Digest.

More impressive than the accolades, however, is the ability to earn them while not being completely finished. Nearly a year to the day since opening, The Marlene Inn has reached completion thanks to a number of upgrades. A new on-property antiques store, live music, pop-ups, and new summer menu features from Bar Madonna make The Marlene the place to be. Additionally, the recent completion of three carriage house suites, plus an impossibly-twee garden cottage, have elevated the historic Montrose manse from a 9 to 12-key property that appeals to groups and families.

“In general, we get a lot of people here for celebrations. We get lots of anniversaries, birthdays; we get a lot of people joining us for their wedding night, which is really fun,” founder Lily Barfield tells CultureMap. “They offer a bit of a different experience than in the main house — they’re tucked away; they’re private. You’re still on-property, so you get the energy from being at The Marlene, but they are a little retreat away from the main house.”

Carriage House Suites and Tracie’s Cottage

The carriage house offers three generously-sized suites: two on the first floor and a 1,000-square-foot second floor suite that spans the entire building. In the Julie Suite, an eye-catching chandelier sets the tone. Adorned with bright red cherries and shades, the Avignon-sourced piece inspired Barfield’s selections of the suite’s art and fabrics.

One of the largest rooms on the property, the space is ADA accessible and goes the extra mile by offering heated marble floors in the bathroom. Great for families, The Julie Suite offers a king bed, offset living area with pullout sofa, and a separate breakfast nook with a marble topped bistro table, plus an adorably-aproned coffee bar.

The second ground floor carriage house suite is the Thelma Suite. This bright and cheery space is wrapped in a playful blue-and-white striped wallpaper not unlike those found frequently in the French countryside. The main attraction, however, is an impressively-large, glass-front armoire displaying a collection of antique earthenware pieces next to The Marlene’s signature monogrammed robes. In the bathroom, what was once an office coffee bar finds new life as a stately double vanity — an exceptional touch.

Upstairs, the Lemoine Suite offers something for everyone. Designed for entertaining as much as relaxing, the suite provides ample space to stretch out on the gilt sofa and velvet bergère chairs in the living area, gossip at the gaming table, and serve themselves from the beautiful brass bar cart before tucking into one of the two queen beds in the main space, or two hand-painted twin beds in the bedroom.

“It’s really more like a studio apartment, minus a kitchen,” explains Barfield. “We’re excited to have that online, because we’ve been getting a lot of girl groups and other groups meeting up. So that’s been great to have open.”

All rooms and suites at The Marlene are named after women in Barfield’s family, and Tracie’s Cottage is no different. Named after Barfield’s mom, the cottage is an indulgent escape just off the wine garden.

Entirely drenched in vibrant greens, this delightful, garden-inspired space is the ideal backdrop for the 1960s Italian twin canopy bed that doubles as a sofa in the lounge. Situated beneath a glass fruit chandelier and side lit by a pair of pear-adorned sconces, this show-stopping piece is the perfect place to curl up with a cocktail from Bar Madonna and enjoy the view of the garden. A bathroom with original transom windows divides the lounge space from a separate bedroom with a queen bed and antique desk and chair. If a second workspace is needed, the dresser in the lounge houses a hidden foldout secretary desk — très chic!

“Tracie’s Cottage, in my opinion, is one of the most charming rooms we have on-property,” says Barfield. “It really feels more indoor/outdoor. You’re connected to the garden. It looks out at the elephant ears and beautiful oak trees; it feels like a garden retreat out there. It’s a different feel from the main house, but it has its own charm.”

As with rooms in the main house, suites in the carriage house and Tracie’s Cottage include amenities such as Nespresso, sound machine, mini-fridge, steamer, slippers, lush monogrammed robes, Bellino Fine Linens, and luxe Diptyque bath products.

Shop Lily’s Vintage Finds

The long-awaited antiques store in the main house quietly opened last week. The over 50,000 followers of Barfield’s popular Instagram account Lily’s Vintage Finds, along with hotel visitors and guests alike, will be thrilled to learn they can finally bring home a piece of The Marlene. Those familiar with Barfield’s popular antiques hauls and drops will know that her finds are selected during her frequent trips to France and sent to Houston by the literal container load.

“We get a lot of people in here who say, ‘I love this piece in my room, can I buy it?’ Or ‘I love this commode; I love this armoire; the art in here is amazing.’ So, the goal is to be able to kind of replicate the pieces we have throughout the spaces and to have them shoppable,” explains Barfield.

