A day downtown with visiting family
Where we'd take out-of-town family on a Saturday, from the museum in the morning to music by the river at night.
Morning
Start at the Bastrop Museum & Visitor Center on Main Street. The exhibits tie the 1832 street grid to what you'll walk past the rest of the day, so it's a good first stop for anyone new to town.
If it's Saturday, walk over to the Bastrop 1832 Farmers Market, open 10 to 2. Go early, before it warms up.
Midday
Lunch is Maxine's on Main. Get the chicken fried steak and save room for pie.
Then walk it off at The Painted Porch Bookstore. The shelves are short on purpose, since everything in there is something the staff would recommend, and they keep a section of signed copies.
Late afternoon
Head to Copper Shot Distillery. The back patio has live bands Friday and Saturday evenings.
Around sunset, walk the June Hill Pape Riverwalk, an easy, flat stretch from Fisherman's Park past the Old Iron Bridge, when the light comes off the water.
Dinner
Neighbor's Kitchen & Yard sits on the Colorado and has live music most weekend nights. Get there before sunset if you want an outside table. If it's an occasion, book Piney Creek Chop House and its piano bar instead (closed Sundays).