About: Fredericksburg is located in central Texas about an hour and fifteen minutes outside of Austin. Known for its wineries, Fredericksburg is often called the Napa Valley of the South. Noted vineyards are Grape Creek, Becker and Pontonoc in which all have tasting rooms located off of Main Street. The city's German heritage is on display at the Pioneer Museum featuring settlers' homesteads and artifacts. In the town square, Marktplatz, is the Vereins Kirche a replica of a 19th-century German church that once stood in the city. Down the road is the National Museum of the Pacific War which displays WWII exhibits including a recreated combat zone. Enchanted Rock State Park, a dramatic 425-ft. pink granite monolith & wilderness area offering hiking, climbing, camping & more is 20 miles away. Additionally, President Lyndon B Johnson's ranch is located in Stonewall about 15 miles outside of Fredericksburg. Authentic german cusine, biergartens, live music and shopping are all situated along main street. Fredericksburg has over 350 locally owned B&Bs, Guest Houses and Inns. Please click on the underlined links. Rental Homes: Guests can rent a home via AirBnB and VRBO and Homeaway. Bed and Breakfast: With over 900 B&Bs, guesthouses, inns and guest ranches, you could say we’re the unofficial capital of eclectic lodging in Texas. We’ve got the perfect Hill Country accommodation to fit your needs. B&B Search Hotel and Motels: From smaller locally owned properties to large national chains Fredericksburg offers hotels and motels. Hotel and Motel Search RV Parks and Campgrounds: Fredericksburg is home to many RV parks and campgrounds—most within minutes of Fredericksburg’s Main Street and some located in municipal and state parks. They’re a popular choice for winter-only residents so call ahead if you can. RV and Camping Search Things to do:
Stroll on Main Street
You can take a leisurely stroll through a storybook town. The central shopping district, referred to as “The Magic Mile”, is separated from the West Main Street shopping district by Marktplatz. “The Magic Mile” begins just east of the Admiral Nimitz Museum and continues west to Marktplatz. Along the way, in outstanding historical buildings, you will enjoy top quality shopping. Wide sidewalks and courtyards line the streets making this a lovely walk. Marktplatz, in the 100 block of Main Street, could easily be called the heart and soul of Fredericksburg, Texas.
Take a Historical Walking Tour
Enjoy a 2-1/2 hour evening tour (approx 2 miles) through old Fredericksburg while exploring the fascinating story of Fredericksburg’s history through its old buildings... including the Old Jail! This informative and entertaining walking tour is guided by a knowledgeable Fredericksburg native who descends from the original German settlers. Tour is a brisk 2 mile walk and not recommended for children under 10. Visit this site for tickets and more info http://www.pioneermuseum.net/historic-walking-tour-of-fredericksburg-2.html Visit a Painted Church The German immigrants who settled Fredericksburg and other Texas towns in the 19th century tried to make their new places of worship feel like those they’d left behind in their homelands. They painted altars and arches with vibrant colors and designs reminiscent of the Gothic style they were used to, creating the Painted Churches of Texas. Fredericksburg has a beautiful example of the artwork in St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The work from the early 1900s features intricate stained glass, paintings of the Twelve Apostles, arch decorations, and a depiction of Jesus above the altar, making St. Mary’s sanctuary one of the more unique things to see in Fredericksburg.
Museums:
Pacific War Museum The in-depth exhibits bring to life the conflict in the Pacific Theater in painstaking detail with thousands of artifacts and heavy machinery of the type you would normally only expect in facilities like the Smithsonian. The three buildings of Fredericksburg’s Pacific War Museum include two traditional museums that focus on Admiral Nimitz and the battles of World War II in the Pacific along with the outdoor Pacific Combat Zone where reenactments bring the battles to life in front of your eyes.
LBJ Home and Ranch A short road trip away, two points of interest near Fredericksburg in Stonewall and Johnson City, Texas, allow visitors to take a step back into presidential history with a look at the life of Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th president of the United States. Stonewall–just 14 miles from Fredericksburg–is home to the LBJ Ranch, which includes important places from LBJ’s life.
Pioneer Museum Fredericksburg's German heritage stretches back over 170 years. Get a hands-on glimpse of that history at the 3.5 acre Pioneer Museum Complex. Tour the buildings on our 3 acre grounds and learn the history behind the German pioneers of the Texas Hill CountrY.
