Anyone who has ever lived in or visited Bastrop knows this city is a special place. It’s especially perfect as a getaway for anyone living in Houston, San Antonio, Austin or Dallas. You’ll discover the hospitality that Texas is known for, but in Bastrop, you’ll find so much more.
When you’re planning your next vacation or weekend getaway, consider Bastrop, where there are exclusive activities that will provide memories for years to come.
A SENSE OF ADVENTURE
Bastrop State Park is home to the famous Lost Pines and has had an eventful history, with both forest fires and floods. But the devastation has given birth to new trees, plants and wildlife, resulting in a recovery that delights every person who visits this natural wonder.
The park is the perfect place to take the family. There is a multitude of activities to enjoy, such as fishing, birding, hiking, swimming, biking, geocaching and so much more. Campsites, cabins and other lodging options are available.
If you’re not familiar with Lost Pines, here’s a brief history lesson. The forest covers a 13-mile stretch of more than 6,000 acres of loblolly pine trees, which in itself wouldn’t normally be unusual. However, these trees grow more than 100 miles from the East Texas Piney Woods, which are its genetic match.
Various theories have been debated on how this occurred. One theory revolves around a homesick Native-American bride and her groom, who went back to East Texas and gathered seeds to grow the trees she knew as a child. Another is that a prehistoric glacier separated the Central Texas lobollies from the East Texas ones.
No matter which theory you subscribe to, one thing is certain: you’ll have an incredible time taking them in when you visit Bastrop State Park.
Mckinney Roughs Nature Park is another spectacular adventure spot in Bastrop. It’s home to Zip Lost Pines – the longest zipline in Texas with beautiful views of the forest and the Colorado River as you fly through the air on one or more of the five dual zip lines. These jaw-dropping views can’t be found anywhere else, so make sure to include this fun and exciting activity on your visit to Bastrop. Better yet, there’s a Little Zipper Ride for kids while parents cheer them on.
EAT, DRINK AND BE HAPPY
The restaurants, bakeries and bars of Bastrop each have their own unique twist, but one common factor unites them all: Texas hospitality. Sure, we’ve mentioned that a time or two already, but the friendliness of the people and businesses in Bastrop are part of what brings visitors back again and again.
There are few places that combine great food, music, games and a river view, but Neighbor’s Kitchen and Yard is one such place. Located on the banks of the Colorado River, Neighbor’s is a laid-back restaurant housed in a historic building, with multiple covered decks where you can enjoy delicious food (they’re known for their incredible pizza), live music, kids games and a view of nature that will have you relaxing so much, you’ll want to stay all day.
You won’t find many restaurants in buildings that were constructed nearly 200 years ago. Store House Market & Eatery on Main Street in downtown Bastrop is one such place, and Chef Sonya Cote, along with her husband and farmer David Barrow, make sure visitors are comfortable, whether they’re seated on the patio with a view of the sunset or inside with the friendly atmosphere. Many of the ingredients on the homestyle menu are sourced from their urban farm, Eden East Farm, or from local farmers and producers.
Old Town Restaurant and Bar, also located on Main Street, is a fun place to kick back and enjoy life with tons of screens to catch all the games. The atmosphere is casual, the drinks are delicious and the vibes are always good, but the food is what keeps people coming back. In addition to daily specials, Old Town creates mouthwatering hot wings with signature sauces like The Old Town, Ghost Chile Inferno and Raspberry Chipotle. The premium burgers, salads and sandwiches are also big draws, so come with an appetite.
The winner of the “Best Burger in Bastrop County” for 16 straight years shouldn’t be known for having a great vegetarian menu, but Roadhouse Bastrop does. There are more than a dozen meaty burgers to choose from, such as the “Destruction” Burger and the Jalapeño Cream Cheese Burger, but vegetarians can rejoice with selections such as the Hiker and the Portobello Mushroom Sandwich, as well as a variety of salads.
