The 22 Best Things To Do In Fredericksburg, Texas

Considered the heart of the Texas Hill Country, the quaint town of Fredericksburg is nestled between San Antonio and Austin and has become one of the most popular small towns for weekend getaways for those looking for culture, food, shopping, adventure, and small-town charm. It's easy to reach, but it still feels a million miles away from city life. The tiny town dates back to 1846 when German immigrants and settlers founded it and still honors old-fashioned traditions and authentic German roots. We believe the town of Fredericksburg is one of the best destinations for seasonal escapes, family outings, and girlfriend trips in the whole Lone Star State—and that's saying something.

Fredericksburg's appeal originates from many things: The picturesque Hill Country scenery, the town's uncanny ability to maintain its dual German-Texan heritage, and its impressive (and group-friendly) attractions. From more than 100 wineries and tasting rooms to a Main Street bustling with shops, galleries, restaurants, and biergartens, here are the best things to do when visiting Fredericksburg.

Enjoy Local Cuisine

Start At A German Coffee Shop

Head to Old German Bakery & Restaurant for a hearty breakfast, but make sure to get there early to snag a table and taste the German pancake. Early risers can grab a cup of coffee at one of the charming German-inspired cafés, including KaffeeHaus (lines can get long on weekends), Rockhaus Coffee, and Caliche Coffee Bar (make sure to show up early to get one of the Czech kolaches before they sell out).

Indulge In Authentic German Food

It wouldn't be a trip to Fredericksburg without Tex-Mex cuisine, schnitzels, sauerbraten (German pot roast), and German beer gardens. You can find delicious food and handcrafted spirits at more than 70 restaurants, including upscale eatery Cabernet Grill, classic German specialty restaurant Der Lindenbaum, and brasserie-style Otto's German Bistro.

Be Surprised With The Fine Dining

For drinks and live music, start the evening at 78624 Bar before heading to dinner at the acclaimed Vaudeville, a French-style bistro on Main Street. Other great dinner spots include Hill & Vine and Sage Restaurant + Lounge (try the thyme-infused paloma cocktail). Follow that up with live music at a honky-tonk or outdoor beer garden—there's somebody playing most nights of the week.

Visit A German Biergarten

There is no shortage of German-style brews to enjoy well beyond Oktoberfest, including saddling up to the taps at The Auslander, sitting on the patio at Altdorf Biergarten, and enjoy the scenic views at Altstadt Brewery.

Head To Texas Wine Country

Sip Your Way On The 290 Wine Shuttle

They don't call this part of Texas "wine country" for nothing. More than 100 vineyards and tasting rooms are located in and around town, providing the ultimate vino experience while learning about Texas grapes. Fredericksburg is one of the most-visited wine destinations in the country. Book the 290 Wine Shuttle for safe all-day transportation between the wineries. Our favorite recommendations include Grape Creek Vineyards, Messina Hof Hill Country Winery, Signor Vineyards, and Barons Creek Vineyards.

Visit A Rhinoceros Rescue & Winery

At Rhinory, you can taste South African-inspired wines on a 55-acre ranch while also saying hello to the vineyard's mascot: a 4,000-pound real-life rhinoceros named Blake. The owners grew a passion for rhinoceros conservation after a visit to South Africa and hatched a dream to provide land for future rescue rhinos and establish a working winery, with the sales of the wine helping further their cause. Currently, there is one rhino who lives on the ranch, who you can see relaxing in a big fenced-in area while you're sipping on wine flights.

rhinory.com, 13112 US-290, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Switch The Vino For A Medieval Drink

Turns out, the land of Texas wine country can also be conducive for other distilling and fermenting purposes, including a much-forgotten brew: mead. Made with honey, mead is a familiar alcoholic drink known widely as a medieval staple. However, it's being brought back with trendy new concepts, including The Hive Patio Bar and Meadery.

403 E Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Get Outside

Pluck Some Texas Wildflowers

Unlike most floral fields where you can look but not touch, you can pick a bouquet at the nation's largest working wildflower farm, Wildseed Farms. This family-owned countryside escape has 200 acres of wildflower fields, a beautiful butterfly garden, a wine-tasting room, and frequent special events.

wildseedfarms.com, 100 Legacy Dr, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Climb Enchanted Rock

Just a short 20-minute drive outside of Fredericksburg brings you to the enormous batholith that's part of Enchanted Rock State Park, which was once Native American sacred grounds. An incentive for reaching the peak of this pink granite dome is the breathtaking view of the Texas Hill Country that awaits you at the top. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike, picnic, and camp overnight in the state park.

tpwd.texas.gov/enchanted-rock, 16710 Ranch Road 965, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Make A Detour To Luckenbach

In the 1970s, this tiny Texas-German town right outside Fredericksburg went up for sale. A local legend named John "Hondo" Crouch and a few partners plunked down the cash to buy it, and it quickly became an iconic country music stomping ground. Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, and Waylon Jennings have all performed in Luckenbach. To this day, Luckenbach's tiny dance hall still hosts popular live music events and festivals throughout the year. 

