We were nearby supporting a Taiwanese restaurant so I randomly pulled up kids activities in San…read moreMarcos on Yelp. The Children's Park appeared and looked like a lot of fun. Since the kids were still wide awake and the little one hates car rides, getting their wiggles out before heading back to Austin seemed like the right strategy. We came and this park did not disappoint! It was a Saturday afternoon at 3:15pm and all the kids were out having fun. We couldn't park in the parking lot so had to do roadside parking with a short walk. I especially loved the smaller kids area for the 1.5 and 5 year old. We spent a good hour here just goofing around. We spent the next 30 minutes in the bigger area and my 5 year old had a blast, 1.5 year old, not too much. Overall, I really like the layout and will be back when we visit San Marcos again!

Awesome and fun place to take the kids. This place is definitely worth the drive if you are coming…read morefrom San Antonio.

Jayden gave the best tour you could possibly give very knowledgeable very very patient and made…read morethe tour a wonderful experience for me and my family. This establishment is very underrated.

Our guide, Will, was great. He did a great job of explaining and talking about the cave. He was…read morepatient with the kids. If we ever went back, we would ask for Will to be our guide. It was nice hearing the history of the cave. The kids linked the zoo and feeding the animals. The whole grounds area is run down and needs a refresh. The gift shop and bathrooms are old and need updated. As soon as I walked in the gift shop area, all I smelled was cleaning solution. I didn't see a baby changing station in the bathroom. Our group had a good time but I wouldn't go back until things are updated.

From Chicago, just moved to Austin. First time at the Meadows Center at Texas State. Here are some…read morethoughts: -Run entirely by students, done very well, very enjoyable. -We wanted to check out the glass bottom boats, and we were not disappointed! -We went on the 45-minute tour. Our guide was knowledgeable, funny, and passionate--great combo! Cost was about $15 a person. -Saw a lot of wildlife, including deer, many birds, including a hawk, turtles, and many fish. Don't forget to check out the aquarium! -About a dozen people on our tour boat, from toddlers to 60's. Everyone enjoyed the experience. -Boat was covered, so it felt cool enough on the water even on a warm spring day. Highly recommended!

A San Marcos landmark and a unique experience that everyone should visit…read more The tour can offer a nice respite on even the hottest Texas days, however, be prepared for the disappointment that you cannot partake in the cool and gorgeous springs. My only detractor for this facility is the glaring lack of history of the world famous Aquarena Springs. It is mentioned briefly in the tour, and there are of course remnants of the former attractions. However, in their "museum" there is only a small glass case with a plate smattering of memorabilia. This included some dry-rotted goggles, an old program, and poorly displayed photo slide you can squint at inside the glass box. I understand that the history of Aquarena is one of ecological exploitation. Perhaps they want to avoid celebrating this past. However, you can't deny the effect it had on the area and how it still resonates to this day through SM's mermaid culture, among other things. Maybe one day the roof top of the old hotel could house a better collection or display. Or maybe the old trails could be opened for exploration. Until then, I will ensure that every visitor that comes to see us is taken on the glass bottom boat tour and they get so see our San Marcos salamanders.

Reliable service with great communication, if you're looking for an inflatable-- look no further…read more this was my first rent from them during a crazy weather event in the area, and communication was great! a business you can trust.

Highly recommend! Corresponded via email and they were very prompt and courteous. Pick up and drop…read moreoff was super easy. The house itself was very well taken care of. The kids loved it! Will certainly use them again.

Think of the most awesome park you (or your kids) have ever been to. Now forget everything about…read moreit, because that park is nothing compared to the awesomeness that is Playscape. Playscape was built when I was but a wee child, and all of my most fond playground memories are of me running amok among the bridges, towers, swings, slides, sandboxes, and tunnels at Playscape. If you have ever wanted to play pretend that you were in a castle, well, that's what Playscape is modeled after! They even have painted dragons and trolls on the sides (along with some other non-castle themed images) to further spike you or your child's imagination. There's lots of picnic tables and BBQ pits around the park, so you can bring a lunch or have a birthday party here and keep all the kiddos entertained and active. The only downside is that the bathrooms are disgusting. Granted, public restrooms in parks aren't known for their cleanliness, but be sure to bring hand sanitizer and scrub your kids hands down well after they use these filthy facilities. Otherwise the kids will hopefully wear themselves out of energy, get some great exercise, and be ready to come back tomorrow!

I had seen this park numerous times and was excited to take my son there. However, they have now…read moretorn it down

San Marcos City Park is pretty big. I think it's close to 18 acres. It sits next to the smaller San…read moreMarcos Plaza Park. I love coming to this park because river swimming is easily accessible as is tubing and other water activities. It's also pretty great because they have recently installed outdoor gym equipment (within the last year or so). The park has picnic areas and playgrounds and lots of green space. There's a basketball court too, so if BBall is your thing have at it. This park also provides free wifi access...BONUS! The parking lot is free if you live in San Marcos and non-residents are charged a fee. I think we only paid $5 to park. Such a fun way to get to enjoy San Marcos and the water!

This was a great place to park and enjoy the crisp clear water…read more Make sure you pack a life best for the children. The water current can be swift but fun. Lots of young college kids and some city folk looking for a good time in the water. Have fun.

