13 Things to Do in Fredericksburg, Texas

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Head an hour north of San Antonio to the Texas Hill Country. Spend time shopping, eating, wine tasting, and exploring in Fredericksburg. Read on for 13 things to do in Fredericksburg, Texas.
About an hour’s drive northwest of San Antonio, Texas , Fredericksburg is a unique town in the Texas Hill Country. For one thing, it’s a Texas town steeped in rich German heritage. And although it’s a small town of about 10,000 residents, there are many diverse and fun things to do in Fredericksburg.
On my first visit to Fredericksburg, the annual bluebonnets wooed me as they swayed in a warm spring breeze. I returned seven years later in early December when Main Street twinkled with traditional German holiday décor.
In the years between my visits, Fredericksburg’s food and wine scene had evolved to include more family-owned restaurants and new wine bars. Even as the town evolves, it retains its Texas German heritage, offering visitors an array of diverse and fun things to do in Fredericksburg. Here are a few of my favorite things to do in Fredericksburg.
Fredericksburg Visitor Information Center
I always like to visit a visitor center for area information on the first day of a trip. At the Fredericksburg Visitor Information Center, I watched a free 10-minute Intro to Fredericksburg video that features history and things to do in Fredericksburg. The friendly staff seemed more than happy to answer questions and offer suggestions. The center is open seven days a week and has a good selection of brochures and maps.
Take a Historical Trolley Tour of Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg Tours offers a variety of tours, from historical to wine tasting and wildflower viewing. My Historic Fredericksburg District Tour started at the visitor center and was fun and informative. Our jovial guide, Dave Schafer, a Fredericksburg native, said his last name means “shepherd” in German, “so I like to think I shepherd people around.”
Learn about the area with Fredericksburg Tours. Photo by Mimi Slawoff
Schafer talked about the founding of Fredericksburg by the Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in 1846 and its influence on the town’s architecture, food, and culture. As we drove through Main Street and surrounding neighborhoods, he pointed out Fredericksburg’s characteristic limestone buildings, historic homes, and a cemetery. We made a few stops, including Market Square, for a guided walking tour of historical places. It was an enjoyable and informative tour that I recommend to visitors.
Historic Trolley Tour guide Dave points out the bust of Baron von Meusebach, the town’s founder. Photo by Mimi Slawoff
Stroll Along Main Street is One of the Fun Things to Do in Fredericksburg
One of the first things you may notice is the extra-wide Main Street. Local historians say it was designed that way for early settlers to be able to turn their oxen carts around. Today, Main Street is a hub for shopping and seasonal events. Designated as a National Historic District, Main Street has over 150 locally owned shops, boutiques, art galleries, breweries, restaurants, and more. This district does not allow franchises and chain stores, making it a great place to find unique gifts.
Among the many unique shops is Flying Cow Tallow, which sells skincare products using tallow for sensitive skin. It was started by Britney Arceneaux, a mom of five kids who struggled with skin issues, so she created her own recipe.
I brought home a jar of the nicely-scented peppermint + lemon face and body moisturizer and found it helps smooth rough spots on the skin.
Main Street is home to over 150 unique and locally-owned establishments. Photo by Mimi Slawoff
Relax in Marktplatz (Market Square)
Marktplatz is also located on Main Street, a city park that is a hub for festivals, concerts, and seasonal events. At the center of the park is the Vereins Kirche Museum , the site of Fredericksburg’s first church, school, and public meeting place.
During Weihnachtszeit (the Christmas season), Marktplatz (Market Square) transforms into a picturesque Christmas village. A holiday highlight is Christmas Night of Lights, which takes place each evening from Thanksgiving week through Jan. 6. Locals and visitors gather there to admire the nightly lighting of the community Christmas Tree and 26-foot tall German Christmas Pyramid. The festivities start at 5 pm with holiday music and an audio presentation at 6 pm. There’s also a seasonal ice skating rink.
The authentic 26-foot-tall German pyramid has a moving windmill and wooden figures. Photo by Mimi Slawoff
Explore Pioneer Museum
The Pioneer Museum is an excellent place to learn about the daily lives of the German pioneers. A short video explains the history of Germans settling in Texas. On a self-guided tour, you can explore the 3.5-acre campus, which features a collection of authentic structures from the 19th century.