Quick Road Trips:
Luckenbach, Texas- Dance Hall 14 miles from Fredericksburg, is essentially a wide place in the road. This two-building town–it only has a dance hall and the combination bar and general store–draws people from across the country and around the world to drink beer underneath the oak trees and listen to country music in the memorabilia-studded bar.
Llano, Texas- Enchanted Rock Park Seventeen miles north of Fredericksburg, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is one of the most popular hiking and camping sites in Texas and one of the best attractions in the Hill Country. Native American tribes ascribed magical powers to the rock, hence its otherworldly name. The massive pink granite batholith and surrounding park attract 250,000 visitors a year for good reason—it boasts 2.5 square miles of land for rock climbing, backpacking, picnicking, and other outdoor activities.
Hye, Texas- Garrison Brothers Distillery A few miles outside of town in Hye, Texas, is one of the most popular distilleries in Texas. Garrison Brothers Distillery makes premium grain-to-glass bourbon on the ranch here, and they welcome visitors to sample their wares.
Marble Falls, Texas- Bluebonnet Cafe A 90 year tradition. The classic cafe that earned a worldwide reputation for good food and friendly service opened in 1929 on Main Street in Marble Falls, Texas. The Blue Bonnet Cafe moved to its current location on Hwy 281, blocks from Lake Marble Falls, in 1946. Make sure to order a pie! Flowers, Herbs, Gardens and Peaches:
Fredericksburg Herb Farm Just a few blocks off Main Street, Fredericksburg Herb Farm is a chic, rustic complex transformed out of an 1800s homestead. There is a gift shop, a lovely 5000-square foot day spa, and a fabulous bistro set among winding gardens and walking paths.
Wildseed Farms The wildflower farm has walking trails, butterfly gardens, and an endless number of photo opportunities. There is also a wide variety of plants, seeds, and food items for sale in the Farms’ shops. There’s so much to do here, and it’s one of the prettiest places to visit in Fredericksburg.
Japanese Garden of Peace Part of the National Museum of the Pacific War, the Japanese Garden of Peace provides a moment of quiet in downtown and a counterpoint to the tragedy of war discussed in the buildings that surround it. The garden includes lots of items with symbolic meaning, including the stones, raked gravel, and water feature. In fact, the garden itself is symbolic—a gift in honor of the friendship between Admiral Nimitz and Japan’s Admiral Heihachiro Togo.
Das Peach Haus Inside the store whose buildings date from the late 1800s and early 1900s, you’ll find just about every food product you never knew you needed from peach cider to their famous roasted raspberry chipotle sauce. And you can sample all of it on-site. There is also a cooking school that offers regular classes in regional US specialties and international cuisines. Just outside Das Peach Haus are views of the peach orchards, a handsome deck to relax on, and a gorgeous pond that’s open for fishing.
Visit the Award-Winning Texas Wineries and Vineyards (Some of our favorites):
Grape Creek and Heath Sparkling Wine (Tasting room on Main Street) Taste our award-winning wines with over 200 medals in just the last two years. Tour our beautiful 100-acre Texas hill country estate, winery and romantic Tuscan Villa tasting rooms and restaurant nestled among the oaks and vines in Fredericksburg Texas. Join the wine club to truly experience all Grape Creek has to offer and Belong! Heath Sparkling Wines begin at Grape Creek Vineyards. The Cuvée (base wine for sparkling wine or Champagne) is crafted by our own, widely decorated Winemaker Jason Englert.
Barrons Creek Vineyards Our philosophy at Baron’s Creek is to bring you small lots of very fine wine from the best vineyards. We source our grapes from specialty growers throughout Texas, Washington, California and Spain. Whenever possible, we like to ferment as close to the vineyards as possible.We partner with different vintners who ferment according to protocols set up by our winemaker, Russell Smith. This ensures consistent quality for all of our wines. We offer tastings to accomodate wine lovers of every distinction.
Becker Vineyards (Tasting room on Main Street) Becker Vineyard's winery is a 10,000 square foot facility which is a reproduction of a late 19th century German stone barn, a prevalent style of the Texas Hill Country. Since the vineyard was founded in 1992, three winery expansions have taken place to accommodate 74 fermentation tanks and over 4500 barrels used during the aging process. The winery is the largest purchaser of French and American Oak barrels in the state of Texas. Guided tours are conducted hourly on the weekends and on a limited basis during the week.
