Located 26 miles south of Austin [1], San Marcos (population 43,007), home of Texas State University, can rightfully claim the title of I-35’s “college town” now that the metropolis to the north has seemingly outgrown the term.
Appropriately enough, it’s well known for the laid-back recreational activity of tubing [2], where adults lounge around while floating on an inner tube down a refreshingly cold river. Despite the appeal of this pursuit, it doesn’t draw nearly as many visitors as the outlet malls [3] on the outskirts of town.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/austin-and-the-hill-country/austin
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/austin-and-the-hill-country/san-marcos/tubing
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/austin-and-the-hill-country/san-marcos/shopping