Bobcat Bucket List #64: Ride on a Glass-Bottom Boat

Over the decades, the San Marcos River has been an amusement park, a swimming spot, and a protected space for endangered species. You can see all of these parts of the river’s past during a glass-bottom boat tour at the Meadows Center.

This inexpensive tour lasts about 30 minutes, and you’ll have a guide to tell you about wildlife, spring locations, and historical landmarks. After the tour, walk through the small aquarium and museum inside the Meadows Center. They even have a few endangered Texas Blind Salamanders that you can look and and check off your bucket list.

Depending on the time of year and weather, you’ll see different wildlife through the glass bottom. Go when it’s overcast if you want to see algae-covered turtles swimming close to the surface. If it’s sunny, you can look above water and see them sunbathing on logs and rocks. If the water is stirred up from scuba divers, you’ll see lots of fish including Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Catfish.

The tour guide and captain will point out the hidden springs that keep the river full and cool. They’ll also show you remnants of the Underwater Theater and areas where artifacts from swimmers were found.

Tickets are $10 for adults, and $5 for Texas State students with their student ID. Learn more about the tour here.