Neighborhood

 

Things to Do in Bastrop, Texas

Nestled on the banks of the Colorado River, Bastrop is a suburban community located only 30 miles from Austin, Texas. Antique shops, museums, theaters and historic neighborhoods fill this quaint Texas town. Families will enjoy a list of outdoor recreation activities at Bastrop State Park. Golf, horseback ride, or take a stroll through the Lost Pines or kayak down the beautiful Colorado River.

Chestnut Square Movie Theater

“The Square” is Bastrop’s ultimate family entertainment center. Catch a flick, challenge friends in a bowling game or test your hand-eye coordination at the arcade. The Chestnut Square center also offers mini-golf, a sports bar and a variety of entertainment events. Visit www.chestnutsquare.net for more information.

Bastrop County Historical Museum

Established in 1952, the Bastrop County Historical Museum offers a unique glimpse into Bastrop’s rich cultural heritage. Materials, exhibits artifacts and documents recall the days of Stephen F. Austin’s Little Colony and Bastrop’s pioneering days as a major Western frontier. Visit Bastrop County Historical Museum.

Bastrop Opera House

Watch as performing arts, dance and music take center stage. Built in 1889, the Bastrop Opera House experienced performances by over 20 touring companies during its openning season. The Bastrop Opera House is home to YOUTHeatre who, in the past, have performed productions like “Annie” and “Macbeth.” For tickets and info, visit www.bastropoperahouse.com.

Bastrop Fine Arts Guild

Bringing together a unique community of local, emerging, amateur and professional artists, the Bastrop Fine Arts Guild is Bastrop’s artistic outlet. Featuring a large exhibition space, artists of all mediums gather to share their work with other artists and artisitic minded souls. Viist www.bastropfineartsguild.com for schedule.

June Hill Pape Riverwalk

Completed in 1988 in memory of June Hill Pape, this scenic trail along the Colorado River connects Fisherman’s Park to Ferry Park. Take a relaxing stroll through the tree-lined trail surrounded by the beauty of nature.

McKinney Rough Nature Park

Discover 17 miles of hiking and equestrian trails at the McKinney Rough Nature Park. Winding rivers, rolling meadows, wildflower fields and acres of pine forest set the backdrop for exciting rafting, canoeing, kayaking and nature adventures. Home to the Environmental Learning Center, the McKinney Rough Nature Park also features a wide variety of wildlife and plants. Visit www.lcra.org/parks/developed_parks/mckinney_roughs.html for more information.

Fisherman’s Park

Featuring a pavilion, playground, basketball hoops, soccer field, tennis courts and boat docks, Fisherman’s Park is the perfect place to have a family picnic or simply lounge around. Fisherman’s Park is home to Yesterfest and the Annual Patriotic Festival.

Pine Forest Golf Club

Offering the best in golf, the Pine Forest Golf Club located in the Tahitian Village is a golfer’s delight. The lazy Colorado River, rolling hills and beautiful homes set the backdrop for 18 holes of pristine golf course. Visit www.pineforestgolfclub.com for more information.

Bastrop Old Town Visitor Center

Operated by the Bastrop County Historical Society, the Bastrop Old Town Visitor Center has all you need to discover this historical community. Located in the 1889 First National Bank Building on Main Street, the visitor center welcomes you to enjoy Bastrop to the fullest. Visit www.visitbastrop.org to learn more.

Rising Phoenix Adventures

Gear up for an exciting outdoor adventure down the Colorado River. With Rising Phoenix Adventures, visitors can kayak or canoe their way down the slow winding Colorado River or rent bikes and tents. Shuttle service is available. Visit www.risingphoenixadventures.com for more information.

 

Camp Swift Military Base

Camp Swift in Bastrop, Texas
Located seven miles north of Bastrop, Texas, Camp Swift was once the largest military training and transshipment camp in Texas during World War II. At its height, Camp Swift included many barracks, training facilities, support buildings and warehouses, while accommodating 44,000 troops.

Camp Swift History
Named for Eben Swift, a World War I commander, Camp Swift opened in 1942 after 120 days of construction. Boasting 3,000 buildings sprawled over 55,906 acres, Camp Swift housed various infantry divisions, special troops and even German prisoners of war.

Camp Swift as a Texas Historical Marker
In 1996, Camp Swift received the Texas Historical Marker. Prior to that, the government had designated 11,000 acres of Camp Swift as a military reservation housing the Texas National Guard, a medium-security federal prison and a University of Texas cancer research center.

Camp Swift Today
In the early 2000s, Camp Swift provided Texas Army National Guard training. Today, Camp Swift is also used to store Army Reserve equipment and vehicles.

M.D. Anderson Research Center in Houston
The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Research Center in Houston, Texas is dedicated to providing premier medical services and cancer treatment in the country. In the past six years, the research center has ranked No. 1 in cancer care in the America’s Best Hospitals survey published by the U.S. News & World Report

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Texas Cancer Treatment & Research Center
In 2008, the medical center served 70,044 patients and employed over 17,000 doctors, researchers, volunteers, faculty and other medical personnel. Professional doctors and scientist are dedicated to researching the causes, prevention and treatment of cancer, while maintaining a high quality of patient care.

M.D. Anderson Research Center Facilities
The Houston facilities are divided into a north and south campus and are composed of the main building, the cancer prevention building as well as a slew of other research and treatment centers. Bastrop County is home to the Virginia Harris Cockrell Cancer Research Center and the Michale E. Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research.