Picture this, you're rested, relaxed, ready for an adventure, and Downtown San Marcos is calling your name! You could be hoping for a laid-back weekend spent strolling the Square like a local. Or you're a foodie dying to try some San Marcos staples. Maybe you'd like to spend your energy moving and grooving to the sounds of San Marcos when the sun goes down! Or are you looking for a lively escape that involves, well, a little bit of everything? We've got you covered. 

Check Out the Markets

Downtown San Marcos is a hub of vibrant shopping markets, offering something unique every month. Start your Saturdays with the San Marcos Farmer's Market, where local farmers and artisans provide fresh produce and homemade goods. On second Saturdays, enjoy the Art Squared Arts Market, showcasing art, fine crafts, live music, and hands-on activities, or explore the 1893 Flea Market at the Price Center, packed with vintage treasures and handcrafted finds. For a creative twist, visit Zelicks on second Sundays for Martian Culture, a celebration of San Marcos featuring live art, DJs, performances, and original creations. On third Saturdays, don’t miss the Vanilla Bean Market, a vintage lover's paradise with more than 50 vendors to peruse. From fresh produce to local art and vintage treasures, Downtown San Marcos markets are a shopper’s dream!

Downtown Shopping

Shopping Downtown San Marcos is always an adventure. Shop stylish boutiques with the latest trends and always-in-style classics. Explore the quirky vintage shops where you can discover some real treasures from the past like vintage graphic tees or old-school cowboy boots. Peruse eclectic galleries where you may find beautiful hand-crafted earrings made out of tins by a local artist or a four-foot cactus statue… Really, it’s anyone’s guess. No matter what kind of shopping strikes your fancy, you're sure to find and take home something you can’t find anywhere else.

Live Music & Nightlife

While "The Square" is literal, the vibes are anything but! Downtown San Marcos really comes alive when the sun starts to go down and the neon lights turn on. There’s always something going on in San Marcos and you can bet you’ll find live music every night of the week. Legendary career-launching stages. Small hole-in-the-wall bars. Big two-story concert theater. Quaint coffee shops with local vibes. You never know what cool scene you'll find while exploring. 

Experience SMTX Art

Downtown San Marcos is certainly a colorful destination and we aren’t just talking about our vibrant natural colors either… San Marcos has a blossoming art scene, and you can find an ever-growing collection of murals, sculptures, galleries, and more popping up in even the most unusual places around town. Mini murals, massive murals, mermaids, and more – finding the art of SMTX is always a fun time. Next time you stroll around the Square we suggest taking a shortcut to look in alleyways and behind buildings to find your new favorite piece. Oh, and you're going to want to make a stop by the San Marcos Art Center to see what cool and quirky pieces our talented local artists are creating! Pro tip: plan your San Marcos weekend for the second Saturday of the month to check out the Art Squared Art Market on the Hays County Courthouse lawn! It's the perfect time to soak up the San Marcos vibe. 

Downtown Flavors

One thing's for certain, you'll never go hungry in Downtown San Marcos! Boozy brunches, relaxed cafes, refreshing lunches, scrumptious snacks, lively libations, and imaginative burgers are all just a short walk away from one another giving you plenty of options to tuck into a good meal. There are also plenty of cool coffee shops Downtown for a morning beverage, afternoon pick-me-up, or just a good spot to kick back for a while.