Explore Bastrop Attractions
It’s hard to imagine this idyllic small town known as “the Heart of the Lost Pines” is located just a short drive away from the hustle and bustle of Austin. It is in the heart of what’s known as “the Texas Triangle”, which offers Bastropians easy access to Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas/Fort Worth. In addition, Bastrop is perfectly located at the intersection of three major highways, along the Union Pacific rail line and just 22 miles from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Most importantly, Bastrop is located in the quiet, tranquil, natural beauty of Central Texas Lost Pines region. From the extensive Colorado River frontage, wooded state parks, golf courses and Lake Bastrop, there is an abundance of recreational opportunities for everyone. Bastrop is a growing city united through community, heritage, geography, nature and pride. Whether you are an outdoorsman, a history buff, an art enthusiast, a foodie, a golfer or a luxury lover. There’s a warm welcome in this small-town charm with the big city conveniences waiting for you in Bastrop.
Bastrop Museum & Visitor Center
Located on 904 Main Street and established in 1952, the Museum has worked diligently to collect and preserve materials and documents relating to the history of Bastrop and Bastrop County. Their archives, collections, and exhibits attracts historians, genealogists, writers, families, and students. The museum’s artifacts span more than 200 years from when Native Americans foraged widely through the area to the latter part of the 20th century. Swing by and learn more about Bastrop and Bastrop County.
Lost Pines Art Center
In December 2016, the Lost Pines Art Center opened their doors and may well be Bastrop’s best-kept secret. However, art supporters are working to assure this secret doesn’t last long! Visitors who enter the 12,000 square foot glass and metal building are pleasantly surprised that it has free admission and is open six days a week. There is so much to see and experience inside these four walls. You stand in awe inside of the two story expansive professional gallery. There are member galleries, traveling exhibits, classroom space, and a gift gallery, wine, and coffee shop and more. Rich in art and culture this is a sure stop in Bastrop.
100+ Nationally Registered Historic Properties and Districts
Bastrop boasts over 100 landmarks on the National Register of Historic Places. There are five districts, including one National Historic Landmark district, and 95 individual properties listed on the National Register in the county. Stroll through the charming streets of Bastrop and indulge on their rich history and heritage.
The Bastrop Opera House
Presenting yesterday, today, and tomorrow’s theatre – Bastrop Opera House proudly presents historic Bastrop and visitors with a live theatre venue rivaling many of the large town productions. Their commitment to the youth, community actors, and professionals is strong, and their vast schedule of performances is a sure win in our book. Check out their dinner theatre, musicals, or plays of their award-winning shows.
Zip Lost Pines
Feel the wind in your hair as you soar through the treetops! Your adventure to the great outdoors begins with Zip Lost Pines with an unforgettable experience right by the Colorado River that is open to the public year-round. Their mission is to ensure 100% ear-to-ear grins, leaps in confidence, and a total joy for the whole family. Their side-by-side zip line tours are a unique adventure for everyone.
Community Gardens
A very unique space that you must experience first hand is Community Gardens, a fun hands-on experience for the entire family. Their indoor/outdoor market place features a full restaurant, coffee shop, and live music venue with a full bar. You can browse their plant nursery, visit their charming boutique, and their aquaponics sustainable living systems and chick coop. Community Gardens also hosts classes and events that will engage everyone from the smallest to the oldest and everyone in between – even for your four legged friends!
Shopping
Bastrop is a shopping delight for anyone interested in beautifully handcrafted goods ranging from eclectic and artful to unique collectors’ items. Many of these shops are located in historic building on Main Street, that offer home décor, imported goods, unique owner creations, clothing, and more to create an authentic shopping experience unique to Bastrop. Local artisans and artists create and share their unique and impressive works in shops all around town, making Bastrop a shopper’s sanctuary. With more than 30 shops to choose from, visitors love the abundant and diverse offerings – there is always something for everyone in Bastrop!
The Bridges Emporium
The Bridges Building at 920 Main Street in Bastrop, known as “Bridges Emporium”, houses a collective of seven unique art shops that include everything from fine art, found art, oils, acrylics, watercolors, photography, hand painted décor and keepsake items, even a computer repair place. Yes, you read that right – they consider dealing with technology as an art form. A stop at The Bridges Emporium is always worth the visit.
KC Outfitter
Need something to wear for a special night out? KC Outfitter has hand-picked their stylish colors and pattern designs, figure-flattering fits, and all-day comfort. Whether you are heading out for a romantic night out at your favorite local restaurant or prepping for a move night in with your special someone this boutique has something to suit your style. Their unique Texas casual line-up is something you will love to wear – they also have stylish clothing and gifts for men and children as well!
Burleson Crossing Shopping Center
Located on Highway 71 and FM 304 in Bastrop is home to various stores and restaurants. If you are needing outdoor equipment for your next adventure you can find what you need at Academy Sports & Outdoors. How about home décor to help with the finishing touches, there is a Hobby Lobby at your convenience. As well as a Best Buy for all your tech needs, Burleson Crossing is your one stop shop to a variety of stores conveniently located right off the main highway in Bastrop.
Dining
Key to that world-famous Texas hospitality is honest-to-goodness, homemade comfort food. The Quintessential town of Bastrop overflows with a sumptuous spread of Texas cookin’ and so much more – American, Mexican, Chinese, Greek, and Italian cuisine round out the Bastrop food scene, all with that Texas warmth you’ve come to expect on a trop to the heart of the great state of Texas.
