Fredericksburg

The Perfect Hill Country Weekend Escape in Fredericksburg, Texas

Not that long ago, Fredericksburg, Texas was just a podunk Hill Country town, known mostly by locals from Austin and San Antonio for its antique shops and German restaurants. Nowadays, Fredericksburg is hardly a secret escape. It is a destination in its own right with a growing number of shops, restaurants, hotels, and viniculture.

*This post contains affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on my site at no additional cost to you.

Fredericksburg is about an hour drive west from where I live in Austin. I’ve visited more times than I can count. While it has grown and changed quite a bit over the last couple decades, it remains as charming as ever. After all, that’s what everyone loves most about it.

Above photos: Fredericksburg Visitor Center (left); F&W Farmstead (right)

A few weekends ago, we nipped over to Fredericksburg for an overnight stay. A single day is sufficient to see the highlights, but an overnight stay will afford you more time to explore the surrounding vineyards and the Enchanted Rock area. Of course, the time of year you visit may somewhat dictate your itinerary. Texas summers are hot — really hot. Any other time of the year is great for hiking, just not the dead of summer.

In this post, I will outline the top things to see and do in Fredericksburg, including some hotel and restaurant recommendations. I have also provided links to additional planning resources at the end, for more current information on special events and festivals.

• Where to stay
• Top things to do
• Where to eat
• Additional resources

Where to stay

Fredericksburg has responded well to the influx of new visitors with many B & B options, that are sooo quaint btw! Pass on the chain hotels and opt for an independent boutique hotel or a rustic retreat to fully immerse yourself in a proper Hill Country experience.

We most recently stayed at The Albert, located on Main Street in the middle of everything. The location was fantastic! Surprisingly, we didn’t have any trouble finding parking along E Austin Street. We had been eagerly anticipating the opening of The Albert, and finally worked out a weekend to visit.

Above photos: The Albert Hotel

Check rates & availability for The Albert Hotel below:

A few other places that we (or friends of ours) have stayed in the past that I can recommend are:

• Vineyard Trail Cottages: individual cottages, romantic
• The New Texas Retreat: container home; unique stay
• Sunday House Inn & Suites: classic hotel; ideal for groups

Top 10 things to do in Fredericksburg

It used to be that the main reason to come to Fredericksburg was to shop along Main Street while eating an ice cream cone. That’s still a thing, but the wine tours and tastings have nearly taken over in popularity. While I certainly have enjoyed the wineries, I’ll always be a fan of all the history and small town shopping delights. It isn’t hard to fit a little bit of everything into a weekend – and I would hate to have to choose!

• Wineries & Tasting Rooms
• Wildseed Farms
• Main Street
• National Museum of the Pacific War
• Market Square
• St. Mary’s Catholic Church
• Das Peach Haus
• Magnolia Pearl
• Luckenbach
• Enchanted Rock

Wineries & Tasting Rooms

The Texas Wine Trail extends from Austin to Fredericksburg, and Lampasas to New Braunfels. The stretch between Austin and Fredericksburg is a great “en route” activity. Texas Highway 290 is lined with vineyards and newly built tasting rooms where you can arrange to “try before you buy” or, in some cases, stop for lunch on a patio overlooking the vines.

It is helpful to do a little research before hitting the road to determine which wineries you may want to visit. We were most interested in trying the wines that are produced with locally grown grapes, as opposed to grapes grown in other regions. We visited K Estate on our way to Fredericksburg and Augusta Vin the following day.

Above photos: K Estate (left); Augusta Vin (right)

To truly enjoy visiting multiple wineries, consider hiring a designated driver that will take your group from place-to-place. TX290 Tours is one of the best and most reliable private tour providers in the area for groups up to 11 guests. For larger groups, Cowboy Tours has a 24-person excursion limo (yee-haw!). But, the one that truly looks like the ultimate bachelorette activity is Brooke’s Bubbly Booze Cruise. You can see the pink buses driving down Highway 290 and it literally looks like a party on wheels.

Wildseed Farms

100 Legacy Drive | Website

Located on the far east side of Fredericksburg, another great “en route” stop is Wildseed Farms. When I first started driving out to Fredericksburg (decades ago), passing their fields of wild flowers was a reliable highlight. Usually planted with bluebonnets, poppies, or cosmos, it was always a sea of color.

Clearly, other people enjoyed stopping to see the flowers too because they eventually opened to the public and became a popular photo spot, along with a place to purchase native plants and gardening gifts. More recently, Wildseed Farms planted their own vineyards and expanded into wine production, adding a tasting room in 2021.

