Overview
Bastrop is the county seat of Bastrop County, Texas, and is located about 30 mi east of Austin. Bastrop was settled by Europeans in 1804 and incorporated on December 18, 1837, with a 2020 population of 9688. It is known for its isolated belt of loblolly pines (the "Lost Pines") that exist miles to the west of the Piney Woods of East Texas and Louisiana; see Bastrop State Park below.
2 sights · 9 things to do · 8 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés · 9 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Bastrop
Bastrop County Historical Society Museum
Lost Pines Art Center
Bastrop Opera House
Professional theater productions in a historic building built in 1889.
Bastrop Skate Palace
Large indoor roller skating rink.
Film Alley Bastrop
Multi-screen movie theater with stadium seating, bowling (bumpers available), indoor miniature golf and arcade
Bastrop State Park
Located among the "Lost Pines of Texas," this 3,500-acre park has a swimming pool (summer only-fee), golf course known as the Lost Pines Golf Course (fee), a 10-acre lake, hiking trails, picnic tables, tent and RV campsi…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–Apr. Summer highs reach about 98°F; winter lows dip to about 42°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: May and Oct. (climate data from nearby Austin)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- AUS Austin Bergstrom International Airport, Austin — 21 mi away (major hub). Directions
- CLL Easterwood Field, College Station — 66 mi away. Directions
Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is 30 miles (48 km) west of the city center. The most practical means of travel from the airport is by rental car but taxis are available. A one-way trip by taxi is about $40 (credit cards accepted).
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $57–$57 a night (typical $60), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$100, mid-range ~$140, comfortable ~$220.
Options are grouped as RV parks in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Bastrop County Historical Society Museum, Bastrop Skate Palace
- Lunch The Pit Stop
- Afternoon Fisherman's Park (City) and the Colorado River walk, Pine Forest Golf Club
- Dinner Roadhouse
- Evening Leon's Country Store
Day 2
- Morning Lost Pines Art Center, Film Alley Bastrop
- Lunch Billy's Pit Bar-B-Q
- Afternoon Lake Bastrop, ColoVista Golf Club
- Dinner Cedar's Mediterranean and Italian Grill
- Evening CC Wine & Co
Day 3
- Morning Bastrop Opera House, Bastrop State Park
- Lunch Anita's Mexican Restaurant
- Afternoon McKinney Roughs Nature Park
- Dinner Jalisco Mexican Restaurant
- Evening Bastrop Beer Company
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
- Bastrop Chamber of Commerce, 927 Main Street, +1 512 303-0558. M-F 8AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-3PM. Visit the Chamber and pick up a free visitor's guide. If the chamber is closed, guides may be found in the box by the front door.
- The Bastrop Advertiser is the oldest semi-weekly newspaper in the state of Texas. It publishes twice a week and can be purchased at most area convenience stores for $0.50.
- Bastrop does not have a smoking ordinance so patrons may smoke inside restaurants, unless it is forbidden by the restaurant.
Get in
By plane
Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is 30 miles (48 km) west of the city center. The most practical means of travel from the airport is by rental car but taxis are available. A one-way trip by taxi is about $40 (credit cards accepted).
By bus
By car
The main highway through Bastrop is Texas State Highway 71 which can be picked up off Interstate Highway 35 in Austin or off Interstate Highway 10 about 75 miles west of Houston.
Get around
Loop 150 off 71 takes you through the heart of historical downtown Bastrop. Once downtown, parking is plentiful and free. Bastrop is small enough that it is practical to park and walk to boutique shops, restaurants, the new river walk and the many historic houses located in the city.
See
Do
Indoors
Outdoors
Do Bastrop State Park
Located among the "Lost Pines of Texas," this 3,500-acre park has a swimming pool (summer only-fee), golf course known as the Lost Pines Golf Course (fee), a 10-acre lake, hiking trails, picnic tables, tent and RV campsites (fee), and 13 cabins (fee). The "Lost Pines" are a pocket of loblolly pines far removed due to ecological forces from their dominant habitat in the Piney Woods to the east and threatened by further ecological change.
Buy
Eat
Budget
Eat The Pit Stop
Grill and fast food
Mid-range
Eat Billy's Pit Bar-B-Q
Simple barbecue, Texas style. The food is tasty.
Eat Cedar's Mediterranean and Italian Grill
Eat Anita's Mexican Restaurant
Solid Tex-Mex eatery. Consistently good food.
Eat Texas Grill
Country café, chicken fried steak. Cafeteria style lunch. Breakfast anytime.
Drink
Drink Leon's Country Store
Quaint old beer joint, convenience store, & feed store.
Drink CC Wine & Co
Wine boutique, food and coffee, children's toys (Melissa & Doug, Klutz), wine accessories.
Drink Bastrop Beer Company
Lots of beer options here in a casual bar environment.
Sleep
RV parks
Go next
Bastrop is 30 minutes (off rush hour) from Austin. The drive in to Austin on Hwy 71 is lined with antiques, gift shops, a flea market, a fossil and bonsai store, and many more central Texas cultural venues. Or you can go to Smithville to shop antiques and country kitsch. Or go to San Marcos for the outlet malls.
Nearby
Austin
City / town · 65 listings · 28 mi away
Pflugerville
City / town · 2 listings · 29 mi away
La Grange
City / town · 7 listings · 30 mi away
Kyle
City / town · 3 listings · 35 mi away
Round Rock
City / town · 10 listings · 35 mi away
Luling
City / town · 14 listings · 36 mi away
Schulenburg
City / town · 1 listings · 39 mi away
Bee Cave
City / town · 4 listings · 40 mi away
My experience
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