13 Reasons To Love Fredericksburg, Texas

In 1846,German settlers founded a small town built of limestone and timber deep in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. Hundreds of the original structures remain, telling the story of Fredericksburg, now a top destination for visitors from all over the world. 

Today, travelers come to spend time in nature, go wine tasting, and enjoy fine dining experiences. History buffs who wish to delve deeper the town’s German history,  and a healthy serving of Texas hospitality. There’s a lot to love in Fredericksburg.

Why Go To Fredericksburg, Texas Now?

Southern Living, Conde Nast Traveler, USA Today, The Dallas Morning News, and Texas Highways are just a few of the publications that have featured Fredericksburg and the Texas Hill Country. Texas is one of fastest growing states in the United States so now is the perfect time to visit Fredericksburg. The limestone architecture and German heritage still hold plenty of charm. 

When is the best time to go?

Texas is hot scorching hot in the summer. Thankfully,  all of the wineries, restaurants, and shops are air-conditioned.  The rest of the year is mostly pleasant. And if it’s too rainy, windy, hot or cold, simply step inside a museum or wine tasting room and wait for the weather to change.

Spring is the best time for wildflower viewing but be aware, everyone else thinks so too. If you can come during the week you’ll have a better experience. 

Where to stay in Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg has the largest variety of vacation rentals of any place in the Hill Country–from hosted guest houses and B&Bs,  to self-catering apartments and private homes. Many old limestone homes have been converted into bed and breakfast properties. Depending on where you stay you may be able to walk to many of the bars, shops, and restaurants in town. 

Albert Hotel

The Albert Hotel is the newest and the only upscale hotel in Fredericksburg. The 105-room boutique hotel is pet friendly and ideally located on Main Street but tucked back so that you won’t feel you’re in the middle of the fray. The hotel opened to great fanfare and it hasn’t died down yet. Check rates directly with the hotel here  and check Booking.com

Cotton Gin Village

With an atmosphere of rustic luxury, the Cotton Gin Village offers a feeling of getting away from it all just a couple of miles from Fredericksburg’s busy Main Street. The overall look and feel of Cotton Gin Village is of a historic site with fourteen charming cottages and restored log cabin(s) overlooking a pretty courtyard. The cabins were built in the late 19th century in Kentucky and Tennessee. That’s where the rustic part ends. Inside, the decor is Texas chic and the amenities are modern and plush. 

The best part…breakfast is delivered to your cabin in a three-tiered picnic basket. Everything is fresh and made from scratch. Imagine sitting on your covered porch with a coffee and breakfast picnic. Prices range from $249 to $289 a night. 

The Inn on Baron’s Creek

The Inn on Baron’s Creek is a 90-room hotel with a spa,  heated saltwater pool, and a pretty walking trail around the creek. All rooms are either queen or king suites and come with wireless internet, a coffee maker, an iron and ironing board, and a flat-screen television in both the sitting room and the bedroom.

Additionally, there are seven private guest rooms with creek views for those wanting a cozier ambiance.  Best of all, you’ll be within walking distance of Main St. just park your car and forget about it.

 Check rates on the hotel website and Compare rates on Hotels.com and on Booking.com

Buffet-style breakfast is served each morning beginning at 6:00 am. For me this was ideal because I love to get up early to take photographs and usually nothing open for hours.

I also found the staff super helpful with information about activities, driving directions, and restaurants.

 Fredericksburg History

Fredericksburg was settled in the mid-1800s by German immigrants looking for a better life. Most were highly educated and brought their music, literature,  and art with them. Today, descendants of these pioneer families still live in the area.

Pioneer Museum

To get an idea of what life was like in and around Fredericksburg, visit the Pioneer Museum. There are eight historic buildings spread across  three acres in downtown Fredericksburg. Each contains artifacts, and  some have recorded audio telling the history of the building. Allow at least an hour for a self-guided tour. The admission price allows you to stay as long as you like.