Above photo: Wildseed Farms

Main Street

The historic Main Street of Fredericksburg is lined with landmarked buildings, many of which are now storefronts for boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants. In addition to weaving in-and-out of the shops, it is quite interesting to look for the historical markers and learn about the past residents of the town.

Another rather nice aspect of Main Street is the open container rule that allows visitors to stroll with beer, wine, or margarita in-hand. It is loads of fun to come here as a part of a girls’ trip, but it can also be quite enjoyable for couples and families.

Above photos: Main Street

You won’t find any mass retailers on Main Street, but there is definitely a Texas theme and many popular western wear brands. It is a great place to find cowboy hats, boots, jewelry, home goods, and art. The best concentration of shops are between Washington Street and Orange Street.

Above photos: Shopping on Main Street

National Museum of the Pacific War

311 E Austin Street | Website

At first, it may seem a little out of place to find the National Museum of the Pacific War in the rural town of Fredericksburg until learning that the museum is the former childhood home and family hotel business of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz who became Commander-in-Chief of the United States Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas during WWII.

During the 1960s, the hotel was restored and established as a museum in honor of the Admiral and his fleet. However, over the years, the focus of the museum expanded its exhibits to encompass the entire Pacific Combat Zone. The most recent addition is the George H. W. Bush Gallery, which houses the Nimitz Education and Research Center. Every time I’ve visited, the museum has had something new.

Above photo: National Museum of the Pacific War

Market Square

114 W Main Street | Website

The western end of Main Street opens up to Market Square (aka Marktplatz von Fredericksburg), a large open area with several points of interest. At the heart of the square is the octagonal Vereins Kirche Museum, a reproduction of the first meeting hall, church and school in Fredericksburg.

Above photos: Market Square and Vereins Kirche Museum

Throughout the year, festivals and events take place here, such as the Farmers’ Market, Octoberfest, and even a holiday skating rink. There is also a large playground here and a memorial garden, featuring several historic markers.

Above photos: Memorial Gardens, Market Square

Across Main Street from Market Square is the Pioneer Memorial Library, housed in the former courthouse. It was built in 1882 and fell into disrepair after a new courthouse was built in 1936 and the old was left vacant. In the 1960s, the building was restored as a home for the library.

Above photo: Pioneer Memorial Library

St. Mary’s Catholic Church

304 W San Antonio Street | Website

St. Mary’s Catholic Church dates to the early 20th-century, although the original congregation was established around 1848. The Gothic architecture and beautiful stained glass windows are somewhat of a surprise for such a small town. But, the real show stopping feature is the elaborate painting and stenciling that was added around 1936.

St. Mary’s is one of 20 or so “painted churches” in central Texas that was built by Czech and German immigrants between the years of 1877 and 1906. Most of them are rather stoic and plain from the outside. But, once inside, vaulted ceilings, gold leaf, and colorful murals reflect the faith and heritage of the new settlers. If you are interested in seeing other examples of painted churches, visit the Texas Historical Foundation website for more information.

Above photos: St. Mary’s Catholic Church

Das Peach Haus

1406 S US Highway 87 | Website

Have you ever been to a grocery store where you can taste everything before buying? Well, Fredericksburg has several, such as The Tasting Room and Lock, Stock, & Barrel (both on Main Street). However, the one that really started it all is Das Peach Haus, a country store that occupies a former Lone Star Beer warehouse.

Above photo: Das Peach House

Das Peach House is a little removed from Main Street on Highway 87. In fact, I recommend driving. The 1913 re-purposed warehouse building is adorable, but the opportunity to try every Fischer & Wieser specialty product is the real draw. If there is one souvenir to pick up in Fredericksburg, it is jam made from fruits grown in the orchards.

Right next door, don’t miss the Dietz Distillery, a newcomer to the farmstead dedicated to preserving the distilling techniques used in traditional German and Austrian production. They have a bar where you can sample their gins and vodkas straight-up or mixed with one of their flavored cocktail mixes. Try the Watermelon Mint!

Above photos: Das Peach House (left and center); Dietz Distillery (right)

Magnolia Pearl

53 Split Rail Crossing | Website

Magnolia Pearl is a ultra-charming fashion brand known for vintage fabrics, lace, and appliqué construction. It is without a doubt in the category of wearable art. Before setting foot inside the store, I do advise looking at the website first to see if the style of clothing is worth the stop for you.