You can enjoy a variety of entrees at The Bearded Baking Company, as the extensive menu is sure to please diners of any age. But the desserts are what really makes this establishment so unique. Try a C4 Cookie, which has “an absurd amount of chocolate chips,” or the Chicken Fried Bacon Gateau – we’re talking layers of spice cake filled with a candied bacon praline filling, and coated with a honey buttercream – and chicken fried bacon.
Now they’re open for breakfast and lunch too from 8 am – 3 pm with a new menu. They’re also doing a very special Sunday Night Supper on April 28, 2024 to celebrate their 1-year anniversary in Bastrop.
The Tough Cookie Bakery is unique in Bastrop as all of its products are vegetarian or vegan with a variety of gluten-free options. Using high-quality organic and local ingredients, the bakery appeals to a wide spectrum of diners. While there, you might want to try favorites such as the Avo Mash or the Pretzel Brat. By the way, breakfast and lunch are served all day long. Check out their new location at 1003 Main Street in Bastrop.
Fun is the name of the game at Bastrop Beer Company in downtown Bastrop. In addition to more than two dozen craft beers and truly unique signature beer cocktails, this beer bar/bottle shop is the ideal place to bring your friends and have fun playing arcade games, pool and pinball, while enjoying the comfortable lounge seating or outside at one of the picnic tables. Weekly bingo and trivia nights add to the enjoyable atmosphere.
TRULY UNIQUE SHOPPING
Locally created gifts are one of the best ways to show you care about friends, family or even yourself. In The Sticks, a gem of a shop in downtown Bastrop with sister locations in Austin and Georgetown, has a variety of clothing, jewelry, art and other gifts made by local artists, as well as those from San Antonio and New Braunfels. Find hidden treasures sure to please everyone on your gift list.
You’ll find a wide variety of women’s apparel, accessories, home décor and gifts at the unique-named Rhinestone Rattler Boutique. The western chic-themed shop carries trendy, specially hand-selected pieces, sure to help you make a bold statement.
The family-owned-and-operated Sage & Co. focuses on bringing clothing, skincare items, purses, gifts and more to women, from the busy mom to the independent fashionista. The carefully chosen collection of fashion-forward brands is sure to please any customer’s style. They also carry adorable outfits for children as well.
Perhaps the most uniquely adorable spot for children’s clothes is Ivana May Timeless Children’s Boutique. They specialize in European handmade pieces sourced from Holland, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, the UK, Turkey, Germany, Belgium, Latvia and more. They also sell their own handmade designs. You’ll find both boy’s and girl’s clothes, plus the sweetest shoes.
Jewelry, vintage items and art created by more than 50 Bastrop and Austin artists can be found at Vibe Tribe. Local Austin artist Becky Schmitz put together this collection from a family of artists that “live to create unique art.” You’ll find the perfect gift, and store employees are happy to create a unique gift package for you.
In this day of electronic and audio books, it’s nice to find a bookstore that actually sells print books. The Painted Porch Bookshop is one such place. The small-town store carries a collection of the staff’s favorite books, even if they’re not the trendy choice of the week. The Painted Porch is owned and operated by author Ryan Holiday, so you’ll find many of his autographed books, as well as books signed by other writers.
STAY AWHILE
The area’s natural beauty is a major reason why the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa is such a popular place to stay. Situated among its 405-acre luxurious Texas wilderness escape – with the 1,100-acre McKinney Roughs Nature Park next door – the resort offers so many nature-centric activities, you may end up spending the majority of your vacation right there.
A hummingbird garden and butterfly meadow are located on the resort grounds and are the perfect place to sit back and relax. Hikers and those who just enjoy a long walk can take the trails from the resort to McKinney Roughs, where you’ll find wildflower meadows, lazy river bends and many species of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles. You can meet and have your picture taken with Texas longhorns, miniature horses, alpacas and more at the resort’s “Hooves and Horns.” Swimming, hayrides and kayaking are just a few of the many adventures at the Hyatt Regency in Bastrop.
Whether you’re in town to see the sights, shop, eat or enjoy the history of the area, you’ll enjoy the unique activities and amazing atmosphere of Bastrop. Come see all the reasons why Bastrop is the winner of the People’s Choice Award for both a Destination for Outdoor Adventures and a Destination for Families