Touring the museum provides the opportunity to delve deeper into the history of Fredericksburg. I learned a thing or two and some of it was quite eye-opening. The Germans were anti-slavery and fought with the Union army during the Civil War. After the war they had to run for their lives as the Texans who had fought for the Confederacy hunted them down. Not very neighborly at all.  

According to the Museum website:

“The Pioneer Museum will immerse you in the stories of the people who built this unique community. As you visit the Museum you will travel from the 1840s to the 1920s, pausing to imagine the early settlers’ struggles to survive and preserve their German way of life.”

What To Do In Fredericksburg

National Museum of the Pacific

This museum is one of the best WWII museums in the country. The exhibit focuses on the life of Fredericksburg native Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, and on artifacts and events related to the Pacific combat zone. Nimitz commanded over 2,000,000 men and women in the Pacific during the height of WWII. Outside is a pretty Japanese garden, a gift from the people of Japan, the garden features the three basic elements of traditional mediation: stone, plants, and water. There’s also a memorial courtyard commemorating thousands of individuals, ships and units that served in WWII. 

The National Museum of the Pacific is open 7 days a week and is rated the number one attraction in Fredericksburg. 

Visit The Texas White House

During Lyndon B. Johnson’s time as the 36th president of the United States, he managed to spend a lot of time at his ranch in Texas. Hence, the ranch house became known as the Texas White House.

A free pass for driving through the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park can be obtained at the Visitor’s Center in Stonewall, about twenty minutes drive from Fredericksburg on Hwy. 290.

The drive through the park is marked by signs along the way explaining Johnson’s interest in cattle, ranching, and the environment. At the end of the drive, you’ll find the house that was referred to as the White House, an airplane hanger and landing strip, and Johnson’s boyhood home.

Guided tours with a park ranger can be arranged there. As you exit the end of the driving tour you’ll see the family cemetery on your right under a nice stand of old shady oak trees.

For an FAQ with park hours, fees, and more visit the website.

Part of the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and just a few miles east of the ranch is a small white frame house that was LBJ’s boyhood home from age five until he graduated at age twenty-four. He lived in this small house with his three siblings and his parents. There are hourly tours with a park ranger that give you a lot of insight into a rural lifestyle. I thought it was a fascinating tour. The house is located on a corner lot in Johnson City. There’s also a visitorcenter with a lot of interesting memorabilia from his time as vice president and president of the United States. 

Wildseed Farm

They say everything is bigger in Texas and the Wildseed Farm is no exception. It’s the largest working wildflower farm and wild seed farm in the nation. There are 200 acres if wildflowers and a lovely walking trail and butterfly garden making this a great place to capture colorful photos. Shop for wildflower seeds for your own garden and other keepsakes in the gift shop.

Take an architecture walk

There are over 700 historically significant buildings in Fredericksburg, Texas. I recommend taking a  guided walking tour.  The tour includes thirty buildings but if you have time and want to see more you can take a self-guided tour. Many of the buildings on Main St. have markers with history and descriptions. 

If you prefer the guided tour, it begins and ends at the Visitor’s Center located at 315 Austin Street just behind the Museum of the Pacific War.

Don’t miss Hondo’s a classic limestone building on Main St. originally owned by writer and humorist, Hondo Crouch. His daughter still owns the building. You’ll see signs of Hondo’s sense of humor everywhere.  Hondo’s is one of the few places in town that has live music every night. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church

This is a unique and beautiful church so take time to step inside. If you can, arrange a tour. St. Mary’s was started by German immigrants around 1846. The church is Gothic revival style and the interior is ornate. St. Mary’s is one of the historic painted churches of Texas. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Go wine tasting

I was surprised to learn that Texas has the third-largest American viticulture area (AVA)  in the USA, the Texas Hill Country AVA. This Texas wine country region is number five in overall wine production. Who knew? Wine Enthusiast recently rated it “One of the “10 Best Wine Travel Destinations In The World.” I’ve included a few tasting room recommendations.. 