Anita’s Café
Serving Bastrop with their great Mexican food and homemade tortillas since 1998. Enjoy an authentic dining experience in the beautifully restored 1880 J.M Holt building. Their excellent customer service and authentic homemade food brings locals to this café.
Base Camp Deli
If you are looking for a delicious, homestyle sandwich shop, Base Camp Deli is the place for you! Their fresh ingredients and their designed sandwiches are great for a casual quick bite to eat, hot or cold sandwiches along with their salads and soups are a town favorite.
Bastiano’s Pizzeria & Creamery
A full service restaurant dedicated to providing quality pizza, Italian food, and ice cream, with excellent family-friendly atmosphere. Their hand crafted pizzas and calzones are always fresh from their stone oven, providing a fast, consistent cooking and giving their food a unique character and flavor.
Billy’s Pit BBQ
A Bastrop Tradition for over 37 years and rated by locals as the “Best BBQ in Bastrop”, numerous Country Music performers and Locals dubbed Billy’s Pit BBQ as their favorite Pit Stop. Stop by and try their delicious brisket sandwich, sausage wraps or their stuffed baked potatoes that will make your mouth water.
Coffee Dog Roastery
A popular breakfast and coffee shop in Bastrop located in Colorado Crossing Shopping Center, Coffee Dog serves a wide variety of drinks, including their daily coffee specials, frappes, hot or cold lattes and mochas, hot or iced teas, and their real fruit smoothies. They also have an in-house bakery that makes everything from scratch – pastries, muffins, and kolaches! Coffee Dog is the only coffee roaster in the area that serves roast gourmet coffees and customers are able to watch their coffee roasting process at the coffee house.
Cedar’s Mediterranean Grill
A delicious blend of predominately Italian and Lebanese food, with the same heart-healthy ingredients known throughout the region. Their restaurant was formed from a merger of two award-winning favorite restaurants within Bastrop County. They are a local favorite and the home of Bastrop’s Rotary Club that meet every Monday at noon.
For a complete list of Bastrop restaurants click here.
Parks & Outdoor Fun
Bastrop offers an abundance of outdoor adventures thanks to its perfect location on the banks of the Colorado River. Whether you are into hiking, bird-watching, kayaking, or camping – when you visit Bastrop, you’ll feel welcomed.
Bastrop State Park
For more than 70 years, folks have made it a part of their day to visit Bastrop State Park to enjoy its history and marvel at the Lost Pines. The park lies in the heart of the Lost Pines, an isolated stand of tall loblolly pines in Central Texas, with scenic hiking trails weaving through scented trees and primitive campsites that offer a secluded getaway for visitors. Most of the park’s strikingly beautiful facilities were built in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, including 13 rustic cabins that overlook a lake. Explore the growing forest, look for the new generation of loblolly pines, and witness the resilience of nature. Bastrop State Park allows you to explore nature by camping, having picnics, swimming in the lake, riding bikes, and hiking.
El Camino Paddling Trail
This paddling trail is wide and slow-moving with a few minor rapids but no man-made obstructions. This trail will take you approximately 1.5 to 4 hours to complete depending on the flow and stops for picnics or enjoying the scenery along the way.
Wolfdancer Golf Course
Nestled within the landscape that hosts Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa, Wolfdancer Gold Course was named one of the “Best Resort Courses” by Golfweek in 2015. This picturesque course takes golfers through rolling prairies, heavy wooded ridgelines, and river valleys lined with pecan trees. Enjoy the scenic views of the lower Colorado River as it winds through the course’s final holes.
ColoVista Golf Club
When planning this premier golf facility in Bastrop, ColoVista designer’s goal was to stand out in any golfer’s memory. From the links style front nine, to the beautiful traditional back nine, ColoVista provides a unique experience worth taking a trip to this public golf course for their onsite 5 star dining.
Pine Forest Golf Club
An incredible experience is waiting – beautiful scenery, towering pines, rolling hills, and the Colorado River work together to create the challenge of Pine Forest Golf Club, located in Bastrop a half hour from Austin. Pine Forest was carved out of the rolling hills of the Lost Pines Forest in 1979 by a group led by PGA Professionals. This course has delighted Texas golf enthusiasts for years with a rare blend of dramatic elevation changes, water hazards, sand bunkers, and rolling fairways to create a challenging, yet relaxing experience. Named “Best Places To Play” by Golf Digest magazine, Pine Forest is considered by many to be the best golf venue in Texas.
Fisherman’s Park
Venture to this thoughtful outpost along the banks of the Lower Colorado River where you can sit quietly, rent a canoe or kayak, visit the kiddie splash pad and playground, or take part in local festivals. Fisherman’s Park is a picturesque place to be alone with nature or to share in family fun with the whole community in Bastrop.
With the nickname, “the most historic small town in Texas”, Bastrop serves up 200 years of fascinating frontier history with a serious helping of modern charm. This artsy, outdoorsy hub fuses trendy sophistication with natural beauty and family fun for everyone. If Bastrop is a place you would like to call home, schedule a planned visit to the growing community of Pecan Park. Located on the banks of the Colorado River, Pecan Park is a stunning development that offers the serenity of river frontage and the convenience of highway 71, making this area the ideal residential community. Pacesetter homeowners in Pecan Park will have the benefits of full city services and will enjoy large areas of greenbelts, parks, and hike & bike trails. Pecan Park is located on the south side of SH-71 West at Childer’s Drive in Bastrop and provides 5-minute access to downtown Bastrop. Less than 30 miles to Tesla’s new facility, GigaTexas, 30 miles east of downtown Austin and 20 minutes east of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
