Fredericksburg (Texas)

Fredericksburg was settled by immigrant families from Germany in 1846, led by John O. Meusebach. Although settlement was on Comanche frontier, the Meusebach-Comanche Treaty of following year established lasting peace. Many older buildings retain traditional German styles; several units comprise the National Historic District. German is still spoken occasionally, and old customs are regularly observed: Schuetzenfests (marksmanship tournaments), Oktoberfest, Weihnachten, and Kinderfest. Visitors are attracted by the scenic beauty, European atmosphere, historic landmarks, excellent fall and winter hunting, and famous bread and pastries. It is the birthplace of Fleet Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet during World War II.

By car

Primary access to Fredericksburg is by private car. It's about 40 miles north of IH-10 on US-87, north west of San Antonio (71 mi total drive), or about 80 miles west of Austin on US-290.

By air

The closest commercial airport is San Antonio International (SAT). Fly in there and rent a car.
However, if you have access to a small plane, you can fly into Gillespie County Airport which is right outside of town. There is a restaurant and very nice hotel at the airport.

Most of town is along Main Street and is easy to see on foot. Some of the attractions are just a little past walking distance.

Fredericksburg is a quaint town with many stone buildings and pretty views.

• Gish's Old West Museum

  phone: +1 830-997-2794
  address: 502 North Milam
  Dedicated to old time cowboys and lawmen.

• The National Museum of the Pacific War

  phone: +1 830-997-4379
  address: 340 East Main St
  Includes the Admiral Nimitz Museum, describing the life of Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz and his important role in World War II, the newly expanded George H.W. Bush Gallery with various WWII navy-related exhibits on show, the tour guide-led "Pacific Combat Zone" which takes you through life-like displays of war, and peaceful gardens and courtyards.

• Pioneer Museum

  phone: +1 830-997-2835
  address: 312 W. San Antonio St
  Shows early life in Gillespie County.

Hunt

Fredericksburg is an outstanding spot for sportsmen to find year-round opportunities to hunt native and exotic species of animals. Fall hunting leases are available on many ranches throughout the area, and the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce offers a brochure on leases that is available at the Visitor Information Center.

• Hill Country Outfitters

  phone: +1 830-997-3761
  address: 115 E Main St
  Gear and information.

• Hill Country Deer Processing

  phone: +1 830-889-3337
  address: 2162 US Highway 87 North

Wine

There are also a number of wineries in the area that offer free tours and tastings.

• Fredericksburg Winery

  phone: +1 830-990-8747
  address: 247 West Main

• Lincoln St. Wine Market

  phone: +1 830-997-8463
  address: 111 South Lincoln
  Wine bar, bistro, lunch, etc.

• Texas Wine Cellars

  phone: +1 830-990-8850
  address: 217 1/2 East Main

Events

• Night in Old Fredericksburg

  phone: +1 830-997-4810
  address: on the Marketplatz
  The classic Fredericksburg event: German music, German food, German fun! Advance passes and online ordering available at the web site.

• Oktoberfest

  phone: +1 830-997-4810
  address: on the Marketplatz
  Held on the first weekend of October. Advance passes and online ordering available at the web site.

• Pacific Combat Living History ProgramWatch a re-enactment of typical Pacific combat.

• Weihnachten

  phone: +1 830-997-4810
  address: on the Marketplatz
  A great event: Watch various performances by local groups or go through the Christmas Tree Forest. Advance passes and online ordering available at the web site.

• Fredericksburg Culinary Arts

  phone: +1 830-997-8396
  address: S. Washington St

Fredericksburg has many unique and distinctive gifts and handcrafted items. Stroll down Main Street to take it all in, but allow yourself at least 3-4 hours for the experience!

• Tea Rose Quilts

  address: 709 W. Main

You can stay a week and probably not have time to see all the local restaurants. German cuisine with a hill country flair is what you'll most often see. Most local places close at 9PM unless otherwise noted. A surprising number of places do not take credit cards, so check for a logo or a sign, or carry some cash.

