10 Ways To Enjoy Springtime In Bastrop And The Lost Pines Region

2. Drink local. Situated on the banks of the Colorado River in Bastrop is Colorado River Winery, which offers guests a tasting room where they can sip and relax with locally produced wines. The winery ferments different types of reds and whites in small batches—available while they last—and stocks another group of wines for tasting and purchasing year-round. www.coloradoriverwinery.com

For something a little stronger than wine, make a pit stop at the Copper Shot Distillery, producer of small-batch, handcrafted spirits onsite right in downtown Bastrop. The distillery features tours and a tasting room where visitors can enjoy memorably creative concoctions as well as a class detailing the distilling process. www.coppershotdistillery.com

3. Take to the trails. For outdoor enthusiasts, Bastrop and the Lost Pines Region is the place to be when the urge to hit the trails strikes. Nature lovers can get lost in the McKinney Roughs Nature Park, an 1,100-acre park that offers 18 miles of foot trails and 12 miles for horseback riding. Visitors can also zipline through McKinney Roughs at Zip Lost Pines. www.lcra.org/parks  

In town, Bastrop's Fisherman's Park is the starting point for the El Camino Rea'l Paddling Trail and the June Hill Pape Riverwalk Trail that runs to Ferry Park. Families can also enjoy the playground, picnic tables, barbecue pits, and boat and canoe docks onsite.

Or, wander over to the Bastrop State Park to revel in its history and make the most of the many available activities—with chances to learn about wildlife in the nature programs and fish, hike and bike the trails. www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/bastrop  

4. Roll and paddle along the Colorado River. The Bastrop River Company lets water buffs explore the river any way they want—whether it's kayaking, canoeing or tubing with half-day, full-day, hourly and moonlight rentals. www.bastropriverco.com.

5. Run in the Bastrop Half Marathon. Starting at 7 a.m. on Saturday, March 25, the half marathon is a premiere race experience that features a two-loop course throughout the town of Bastrop (or just one, if you prefer a quarter marathon). www.bastrophalf.com.

6. Dine alfresco at Neighbor's Kitchen & Yard. Get views of the river from the deck of this family-owned pizza joint in Bastrop. With a rustic setting, scratch-made food and handcrafted cocktails, Neighbor's pleases the palate day and night—with ambient supplements including live tunes on the patio, twinkling fairy lights in the dining room and ops to relax and mingle with friends and family. www.neighborstx.com

7. Hit the links. There's no shortage of tee times in Bastrop and the Lost Pines Region. Golfers can explore the many courses available in the area, starting with the Wolfdancer Golf Club. This Audubon International-certified course features an 18-hole course, a 13-acre driving range, two putting greens and more. Other green, view-filled links to try: ColoVista Golf Course and Pine Forest Golf Club.

8. Break bread with the community. The City of Bastrop Main Street Program presents the first-ever Table on Main on Sunday, April 23 from 4–8 p.m., a community dinner at the Bastrop Convention & Exhibit Center. Local farmers, restaurants and brewers gather to showcase and serve their best bites and sips. Tickets are $100 per person; only 150 tickets will be sold at bastropdowntown.com.

9. Support local farmers. Saturday mornings are for browsing through the Bastrop 1832 Farmers Market. Each week, local farmers and artisans gather to sell their farm and ranch products—from ready-to-eat foods to handmade personal care items like lotions. www.bastrop1832farmersmarket.org

10. Celebrate art and culture around town. On the first Thursday of each month, head to the Bastrop Convention & Exhibit Center at 5:30 p.m. for the Farm Street Opry, a monthly concert featuring local musicians. The show is followed by Pickin' on the Porch, an interactive music experience by Neighbor's Kitchen & Yard and Copper Shot Distillery on the first Friday.

Also held the first Friday of the month is Bastrop First Friday Art Walk, which features local galleries, boutiques and small businesses showcasing works of art on Main Street from 5:30–8:30 p.m. The artsy lineup also includes Lost Pines Art Center—located in the heart of Bastrop—for its Art Get Away on April 15 and May 20, with all-day events and workshops. Learn more at bastropdowntown.com.

SOURCE City of Bastrop