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Return to Your San Marcos Stomping Grounds
Your first impulse when returning home is always to find out what’s still there. Time changes everything eventually, but did it turn your favorite pizza place into a boba shop? If your favorite pizza place is Pie Society, the answer is a New York-style “no!” This San Marcos staple located right next to Texas State is still going strong, making its pizzas with homemade dough and sauce.
One of the most popular spots for students has always been the San Marcos River, and we’re proud to announce that the river has also not been turned into a boba shop. It’s still prime for tubing, swimming, and kayaking, especially during the early fall when the weather is still warm, but less likely to liquefy you.
If you’re coming back to San Marcos for homecoming, the centerpiece of your visit is probably going to be the Homecoming Football Game at Bobcat Stadium. All week long, the college will be hosting a series of events for alumni and students such as Boko’s Glow Run, TXST Trivia, Boko’s Homecoming Bash, the Spirit Parade, and more! When you were a kid, the sudden appearance of “back to school” sales might’ve struck fear into your heart, but now going back to school means an entire week of fun events! That’s a touchdown and extra point for getting old!
Where to Get the Best Bobcat Gear
Bobcats are notoriously loyal to their territory, and the same could be said for their collegiate counterparts. Unless you’re willing to growl at people—which we advise against—the best way to show your Texas State pride and get ready for the game is to pick up some Bobcat gear! But where?
First, you should go straight to the source. In this case, that’s the University Bookstore, also known as The Bobcat Store. Located in the LBJ Student Center, this is the most official store for Bobcat gear. You’ll find everything from trucker caps to Adidas-branded gear to onesies for the little Bobcats. They even have an online store if you want to roll into town already decked out.
If you’re afraid to walk into campus because that one classroom might trigger paralyzing flashbacks to all those tests you didn’t study for, then we suggest paying a visit to Barefoot Campus Outfitter. Located just outside of campus, this store provides an ever-rotating selection of Bobcat merchandise. Aside from clothes, they also have miscellaneous souvenirs like coffee mugs and car accessories. If the person driving behind you doesn’t know you went to Texas State, what are you even doing?
More TXST merch can be found at:
Nightlife Spots for Alumni
After a full day of eating nostalgic pizza and picking up Bobcat merch, you’re going to want to wind down and catch up with old friends. What better way to do this than at the legendary Taproom. Open since 1994, this San Marcos staple has served as a second home to many generations of Bobcats. To this day, it continues to renourish the spirit with craft beer, a slew of TVs for watching sports, and live music at their sister bar, The Porch.
Speaking of craft beer, there’s no better place to exchange stories of the good ol’ days than Middleton Brewing. Not only does this brewery serve top-notch craft beer, but it welcomes your four-legged friends. Yes, we’re talking about Bobcats—the upper-case variety only—but we’re also talking about dogs! Middleton also has rooftop seating, because everything is better under the stars. Except getting a tan, and photosynthesis, and trying to tell time if you’re a caveman. Whatever, you know what we mean! Bringing the family? Roughhouse Brewing has plenty of space (and a playground) for the kids to roam and the adults will love the atmosphere.
Before you catch the game, you might want to catch a show. When it comes to live music, there are few places with more street cred than Cheatham Street Warehouse. It’s the kind of place where if the walls could talk, they’d be singing instead. Opened in 1974, this honky tonk was pivotal in the rise of the Outlaw Country movement, showcasing such legendary artists as Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, and Willie Nelson. But this ain’t no museum. Not a week goes by when the stage isn’t shaking with upcoming talent. Stroll in on a Friday night and you just might see the next Stevie Ray Vaughn. Stroll in on a Sunday night and you just might see a cop, because the place is closed and you shouldn’t be there!
New Places to Check Out
Humans are naturally wary of change, but change can be a good thing. When it comes to the latest additions to San Marcos, it turns out that change can be a great thing. It may even be the greatest thing ever.
If you’re cruising down South Guadalupe, reminiscing on old times, you might notice a little place called Industry that wasn’t there before. Just seven years after opening, the restaurant has already made a big name for itself, due in no small part to its appearance on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Aside from joining the ranks of Lucille Ball, James Gandolfini, and Eric Cartman as TV stars, Industry’s New-American take on diner food isn’t something you want to pass up if you’re in San Marcos. Think chicken sandos, brisket pastrami sandwiches, and fried catfish with chimichurri.
Just across the street from Industry is another new face, Fen & Hallow. This is no restaurant, but a holistic wellness store with artisan teas, matcha, coffee, candles, and soaps. But that’s just for the body! For the mind, the store sells books, jewelry, and wholly unique homeware goods you’re going to have a hard time finding anywhere else. What do jewelry and homeware have to do with the mind, you ask? Peace of mind at having really cool stuff, that’s what.
Back in the day, maybe you were wishing San Marcos had a sophisticated cocktail lounge where you could meet interesting people, sip interesting drinks, and listen to interesting music. That’s exactly what you get with Eden, one of San Marcos’ newest nightclubs. It has a laid back, neon-forest vibe, complete with ultramodern bathrooms with walls covered in foliage. There’s nowhere else like it in San Marcos, and Eden wouldn’t have it any other way.
San Marcos is Where the Heart Is
Whether you’re Odysseus, the Prodigal Son, or Dorothy clicking her ruby slippers, coming home is always a big deal. It’s the closest thing we have to time travel, as we get to walk the old streets, visit the old haunts, and see the old faces—and all without the anxiety of stepping on a butterfly.
The downside of coming home is that you’re going to have to leave again, so you need to make sure your Bobcat homecoming is well spent. But researching and planning your own itinerary sounds a lot like homework—and that’s one Texas State memory you’d rather forget. Instead, with our handy guide above, you can cheat off our itinerary! And we won’t even ask to be invited to your party in return.
Need a place to crash this homecoming? Our couch is all booked up, but San Marcos has plenty of cozy hotels to give you that warm “welcome home” feeling.