Among the collection are two homes in their original location, a blacksmith shop, a one-room schoolhouse, a log cabin, and a Sunday House. These were used when families would travel a few miles to town for church and to trade with other settlers. A typical Sunday House had only one room with a lean-to kitchen downstairs plus a half-story above, usually reachable only by an outside stairway.
Pioneer Museum’s Weber House. Photo courtesy Marc Bennett
Learn About the National Museum of the Pacific War
The National Museum of the Pacific War is a world-class museum and the largest in the nation that tells the story of World War II. Why is it in Fredericksburg? The town is the boyhood home of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander-in-Chief of Allied Forces, Pacific Ocean Area. It’s an impressive, well-designed museum with artifacts, interactive exhibits, and programs about the Pacific War. My December visit to Fredericksburg coincided with the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Commemoration. The moving event included a ceremony honoring service members and a film about the Pearl Harbor attack.
The National Museum of the Pacific War tells the story of WWII and honors service members on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Photo by Mimi Slawoff
Visit Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
Touring the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park offers good insight into the life of the 36th US president. He was born, raised, and buried on the property, situated on the Pedernales River. Walking distance from Johnson’s boyhood home is a one-room schoolhouse. A park ranger told us that when Johnson was about four years old—too young for school—he could hear kids at the school and run there to join them. After a while, the teacher gave up sending Johnson home and allowed him to stay.
Johnson’s ranch, which he bought In 1951, is a little farther down the road. Known as the Texas White House, it’s where he conducted much of his business and was on the phone for up to 18 hours a day! Johnson signed more education bills into law during his administration than any other president. The landmark Elementary and Secondary Education Act was signed by Johnson in 1965.
In addition to the ranch, you can visit the Airport Hangar Visitor Center and the Lockheed JetStar, which flew Johnson in and out from his property when he was vice president and president. Located a few steps from the ranch is the Johnson family cemetery.
Lyndon B. Johnson’s home office in the Texas White House. Photo by Mimi Slawoff
Tour the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farmstead
Located near the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical State Park , the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farmstead recreates the daily activities of Texas-German pioneer life. Park interpreters wear period clothing as they sew, tend crops, cook daily meals, bake German cookies, and care for farm animals. The onsite furnished cabins are examples of 19th-century German homes built with dogtrots, a breezeway that connects the kitchen to the main.
Park interpreters make wreaths during the holidays at the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farmstead. Photo by Mimi Slawoff
Hike at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Situated 18 miles north of Fredericksburg, the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is a fun day trip. Wear good walking shoes to climb the short but steep pink granite dome. It’s the second-largest granite dome in the US. But there’s a more leisurely hike on Enchanted Rock’s Loop Trail. The natural area has 11 hiking trails, picnic areas, and campsites.
Enchanted Rock is a massive pink granite dome. Photo by Mimi Slawoff
Smell the Flowers at Wildseed Farms
For a relaxing outing, visit Wildseed Farms , a 200-acre wildflower farm and vineyard. It’s a scenic property with a walking trail, wine tasting, and the BrewBonnet Biergarten—an excellent spot for snacks and beer. The farm—the largest producer of Texas bluebonnets—has a wildflower season from about March to October.
Bluebonnet flowers in Fredericksburg, Texas Hill Country. Photo by Mimi Slawoff
Watch Live Theater
Founded in 1997, the Fredericksburg Theater Company stages several productions throughout the year. During my December visit, I watched a dress rehearsal of Miracle on 35th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play. It was excellent! The intimate theater has 250 comfortable seats.
Fredericksburg Theater Company’s performance of Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play. Photo by Mimi Slawoff
Go Wine Tasting
The Fredericksburg area has about 50 wineries, vineyards, and tasting rooms. I visited two wineries . Established in 1992 by Richard and Bunny Becker, Becker Vineyards is the largest buyer of French and American White Oak barrels in Texas. There’s a cozy Old World ambiance at the winery. For general tasting at one of the bars, you can select six wines for $25.
