Best Day Trips in San Marcos
When looking at a San Marcos, Texas map, you’ll quickly realize that there are many nearby towns and cities that can help you come up with day trip ideas. While there are certainly a lot of fun things to do in San Marcos itself, sometimes it’s nice to plan a one day trip away. After all, doing so gives you the chance to immerse yourself in all of the interesting things that a new place has to offer.
What are some of the best day trips from San Marcos that you can start planning right now? We’ve got you covered with a few suggestions below.
Gonzales
Located about an hour’s drive from San Marcos, Gonzales is a small town with a lot of history that you can dive into. Visit the Texas History Museum District, where you’ll find five museums to explore. A few of the must-see historical features in this town also include a log cabin and a jail that date back to the 1800s, and the famed cannon that was used to fire the very first shot during the Texas Revolution.
Yet another reason why Gonzales is such a great day trip idea is because it’s home to the Guadalupe River and San Marcos River. Perfect spots for those days when you want to head out into nature, you can go kayaking and take in all of the beautiful sights that surround you. And, if you don’t want to be on the water, you can visit Palmetto State Park, where you can enjoy tranquil hiking trails and picnic areas.
Flatonia
Also roughly an hour’s drive from San Marcos, Flatonia is another lovely destination for your next day trip. Friendly locals will make you feel more than welcomed, and you can leisurely stroll along the streets of downtown to enjoy shopping and dining. Take photos of the architecture, buy something special at an antique shop, and stop at the Railroad Tower to relax as you watch the trains go by.
While you’re in Flatonia, you can also tour the famous Painted Churches—another wonderful opportunity for taking plenty of photos that you’ll be proud to show off to friends on social media. Plus, to relax your cares away, you can even spend a few hours playing golf at the Flatonia Golf Course. Overall, this is a quaint little town that can serve as a calming, quiet getaway.
Horseshoe Bay
Horseshoe Bay is about one and a half hours away from San Marcos, but this is yet another one of the popular day trip ideas that you can consider. It is found on the southern side of the beautiful Lake Lyndon B. Johnson, so you can certainly expect to see some incredible views.
This is the place to go when you want to plan a day trip that will be relaxing while also giving you plenty to do. In addition to enjoying the lake, there are golf courses that you can play on, as well as restaurants where you can treat yourself to some fine dining. In addition to that, you’ll also find Horseshoe Bay Resort, which is considered one of the top golf course resorts in the country. It hosts a variety of events throughout the year, and it even features tennis courts, a pool, a spa, and a marina.
Bastrop
You can drive to Bastrop from San Marcos in about an hour, so this is yet another good spot to head to if you are in search of a day trip destination that you can get to rather quickly.
Recharge in downtown Bastrop, where you’ll find shops, art galleries, restaurants offering delicious comfort food, and the Bastrop County Museum. And when you want to reconnect with the natural world, Bastrop will satisfy your needs. You can visit Bastrop State Park, home to the “Lost Pines.” There, you’ll find hiking trails that boast amazing views and wildlife, but you can also go swimming and biking, or you could take a relaxing scenic drive to take in the quiet surroundings.
So Many Activities to Pack into One Day!
After picking your destination, you can plan a day trip that you’ll never forget. The key is to find a place that isn’t too far from home, as you’ll be able to spend more time enjoying the attractions and less time on the road. So, go ahead, get out of San Marcos for the day, make some memories at a host of interesting places, and rejuvenate both body and mind.