Towns East of Austin
As you head East of Austin towards Houston/College Station, you discover multiple quaint Texas Hill Country towns. As Austin has expanded, these cities continue to grow with Austin commuters and Austinites looking for more land, at a more competitive price than growing Austin properties. Many towns you’ll find are known for Barbecue and wind down the beautiful Colorado River. For more information on doing a Day Trip or Staycation in any of these towns, check out our Day Trips guide.
Manor/Elgin
Elgin is also known as the Sausage Capital of Texas and the Brick Capital of the Southwest, due to the presence of three operating brickyards in the mid-20th century (two of which are open to this date). Southwest of Austin, you’ll find Elgin about a 30 minute drive, following the US-290 route. Manor is one of the fastest growing Austin suburbs, with a large majority of residents commuting to Dell’s Round Rock Headquarters, and ability to find larger plots of land at a better price. Sitting only about 12 miles Northeast of Round Rock, you won’t find much traffic to and from the two cities.
Eat: Southside Market & Barbeque, Meyer’s Elgin Smokehouse, Cafe 290, Good Luck Grill, Aviator Pizza & Brew Company, Eva Mae’s Kitchen, Chokdee Thai Cuisine, Joseph’s Steakhouse, Luigi’s Italian Restaurant, Maxine’s Gumbo House, Lucy’s Kitchen, The Taco Spot, Tamale Addiction, Chemn Cafe
Drink: Ramos Restaurant & Sports Bar, The Owl Wine Bar & Home Goods, Liberty Tree Tavern, Bob’s Blue Collar Tavern, Libation Station
Play: J Lorraine TX Ghost Town, Suncrest Farm Horseback Riding, Crowes Nest Farm, East Metropolitan Park, Elgin Memorial Park, Bit by Bit Farms & Horseback Riding, Hogeye Festival, Austin Rifle Club Gun Range, Haunted Manor by Dick Peterson
Bastrop/Webberville/Smithville
Bastrop is “the most historic small town in Texas.” Find delicious restaurants, fun festivals and things to do, and great hotels like the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines. Smithville is a city in Bastrop County, Texas, United States, near the Colorado River. Webberville is a small town in Travis County, with a population of nearly 400 back in the 2010 Census. Located halfway between Austin and Bastrop it is only about 16 miles from Downtown Austin. Comprising settlements dating back to 1827, Webber’s Prairie was formally established by retired physician John Ferdinand Webber in 1839.
Eat: Comfort Cafe, Honey’s, Zimmerhanzel’s BBQ, Your Mom’s, Pockets Grille, Back Door Cafe & Coffee Shop, Olde World Bakery & Cafe, Bistro 71, Roadhouse, Maxine’s Bastrop, Neighbor’s Kitchen & Yard, The Grace Miller Gracie’s, Southside Market & BBQ Bastrop, Bastiano’s Pizzeria & Creamery, La Cocinas, Bassano Del Grappa, Coffee Dog Roastery & Coffee House
Play: Sherwood Forest Faire Festival, Bastrop State Park, Bastrop River Company Rafting Kayaking Paddleboarding & Tubing, Scream Hollow Wicked Halloween Park, Pine Forest Golf Club, ColoVista Golf Club, Crosshairs Fun Ranges, Lake Bastrop, Bastrop Farmers Market, Buescher State Park, Bastrop Opera House, Webberville Park, Austin Orchards (Pick your own Farm), Cook’s Canoes Rafting & Kayaking,
Drink: Cripple Creek Wine Tasting Room, 602 on Main, Copper Shot Distillery, Iron Bridge Icehouse, Bastrop Beer Company, Colorado River Winery
Lockhart
Lockhart is a great day-trip or weekend destination from San Antonio, Austin, Houston, the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex and anywhere in between. Known for its Barbeque and winding country rounds. A city in Caldwell County, Texas with a population of 12,698 according to the 2010 census.
Eat:Black’s BBQ, Smitty’s, Kreuz Market, Lockhart Chisholm Trail BBQ, Lockhart Bistro
Play: Lonestar Gun Range, Maverick Horseback Riding, Bastrop River Company Rafting Kayaking Paddleboarding & Tubing, Lockhart State Park, Caldwell County Museum, Haunted Magnolia Hotel
Drink: The Pearl Wine Bar, Load Off Fanny’s, Lilly’s Bar & Grill, Lockhart Arts & Craft (Wine & Beer Bar / Art Classes), El Rey Bar & Nightclub, Coconuts Bar & Grill
