Follow our recommendations for fun things to do with kids in Bastrop, Texas.
Everybody knows that taking road trips with kids can sometimes be stressful. Therefore, it’s best to take them somewhere they can truly enjoy themselves. Today, we are sharing fun things to do in Bastrop, TX, with kids. It’s fun to discover new places in the Lone Star State that are family-friendly.
Depending on your origin, you can easily explore Bastrop on a day trip. For example, hiking in Bastrop State Park, grabbing lunch, and doing a little shopping in town can all be done in a day. This might be your next place to explore as day-trippers coming from the San Antonio or Austin areas.
However, if you plan to stay a night or two, there are some choices. In addition to the campsites, Airstreams are available at Lake Bastrop, and for great glamping adventures, there are some options if you want something a little more luxurious.
Things To Do In Bastrop, TX With Kids
Bastrop is a fun destination, just a two-hour drive from San Antonio and not far from Austin at all. Who doesn’t love a good road trip to a weekend destination? We are excited to share what the small town of Bastrop has to offer you and your family at any time of the year.
No matter what your family enjoys doing when you travel with kids to Bastrop, Texas, none of you will get bored!
Where Is Bastrop, Texas?
The city of Bastrop is located along the Colorado River, approximately 30 miles southeast of Austin, about an hour and a half from San Antonio, two hours from Houston, and three hours and 15 minutes from Dallas. Its population is approximately 11,000, and it is part of the Austin metro area, although it lacks the typical “Austin vibe” altogether.
Bastrop Visitors Center
Texas Travel Talk always recommends that every traveler who lands in a new city, big or small, make their first stop at the visitor’s center, even if it’s just for a few minutes. There’s valuable information available there.
In every visitor center, you’ll find someone who knows and loves the city, as well as amenities such as clean restrooms, a gift shop, and many brochures about the town you are visiting, and many more from other towns and cities in Texas.
What’s particularly notable about Bastrop’s visitor center is that it also features a small museum featuring the history of Bastrop and the surrounding area, as well as an exhibit dedicated solely to the 2011 fires.
Admission into the museum is $5 for adults. Children 12 and under are free. Reading all the plaques takes less than an hour, and your ticket is valid for re-entry if you wish to return on the same day.
Free Things to Do in Bastrop, TX
- The visitor’s center has a free kids’ scavenger hunt activity. They prepared a kids’ scavenger hunt where kids find all the frogs and record their locations. After your kid is done, you’ll want to turn in their completed scavenger hunt for a prize.
- The whole family will enjoy seeing a lot of street art in Bastrop.
- The Lost Pines Art Center offers free admission seven days a week.
- Fishermen’s Park and Bob Bryant Park are open to the public at no cost.
- And, of course, Lake Bastrop is a great place to take the kids for free.
Shopping In Bastrop Historic District
Bastrop boasts many charming and quaint shops in its historic district, which is easily accessible on foot. It’s easy to get lost in the selection of antiques, jewelry, and unique gifts. Whether you’re looking for something to remember your time in Bastrop or a “just because” splurge on jewelry or clothing, you’ll find it here.
Please note that many shops and businesses are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Early in the week is an excellent, not-so-busy time to visit and explore, but if you’re a hardcore shopper or window shopper, you may want to go Wednesday through Saturday.
Bastrop River Company
It’s not a “mariachi and margarita” kind of riverwalk, as you’ll find in San Antonio; it’s more of a hike/bike/walk/stroll/jog kind of trail you can enjoy with your family or solo. The river scenery is lush and beautiful. You’ll have a great view of the historic suspension bridge, and if you want to take the adventure up a notch, you can rent a paddleboard, canoe, or kayak and explore via water.
Check out the Bastrop River Company’s website for more info on rentals.
Visit Bastrop State Park
Bastrop State Park offers over seven miles of hiking trails, along with campsites and cabins for overnight stays.
The trails at Bastrop State Park are generally pretty easy to navigate. If you’re visiting from out of state, be aware that Texas typically experiences warm and sunny weather throughout the year, so be sure to bring water and sunscreen.
The park is an ideal spot for hiking and unplugging from the world. Even though the park is very near “civilization,” it’s still very refreshing to get out and walk the trails and appreciate nature and resilience in the case of this terrain.
Zip Lost Pines In Bastrop
If ziplining over the top of the pines sounds like your thing, reserve a tour. They offer three different tours – a six-line, a three-line, and a night zip tour. It’s a pricey activity, but a six-line tour lasts two and a half to three hours, so half the day’s activities are knocked out.
Zip Lost Pines overlooks McKinney Roughs Nature Park, which offers such activities as hiking and equestrian trails, UTV tours, picnic spots, and more.
Things To Do In Bastrop, TX, With Kids: A Visit To Lake Bastrop
If you’ve read this far, you know Bastrop isn’t short on outdoor fun. If you like camping, fishing, and nature, not necessarily in that order, you’ll want to check out Lake Bastrop. Lake Bastrop North Shore Park is an excellent spot for fishing. It has bass, crappie, perch, and catfish. You can fish from the pier or a boat, and on-site boat rentals are available.
If you’re looking for something besides fishing and boating, Lake Bastrop North also features a day-use area where you can swim, play volleyball, or enjoy a picnic. They also offer various campsites for overnight stays, including five Airstream campers available for rent.
Lake Bastrop South Shore Park offers similar amenities. There’s fishing and camping available, but if you want to stay in an Airstream, head to North Shore Park. South Shore Park offers camping sites, cabins, and a mini-golf course.
Where To Stay In Bastrop, TX
The Pecan Street Inn or the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa are great choices. These places don’t have much in common, so your choice will depend on your family’s budget and the trip experience you seek.
Austin Hill Country Resort – Lost Pines Resort And Spa
Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa is nestled deep in the woods and feels very secluded. The property has an almost rustic and unpretentious vibe, yet offers every luxury imaginable. There’s an on-site spa, a golf course, kids’ activities, walking trails, lawn games, two pools (one of which is adults-only), and a great slide with a seriously legit lazy river.
The property offers numerous secluded spots to sit and relax, as well as seven restaurants for dining enjoyment.
Places To Eat In Bastrop, Texas
For a small town, Bastrop offers a wide range of dining options.
Pro Tip: Many restaurants are closed on Mondays.
Neighbor’s Kitchen And Yard
We typically let TripAdvisor pick my restaurants for me, but we ate lunch at Neighbor’s Kitchen & Yard based on the recommendation of the employees at The Pecan Street Inn. Our server recommended the chicken salad.
The Grace Miller (formerly Gracie’s)
The Grace Miller in Bastrop is top-notch. The atmosphere is casual and cafe-style, and the establishment features an attached patio bar with live music on weekends.
Must-Try: Gracie’s Chicken Fried Steak
Tough Cookie Bakery
Tough Cookie Bakery is a locally owned bakery that primarily serves vegan, and a variety of breakfast and lunch items, including vegan biscuits and gravy. The bakery is a short walk from Neighbor’s, so we recommend skipping dessert there and grabbing something here.
Maxine’s Cafe and Bakery
Don’t leave town before trying Maxine’s. They’re open for breakfast and lunch. The breakfast menu is mouthwatering, and a must-try is their fried green tomatoes.
Paw Paw’s Catfish House
If you like catfish, this is a must-try. They have a few other menu items at Paw Paw’s, but it’s mostly a catfish and burger place. They have banana pudding on their dessert menu, making it a must-try in my book.
I hope these things to do in Bastrop, TX, with kids convince you to make plans to visit.
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