Pontotoc Vineyards and Weingarten

Pontotoc is one of the coolest places in Fredericksburg in my opinion. The owner, Carl Money, went to school in Austria and wanted to create a wine garden similar to those he had visited in Vienna. A casual place, it has a huge courtyard with lots of tables under shady oak trees. House wine and other refreshment is available including picnic baskets made by Frances Money with local sausage, bread and her homemade pimento cheese. Delicious!

Pontotoc is open Thursday through Sunday.  It’s a great place for the whole family. 

William Chris Vineyards

William Chris Vineyards  makes wine from a variety of grapes, most grown at their estate vineyards. Every year new grapes and wines are added but the regular offerings include Mourvedre, Sangiovese Bordeaux blends, and Petite Verdot. Enchante’ is their flagship wine.

There are two modern and beautiful tasting rooms for club members with expansive views of the vineyards plus  outdoor seating for guests who purchase a bottle. All  wine tasting are by appointment only. 

William Chris offers a lot of fun events for wine club members and visitors like the New Year’s Day Black-eyed pea contest. What a fun day that was with perfect weather, outdoor seating, fresh sausage, rice, and black-eye peas (for good luck) and a great band. William Chris is located in Hye on Highway 290.

Pedernales Cellars

Pedernales Cellars is an award-winning winery is located just off Hwy. 290 on a hilltop with panoramic views over thePedernales River Valley. There’s a lovely tree-shaded deck where you can relax while enjoying a glass of one of their benchmark wines. Owned and operated by a sixth-generation Texas family, Pedernales Cellars practices sustainable farming to keep the land and wine pristine for generations to come. 

In 2014 they introduced a new line of wine called Kuhlken-Osterberg.  It is a high-end red wine made with only wine per vintage, specifically from Portuguese varieties such as Tinta Amarela, Tinta Cao, and Touriga Nacional.  It is available only as part of the Collector’s Club wine club.  

2020 updates include a remodeled tasting room, more food options, and soon, a permanent food truck.  

Becker Vineyards

Becker Vineyards produces a large variety of wines in the Rhone, Bordeaux, and Burgundian styles. They also have an amazing array of retail items for sale from wine kitsch to tee shirts and products made from their lavender farm.
Becker Vineyards has been featured in Wine Spectator and Food and Wine Magazine. Go from late April to early May for the lavender harvest. 

Texas Wine Collective
This is a collaboration of three Texas wineries: Brennan Vineyards, Lost Oak Winery, and McPherson Cellars. This is a very different tasting room experience. The interior is very new, modern, and airy, while outside there are tables with umbrellas scattered about. You can also sample local cheese and sausages.

Outdoor Activities Near Fredericksburg, Texas

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

Many people travel to the Hill Country for one reason, to visit the pink granite dome known as Enchanted Rock. Found on the National Register of Historic Places as an archaeological district, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area contains over 400 archaeological sites.

All kinds of outdoor activities can be enjoyed here,  but be sure to arrive early. It’s a popular place and the park limits the number of daily visitors. If you plan to spend time hiking or climbing, make sure you’ve got the right gear, especially shoes. For more information on Enchanted Rock visit the Texas parks website. 

Enchanted Rock has been the object of many myths and legends. The native Indians believed it was a mystical, spiritual place.

Visit Lady Bird Municipal Park

The Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park is a 330-acre treasure, and it is just three miles from the center of Fredericksburg. You’ll feel like you’re much farther away, though.

There are nature trails, picnic spots with shaded pavilions, tennis courts, a seasonal swimming pool, BBQ pits, playgrounds, and a nature trail; there’s even a creek that meanders through the park. It’s a good place for a hike, a run, a picnic, or just to get outside in nature. 

The Vista Loop Trail is a very easy hike/walk and takes less than an hour, though you could take as long as you like. There are many distinct habitats found along the trail showcasing the diversity of plants, grasses, insects, and birds. A small section of the trail has been modified to be handicap accessible. This section includes a geology section, butterfly habitat, and bird feeding area. 

