How To Spend A Charming Small-Town Weekend In Bastrop, Texas

Just 30 minutes outside Texas' capital city, Bastrop is a small-town haven of historic downtown streets, outdoor activities, live music, and more.

Many small Texas towns often face one of two destinies. First, their historic centers might erode into ghostly relics of state history, stretching for just up to one mile, flanked by an occasional fruit stand, roadside antique shop, or gas station. Alternatively, the second fate can be a renaissance, catalyzed by a new generation of incoming residents breathing life into the aging districts with new businesses between the iconic survivors.

From Highway 71, Bastrop seemed like nothing more than a series of strip malls, gas stations, and quick-stop hotels, with the closest Buc-ee's en route to Byran or Houston. But just a mile into the tree-lined locale is the Main Street district, state park, and river access—all nestled around a bend of the free-flowing Colorado River.

Humming to their creative tunes, new artists, musicians, and foodies are looking to relocate without the pressures and prices of the big city. Just 30 minutes outside Texas' capital city, Bastrop continues to charm more weekend adventurers than ever with its outdoor activities, quaint dining scene, farm and flower stands, and a new hill country retreat discreetly tucked away among the lost pines.

Here's everything you need to know for your trip to Bastrop, Texas.

The Rise of New Bastrop Locals

When I moved to Austin in 2015, I dove into the local food community and got my hands into some dirt at the late Springdale Farm, which shuttered in 2018. Springdale and its soil were vital to Austin's community spaces, urban farm scene, and early boom of restaurants. Before the rich fertile soil was hauled off and dumped for good, a late Springdale Farm tenant, Sonya Cote, who owned the old Eden East Food Truck on site and still owns Hillside Farmacy, the beloved brunch spot in Austin, took the soil and relocated it to her new property in Bastrop dubbing the new plot Eden East Farm. She saved the essence of old Austin and relocated it to where she could continue Springdale's legacy of locally grown food that serves restaurants and the community.

Along with Cote, other Austinites have moved to the urban outpost 30 minutes away and generated energy to help revitalize Historic Bastrop. It's become a place where folks can regenerate, and in turn, the town has become full of things to do, places to eat, and unique stays.

Best Things To Do in Bastrop

Explore Museums and Monuments

Upon arrival in Bastrop, cover the historical bases before settling in for a meal or venturing outdoors. Visit the County Museum and Visitor Center, The Firefighter Memorial Statue, the Old Iron Bridge, and the historical village at Harmony Ridge to get the essence of Bastrop's 175 years.

Enjoy the Outdoors

After a quick tour around the historic district, take to Bastrop State Park or the Colorado River for fishing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, tubing, and paddle boarding. Local outfitters like Bastrop River Company offer hourly rentals or overnight excursions with camping. Rising Phoenix Adventures is a second option that provides land and water activities. Visitors can rent bikes, plan hiking and camping trips, or rent kayaks. Self-guided or guided paddle and hike tours are also available along the scenic Camino Real.

See Bastrop's Artistic Side

The Bastrop Opera House features local performances and visiting shows throughout the year. Across the way from the Theater is Vibe Tribe, an arts and crafts collective opened by a former Austinite who's hosting work from more than 60 local artists. And be sure to stop in and check out the Painted Porch Bookshop's unique selection, epic fireplace, and the conjoining vinyl spot, Astro Record Shop.

For more art, visit Monarch Art Gallery and walk through the different spaces to meet local artists like Marlene Outlaw before heading over to the Art Institute Buildings to see the incredible mosaics she co-created with her husband, Jim Outlaw, known for Texas Star mosaics commissioned throughout the State. Bastrop is also a growing music town. Local acts and visiting talent rehearse at the Lumberyard Music Hall on Main Street across the street from Blake's Music Shop. The city now hosts the Bastrop Music Festival in late September, featuring more than 40 musician and band lineup.

Where To Eat in Bastrop

For Breakfast

A local favorite for breakfast, pastries and massive hot pretzels is Tough Cookie Bakery, offering vegan and vegetarian fare with dishes like the Hot Mess: a split homemade biscuit with sharp cheddar, local egg, gravy and veggie sausage. The vegan peanut butter chocolate cookie is a must, too. The bakery also sells fresh loaves of bread daily.

For Lunch and Dinner

Some must-try Bastrop strongholds that precede the new establishments include Gracie's for homey, country-cooking like the town's favorite chicken fried steak. The best bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers are on the opposite side of town at The Roadhouse restaurant—a rickety wooden building with vintage signage. Back in the historic district just two blocks from Gracie's is Paw-Paw's Catfish House, a place for big seafood plates, fried fare, and nostalgic decor.

For contemporary fare, visit the Store House, Cote's restaurant featuring ingredients from the nearby Eden East Farm in dishes like Texas Blue Shrimp, Spicy Texas Quail, or Johnny Cakes and Fried Oysters. The restaurant attracts foodies and locavores from all over. Store House occupies a historic brothel, and the "Backroom" now serves as a spillover dining space with market shelves where guests can buy pickles, preserves, sauces, and other pantry items made from farm ingredients. Store House's courtyard, with ample fans for the summertime, is a favorite hangout for new residents. It also features the only craft cocktail program in Bastrop.

For Dessert

For the town's best pies, visit Maxine's Cafe and order a slice of Key Lime, Coconut Cream, Banana Cream, Pecan, Cherry Snickerdoodle, or Buttermilk after splitting a country-size country breakfast, migas, hamburger steak, or the cajun special when it's available.

For a Drink

Next door is the Copper Shot, a whiskey and moonshine distillery. The rustic, dark, wooden space opens to a large patio with the old stillhouse on display. While the locals love the latest craft beer offered at 602 Brewing Company, the choice destination for a pint and snacks is Neighbor's to watch the sunset and sit hillside on adirondack chairs or blankets while listening to live music on their stage.

Where To Stay in Bastrop

While a few bungalows and riverside cottages are available through Airbnb, the proximity to Austin and the surrounding Hill Country means the accommodations in Bastrop are limited throughout the town's quaint grid.

For a natural retreat and a glamping experience, the gated Reserve Hotel at Greenleaf offers four beautifully decorated yurts: The Agave, The Nest, The Copper Lily (the only pet-friendly room), and The Lantana. Kayak rentals are available on-site, and a pool and spa are available for guests to reserve for two hours.

More well-known is the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa adjacent to McKinney Roughs Nature Park. While the Hyatt is not in Bastrop proper, it is surrounded by nature and offers outdoor activities such as horse-back riding. It is a perfect paddle distance (remember the paddle back is upriver) or a quick drive into Bastrop. For out-of-state visitors, it's a short distance from the airport. It features a luxury golf course, spa, hiking trails, and close access to multiple destinations in Central Texas like San Marcos, Lockhart (for some of the Best BBQ), and Sherwood Forest, which boasts one of the state's well-known Renaissance Festivals in March and April.

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