Friday, February 12, 2016

Hidden Gems {The Meadows Center Glass-Bottom Boat Tour}


The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment is located in San Marcos, Texas, as part of Texas State University.

I had never been on a glass-bottom boat tour and thought it would be something fun and different to share with my boys. It did not disappoint!

We visited the Meadows Center in December between Christmas and New Year's. Upon arrival, we purchased a parking ticket from a machine at the edge of the lot. The machine accepted credit cards which was good since I didn't have exact change.

We then purchased our tickets for the glass-bottom boat tour. I found a discount coupon online that was only good during the winter break. Check the Meadows Center website for any specials available.

Our tickets for the boat tour also gave us access to the displays at the center. The educational exhibits located on the first floor offer kids an opportunity to learn more about the springs and stay busy while they wait for their tour.

The day we visited, it was cold and windy...not exactly what I pictured for a glass-bottom boat tour. Thankfully, the glass-bottom viewing area was enclosed in the boat, so we stayed warm for the tour.

You could tell our tour guide enjoyed his job. He shared the history of the springs from the days of a swimming pig in a university-run amusement park to its current operation as an educational facility. He deftly maneuvered the boat so we could all get a good look at the small springs bubbling up from the ground. He showed us fish and turtles and signs of where the amusement park had been.

There is so much more we learned on the tour, but you should visit to hear it for yourself.

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