The easiest way to learn downtown Bastrop is to walk it. Explore Bastrop County’s self-guided tour has 34 numbered stops on its map, starting at the Museum & Visitor Center, 904 Main St. You can go on foot or by bicycle, and you can download the map as a PDF.
Why is downtown Bastrop so historic?
Bastrop was officially established on June 8, 1832, and Stephen F. Austin named it for his longtime friend and co-worker, the Baron de Bastrop, according to the Bastrop EDC’s history page. The town is an official Texas Main Street city, and many of its buildings on the tour are well over a century old.
What will you see on the tour?
Here are a few stops worth slowing down for, with the dates listed on the tour page:
| Stop | Address | Built |
|---|---|---|
| Storehouse | 813 Main St. | 1846 |
| Nelson Burch Building | 930/932 Main St. | Circa 1863 |
| Bastrop County Courthouse | 803 Pine St. | 1883-1884 |
| First National Bank Building | 1016 Main St. | 1889 |
| Bastrop Opera House | 711 Spring St. | 1889 |
| Old County Jail | Pine St. | 1891 |
| Citizens State Bank Building | 928 Main St. | 1911 |
| June Hill Pape Riverwalk | Along the Colorado River | 1998 |
The first stop itself is part of the story. The Museum & Visitor Center building was once Bastrop’s City Hall.
Where should you finish?
The tour ends at the June Hill Pape Riverwalk, which runs one mile along the Colorado River. Stop 9 on the map is the old bridges, and that area has news coming: Community Impact reports a love locks sculpture is expected to be unveiled at the Old Iron Bridge ribbon-cutting on Dec. 4. We wrote more about it in our love locks post.
How do you plan the walk?
- Start at 904 Main St., where the map begins.
- Bring the PDF map on your phone, or print it first.
- Plan a meal around it. Our Where to Eat guide lists local spots, and Things to Do has more ideas for the day.
The tour page does not give a total distance or walking time, so take it at your own pace.
Thinking about living near all this?
Walking Main Street is a good way to see whether Bastrop feels right for you. Pair it with a drive using our Neighborhoods guide, or ask us to set up showings while you are in town.
Frequently asked questions
- Is there a walking tour of downtown Bastrop?
- Yes. Explore Bastrop County publishes a self-guided Historical Downtown Walking Tour with 34 numbered stops on its map. You can walk it or ride it on a bicycle.
- Where does the Bastrop walking tour start?
- It starts at the Bastrop County Museum & Visitor Center, 904 Main St., a building that was once Bastrop's City Hall.
- What are the oldest buildings on the Bastrop walking tour?
- The storehouse at 813 Main St. is listed as built in 1846. The Nelson Burch Building at 930 and 932 Main St. is listed as circa 1863.
- How long is the riverwalk in downtown Bastrop?
- The June Hill Pape Riverwalk, the last stop on the tour, runs one mile along the Colorado River. It was built in 1998.
Sources
- Explore Bastrop County: Bastrop Historical Downtown Walking Tour
- Bastrop EDC: Bastrop's Historical Roots Run Deep
- Community Impact: Data centers and downtown, what's trending in Bastrop
Thinking about moving to Bastrop? Start with our moving guide and neighborhood guide, or send us a question.
