Aquarena Center, San Marcos, Texas, United States of America

Aquarena Center, which used to go by the name Aquarena Springs is an educational water park located in San Marcos, Texas. Set along U.S. Highway 81, the center welcomes 250,000 visitors annually. It was built around Spring Lake on an archaeological site that is said to be about 12,000 years old. It consists of a cluster of 200 springs that flow from the Edwards Plateau and goes through the Edwards Aquifer. There are over fifty varieties of fish and 125 species of plants, including the endangered San Marcos dwarf salamander that make up the ecosystem in the complex.

Visitors to the center, as well as to nearby cities like New Braunfels and Seguin usually book a stay at any of the hotels close by such as Days Inn by Wyndham San Marcos, a casual hotel situated along a busy area and the budget-friendly Motel 6 San Marcos which offers 2-star accommodations. Another good choice is the no-frills Best Western San Marcos set off Interstate 35. From Aquarena, many visitors also head to Cranes Mill Marina situated adjacent to Canyon Lake Marina to experience water pastime like riding ski-boats, pontoons, and wakeboards. Another popular activity in the area is shopping at the popular San Marcos Premium Outlets with its 145 luxury and brand-name outlet stores. The Texas Agriculture Education and Heritage Center, more commonly known as The Big Red Barn, is a working farm that’s worth a visit to learn more about the area’s agriculture heritage.