We've lived in Texas for several years and this was one of the most fun things we have ever done!…read moreIt was my oldest bday and she loves knives. We walked in and they had a cancellation. Jay was absolutely amazing and so patient. Her knife took about 2 hrs to make and we had such a great time it felt like 20 minutes. He had great stories and kept us engaged. He communicated clearly with rules, expectations, and what each step was that she had to work on next. He had us laughing so much. Vic was another brother that was great. He kept my youngest, 9 yr old, engaged and had her complete attention. He was patient and helped her stand correctly and how to hold the hammer. And he had to repeat himself many times but never lost patience with her. He showed us how to make different nail swords and let her help too. This is a family business and honestly it is a must for any visitors, tourist, or even Texans that never see what's around them (like us!). I totally recommend bringing your family or friends. We won't regret it and you'll go home with a unique gift that you made yourself.

Friendly service and a fun experience. They have some premade stuff available in store. I think…read moreit's worth the price to forge yourself.

Saturday evening was spent at the Texas State University Student Recreation Center rebranded as the…read moreLBJ Student Center for a community service and fundraiser event put on by my sorority. The LBJ Student Center at Texas State University is named after Lyndon Baines Johnson, the 36th president of the United States and one of the university's most distinguished alumni. Johnson attended the institution formerly known as Southwest Texas State Teachers College beginning in 1927 and graduated in 1930. Texas State has chosen to remember him through buildings, programs, and memorials on campus. As documented in the building, Lady Bird Johnson emphasized that the center was meant to be a living tribute to her husband - one filled with the energy, activity, and engagement of students, reflecting the spirit Johnson valued in young people. His picture and his background is prominently displayed throughout the LBJ student center.

The recreation center has been ramping up prices as of late. But of course without making upgrades…read morewhile still taking a portion of tuition money. I enjoy the AC on steroids. It's the first thing I need when I go work out. The weights area is good, and people are generally polite about letting other people use equipment between their sets. The bad is that the front desk is beginning to nickle and dime people when they want to borrow towels. Not only that, but you have to pay a fee for their "towel service". Then proceed to pay fifty cents to a dollar for every towel you borrow from then on. There's always a entrance whose out of commission, or the finger print scanner don't work. The natatorium is closed for most of the day for who knows what. One of the showers in the girls locker room doesn't work, and each shower has a ball of hair from all the girls who brush their hair in the shower or shave but aren't considerate enough to pick their hair up after they're done using the shower.

Sights & Sounds, what can one say? It's hard to believe at times this little gem sits a mere two…read moreblocks away from the burgeoning 33,000+ student campus that is Texas State University-San Marcos. Sights & Sounds is truly about a small town, community-based gathering for the holiday season. No, it's not a 100,000 person a night extravaganza where you're confined by shuttles as the only effective means of transportation, and it's also not an overly commercialized event, either. You'll find plenty of lights in the trees and from the overhead light poles--and piped Christmas music emanating from speakers around the grounds--but it's not a thematic Trail of Lights replica by any stretch of the imagination. You really have to appreciate the simple life approach that Sights & Sounds takes to celebrating the Christmas season in order to enjoy it. The community draw is the sound stage, where school after school, group after group, choir after choir, troop across the sound stage in this city-wide Christmas pageant. I don't watch these shows as much as I once did, but I always know someone's child in them. And, honestly, this single aspect is one of the more enduring and endearing features of Sights & Sounds. I think the event's allure increases dramatically on the colder nights, when a particular mix of wintry atmosphere, Christmastide approaching, and "Wouldn't a hot chocolate be really great right now" rules. Balmy 70 degree temperatures just don't give this event the same curb appeal it has when the weather outside is frightful. I personally don't care for the expanded carnival midway atmosphere aspects of the event, but, fortunately, you can ignore that as it is isolated at the back of the fairgrounds. And, honestly, the event has to appeal to everyone. The Bethlehem exhibit seemed more disorganized than usual this year. I mean, when the angels in the manger scene announce "The real baby will be here in an hour", and it's already 6:30 (an hour after opening), it's one of those shake your head and laugh aloud moments. Since Santa arrives by a different conveyance each night of Sights & Sounds, maybe he should bring the baby with him. That is, if Mrs. Claus is okay with it. It was great fun checking out the baby goats and camel. I hadn't seen a camel drink from a soda can before, and that was really quite cool. Just in case you're wondering, they do know how to rotate the can with their tongue to get the opening right side down, and no, they don't want to give it up at the end any more than we do. The camels and goats will nibble at your hand so be sure to have food, because that's what hands are for! Last, but not not least, don't forget to check out the Arts & Crafts tent. It's at the back of the fairgrounds, between Bethlehem and the midway. There's only one solitary white tent, so there are fewer vendors than there once were when there were two plus candy-cane motif tents, but you still might find that unique Christmas gift for that special someone here. San Martian by trade, Austinite by residence, I will attest that Sights & Sounds is both a "Don't miss" and a keeper. UPDATE: Pictures added 12/5/2010.

As you can imagine, Sights and Sounds of Christmas --while festive and fun-- does not provide a…read moremeans of indoor plumbing. As such, i had to use one of the many porta-potties available to attendees. Once inside, i switched the handle to indicate that it was "in use". That is when the horror began. I heard the voices of teen delinquents on either side of my porta-potty, saying things like "Let's tip this ***** over!" and "Bet, You won't!" Before i could even pull my pants up, the Ground was rocking back and forth beneath me. I shouted for help but my cries were in vain. With one final shove, the porta-potty was tipped and i was instantly drenched with the city of san marcos' bodily waste. The Horrifying stench was like nothing i'd ever experienced and the hot, soupy texture will plague my nightmares forever. Beyond that, festival is great! lots of food n rides, i recommend the cliff hanger if youre feeling adventurous :) looking forward to next year