'Tis the Season to Shop

Find one-of-a-kind treasures by shopping San Marcos' specialty boutiques

You might already associate San Marcos with its outstanding outlet shopping, but there's more to this Central Texas spot than big-name brands at steep discounts.

Dig a little deeper, and you'll discover one-of-a-kind treasures, amazing artisan finds, and superb gifts. Here's your guide to shopping off the beaten path in San Marcos:

Specialty shopping
Soap and body products are always a hit, so hit up Douglas Smith Artisan Soap Co. for plant-based, handcrafted soap and shave products with heavenly scents. There's even a collection dedicated to those with sensitive skin.

Truly Pure Refillery lets you bring your own containers (or you can purchase some there) to take home non-toxic, all-natural, organic, vegan, and cruelty-free products.

In that same vein, San Marcos is home to several apothecaries that carry herbs, teas, crystals, essential oils, meditation essentials, and more. Atypical Apothecary, Herbs & Oddities, Everyday Zen Gifts & Tea, and Solidago-Wade Vetiver's Apothecary & Esoterica will surely have what you're seeking.

Bring nature into your home with a visit to Daughter of the Wild, a cool little shop which stocks house plants, succulents, handmade stone jewelry, and adorable home goods.

Music-lovers should seek out Sundance Record Lagoon for new and used vinyl records, posters, incense, and other music memorabilia.

Games and toys
Wow the kids — and kids-at-heart — in your life with a trip to Got Toys. Just as its name suggests, you'll find novelty toys, retro games, arts and crafts kits, puzzles, and countless other fun discoveries here.

Ecclectic knick knacks and one-of-a-kind items can be found throughout the city's boutique shops.

Photo courtesy of Visit San Marcos

Eclectic knick knacks and one-of-a-kind items can be found throughout the city's boutique shops.

Gamers will be right at home at Alpha Strike Games, which not only carries vintage video games but also popular card games, board games, and so much more.

Art for all
Locate local artists at the San Marcos Art Center, which is packed with works created by the city's own budding Picassos.

Head one block over to explore the Price Center, which combines art with antiques in its in-store Shop 1893.

Enjoy the gorgeous fall weather while browsing al fresco art markets like Art Squared, which happens on the second Saturday of the month (plus a bonus on November 25 for Small Business Saturday), Martian Culture at Zelicks on the second Sunday of the month, and the Full Moon Makers Market at Stonebound Treasures on the fourth Sunday of each month.

Stumped about what to get the host with the most or the person who already has it all? Make their holiday season with a colorful glass creation. Wimberley Glassworks lets you see the artists at work during glass-blowing demonstrations, and then you can purchase completed pieces from the gallery.

Silo Glass, just down Ranch Road 121, is the largest purpose-built, warm glass studio in Central Texas. Take your pick from works made by more than two dozen Texas artists specializing in 3-D art forms.

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See all there is to do in San Marcos by visiting here.

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Bus News

Greyhound bus finds new location to replace downtown Dallas terminal

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There's a new location for the Greyhound bus terminal, which had been in downtown Dallas for nearly 70 years: Flix North America, the parent company of FlixBus and Greyhound, will be relocating service to a new intercity bus terminal in northwest Dallas in late September 2025.

According to a release, the facility will be located in the 9700 block of Harry Hines Boulevard, directly across from Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Bachman Station, and will serve as the company’s primary hub for travel in and out of the Dallas–Fort Worth region.

The existing Greyhound terminal in downtown Dallas will remain operational until the new terminal opens, to ensure uninterrupted service for passengers throughout the process.

The relocation was made possible through collaboration with the City of Dallas and underscores Flix’s long-term commitment to integrate intercity bus service into a broader national transportation network that connects travelers with public transit and other modes to make long-distance travel more accessible, seamless, and affordable across Texas and beyond.

“Intercity buses are one of the most affordable and dependable ways to travel long distance, and we want to make them as easy to access as possible,” said Kai Boysan, CEO of Flix North America. “This new terminal offers better connectivity for DFW-area travelers and reflects our commitment to multimodal solutions—linking our services with public transit and other transportation modes to create a more seamless and convenient travel experience. It’s an important step in our mission to make long-distance travel more affordable, equitable, and efficient across Texas and the nation.”

Greyhound bus station in downtown Dallas. Getty Images

Flix SE acquired Greyhound in 2021, from FirstGroup, who kept the real estate, including the Dallas terminal, then sold it off — a process that left public transportation in peril in some areas.

The Bachman Station is home to DART Rail stops for both the Green Line and the Orange Line DART. By locating across from a major multimodal hub with DART rail and bus service, the new facility will enable connections to DFW Airport, Dallas Love Field, downtown Dallas, Fair Park, and Deep Ellum. The terminal also allows for connections for FlixBus and Greyhound riders to suburbs such as Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Las Colinas, Richardson, and Plano.

The same block along Harry Hines already has the Dallas Police Department Northwest Patrol headquarters as well as a city of Dallas Water Utilities building and a Greyhound Bus maintenance facility.

Dallas City Council member Omar Narvaez said that "the new Greyhound/FlixBus terminal in Northwest Dallas represents a win for multimodal connectivity and smart urban planning. Its location—steps from the DART Bachman Station and with immediate access to I-35 and Northwest Highway—creates a powerful synergy that will benefit travelers throughout the region. I want to thank our city’s engineering and permitting teams for their dedication and collaboration in helping this project move forward efficiently."

The relocation of Greyhound’s legacy terminal to the new facility is the latest milestone in the brand’s transformation under Flix ownership. Since acquiring Greyhound in 2021, Flix has introduced a modernized fleet, a data-driven technology platform, and a regionally empowered operating model—driving measurable improvements in reliability, efficiency, and customer experience.

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