Secret Cultural Gems to Discover in San Marcos, TX

San Marcos may be known for its picturesque river and charming downtown area, but the citys cultural scene is just as vibrant. From quirky art museums and funky theaters to bohemian concert venues, there are countless hidden gems that reveal the artistic soul of this eclectic community.

One such gem is The Wittliff Collections (Alkek Library at Texas State University). Tucked away on the seventh floor of the university library, this museum houses an impressive collection of Southwestern literature, photography, and music memorabilia. Youll find original manuscripts by Cormac McCarthy and Sam Shepard alongside Willie Nelsons guitar strap.

Another lesserknown spot for culture vultures is Tantra Coffeehouse (217 W Hopkins St). This laidback cafe hosts a variety of events throughout the week including live music performances by local artists. With a cozy atmosphere and free WiFi available all day long, its easy to see why so many creative types call Tantra their home away from home.

For those who enjoy theater productions with a twist, check out The Price Center & Garden (222 W San Antonio St). This historic building has been transformed into a hub for local arts and culture complete with galleries showcasing the work of regional artists as well as regular theatrical performances ranging from avantgarde experimental pieces to classic plays.

And no discussion about San Marcos cultural scene would be complete without mentioning Cheatham Street Warehouse (119 Cheatham St), one of Texas most revered music venues. This unassuming establishment located near downtown is where country legends like George Strait got their start back in the 1970s. Today it still attracts topnotch talent from around the state catch a show here if you want to experience true Texasstyle honkytonk.

Whether youre interested in visual art or performance art or both these four secret spots will give you an authentic taste of San Marcos rich cultural life. So go ahead, explore the citys vibrant streets and discover all of its hidden treasures.

Websites:

The Wittliff Collections: https://www.thewittliffcollections.txstate.edu/

Tantra Coffeehouse: http://tantracoffeehouse.com/

The Price Center & Garden: https://pricecenter.org/

Cheatham Street Warehouse: http://cheathamstreet.com/

Twitter handles:

The Wittliff Collections (@WittliffCollections)

Tantra Coffeehouse (@TantraCoffeeTX)

The Price Center & Garden (@PriceCenterSM)

Cheatham Street Warehouse (@CheathamSt)