Tired of doing the same old things with your partner? Or hoping to impress your new paramore with a thoughtful escape from the city?
Bastrop is just 30 minutes away from Austin, but it feels like another world. With fabulous food, a charming downtown, and exciting outdoor adventures in store, you can wow him or her with a day trip.
Sweep your sweetie off their feeties with this list of fun things to do in Bastrop on your next date day!
Fill Up on a Hearty Breakfast
First thing’s first. You can’t bounce around Bastrop all day on an empty stomach. So break your fast at one of these local restaurants.
Maxine’s Cafe & Bakery in the historic downtown serves massive portions of breakfast fare like omelets, biscuits & gravy, and chicken & waffles. For something quicker, stop by Coffee Dog Roastery and Coffeehouse for a hot brew and a kolache or breakfast panini. If you forgot to set your out-of-office message on your email, don’t worry—they also have free Wi-Fi.
Vegans and vegetarians, take your date to Tough Cookie Bakery for tasty goodies like vegan biscuits and gravy or vegetarian quiche!
Explore the Charming Downtown
After your meal, you’re going to want to move around a bit. It’s the perfect opportunity to explore charming downtown Bastrop. The city center has historic architecture dating back to the 1800s like stately Elzner’s Corner (1876) and the Bastrop Opera House (1889) which still hosts live performances to this day.
While you wander, do a little window shopping in Bastrop. The downtown area features local boutiques and art galleries including the seven distinct art shops of The Bridges Emporium and the homemade soaps of DivineLites Soap Shop.
Spend the Afternoon Outdoors
After a morning in town, head out to the countryside for a little afternoon adventure.
At Barton Hill Farms’ Fall Festival, you can solve the 5-acre Mazed and Confused corn maze and have a filling lunch of hand-dipped chicken tenders or a pulled pork sandwich. The last weekend of the festival (November 5th and 6th, 2022), go wild with the annual Pumpkin Smash, where you’re invited to clobber and bash the remaining pumpkins in the Pumpkin Patch. When you need a rest, head to the shady biergarten for a cold local beer, wine, or a boozy strawberry mango congelado.
Get your tickets to the 2022 Fall Festival!
For a more rugged adventure, go hiking, ziplining, or horseback riding at McKinney Roughs Nature Area, located about 10 miles west of downtown Bastrop. Or visit Bastrop State Park for fishing in Lake Mina or hiking through the loblolly regrowth.
Visit Local Breweries, Wineries, and Distilleries
Share some of the local flavor with your date at one of the area’s breweries, wineries, or distilleries. 602 Brewing Company is a laid back brewery in downtown Bastrop that specializes in lighter, drinkable beers like blondes, ales, and lagers.
If your date is an oenophile, bring him or her to Colorado River Winery, right on the banks of the Colorado River. Their small batch wines range from ultra dry blends to sweet dessert wines. Or head to Copper Shot Distillery where you can sink into a handsome leather chair for a cocktail made with their barrel-aged whiskey or one of their signature moonshines.
Treat Your Date to Dinner in Bastrop
Bastrop is a laid back place, so you and your date can enjoy a delicious-yet-relaxed dinner. At Piney Creek Chop House just off Main Street, feast on a perfectly-aged steak or a delicate piece of salmon in a warm, brick-lined dining room.
Prefer something more casual? Share a cheesy pizza at Batiano’s Pizzeria & Creamery, followed by a scoop of homemade gelato. Or head to Stem and Stone for a hot panini or a ½ pound burger, plus an expansive menu of craft beer, Texas wines, and beer or wine “mixers.”
Keep the Date Going with Bastrop Nightlife
Not ready to pack it in yet? Turn your date day into a date night with Bastrop’s nightlife. At Neighbor’s Kitchen & Yard, you can enjoy live music on Friday and Saturday evenings, and enjoy cocktails outside on the deck alongside the Colorado River.
For a later night out, head to Back 9 Bar, open until midnight or later six nights per week. Dance to live music and play yard games like washers and cornhole. If you need a late night snack, they have a variety of food trucks to choose from!
