North San Antonio Edition | February 2023

GUIDE

A noncomprehensive guide to places to visit and things to see

COMPILED BY CI STAFF Central Texas and South Central Texas provide plenty to explore, be it a variety of outdoor activities, or museums and other cultural attractions. Use this guide to get the most out of the surrounding communities and as a great starting point for out-of-town visitors and guests. This list is not comprehensive. REGIONAL DESTINATIONS

Kalahari Conventions and Resorts

Canyon Lake Gorge

COURTESY GUADALUPE-BLANCO RIVER AUTHORITY

Austin Suburbs 1 B ull Creek District Park

1010 N. Austin Ave., Georgetown 512-930-2200 www.bowlero.com/location/ mels-lone-star 6 The Patio at Typhoon Texas The Pflugerville water park opened its sit-down “eater-tainment” venue in November. The Patio’s menu features barbecue, burgers and chicken tenders. 18500 SH 130 Service Road, Pflugerville 512-782-4031 www.thepatioaustin.com Canyon Lake 7 Canyon Lake Gorge During the summer flood event of 2002, more than 34 inches of rain created floodwaters swelling Canyon Lake over its spillway for the first time since the reservoir was completed in 1964 that carved out a 64-acre gorge, expos- ing cretaceous-period fossils, limestone and other curiosities. Visitors can explore dinosaur fossils and exposed areas of the Trinity Aqui- fer, and see recently exposed waterfalls and springs. Guided hikes are available seasonally along with other events. 16029 S. Access Road, Canyon Lake 830-964-5424 www.gbra.org Hays County 8 Buda Amphitheater & City Park Located in the heart of downtown, the Buda Amphitheater & City Park is home to various events all year long, such as the Wiener Dog Races, Fajita Fiesta and more. While not hosting events, the park has amenities for the whole family to enjoy for free, including the great lawn, a playground, a splashpad, basketball courts and more. The park can also be rented for private events. 204 San Antonio St., Buda 512-523-1081 www.budaamphitheater.com 9 Mary Kyle Hartson City Square Park Considered the heart of downtown, Mary Kyle Hartson City Square Park has under- gone massive renovations in the past two years to enhance the downtown experience. The park has a gazebo, a playground and various picnic areas throughout with walking paths and fresh shrubbery for all to enjoy. Americans with Disabilities Act improve- ments have also been made at the park for accessibility to all. The park is also home to the city’s monthly Kyle Market Days, which

feature local vendors. 101 S. Burleson St., Kyle 512-262-3939 www.cityofkyle.com 10 Meadows Center for Water and the Environment Learn about some of the city’s most precious resources at the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University. The center aims to protect the environment and educate others about the resources through educational materials, recreational activities and more. The center offers glass-bottom boat tours of Spring Lake, tours of the Wetlands Boardwalk and more that share information about exotic and native species, plants and other lifeforms. 201 San Marcos Springs Drive, San Marcos 512-245-9200 Located on the outskirts of San Marcos lies a stretch of outlet malls with shops and restaurants ranging from Nike and Levi’s to Saint Laurent and Prada. Stores regularly have anywhere from 20%-50% off merchandise and other deals. 3939 S. I-35, San Marcos 512-396-2200 www.premiumoutlets.com 4015 S. I-35, San Marcos 512-396-7446 www.meadowscenter.txst.edu 11 San Marcos Premium & Tanger Outlets At just 72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, the San Marcos River is the city’s gem that starts at the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment and runs south into the Blanco and Guadalupe rivers with various entry points throughout the city. The 75-mile-long river is perfect for swimming, tubing, kayak- ing and other water activities. Sewell Park, 601 University Drive, San Marcos City Park, 170 Charles Austin Drive, San Marcos Rio Vista, 555 Cheatham St., San Marcos www.sanmarcostx.gov 13 Wonder World Cave & Adventure Park Tucked away in San Marcos lies a fami- ly-owned and operated park, founded in 1893, chock full of a variety of attractions. Learn about the geological eras of the Earth in the Wonder Cave or hop onto the train that travels through the animal park to see www.tangeroutlet.com 12 San Marcos River

exotic species. There is also an observation tower, 120 feet high, that overlooks the Hill Country. 1000 Prospect St., San Marcos 512-392-6711 www.wonderworldpark.com New Braunfels 14 Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo The Animal World & Snake Farm is a zoolog- ical park that is home to over 500 different species of animals. Accredited by the Zoo- logical Association of America, the zoo has a special focus on superior animal husbandry, conservation, education and research. The zoo has an interactive show schedule, an outreach and education program, birthday party and field trip venues, and other activi- ties for visitors. 5640 S. I-35, New Braunfels 830-608-9270 The Comal River is spring fed from the Edwards Aquifer making the water temperature a steady 70-72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round and is one of the shortest navigable waterways in the United States. Along with its reputation for a short, calm float, the New Braunfels city tube chute—a rapid manmade water slide just below Prince Solms Park in New Braunfels—provides some rapid excitement right in the middle of the float. 100 Liebscher Drive, New Braunfels 830-221-4350 www.nbtexas.org 16 Gruene Historic District The Gruene Historic District, a small town originally settled by German farmers in the 1840s, has developed into a live music, shopping and river recreation area popular to visitors and residents alike. Home to the Gruene Hall, Texas’ oldest dance hall, the small town was placed on the National Reg- ister of Historic Places in 1975 as an entire district. Many historic buildings in Gruene have been preserved and turned into shops, restaurants and bars. 1601 Hunter Road, New Braunfels 830-629-5077 www.awsfzoo.com 15 Comal River

The 48-acre park offers swimming, fishing and hiking. The park’s conceptual plan lays out proposed improvements, including new bathrooms under renovation and updating for Americans with Disabilities Act access. Construction will be done this summer. 6701 Lakewood Drive, Austin 512-974-6756 www.austinparks.org 2 Kalahari Conventions and Resorts The Round Rock location opened in Novem- ber 2020, and offers an indoor and outdoor water park, restaurants and spas. Kalahari will expand its outdoor resort pool to include an action river, a children’s slide pool and a bar pool with completion expected in mid-2023. 3001 Kalahari Blvd., Round Rock 877-525-2427 www.kalahariresorts.com 3 Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Located on 284 acres, The University of Texas Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center provides education, outreach, research and more to conserve native plants and create sustainable landscapes. The center offers tours of the expansive space where visitors can learn about native plants, the Edwards Aquifer and more. The center was also named the Botanic Garden and Arboretum of Texas in 2017. 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin 512-232-0100 Phase 1 of the new city park in Cedar Park, located off Bell Boulevard and Little Elm Trail, will be completed in early 2023. The design of Phase 2 will begin in 2023. Once fully built, Lakeline Park will be the city’s largest at 200 acres. Amenities include picnic facilities, a playground, a kayak launch, hiking trails, sports fields, a fishing pier and a multipur- pose pavilion. www.cedarparktexas.gov/442/ lakeline-park 5 Mel’s Lone Star Lanes The bowling alley first opened in 2008 under ownership of siblings David Kellerman and Dot Ammons. The facility has 40 lanes of bowling, arcade games, billiards, cornhole, and a bar and grill. In 2022, Bowlero Corp. took over management. www.wildflower.org 4 Lakeline Park

www.gruenetexas.com 17 Guadalupe River

The Guadalupe River begins at its headwaters near Kerrville in the Texas Hill Country and wanders 230 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. After the river exits the Canyon Reservoir Dam it provides plenty of slow and rapid areas

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