August is here, it’s hot, the kids don’t go back to school for a few more weeks and you need a vacation. But what if you’re short on time or funds? Take a staycation instead!
Action/adventure: Get your heart pumping with these thrill-seeking adventures:
Wimberley Zipline Adventures
Fly over creeks and canyons on 10 zip line crossings high above the Wimberley Valley. The fun includes an educational walking tour about the local ecosystem, history and more. The zipline will last approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Each line ranges from 150 feet to about 900 feet.Reservations are required and there are some weight minimums and maximums.
Sky Dive San Marcos
Check out Skydive San Marcos for a real free fall. The 80-acre facility is located 13 miles south of San Marcos on Hwy 80. They host special occasions, birthdays or just-want-to-have-fun time. Options range from tandem jumps for beginners to solo jumps for those who are more experienced.
Buda Skate Park
The Jackson Norris Tyler Memorial Skate Park is about an acre-size park located at 408 S. Loop 4 designed for skateboarders to have an extreme yet safe skateboarding experience.
Go-kart racing at Central Texas Speedway
Located in Kyle, CTS offers high-powered Go-Kart racing in a safe environment. There is a mandatory safety session prior to racing.
Tubing the San Marcos River
The San Marcos Lions Club runs a tube rental facility in San Marcos. The float lasts about an hour and ends at Rio Vista Park. Open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. with the last shuttle running at 6:30 p.m.
Nature:
Meadows Center Glass Bottom Boat Tour
Glide across Spring Lake and enjoy a view of the San Marcos River in a glass-bottom boat. These rides have captivated guests since 1945. Visitors can see some of the 1,000 springs that form the headwaters of the river as well as fish, turtles and other inhabitants. Walk the grounds of the Meadows Center for Water and the Environmental at Texas State University.
Wonder World Park
Have you ever seen an earthquake from the inside? Head to Wonder World Park in San Marcos for a guided tour of the nation’s only true example of an earthquake formed cave. The tour takes visitors deep inside the Balcones Faultline Cave. Led by trained guides, the tour reveals stories of past geological eras of the Earth’s history. Located at 1000 Prospect Street in San Marcos.
Camping/Parks:
Pedernales Falls State Park
This park is 13 miles from Dripping Springs and just slightly outside Hays County. There is an entrance fee for those who do not have an annual state park pass. Located at 2585 Park Road 6026 in Johnson City.
Purgatory Creek Natural Area
Purgatory in San Marcos offers a chance to reconnect with nature on a scenic trail through protected parkland. This 463-acre park has two entrances – at the south-east corner of the intersection of Wonder World Dr. and Hunter Rd and at the end of Craddock St. past RR12. Purgatory provides hike/bike trails, bike rack, benches, information kiosk, a pet mitt dispenser, and trash cans.
Other San Marcos Natural Areas include:
Blanco Shoals Natural Area, located at 1201 E. River Ridge Pkwy, is roughly 81 acres.
Ring Tail Ridge Natural Area, located at 1814 Old Ranch Road 12, is a natural area on 40-plus acres.
Schulle Canyon Natural Area, located at 1420 Alamo St. Schulle Canyon, is 21 acres.
Spring Lake Natural Area, located at 109 Panorama Dr., is 251 acres.
San Marcos Wildlife Habitat, located at 700 Cheatham St., is a 10-acre park.
Swimming Ideas:
Blue Hole
Blue Hole Regional Park in Wimberley is open year round but the clear blue swimming hole is open Memorial Day through Labor Day from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. Located off Old Kyle Road near junction of FM 3237.
Jacob’s Well Natural Area
This area consists of 81.5 acres surrounding the Jacob’s Well artesian spring. This ecological resource is the most significant and largest continually flowing karstic spring in the Texas Hill Country.
Kyle Pool
Open daily through Labor Day. This local pool offers two slides and a kiddie area. Located within Gregg-Clarke Park on Center Street in Kyle.
Farmer’s Markets:
Buda
Saturdays: from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the lot south of City Hall on Main street. Tuesdays: 4 to 7 p.m. on the corner of Sequoyah and Main street
Dripping Springs
Wednesdays: 3-7 p.m. at 140 Mercer Street
Kyle
Held seasonally at 409 W. Center Street.
San Marcos
Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on San Antonio street by the courthouse
Tuesdays: 3 to 7 p.m. at 312 E. Hopkins street
Wimberley
First Saturday of the month from March to December: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lions field, 601 FM 2325
Wednesdays: 3 to 6 p.m. on the corner of RR12 and River Road
Indoor fun:
Texas Cinema Starplex 12
Enjoy 12 screens of the latest feature attractions.
1250 Wonder World Dr.
EVO
Multiple movie theatres, bowling and an arcade are the featured attractions at this Kyle entertainment venue. Located on the feeder road of IH-35 south.
Pinballz Kingdom
Looking for air-conditioned fun this summer? Try Pinballz Kingdom – an arcade, restaurant, bar and concert venue all in one.
Corral Theater
The Corral Theater in Wimberley, while technically outside, is a great place to spend the night after the sun goes down. The theater is an open-aired facility with first run films.