Signor Vineyards Situated in the rolling hills of Central Texas where the Pedernales River meets Grape Creek our Tasting Room is located inside the Vineyard Estate House, designed and built by famed architect Isaac Maxwell. And born of a friendship spanning three generations of two Texas families. Our tasting room is open to the public without an appointment Thursday through Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 5pm and on Monday from 12 pm to 5 pm. Reservations are recommended for groups of 6 or more.
Pontotoc Vineyard (Weingarten on Main Street) Pontotoc Vineyard Weingarten is nestled in a quaint cottage with an authentic weinkeller in a stone walled courtyard in historic Fredericksburg, Texas. Similar to the heurigen of Vienna, Austria, the weingarten provides a family atmosphere in an intimate environment for sharing a picnic of excellent local food and wine. The mission of Pontotoc Vineyard is to make vintage wines of exceptional quality from grapes grown solely in the Texas Hill Country. We are a fifth generation Texas farming family and take great pride in bringing the fruit of our labor to your table.
Breweries and Distilleries (Some of our favorites):
Altstadt Brewery German-style beers are brewed on premise at this large restaurant & pub with an Old World vibe.
Elk Store Winery & Distillery The Elk Store Winery and Distillery has two bars—one with wine from around the world and one with spirits distilled on-site. Whether you’re choosing a French Cotes du Rhône, something made with their gin, or a popular cocktail with the house-made pecan pie moonshine, it’s hard to go wrong.
Fredericksburg Brewing Company Local stalwart offering house-brewed lagers & ales, plus an eclectic menu of Southern & German eats. Restaurants (Some of our favorites):
Otto’s German Bistro Otto’s is a great option for dinner or Sunday brunch. They offer modern German specialties along with other types of European dishes on a menu that changes daily. The cocktails are loving crafted.
Cabernet Grill Just off of Main Street, the Cabernet Grill is consistently rated as one of the best restaurants in Fredericksburg. With a focus on steak, seafood, and Texas wine, they bill their cuisine as “upscale Texas Hill Country.”
Hondo’s on Main This is the place to go for casual food, informal atmosphere, and live music. Hondo’s is a “self-help” restaurant. You order at the bar, pick your food up in the kitchen, and grab a seat near the stage. It’s almost impossible to leave without a smile on your face.
Vaudeville Hip bistro serving local New American cuisine in a complex with a retail showroom & an art gallery.
Sunset Grill
New American bistro serving thoughtfully sourced eats (omelets, burgers & salads) amid cheery decor.
The Auslander A German-American eatery with a Texas vibe, outdoor seating, live music & a large beer selection. Bars and Music (Some of our favorites):
The Stable Cocktail Bar The Stable is a cozy, equestrian-themed lounge just a few minutes from Main Street
78624 The Bar You’ll find classic cocktails, wine, and beer in a unique, antique-filled setting. The live piano music and their courtyard make it among our top choices in Fredericksburg.
Pecan Grove Pecan Grove Store was built in 1957. The first building was a Sinclair service station, then the owners added on a store then a garage/shop. Pecan Grove has an old time honky-tonk feel amongst a large grove of pecan trees. Their is a fire pit & outside room for dancing, washers and games plus beer, wine, cold drinks and food.
Crossroads Salon Rustic, Texas hill country style decor with a full bar, dance floor & every evening they have live entertainment.
Lincoln Street Wine and Cigar Bar Chill hangout with a bygone atmosphere offering premium cigars, gourmet bites & international wines.
Altdorf Biergarten
Classic German beer garden with a shady patio serving tap beers, traditional dishes & eclectic fare. Sweets, Desserts and Coffee:
Twisted Sisters Bakeshop
Full service espresso bar and Bake Shop. They make everything from scratch daily right here at the shop and specialize in cookies, muffins, cinnamon rolls and scones.
Clear River Bakery Red booths line this whimsical, retro ice cream parlor, deli & bakery with sundaes & sandwiches.
Old German Bakery Homey German bakeshop & eatery offering a breakfast/lunch menu of potato pancakes, schnitzel & more.
Fredericksburg Pie Company Quaint, family-run shop offering homemade fruit & pecan pies plus vintage quilts & knickknacks.
Spas:
Prickly Pear Spa Massage, Couples Massage, Eyelash Extensions, Facials, Skin Care and more…. Above and Beyond Day Spa We specialize in massages. Swedish, Couples, Prenatal, European Facial massage, Reflexology, Sports, Therapeutic, and Deep Tissue. |