Why San Marcos is more than a college town

San Marcos was once known as the quiet home of Texas State University.

• Now it's one of the fastest-growing college towns in the country, part of the Interstate 35 boom stretching from San Antonio to Austin, with lots to offer travelers.

The big picture: The town has a distinct identity built around the San Marcos River, a spring-fed body of water stemming from the Edwards Aquifer.

• Many activities center around outdoor water recreation and discovering the rich history of the area's environment.

State of play: As San Marcos continues growing, it is also gaining a budding reputation for food and drink satisfying most everyone.

• Here's where to start when planning your trip.