Signor Vineyards has an inviting setting in French-style country gardens. Our tastings included wines from Texas and Oregon.
Signor Vineyards offers wine tasting outdoors in a French country country-style setting. Photo by Mimi Slawoff
Enjoy Meals at Family-Owned Restaurants
A big part of what makes Fredericksburg unique is the abundance of family-owned businesses and their stories. For example, Fischer & Wieser started in 1928 when Mark Wieser’s dad planted a peach orchard. From there, Wieser, a Fredericks native, opened a roadside produce stand, Das Peach Haus, in 1969. Case Fischer joined the company in 1979 as a student harvesting peaches at the Wieser orchard. Today, the company has about 70 award-winning products, including jams, jellies, sauces, spreads, and more. If I had to choose a favorite, it would probably be the Savory Fig & Onion Spread. But the Smoked Tomato Truffle Jam is a close second.
Adjacent to Das Peach Haus is the Dietz Distillery, which opened in 2021. Following in the footsteps of his entrepreneurial family, Dietz Fischer turned his passion for fruit-based spirits into a distillery business. He says that so far, gin is the best seller.
The family-owned Fischer & Wieser produces gourmet jams, jellies, and sauces. Photo by Mimi Slawoff
August E’s
August E’s is a fine dining restaurant with a low-key vibe. The menu includes steaks, chops, seafood, sushi, wine, and cocktails. The restaurant is owned by John (a Dallas native) and Evelyn (from Fredericksburg) Washburne, a hardworking powerhouse couple who own and operate several establishments in Fredericksburg. Their latest venture is an Italian restaurant. The Washburnes are a perfect example of locals growing and shaping the culinary scene—while raising three young daughters. The couple’s Side Street Hospitality establishments include Otto’s German Bistro, Tubby’s Ice House (a burger and taco joint), La Bergerie, Caliche Coffee Bar, and Hoffman House, a B&B and event space.
The Restaurant at Hill Country Herb Garden
Light and airy, The Restaurant at Hill Country Herb Garden offers a chef-curated menu using herbs from the onsite botanical gardens for brunch, lunch, and dinner. The lunch menu has a delightful variety of salads and sandwiches. My grilled cheese was no ordinary sandwich. It was made with jalapeno cornbread, hatch chili pimento, bacon, and tomato. I paired it with a lovely HG Mimosa (with lavender and lemon from the garden).
A grilled cheese made with jalapeno cornbread, hatch chili pimento, bacon, and tomato. Photo by Mimi Slawoff
Airport Diner
Located adjacent to the Hanger Hotel, the 1940s diner serves generous portions for classic breakfast and lunch meals. The food is tasty; the fun part is watching airplanes land and take off from the adjacent runway.
The Airport Hanger is a classic 1940s diner located by a runway. Photo by Mimi Slawoff
Stay at Hill Country Herb Garden
Located a few blocks from Main Street, 14 cottages comprise Hill Country Herb Garden that are themed Artist’s Retreat, Nature’s Cottage, and Modern Escape. Each cottage has a king bed, a modern bathroom, and a front porch swing. Fresh breakfast (pastry, egg, yogurt, fruit, and juice) is delivered each morning in a basket. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay here and appreciated waking up to breakfast waiting for me on the porch, usually by 8 am. The nicely landscaped property has walking paths that lead to botanical gardens, The Spa, and The Restaurant.
Breakfast is delivered in a basket to each cottage. Photo by Mimi Slawoff
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When You Visit Fredericksburg, Texas
Before you visit Fredericksburg, be sure to check the weather so you can pack accordingly. But note that weather can change overnight. Rain was in the forecast for my December visit. So I packed boots and a jacket. But it didn’t rain! Generally, this Hill Country town has comfortable weather all year long.
Before and during your trip, contact the Fredericksburg Visitor Information Center for the latest information. And once you’re in Fredericksburg, chat with the locals. They’re a friendly bunch who can offer insider tips and suggestions to enhance your visit to this lovely Texas German town. When planning your trip to Texas or another fabulous historic town , let Wander With Wonder be your guide.
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13 Things to Do in Fredericksburg, Texas
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