Wonder World, San Marcos

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A guided tour lasting nearly two hours covers the entire park, including the 7-1/2-acre Texas Wildlife Park, Texas's largest petting zoo. A miniature train chugs through the animal enclosure, stopping to allow riders to pet and feed white-tail deer, wild turkeys, and many exotic species.

The next stop on the tour is Wonder Cave, created during 3-1/2-minute earthquake 30 million years ago. The same earthquake produced the Balcones Fault, an 1800-mile line separating the western Hill Country from the flat eastern farmland.

Within the cave is the actual crack in the two land masses, containing huge boulders lodged in the fissure. At the end of the cave tour, take the elevator ride to the top of the 110-foot Tejas Tower, which offers a spectacular view of the Balcones Fault and the contrasting terrain it produced.

The last stop is the Anti-Gravity House, a structure employing optical illusions and a slanted floor to create the feeling that you're leaning backwards. In this house, water appears to run "uphill," creating yet another illusion.

Location: Exit at Wonder World Dr. on south side of San Marcos and follow signs for about a mile.

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