Check Out The Texas White House

The 36th president of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson, hails from central Texas, and just a few miles from Fredericksburg, there are historical sites dedicated to commemorating his life in Stonewall and Johnson City. The Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site offers public access to the LBJ ranch, Texas White House, LBJ’s birthplace, Johnson family cemetery, old Junction School, LBJ’s grandparents’ home and ranch show barn.

nps.gov/lyjo, 1048 Park Road #49, Stonewall, TX 78671

Learn Something New

Visit The Pacific War Museum

Probably the last place you'd expect to hear detailed accounts and witness bona fide relics of World War II in the Pacific is in this little Southern Texas town. In fact, history is waiting to be explored in Fredericksburg's National Museum of the Pacific War. In its vast gallery space, patrons can participate in interactive exhibits and view tanks and aircraft used in the war.

pacificwarmuseum.org, 311 E Austin St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Revisit The Pioneer Days

Glimpse into the daily lives of the German settlers of the Texas Hill Country at the Pioneer Museum. Located in downtown Fredericksburg, it features historic homesteads and buildings donated by founding families of Gillespie County. Among the exhibits are a one-room schoolhouse, a log cabin, a Sunday house, a bathhouse, a barn, and a smokehouse that all showcase artifacts and architecture.

pioneermuseum.gov, 325 W Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Check Out The Vereins Kirche

You'll likely notice the town’s most recognizable building, thanks to a unique octagonal shape and position on the center Marktplatz. The Vereins Kirche—which means "society church"—was originally built in 1847 and served as the first public building used as a town hall, school, and church for all faiths.

100 W Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Spend Time On Main Street

Hit The Shops

Shops and tourist attractions may come and go, but one aspect of Fredericksburg has stood the test of time: the historic storefronts up and down Main Street. You can even see "Wilkommen" (translation: welcome) signs on full display throughout town. In addition to stores, art galleries, and artisan gifts and treats, the epicenter of Main Street is the Marktplatz.

Attend Oktoberfest

Depending on what time of year you visit, there is almost always a seasonal festival on the lineup. For example, in spring, expect events surrounding the Texas bluebonnets in bloom. In the fall, however, the town is gearing up for its biggest event: Oktoberfest. Fredericksburg has hosted Oktoberfest for over 40 years in an effort to honor and sustain the traditions of the German immigrants who settled there during the 19th century.

Experience A Texas-German Christmas

Fredericksburg also gets decked out for the holidays and is not to be missed. During Weihnachtszeit, the town installs a traditional German Christmas pyramid, which looks like a giant wooden windmill with whirling figures depicting Christmas scenes. You can attend opening events of the month-long Christmas festivities during the first weekend of December, including a parade.

Hit The Weekly Farmers' Market

This region of Texas is known for having a really robust agriculture and ranching scene, which makes for an abundant weekly farmers' market where you can take home wildflower bunches, famed peaches from down the road, fresh eggs, unique artisan wares, and more. Typically, visitors can also enjoy wine tastings and live music in downtown Fredericksburg at the Adelsverein Halle at Marktplatz. 

Where To Stay

Fredricksburg offers a full range of accommodations, from hotels and motels to camping, cabins, and B&Bs. Search around for historic vacation cottages throughout Fredericksburg, or stay in one of the many new and old bed-and-breakfast properties right in town.

Stay In Town

Luckily, there are many options of bed-and-breakfasts within walking distance of Main Street. If you're looking for a freshened-up, retro-meets-Texan style, The Trueheart Hotel offers amenities such as a communal outdoor fireplace and morning deliveries of hot biscuits. Get the same classic small-town feel as the Dragonfly Inn in Gilmore Girls at Hoffman Haus. Book one of the cozy cottages at Hill Country Herb Garden, a bucolic spot with an on-site restaurant and spa.

Stay At A Winery

If your main objective when visiting Fredericksburg is to have a wine weekend, choose from one of the one-site lodgings located along the 290 Wine Road. Some of our favorite recommendations for both stays and vinos are the accommodations at Barons Creek Vineyards, Messina Hof Winery, and Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa.

Stay In A Treehouse

Set in a quiet nature setting, but still very close to downtown Frederickburg, this unique set of luxury tents, cabins, and repurposed shipping containers called Onera is the perfect place to unplug in between bouts of exploring the area and town. You can expect amenities such as fire pits and hot tubs.

stayonera.com, 173 Basse Ln, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Stay In An Airport Hangar—Sort Of

The Hangar Hotel was designed in the spirit of a WWII-era military hangar, complete with nostalgic airplane memorabilia and aviation-themed decor. There's a classic 1940s diner on site, as well as year-round lodging. Make sure to visit the second-floor observation deck for views of the grounds.

hangarhotel.com, 155 Airport Rd, Fredericksburg, TX 78624