• Altdorf Biergarten

  phone: +1 830-997-7865
  address: 301 West Main
  The highlight is the nice outdoor seating, which indeed is most like what you would see in Germany. The kitchen serves up German, of course, along with steaks and Tex-Mex. There is also occasionally live music.

• August E's

  phone: +1 830-997-1585
  address: 203 East San Antonio
  Here you'll find seasonal "nouveau Texan" cuisine with a subtle Asian twist (and sometimes not so subtle - witness the sushi selection and "Thai Thursdays", in honor of executive chef Leu Savanh). Good service and wine selection, all in a very modern dining space. Significant savings can be had at lunch and on Thursdays.

• Auslander

  phone: +1 830-997-7714
  address: 323 East Main
  A German biergarten with outdoor seating, live music, and a restaurant that also happens to offer steak, seafood, and Tex-Mex. It is undeniably popular with tourists.

• Bejas Grill & Cantina

  phone: +1 830-997-5226
  address: 209 East Main
  Southwestern grill with nice gourmet touches and a bar. Pleasant patio seating and a good Sunday brunch.

• Der Lindenbaum

  phone: +1 830-997-9126
  address: 312 East Main
  Homemade German food in a cozy historic restaurant with a nice stock of apropos bar beverages; the atmosphere is more mellow than some of the other rowdy tourist joints and the food is about what you'd expect.

• Hondo's

  phone: +1 830-997-1633
  address: 312 West Main
  Expansive, rib-sticking menu including Tex-Mex and BBQ, with live music on the weekends and a good patio. The best burgers in town!

• Navajo Grill

  phone: +1 830-990-8289
  address: 803 East Main
  Modern, seasonal cuisine with inspirations from the South (including the zingy West and down-homey East). Good service and wine, plus a nice patio has been recently added.

• The Peach Tree

  phone: +1 830-997-9527
  address: 210 S. Adams
  Homey cafe-style cooking by local personality Cynthia Pedregon, served in a pleasant old house. Expect sandwiches, soup, quiches and the like. A small bakery with homemade cookies and bread and a gift shop are attached. Popular with the locals.

• Rathskeller Cellar Bistro

  phone: +1 830-990-5858
  address: 260 East Main
  Cozy atmosphere, attentive waitstaff, and serves bistro and local German food. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, live music Saturday nights.

• Rather Sweet Bakery & Cafe

  phone: +1 830-990-0498
  address: 249 East Main
  Delectable baked goods from renowned pastry chef Rebecca Rather are what's on display here; try the incredible kolaches and pastries. The cozy cafe offers up soup, salads, and sandwiches.

• Silver Creek Beer Garden & Grille

  phone: +1 830-990-4949
  address: 310 East Main
  Grill serving up steaks, pasta, and seafood (and the mandatory German fare), with a brunch on Sundays. Food is okay but the bar is particularly well-stocked, there's nice outdoor seating, and they host live music throughout the week. Service can be frazzled on the weekends when the seats fill up.

Nearby

• Alamo Springs Cafe

  phone: +1 830-990-8004
  address: 107 Alamo Rd
  Known for their outstanding hamburgers (preferably with the jalapeno-cheese bun) and nightly dinner specials, they advertise that they are "inconveniently located", but worth the trip. And they're right! Getting there really is half the adventure - plus its situated right next to a bat cave (cool, eh?). Kick back, grab a beer, and check out the live music on Saturdays.

• Cabernet Grill

  phone: +1 830-990-5734
  address: 2805 S. Hwy 16
  Upscale but casual wining and dining with attentive service in a nouveau-rustic dining room. Also offers a spiffy lunch buffet during the week. Located at the Cotton Gin bed & breakfast.

• Hilltop Cafe

  phone: +1 830-997-8922
  address: 10661 North US Hwy 87, Doss, TX
  An intriguing mix of Texan, Cajun, and Greek food offered in an offbeat dining room filled with doo-dads hanging from the ceiling and music memorabilia (not to mention the occasional live music). Friendly faces, good food, and can be very popular on weekends, where reservations are recommended. A bed-and-breakfast and meeting hall are also on the premises.

