A long weekend's worth of options inside the county line — parks, river, downtown, wineries, museums, and the resort.
Put in at Fisherman's Park or one of the outfitter launches and float to the next take-out. Lazy current, river-bend swimming holes, and almost no traffic on weekdays.
Hiking, biking, swimming pool, cabins, deer everywhere. The CCC park headquarters and swimming pool are National Register-listed.
1,100-acre LCRA preserve at the edge of the Lost Pines. Long trail network, riverside bluffs, an environmental learning center.
Two LCRA-run shorelines, North and South. Swimming, fishing, paddleboards, primitive camping. Quiet on weekdays.
Five blocks of restored 19th-century storefronts. Restaurants, antique shops, a bookstore, the visitor center, a brewery, and the Lost Pines Art Center.
1889 brick building still in use as a community theater. Live performances most weekends, plus film nights.
Local history, the Bastrop fire story, and a friendly staff who actually knows the answers. Start a first visit here.
Paved path along the Colorado from Fisherman's Park through downtown. Best at sunrise or after dinner.
Smithville is built around its Main Street. Antique shops, the historic Page House, an iron-front commercial district.
Smithville was an MKT division point. The old depot is now a small but well-curated railroad museum.
Smithville stood in for the fictional town in the 1998 film. The blue house and several downtown locations are still recognizable.
A small but growing wine and craft-beer scene — tasting rooms in the country, plus a brewery and a distillery downtown.
405-acre resort inside the forest. Stay overnight, day-pass the pool/spa, or eat at the restaurant. Worth at least one visit.
Park Road 1C, FM 535 to Rosanky, FM 1441 toward McDade. Pick a road, take three hours, see real Texas.
Downtown bars and the Opera House book Texas singer-songwriters most weekends. See the events page for current bookings.
Festivals, farmers markets, Yesterfest, holiday events — the rolling calendar is on its own page.
Events Calendar