“We should have a good rotation of commodes, seating pieces, small art pieces, and decor items. A lot of items are going to come from France, since we’ve brought containers back, and we will continue to do that and fill the space up with beautiful, shoppable pieces that emulate the spirit of The Marlene.”

Bar Madonna’s summer menu

Speaking of the spirit of The Marlene, the magicians behind the newest concoctions at The Marlene Inn’s Bar Madonna have truly outdone themselves. Multiple new cocktails are made from a myriad of house-made ingredients and tinctures, and the tinned-fish craze taking over Europe has found its way onto the grazing boards at Bar Madonna as well.

“I think it’s one of our best menus by a landslide,” shares Barfield. “Everything is so fresh, so summery, and it really reminds me — this menu more than any of them — it’s very New Orleans inspired.”

Undeniably the most labor intensive, the Mary Martini receives its name from its ambiguity. Whether the briny flavor profile is more martini or Bloody Mary is entirely up to the drinker, but that’s half the fun. With ingredients like sous vide tomato bruschetta, heirloom tomato vodka, holy trinity gin, olive brine, capers, and cornichons, it’s sure to spark some interesting discourse.

Other seasonal cocktails include the Pimm’s Cup No.3, which puts a Texas summer spin on the classic by adding homemade peach syrup. The Hugo Spritz No.1 was “Cutie-inspired,” making use of ingredients like fresh mandarin oranges, mandarin soda, and fresh mint. Those looking for something pared down will enjoy the simplicity of the classic daiquiri. Rum, lemon, lime, and simple syrup blend seamlessly in this summertime favorite.

“It’s a fun, fresh menu and I think people are going to enjoy drinking the drinks here,” says Barfield. “They really lean into the spirit of the place and the charm of The Marlene.”

Jazz Sundays and Vinyl Saturdays

Last fall, Barfield introduced live jazz on Sundays. The reception has been tremendous. Finding an open seat from 3-6 pm may take some effort and a little luck, but it’s worth it. Saxophonist Woody Witt & Company or the band Aruba — depending on the day — perform in the lobby.

Barfield loves how much Houstonians have embraced the new tradition and doesn’t see it coming to an end anytime soon: “We are hoping to have it every Sunday for the rest of time. It’s definitely a thing.”

The success of Jazz Sundays led to the introduction of Vinyl Saturdays, with music by DJ Daniel Santos from 7-10 pm. This new entertainment option is quickly becoming a popular date night destination.

“He’s a really fun DJ because he leans into the spirit of the space,” Barfield says. “He’ll play upbeat jazz, samba music, some kind of French beats. It’s a lot of fun.”

Pop-up shops

In addition to Lily’s Vintage Finds, Barfield has planned numerous artists and vendors to showcase their wares alongside her antique and vintage goods.

“Our first pop-up is with Mont Art House, which we are really excited about. We are featuring a collection from AK Hardeman and we will have a little opening show for that. Come get a glass of champagne, shop the pieces—that will be a really fun one.”

AK Hardeman's Newest Collection will hang at The Marlene from July 7-15, with an opening reception taking place July 8 from 4-7 pm. Shop seven new pieces from AK Hardeman, plus new work from Anee Shah, Amy Stone, Joan Cates, and newcomer Emily Cruthirds.

Whether visiting from out of town, or just around the corner, The Marlene Inn appeals to those who want a little adventure, perhaps some discoveries, and definitely some good, old-fashioned hospitality.

“We’re really small, so that’s a big draw for people,” says Barfield. “We’re tucked away in a neighborhood — people feel like it’s off the beaten path. A comment we get all the time is that people feel like they’ve found a hidden gem.”

A few happenings coming up this summer

Vinyl Saturday began June 20 (7–10 PM) and continue throughout the season
Sunday Jazz continues weekly (3–6 PM) — still one of the property’s most popular traditions
Howdy Honey Needlepoint Gathering, July 7 (5–7 PM)
Pop-up featuring Vanishing Heirlooms antique jewelry, Anna Bernard Art, and Lily’s Vintage Finds monogrammed vintage French linens, July 18
Pop-up with New Orleans-conscious clothing brand Lekha, August 6-7.

Photo by Claudia Casbarian

The breakfast nook and coffee bar in the Julie Suite.

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