Day Trip from Dallas: San Marcos

Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn San Marcos Very conveniently located, just a 10-minute drive to both the paddling site and Downtown San Marcos. 1️⃣ Paddle SMTX (~75 minutes; $55/person before tax) You can book your tour on their website by searching for the name above. The earliest departure is at 8:15 AM, and the latest is at 10:15 AM. There will be 2-3 guides accompanying you throughout the trip to ensure everyone stays with the group. Along the way, you’ll see fish 🐠, birds 🦜, turtles 🐢, pass under bridges, and even spot trains 🚞. ⚠️ Your pants will definitely get wet, so remember to bring an extra pair. 2️⃣ Alpine Coaster (~8-10 minutes; $16-22/person before tax) This location is about a 30-minute drive from San Marcos. It’s a large amusement park with not only the alpine coaster but also a water park and more. This ride is suitable for children over 3 years old. Each car can hold up to two people, and the more people you have, the cheaper it gets. The speed of the car can be controlled by a joystick. ⚠️ The entire ride is recorded. Photos and videos cost an additional $13. 3️⃣ Blue Hole (~2 hours; $6-12/person before tax) This is the activity I’ve received the most inquiries about. Book your tickets on the Wimberly Parks and Recreation website. Note that there are two Blue Holes in Texas, so make sure you don’t get them confused. The site is relatively small, but if it’s busy, you might be able to stay longer. I purchased a Half Day Pass. There are no shower facilities 🫧 here, but there are lockers 🔐 available for $20/person. The diving spots are quite deep, so be mindful of safety. #DayTripFromDallas