San Marcos isn’t just a college town — it’s a historic city with plenty of nature, good food, and things to see and do. | Photo by ATXtoday
Itching to get out of town, Austinites? Skip those pesky airport security lines and jump in your car for a day trip to the riverside town of San Marcos instead.
From floating the river to eating avocado coconut ice cream at Rhea’s — we’re spilling all the details on how to have an unforgettable time in the Mermaid Capital of Texas.
Experience
Lie back, relax, and enjoy a float with some of your best buddies over a drink.
Photo by Sean Loyless
Float the San Marcos River Grab your sunscreen and get ready for this beloved local pastime. Head to Lions Club, Don’s Fish Camp, or Texas State Tubes to rent a tube, grab your drink of choice (in a reusable container), and strap in for a few hours on the water. Fun fact: the San Marcos River stays at a cool 72º year-round.
Take a glass-bottom boat tour See some of San Marcos’ aquatic beauty in a 30 or 45-minute guided boat ride that allows you to see the river from the top down.
Cocoa & Cashmere Holiday Celebration | 5-7 p.m. | Saving Face | Cost of purchase | Shop a holiday market, enjoy complimentary food + drinks, get an astrology reading, and listen to poetry.
Zakk Sabbath | 6:30 p.m. | Emo’s | $40 | The “King of the Monstours” will have you hearing Black Sabbath classics in a reimagined way.
Friday, Dec. 13
Birding at Pease Park | 7:30-9:30 a.m. | Live Oak Meadow at Pease Park | Free with RSVP | Look to the skies with Chris Gunter and Nicole Netherton during migration season.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” | Friday, Dec. 13-Saturday, Dec. 28 | Times vary | Penfold Theatre, Round Rock | $19+ | See the timeless tale unfold in a full-scale, live production.
Saturday, Dec. 14
The 49th Annual Armadillo Christmas Bazaar | Saturday, Dec. 14-Monday, Dec. 23 | 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. | Palmer Events Center | $12+ | Take part in this annual tradition with tons of live music performances and a collection of curated art for sale.
Billy Strings | 7:30 p.m. | The Moody Center | $40+ | The popular “Dust in a Baggie” singer will take the stage of two Austin venues on his tour.
Sunday, Dec. 15
Pilates, Pups + Pickleball | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Eastside Paddle Club | $15 | Wear tacky holiday attire to take an exercise class, play pickleball, meet adoptable puppies, and sip drink specials.
General Motors will stop funding its autonomous taxi branch Cruise, which has been testing in Austin, to focus on driver-assist systems. GM representatives said Cruise required “considerable time” and resources to scale in an “increasingly competitive” market. (KVUE)
Closing
Tarrytown vegan restaurant The Beer Plant will permanently close on Sunday, Dec. 22, according to an Instagram post. Owners of the restaurant, which has been serving Austinites for eight years, said they were never able to recover from post-COVID woes.
Development
The Austin Convention Center will close down on Tuesday, April 1 and begin demolition in May. The $1.6 billion expansion project is set to double the convention center’s space and wrap up construction in late 2028. (KVUE)
Announced
Get ready to bounce. SXSW announced a new round of performers for its music festival, including Big Freedia, aka the ambassador of New Orleans Bounce. SWEET SPINE, Steve Wynn, and Freak Slug also made the list — check out the full lineup.
Opening
Cafe Java plans to open a third location — in addition to its north Austin and Round Rock spots — on FM 620 in the fall of next year. The cafe is known for its brunch menu, weekday dinner service, and specialty coffee drinks. (Community Impact)
Ranked
The Austin-Round Rock metro area is the No. 12 top housing market in the country for 2025, according to Realtor.com. The Capital City was the third-highest Texas city on the list, falling behind El Paso and McAllen.
Sports
The Texans will face off against the Miami Dolphins, who have won four of their last five games, after a bye week. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Houston Texans with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Feel Good
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Seasonal
Give the gift of a Horseshoe Bay Resort membership this holiday season and unlock access to a destination where you can create treasured memories for years to come. With festive activities and joining incentives this holiday season, there’s never been a better time to become a member.*
Try This
Housed in its original bottling plant, the Deep Eddy Vodka Tasting Room is a lively venue that offers laid-back vibes + refreshing sips. Pro tip: Don’t miss out on unique experiences. Shake things up with bartending classes or stir up creativity at paint-and-sip events — perfect for a holiday gift that’s worth toasting to.*
Shop
Looking for a gift the kiddos will actually use? Enter: Dribbleup’s Smart Basketball. It features guided coaching sessions so they can train anytime, anywhere. Psst — it’s 60% for the holidays.*
Category
Food
🍽️ Nothing odd here
Odds Bar & Bistro aims to blend upscale and casual dining in an inviting atmosphere. | Photos courtesy of Odds Bar & Bistro
John Green, host of Food Network’s “On the Rocks,” will launch Odds Bar & Bistro in Round Rock on Saturday, Jan. 11.
Green envisions the restaurant as a community hub where folks can gather to socialize and watch sports over elevated bar fare + creative drinks.
Here’s a peek at what’s on the menu:
Chicken wings prepared in a 24-hour garlic brine
Braised short ribs, which are slow-cooked for six hours in a tomato and red wine sauce
“Odds French Toast” with fresh berries and whipped cream
Looking for a libation? The bar will put an “odd” spin on classic cocktails like the French 75 and the New York Sour. Plus, expect a curated wine list and local beer.
Psst — stop by during opening weekend to claim a free appetizer with any entree purchased.
The Buy
The Buy
Not sure what to gift for the holidays? Browse ideas from this year’s top 100 gifts on Amazon:
I went to college in San Marcos (go Bobcats!) and it will always have a place in my heart. It’s a great place to visit — I’d personally recommend grabbing some kolaches at Dos Gatos. I practically lived there while I was in school.
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