Historic Downtown San Marcos is an exciting destination in the heart of Central Texas midway between Austin and San Antonio which also functions as an easy gateway to the Texas Hill Country. Founded in 1851 along the spring-fed San Marcos River, welcoming thousands of visitors each year.

Today, downtown San Marcos is home to the fifth-largest campus in the state, Texas State University, which has an enrollment of over 39,000 students and employs over 3,000 faculty and staff. Downtown San Marcos is a walkable, thriving entertainment and culinary hub with various restaurants, live music venues, breweries, art galleries and retail establishments. As the county seat, the historic Hays County Courthouse compliments the historic town square’s architecture recognized on the National Register. In addition to government offices, the downtown district is the area’s business, government and residential center.

Downtown San Marcos has seen a surge of private reinvestment totaling over $50 million since 2012. In addition, the City has completed several public projects including an $11 million reconstruction of two downtown roadways in 2015 that resulted in a more pedestrian friendly environment. This ideal atmosphere serves a perfect backdrop for community events, including monthly art markets, a weekly farmers market, and much more. With historic and cultural preservation at the forefront of its growth strategy, Main Street welcomes visitors and investors to dine, shop, play and live in downtown San Marcos.