I'm new to San Marcos, just moved here with my husband and 11 month old son... we are looking for social outlets for our son, playgroups, play-dates, etc... and for ourselves... moms' club, parents night out and so on!
Hello Misty. I have lived in San Marcos pretty much all my life. I love taking my toddlers to the Playscape. It's a nice playground located behind the baseball field on CM Allen and IH 35. The activity center also has classes you can take. That is located on Hopkins behind the HEB. There is a scrapbook depot where I love to go as well located on the corner of Wonder World Drive and IH 35 by the Starplex. If you are looking for a church, my husband and I started a small bible based church. We have a website at raysofgrace.org right now we are doing bible studies from our home. Also New Braunfels is only 15 mi from San Marcos and they have a beautiful park called Landa Park. I take my kids to feed the ducks but you also get a work out walking all over the place. Plus the kids also enjoy the train ride. New Braunfels has a nice bowling alley too. On the weekends they have what they call Lunar Bowling. It starts from 11pm to about 2am. It's a great alternative. San Marcos has a bowling alley as well but I wasn't impressed by it. I'm told San Marcos has a skating rink. I have yet to locate it. I hope this helps.
Correction: I'm glad I was able to help. San Marcos is a beautiful town, a little over crowded but that is expected with all the college students. I realized I gave you some incorrect information and I wanted to correct myself, just in case. The bowling alley in New Braunfels called Fiesta Lanes has Lunar Bowling Fridays and Saturdays only starting at 7:30 pm not 11:00. It's been a long time since I've gone and a lot has changed. I went Saturday and we all had so much fun that we are considering going back once a month for family night. There is no smoking allowed in the building so children are safe from smoke. There were little kids all over so you don't feel out of place. It is only $12 for 2 hours of bowling including shoes on the family plan or you can pay for each game seperate. We had 4 people and got 3 games in. It's a good work out too (my legs and arms are still hurting). There was a bit of a waiting list so I recommend getting there early. The burgers were delicious. They also have a few pool tables and arcade games. All in all a great place for families.
Another place I would recomend in New Braunfels is the McKenna Children's Museum . I haven't gone yet but I have a few friends who have. They say it is great for kids. I've looked them up online at www.mckennakids.org. You can even plan kid's birthday parties there.
San Marcos is perfectly located between Austin and San Antonio (2 major cities). San Antonio has a good reputation for it's zoo. They also have Sea World, Six Flags/Fiesta Texas, the famous River Walk. The River Walk is more about the atmosphere, very pretty setting but the mall isn't that great (in my opinion). What San Marcos doesn't have, Austin and San Antonio will. During Christmas time Austin has the Trail of Lights at Zilker Park. You can also look it up online too. We go every year as a tradition. San Marcos has Sights and Sounds which is similar to Trail of Lights but much much smaller. Town Lake in Austin is a beautiful place to go bike riding!!! I have wonderful memories of my dad teaching me to ride my bike there. So many things to do. I get excited just thinking about it. I will have to udate as more ideas come to mind.