The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment
The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment
The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment
4.5
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
Run by Texas State University, The Meadows Center (formerly Aquarena) introduces visitors to the lush diversity of the San Marcos Springs and intricate system of waterways. We are open daily to the public and offer glass-bottom boat tours (by reservation), paddling and snorkel tours (by reservation), a Wetlands Boardwalk and a Discovery Hall with interactive exhibits and aquaria.
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The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
329 reviews
Excellent
204
Very good
91
Average
25
Poor
5
Terrible
4
LaTiffany S
Longview, TX75 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
I came to San Marcos to visit my daughter, who is a student at Texas State, and she suggested that my son and I take the glass boat tour. The tour was 30 minutes on this beautiful, clear lake, where we learned a lot about the history of it and San Marcos, and saw turtles, fish, gars, springs and etc., It was a really nice adventure that didn't cost a lot.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
houstonnative47
Missouri City, TX1,039 contributions
Feb 2020
While passing through the area, we just had to stop by the old Aquarena Springs that we had visited in the 1970's. We rode a glass bottom boat around the spring fed lake of crystal clear water while seeing the springs below as well as fish, turtles and greenery. The college aged guide was informative and added a bit of fun to the trip. We enjoyed our trip and tried to picture the area that was the first amusement park in Texas. However we missed the mermaids and Ralph the swimming pig!
After the boat ride we walked over to the old hotel which is now an aquarium and offices for the water research center.
After the boat ride we walked over to the old hotel which is now an aquarium and offices for the water research center.
Written March 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CarolynT47
Corsicana, TX9 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
I went on the glass bottom boat tour of Spring Lake. James was the tour guide/boat operator. He is a student @ Texas State and he explained so much about Spring Lake, history, environmental impact etc.
I was amazed about all the facts of this lake & the importance of it. The water is crystal clear & we observed many species of fish & turtles & abundant plant life
I was amazed about all the facts of this lake & the importance of it. The water is crystal clear & we observed many species of fish & turtles & abundant plant life
Written April 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
volcanogirl
Houston, TX16,226 contributions
May 2022
What a beautiful transformation from the days when this was an amusement park. The area is lush and green, full of wildlife, and the water is crystal clear. We took the glass bottom boat tour; they last 30 minutes and are offered every half hour. We were able to walk right up without making a reservation. Parking was available for three dollars. Our guide was excellent and knowledgeable; she pointed out several animals including cormorants, herons, a snake, various species of fish and turtles, and also patiently answered questions from one of the curious children on board. The water is a pretty shade of blue and so clear that we could see all the way to the bottom where bubbles were coming up from the natural spring that feeds the lake. After the boat tour, we did the Wetlands Walk along the boardwalk and saw a huge beaver dam - something we had never seen before. There are some nice trails here and lots of wildflowers in bloom. There's also a free discovery center with a small aquarium. We enjoyed seeing the fossils on display and going up to the rooftop to enjoy the beautiful view. We had a great time and appreciate everything the university has done to preserve the natural beauty of this place.
Written May 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue Y
Pearland, TX97 contributions
May 2022
The glass bottom boat tour was excellent. The guide explained the different types of vegetation, fish and environmental features of the area. She was too young to remember the original location as an amusement park with underwater mermaids dancing to music and the pig that was also part of the show. I was one of the attendees at the original venue.
Written May 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert M
Austin, TX740 contributions
Dec 2022
The Meadows Center is a great place to visit with many opportunities. The facilities can sometimes be over loved and it's been a while since the school has reinvested much of the proceeds, but it's definitely worth some time. Great viewing of the outdoors, birding, etc. The glass bottom boats are always cool when folks visit (and they are open). The Nature Center is of some interest to small kids. And, almost every weekend the local dive shops use the springs for their open water certifications. Overall an enjoyable visit.
Written December 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
iowacityia
iowa city, ia2,691 contributions
Jan 2023
3 of us arrived around 1pm. A beautiful day, we got tickets for the 1:30pm glass bottom boat tour around Spring Lake. Our boat captain was wonderful. Along with the 3 of us, 2 other people joined this tour. I believe the tour was around 45 minutes long. And it worked great to look through the glass bottom to see the fish, turtles, and aquatic vegetation. Our captain did a great job explaining everything while we were able to look down in the water, and the area around the boat. We had a great time. The cost was inexpensive too. After the boat ride we walked the trails by the boat launch area, and part of the lake. Very nice. We also walked over to Discovery Hall to visit the small museum, then take the elevator up to the Spring Lake Hall rooftop to get an overview of the area. Fun. It was well worth our time and money for this fun adventure. And I would certainly return.
Written February 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seven7777
Louisiana1,611 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
We did the glass bottom boat tour and it was amazing. The water in the lake is crystal clear. You can see every turtle, every fish. It was like magic. They have a small aquarium inside that accompanies it. My only complaint is that the boat needs fans. It was 127 degrees in that boat. I thought I was going to die.
Written July 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nodoubt46
Baton Rouge, LA56 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
The meadows center tour has gone a bit down hill in the recent years. I’ve been to various parts of this guided and non guided a number of times since about 2013. Lately the tour depends greatly on the staff member you have. Sometimes you will get a music major who knows very little about the aquatic life and sometimes you’ll get a wildlife biology graduate student who is so incredibly passionate about what they’re doing.
Many of the facilities have gone overlooked for a while. The indoor aquarium needs serious upgrades to keep it relevant.
Many of the facilities have gone overlooked for a while. The indoor aquarium needs serious upgrades to keep it relevant.
Written July 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelingGranny3
Wisconsin73 contributions
Dec 2021
This was an enjoyable family experience. The water is so clear, there were a lot of fish and turtles and underwater springs to keep all entertained. It was a bit hard to hear the guide over the talk of all the other passengers, some of whom were quite young and vocal. A microphone/speaker system would be helpful. Overall, a good experience. Be prepared to pay for parking in the University lot.
Written January 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The boat is not wheel chair accessible. À passenger needs to step from the dock to the boat, then step down into the boat. However, the staff may have alternatives available that I am unaware of. I would call them.
Written April 24, 2017
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