Drinking in public areas such as on sidewalks is allowed provided the drinker remains well behaved.

• Fredericksburg Brewing Company Biergarten

  phone: +1 830-997-1646
  address: 245 East Main St
  An indoor (air conditioned!) drinking area serving the on-tap brews off the adjoining brewery. The beer selection changes with the whim of the brewmaster, but is always good (although they pretty much only serve house beer). Also has a B&B next door and restaurant, but go for the beer.

• Luckenbach Dance Hall

  phone: +1 830-997-3223
  address: Ranch Road 1376
  Dance hall with live music.

• Country Inn & Cottages

  phone: +1 830-997-2185

• Hangar Hotel

  phone: +1 830-997-9990
  address: 155 Airport Rd
  This "World War II/aviation"-themed boutique not only marches to its own beat, but it does it very well. Everything from the service to the furnishings (selected to reflect the 1940s era) are a step above, and the attention to detail when it comes to the setting is fun. There's an "Officer's Club" for lounging and drinks, an observation deck where planes can be seen coming and going (this is an airport, after all), a retro diner for burgers and fries, and a "Pacific Showroom" complete with tiki bar.

• La Quinta

  phone: +1 830-990-2899
  address: 1465 E Main St
  Built in December of 2004, it provides free Wi-Fi in every room.

Bed and Breakfasts

• Bed and Brew

  phone: +1 830-997-9990
  address: 245 East Main St
  A unique lodging house by the Fredericksburg Brewery. All rooms are queen non-smoking and a sample of the local beer is served for breakfast. Be sure to specify B&B rooms when making your reservations as the booking location is the Hangar Hotel.

• Camp David Bed & Breakfast

  phone: +1 830-997-7797
  address: 708 W. Main
  Pool, hot tub, and wireless internet access a short drive up Main Street. Pet friendly, all ground floor.

• Cottages at Limestone on Main

  phone: +1 830-997-8396
  address: 706 W. Main
  Full hot breakfast served in your own private, quiet cottage. Wi-Fi, cable TV, full kitchen.

• rDer Stall

  phone: +1 830-456-0151
  address: 68 Cedar Hills Dr
  Der Stall (The Barn) Bed and Breakfast is a replica of this German descendant's family barn in Reifenberg, Germany. This guesthouse was constructed by the innkeepers and two generations of the innkeeper's German descendants to include milling the hardwood floor boards from locally procured rough-cut pine. Guests get the whole barn to themselves, including a master bedroom featuring a queen-sized bed with a robust log headboard and footboard. Both were cut from nearby cedar trees and made by the innkeepers. The bedroom also has an in-floor two-person Jacuzzi. Climb the steep wooden steps to the hayloft for two full-size beds with a commanding view down into the living room.

• Magnolia House

  address: 101 E. Hackberry St.
  Historic home with five guest rooms. Two-course breakfast served daily.

• Palo Alto Creek Ranch

  address: 231 West Main directions=
  Offers four guest houses, each with private baths and stocked continental plus breakfast. Depending on the house, amenities also include fully equipped kitchens, whirlpools and fireplaces.

• Schandua

  phone: +1 830-990-1415

• Fredericksburg Visitors Bureau

  address: 302 East Austin
  Offers specific help and assistance, restrooms, internet access, maps, and local information.

• Enchanted Rock State Natural Area Offers views, trails, and camping around a huge pink granite exfoliation dome believed by the Tonkawa Indians to be haunted by spirits.
• Hill Country a more general overview of the area, most destinations are an easy day trip.
• New Braunfels - Located 72 miles southeast of Fredericksburg, this town is best known for its German culture and heritage, not to mention the Schlitterbahn, persistent in being voted the world's best waterpark.
• San Marcos - 70 miles southeast of Fredericksburg, San Marcos is the home of Texas State University and its Aquarena Center, as well as two massive outlet malls that have more than 350 shops.
• Pedernales Falls State Natural Area
• Stonewall about 15 minutes east of Fredericksburg.