The park is open daily until 10:00 pm. Admission is free. The park is accessible to everyone and you do not need to be in great shape to enjoy all the park has to offer.

Drive the Willow City Loop

Another fun thing to do when visiting the Hill Country is to drive the Willow City Loop. I’ve driven a lot of pretty roads like  Highway 1 in California and the gorgeous Hudson River Valley. and the first time I drove this route I thought it was fantastic. 

 During peak seasons (spring and fall), you will find a line of cars and even some tour buses so try to go on a weekday. This is a private ranch road and the residents ask that you do not stop or trespass on the property. Be respectful and enjoy! It will take about an hour or two depending on how fast you go.
Pro tip: Since my first visit to Fredericksburg in 2014, the Willow City Loop is not quite the same. There’s more development and fewer wildflowers. It’s still worth doing if you’ve never done it before.

Where To Eat In Fredericksburg

Caliche Coffee Bar

Caliche Coffee Bar is owned by the same group as Otto’s. It’s on Main Street and serves a variety of coffee and tea drinks and a small food menu. This seems like a place the hipsters would like and that’s how it was the morning I went. Go for your avocado toast and pour over or an espresso and chocolate croissant. The interior is lovely but small. On the weekends you may not be able to find a seat so order to go then walk a few feet down Main Street and find a bench. Caliche is open from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Otto’s 

You can’t go to Fredericksburg without eating German food and really, why would you. Try  Otto’s. It was recommended to me several times and had consistently good reviews on every site. I finally dined there, it’s not inexpensive but it is excellent. This is real German farm to table food with a Texas spin. The wine list is also stellar and features both German and Austrian wines. Otto’s opened in 2013 and they are still killing it. 

Cabernet Grill

This is a fine dining experience in a casual atmosphere. Specializing in Texas Hill Country cuisine paired with exceptional Texas wines. Cabernet Grill has been consistently rated one of the best food and wine experiences in the country. While the menu features several Texas steak options, you’ll also find fish, fried chicken, and a creative selection of starters, salads and desserts.  

A full time sommelier will guide you through pairing the wines with each course and let me assure you, it is not a fussy or intimidating experience at all. The outdoor seating is magical with twinkling lights and water features.  You will need to make a reservation and they are only open for dinner. Outdoor seating is first come, first served. 

Even if you’re not dining enjoy authentic flavors of the Lone Star State at the Gin mill Lounge. Featuring Texas spirits, including gin, whiskeys and other Texas spirits, the Gin Mill Lounge opened in 2024.

The Cabernet Grill is conveniently located adjacent to the Cotton Gin Village.  

Sunset Grill

Sunset Grill has been open in Fredericksburg for at least thirty years. They are only open for breakfast and lunch but are more known for their brunch options. However, it’s all good. If you go for  breakfast try Eggs Benedict or, a gluten-free or vegan option. Sunset Grill is also noteworthy for its art deco design in a town full of 19th century German architecture. Service is friendly and you can recharge your iPhone while you’re eating.

Old German Bakery

Everyone raves about this place so I decided to give it a try for breakfast. Since they specialize in German food it seemed only right to order a German pancake and sausage. The website says everything is made from scratch. To me the pancake was tasteless without syrup, and chewy. The sausage likewise lacked flavor. Maybe it was just a bad day…plenty of folks swear by this place. The Old German Bakery is open for breakfast and lunch,  seven days a week; arrive early and expect to wait. 

How To Get To Fredericksburg

If you don’t own a convertible, rent one, put the top down, and enjoy the wind in your hair and big Texas sky.

There’s only one way to see the Hill Country and that’s by car. You can fly into Austin or San Antonio, but you’ll still need to do some driving. From Dallas it’s a five hour drive if you don’t stop anywhere. From Austin it’s about two hours.

From Dallas, take I-35 south to the Highway 29 turn-off in Georgetown. Head west on 29. You can also take 281 south or Highway 16 south. All routes are about 4 hours and 30 minutes without stops. The more scenic route is Highway 16. 

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