The main showroom building for Magnolia Pearl is rustic perfection, constructed of reclaimed materials that make it seem a lot older than it is. I truly enjoyed walking around and appreciating the massive amounts of creativity that went into designing the space and all of the boho chic clothes.

Above photos: Magnolia Pearl

Luckenbach

Luckenbach is another Hill Country town located just 13-miles down the road from Fredericksburg. If you have time, it is a very special, one-of-a kind place and a must-see for country music fans. Its kinda crazy how many songs have been written about it, elevating it to something simply iconic.

Above photos: Luckenbach, Texas

The Luckenbach Post Office, General Store, Bar, and Dance Hall are the primary buildings in this tiny town with a history dating back to the 1850s. After you’ve explored the town loop, buy a beer and have a seat at a picnic table under the oak trees. The whole point is to slow down a bit and feel at ease.

If you are here later in the evening, be aware that it will be more lively. The Luckenbach Dance Hall is one of the most popular in the Hill Country, and the entertainment calendar is packed. There is also an outdoor stage for hosting larger events and country music artists.

Above photo: Luckenbach Dance Hall

Enchanted Rock

16710 Ranch Road 965 | Website

Enchanted Rock is a 425-foot pink granite monolith located roughly 18-miles north of Fredericksburg. It is one of the most popular areas in the state parks system, offering unparalleled panoramic views of the surrounding Hill Country from the summit. In addition to the hiking trails, there are also camping and picnicking areas. Advance reservations are recommended, as the park does often reach capacity.

The best hiking trail that you can’t miss is the Summit Trail. It is less than a mile, but a fairly challenging 45-minute climb. At the top, you will be rewarded with incredible views. There is also a Loop Trail that goes around the entire 4.6-mile perimeter of the park. The best time to visit is early morning when the park opens or in the evening. The trails stay open past sunset in case you want to stay for stargazing:)

Where to eat

Coffee & bakeries:

• Java Ranch Coffee: 114 E Main Street | Website
• RockHaus: 215 W Main Street
• Kaffee Haus: 109 N Adams Street
• Caliche Coffee: 338 W Main Street | Website
• Fredericksburg Pie Company: 108 E Austin Street | Website

Lunch & dinner:

• Otto’s German Bistro: 316 E Austin Street | Website
• The Auslander Restaurant & Biergarten: 323 E Main Street | Website
• Der Lindenbaum: 312 E Main Street | Website
• Junebugs BBQ: 205 E Austin Street | Website

Beer:

• Fredericksburg Brewing Co.: 245 E Main Street | Website

There are so many great places to eat & drink in Fredericksburg. Of course, German food should be at the top of your list! We had a wonderful anniversary dinner at Otto’s German Bistro, a cozy little restaurant with a seasonal menu and a long-standing reputation. The farm-to-table dishes are locally sourced and have a modern, Texas twist. With all of the wonderful accolades this place receives, it is remarkably unpretentious and the staff is super friendly. Be sure to make reservations well in advance because their tables fill up quick.

Another popular spot for German cuisine is The Auslander. This restaurant and biergarten has a rustic interior that gives more Texas vibes than German, but the food and beer is most definitely German. They often have live music, which will entice you to sit outside regardless of the weather. Our entrees were generously portioned and everything was delicious!

I’ve also lunched at Der Lindenbaum several times. It is a very cozy eatery in a historic building. The menu features traditional German dishes and has major comfort food feels.

After you’ve had your fill of German food, the next cuisine on your list should be Texas BBQ. Junebugs BBQ is new to the Fredericksburg restaurant scene, but they got it right. This backyard-style joint has outdoor seating, live music, and party lights under the Texas sky. They don’t take reservations. Just get in line, order by the pound, and enjoy!

Above photo: Restaurants in Fredericksburg – Auslander (left); Junebugs BBQ (upper right); Der Lindenbaum (lower right)

Additional Resources

Fredericksburg has some the best seasonal events and German festivals in Texas. When planning a visit, it is a good idea to check the event calendar to see what all will be going on. The most popular time to visit is during the annual Octoberfest celebration, a 3-day event of German traditions of music, games, food and drink usually held the first weekend in October. It is an absolute blast, but it is always crowded.

The Fredericksburg Farmers’ Market is another popular event that takes place each Thursday in the summer and fall in Market Square. Combine it with the Highway 290 Wine Route for the ultimate food & wine experience.

For more tourism information and ideas for planning your visit, check out the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitors’ Bureau website.

Thank you for reading my post! Please feel free to add friendly comments or questions below!