Discover True Texas in Bastrop County

One of the top vacation destinations in the country is my hometown of Austin, Texas. And while Austin is for sure a great city, with all of its non-stop festivals, and the high-priced hotels, expensive restaurants and hipsters in pedicabs, its not exactly Texas anymore. At least thats the thought I had when I was downtown last week and saw valet parking for $30 at a sushi restaurant. I remember when we didnt even have valet parking in Austin. Or sushi.

For that reason, I was excited to visit the town of Bastrop, Texas, population 7,554 and counting. Bastrop is just 25 miles from the Austin airport, but its a thousand miles away from Austins traffic, crowds and 2 million people. The town was founded in 1804, and its been a hub of the timber industry ever since due to its location near the Lost Pines Forest . Thats right: forest. Not something youd expect to find in Central Texas, but there are thirteen miles of scenic loblolly pines to explore and enjoy near Bastrop. (After a devastating fire in 2011, volunteers hand-planted 3 million new loblolly pines, which tells you a lot about this community.)

During my two night stay in Bastrop, I noticed that things definitely move a little slower there. But people are also friendlier, prices are cheaper, and Texas, well, Texas felt a lot more like Texas. Heres a glimpse of what I did in Bastrop, and why you should discover its charms for yourself.

LODGING

There really is no better place to stay than the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines resort . This AAA Four Diamond resorts 405 scenic acres are located on the banks of the Lower Colorado River, adjacent to the huge McKinney Roughs Nature Park, and its laid out so you never feel crowded. There are 491 guest rooms, and amenities include the Wolfdancer Golf Club , Spa Django and the Crooked River Waterpark and Pool . This is the wide, open spaces view that greets you when you arrive:

One of the most impressive things about Lost Pines is how well it does Texas. The vibe here isnt over-the-top-rhinestone-Texas, rather its the much more desirable Hill-Country-Outdoor-Kick-Back-Texas. You notice this in the decor, in the restaurant offerings , and in the full days schedule of activities that includes things like horseshoes, storytellin (no g), live music, falconry shows, kayaking and rafting, horseback riding, archery tag, fly fishing, and more. Take a look at the Hyatt Regency lobby:

If a big resort isnt your style, consider the Pecan Street Inn , a charming B&B in the historic district, or venture into the wild and stay in a cabin at the state park . These are reasonably priced and great for families. Plus, who doesnt want to stay in a cabin named Sam Houston?

ACTIVITIES

Explore Bastrop County is a great website that tells you everything there is to do in the area, including all of the outdoor activities you may want to try. (And there are many outdoor activities available at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines, too.) My choice was the newly opened Zip Lost Pines . They offer six dual zip lines (meaning you can soar side-by-side with a friend or romantic partner, if youre into that kind of thing) that carry you over shady pine forests and across steep canyons. Its located at McKinney Roughs, and its a lot of fun. Id never gone zip-lining before, but the guides were professional and made it easy and I didnt die. Plan on spending at least 2-3 hours here to do all the lines.

Other highlights in Bastrop: The Lost Pines Art Center is a beautiful new facility that features local artists, the Bastrop Farmers Market , open every Saturday, and the Bastrop Museum and Visitor Center .

SHOPPING AND DINING

If youre in the market for boots in Texas, head to the Texas Boot Company. Not only do they have a huge amount of boots and western wear in stock, they can custom order most anything. Plus they serve drinks while you shop, which is a good thing until you have a margarita and start eying a $1,000 pair of Texas A&M boots and you didnt even go to Texas A&M.

But the best way to explore the shopping and dining in Downtown Bastrop is during the First Friday Art Walk, a monthly showcase of galleries, artists, restaurants, shops and small businesses in the historic downtown. My favorite store there is Lost Pines Art Bazaar . They feature a wonderfully eclectic selection of gifts, artwork, hand-knotted Persian rugs and other decor. I spent a long time in here browsing and cant wait to go back.

After youre done shopping at First Friday, head over to Neighbors Kitchen and Yard , just behind main street, for casual and delicious food. Get views of the Colorado river from the deck of this family-owned pizza joint that features a rustic setting, scratch-made food and handcrafted cocktails. They also have live music on the patio most nights. I was thrilled to find an informal pickers circle on the porch when I was there. These guys were singing "Hallelujah and it was as wonderful as it looks

Right next to the porch is the newly opened Copper Shot Distillery where they produce small-batch, handcrafted spirits in a charming, historic building. The distillery features tours and a tasting room where visitors can enjoy creative concoctions and learn about the distilling process. It was a tough decision on which drink to try, but I went with an apple pie moonshine cocktail that was definitely meant for sippin, not chuggin. Itll put some hair on your chest, thats for sure.

Youll no doubt work up an appetite while exploring Bastrop, so during your stay, plan on stopping at the best BBQ place Ive maybe ever visited, Southside Market . Southside Market started in the town of Elgin in 1882, making it the oldest BBQ restaurant in Texas. Theyre famous for their sausage (thats sold at grocery chain HEB), but they specialize in anything meat. I met the owner who is actually a university accredited meat scientist, so you know quality and taste are taken very seriously here. The recently opened Southside Market Bastrop location is warm and welcoming, and it smells delicious even from the parking lot. While youre there, be sure to pace yourself because youll want to order some cobbler for dessert.

And if youre still somehow hungry for another meal after your Southside BBQ, dont miss Maxines in downtown Bastrop. This cozy cafe is a local favorite, and its easy to see why with the delicious food, inviting atmosphere and staff that treats you like youre long lost friends. I highly recommend visiting for breakfast where the portions can best be described as generous. Heres the famous Texas Monthly Stacker, 12 griddle cakes served with a quarter pound pile of bacon, that was featured on the December 2011 cover of Texas Monthly. Maybe everything is bigger in Texas? (Sorry, I always cringe at that line, but in this case, it kind of works.)

If youre looking for a quick getaway from Austin, Houston or San Antonio, head on out to Bastrop for a laid-back, friendly Texas weekend. If youre from one of those states that we call Not Texas, make the quick trip from the Austin airport to discover the many charms of the Lost Pines region. Youll feel right at home, I promise. And not just because theres no downtown $30 valet parking to be found.

For more information, go to VisitBastrop.com or ExploreBastropCounty.com .