If you thought Austin was the most hippie town in Texas, you’re in for a surprise. It’s actually San Marcos! From its progressive history to its art scene and eclectic coffee shops, this city is much more than just a college town, and it would be a perfect part of a Texas road trip. Here’s why:

When we think about San Marcos, two things immediately come to mind: summer days spent tubing on the river with good friends, music blasting, and a couple of cold beers...
Flickr/Red
...and Texas State University, home of the mighty Bobcats. However, you'd be surprised to hear the city's history. It was a major hub for hippies back in the '60s and '70s, serving as a big influence in the marijuana legalization movement. Many of the free spirits who moved there decades ago still remain.
Flickr/ensignbeedrill
The hippie vibe is evident in various aspects of San Marcos life, including the thriving art scene.
Facebook/ArtSquaredSMTX
Every second Saturday of the month from March-December, the Art League holds an event on the historic courthouse lawn called Art Squared. It's an open-air market where vendors sell all sorts of items from paintings to jewelry and everything in between. There's also live music, free yoga and kids' crafts, and a farmers market.

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No hippie town would be complete without a zen, eclectic coffee shop, which is exactly what Tantra is.
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In addition to serving some of the highest quality joe around, it's also a full-scale restaurant with delicious food like tacos and Banh Mi. Vegan and vegetarian options are available, of course (because that's kind of a requirement for any hippie establishment).
Tantra isn't just a place for eating and drinking, either - they also have an outdoor music venue and art gallery!
Facebook/tantrasanmarcos
Dance the night away to everything from bluegrass to rock-n-roll, and browse some amazing pieces of work made by the city's finest artists. Pretty groovy, right? Tantra is located at 217 Hopkins Street, San Marcos, TX 78666.
A little bit of randomness is essential to creating a hippie atmosphere, and it doesn't get much weirder than dinosaurs in a candy shop.
The Candy Wraptor/Foursquare
The Candy Wraptor Dinosaur Cafe and Candy Store had prehistoric beasts scattered all over the restaurant. There was even a hidden dinosaur for you to hunt for. Plus, if you took your picture with Val the Velociraptor, you'd get a free treat! The café had a full menu with sandwiches, pizza, burgers, and salads, as well as a separate vegan menu and a plethora of sweets. Of course, the food items were named appropriately - would you care for a "Three Horn" pizza? Or perhaps a "Mega Raptor" burger? (Editor’s Note: Unfortunately, The Candy Wraptor has permanently closed)

Have you been to any of these places in San Marcos? What are some other hippie towns in Texas? Let us know in the comments. Don’t forget to visit Hippie Hollow, the most unique beach in Texas!

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The Coolest Towns In Texas

William Suphan | January 02, 2023

What are the most scenic towns in Texas?

The most scenic towns in Texas include:

  • Fort Davis. This little town is near Davis Mountains State Park which contains frontier forts and a historic museum.
  • Vanderpool. This lovely town is home to the Lost Maples State Natural Area which is a picturesque nature preserve.
  • Marble Falls. This is a beautiful hilly region of Texas where you’ll find the Balcones National Wildlife Refuge.
  • Dripping Springs. With fields of flowers and an utterly gorgeous swimming hole, this place is beyond beautiful.

Find out more about the most scenic towns in Texas. 

What are some amazing hidden-gem towns in Texas?

Some amazing hidden-gem towns in Texas include:

  • Chillicothe. With just over 700 people, this little town was built in the 1880s during the construction of the Fort Worth and Denver Railways.
  • Round Top. This tiny town of only 90 residents is the personification of a charming small town.
  • Roaring Springs. This little town has less than 250 people and was the main Comanche outpost and has some of the purest water in the state.
  • Paint Rock. This picturesque town has amazing Native American pictographs on the cliffs next to the Concho River.

Discover more about these and other amazing hidden-gem towns in Texas. 

What are the most charming small towns in Texas?

The most charming small towns in Texas include:

  • Marfa. This tiny town has a huge arts culture and is the sight of strange lights known as the Marfa Lights.
  • Poteet. This was where George Strait was born and is known for its annual Poteet Strawberry Festival.
  • Schulenburg. This town is full of German heritage and culture and has the Texas Polka Music Museum and several painted churches.
  • Jefferson. This town is full of antique and specialty shops as well as over 70 historic landmarks.

Learn more about the most charming small towns in Texas. 

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