As travel bloggers, we have turned what started out as passion we share together, into the life we look forward to everyday. Thanks to Instagram, we have an ever growing list of must see destinations.

Even with all the endless possibilities this world has to offer, we are proud Texans and love the many destinations that this state has to offer. That’s why, when presented with the opportunity to showcase what this amazing state has to offer, we don’t hesitate.

The true beauty of this once republic really lies in the charm and authenticity of its historic small towns. Most of the major cities like Austin, Dallas, and even Houston can give you a glimpse of retro Texas but its places like Bastrop that really combine the historic feel of the old west, the great outdoors, and the modern day favorites we have come to love.

Small Town Graffiti - Neighbors Kitchen And Yard

In this post, we will provide a glimpse of what this town has to offer to make this a perfect weekend destination to escape the city, or add it to your list of stops if you are just passing through. Whatever it may be, please make sure you check out www.visitbastrop.com for a more in depth line up of what makes worth adding to your destination list.

Random But Interesting Fact - Surprisingly enough to us, there have actually been some pretty famous movies filmed here. The Original Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Courage Under Fire, and Hope Floats to name a few.

Where To Stay -

Located just 30 miles southeast of Austin and sitting on the Lower Colorado River, Bastrop Provides us Austinites easy access to yet another weekend escape without having to plan out a full production. When looking for accommodations here, there are definitely some great options. From traditional quaint BnB’s, RV camps and cabins, and amazing Airbnb’s to a world class resort, there is an option for whatever your taste may be.

Of course, our travel situation always includes our little furr babies whenever possible. If traveling with your pets is a priority like ours, Bastrop is a perfect destination option. In partnering with @visitbastroptx , they were able to set us up with exactly what we were looking for and the majority of the places mentioned below are pet friendly.

Whether you have followed us for a while or you were lucky enough to stumble upon this blog in a Google search, we have always been about seeking out the most unique options a place has to offer. In Bastrop, we believe we found that in The Reserve at Green Leaf. This family owned little gem, located just a few minutes from downtown Bastrop, has embraced the #glamping craze and brought luxury #yurtlife to this town. The owners, Bubba, Jeanne, and the rest of their family have created an amazing space with all the comfortability of a high end hotel with the feeling of true camping and social gathering. Below is a list of some of the amenities they offer but you will really have to check them out for yourself. This place will not disappoint!

Four unique and spectacularly designed yurts complete with private bathrooms, stocked refrigerators, AC, and yes, AMAZING WiFi.
5 star resort quality beds, linens, and toiletries.
Community gathering area include an EXTRA large hot tub, fire pit, gas grills, and perfect view of the stars on clear nights.
Special event area that can play host to weddings, community feasts, or whatever you can dream up.
Hiking trails that back up to the local parks and lakes.
True southern hospitality. These amazing people were extremely accommodating and truly love providing the best experience for their guests.

For more information and to book a stay, check out www.theresearveatgreenleaf.com. And if you are “InstaPlanners” like us, follow them @thereserveatgl .

Something About the Symmetry Of This Place..

Where to Eat? -

Having been living the Intermittent Fasting life the past few years, paired with our crazy schedule of trying to cram in as much as possible on these trips, we have to do our research on the best places to eat as we really only have the time for one sit down meal per day. The rest of the time is filled with acquiring content and then swiftly followed by many libations. That being said, we make it our mission to ensure that we find the absolute best foodie options available. Below is a list of what we believe are the can’t miss options that are equal parts fun and delicious.

Piney Creek Chophouse - Big city steakhouse quality food and atmosphere minus the bougie-ness. You can even slide on in to the attached sister restaurant/bar , Old Town, for some after dinner drinks and karaoke fun. This was the place to be on a Friday night.
Neighbor’s Kitchen and Yard - If you do not check this place out while you are here, then you better schedule another trip. Live music, amazing food…. We actually had dreams about the pizza that night.
Maxine’s Cafe and Bakery - Best Breakfast in town…. Nothing else to say. Only open until 3pm and whatever you get, make sure to get a side of griddle cakes!
Ma’Coco - Located about 10 min off the downtown strip, This unique Baja style restaurant is located in the Community Gardens Co-Op and serves up some amazing food.
BBQ - You can’t do Texas without BBQ and there are many options in Bastrop. Some of our fav’s include - Billy’s, Fittie’s, and Southside.

There are many other amazing options that we did not have time or belly space for but please make sure to visit www.visitbastrop.com as they have put together an amazing list of local favs that will surly capture what you are craving.

I Will Have One Bite Of Everything - Ma’Coco

What To Do?? -

Now, we are not going to lie to you and say that there is so much to do here. Come on, it’s still a small town at the end of the day. What we are excited to share with you is the quality of the stuff that there is to do, which makes it a great place for the weekend getaways or pass through pit stops we mentioned above. First off, you really have to figure out what type of trip you are looking for.

Morning Strolls = Happy Pups - Bastrop State Park

Adventure For Me Please!! -

If you are looking for something adventurous and outdoorsy, You can book a campsite or day pass at Bastrop State Park or Mckinney Roughs to hike the vast trails, kayak through the winding Colorado River and Lake Bastrop, or try your hand soaring over amazing views at Zip Lost Pines. Since we were limited on time, we were only able to squeeze in a quick 3 mile hike at the park but here are some great options to look into -

Bastrop State Park - Nearly 6,000 acres of hiking, camping, kayaking, swimming, and wildlife. All surrounded by the enchanting Lost Pines. This area was recently severely damaged by fire in 2011 and was once one of our favorite parts of the drive down to Houston. It is sad to still see all of the damage but exciting to see the power of nature and conservation efforts in full effect in the re-growth.
Mckinney Roughs - Venture through the canyons, river bends, and wildflower meadows by foot, by water, horseback, or zip line. This nature park actually leads you to the amazing Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort.
Golf - Now, while only half of us really enjoy the sport, This is a good one to mention as Bastrop is home to the award winning Wolfdancer golf course and is definitely worth checking out if that is your thing.

New Birth After The Devastation - Bastrop State Park

Leisure And Liqour For Me Please!! -

Copper Shot Distillery - Combine sunshine and moonshine, add a few shots of whiskey, and a some live Ed Sheeran covers and you have yourself a great Saturday……. If you can remember it.
602 Brewing Company - Great local brews and a great patio in the heart of Downtown Bastrop.. We felt right at home.
Bastrop Beer Company - While they don’t have their own brews, they do have an impressive selection and also the place to go for some great beer to go.
Colorado River Winery - Quaint little Tuscan style winery right off Main Street.
Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort - Probably one of the most well known destinations in the Bastrop ares, this resort has it all. Nature, spa, dining, amazing pools, and the best golfing in the area.

Is Moonshine At 12pm Ever A Good Idea? - Copper Shot Distillery

Hurry Up And Take The Pic Before This Thing Falls - Neighbors Kitchen And Yard

Only The Best Dogs Allowed - 602 Brewing Company

Our verdict on Bastrop? Blondie Approved. This once drive through town is definitely blooming into a great destination spot for outdoor fun and small town vibes. For the complete list of what else this Texas treasure has to provide, please check out www.visitbastrop.com and on Instagram @visitbastroptx

As always, Thanks again for following us along on our journeys. We appreciate all the love and look forward to feedback… Good or bad. Please drop us a line in the comments below. To keep up with us daily, please follow us on all our socials!

Deep In The Heart Of Bastrop