Visiting Fredericksburg, Texas
Just under an hour away from our front door is the picturesque town of Fredericksburg, Texas. Founded in 1846 and named after Prince Frederick of Prussia, this German settlement town has a rich heritage and is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Texas.
Fredericksburg is also known as the starting place of Texas German, a dialect of the first settlers in the area who weren’t too keen on learning English, and fittingly, Fredericksburg’s sister city is Montabaur, Germany.
Today, Fredericksburg is home to several Hill Country attractions including quaint shops, restaurants, wineries, breweries, theaters, art galleries, and national and historical parks.
Arts & Antiques
Fredericksburg is home to a variety of art galleries and dealers. Look online to find the galleries you wish to visit or stop in any one of the many antique shops in town.
Wineries
Most of the area’s wineries are located on 290 Wine Road, aptly referred to as ‘wine row’. Visit and taste your way through these wineries on your own or take a tour with George’s 290 Wine Tours, which comes highly recommended in Fredericksburg.
Some of the wineries in the area include:
• Grape Creek Vineyards
• Texas Wine Collective
• Fiesta Winery 290
• Texas Hills Vineyard
• Fall Creek Vineyards
Breweries
Fredericksburg Brewing Company: The oldest brewpub in Texas has a lot of pride in its Fredericksburg roots and brews great beer. Open Monday – Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Pedernales Brewing Company: Pedernales is open Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m., with tours departing at 2, 3 and 4 p.m.
Museums & Historical Points of Interest
National Museum of the Pacific War: This museum honors our country’s heroes and is the home of the Admiral Nimitz Museum. This six-acre museum has exhibits of boats, planes, guns, and tanks from World War II, as well as memorials and the plaza of presidents. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with adult admission at $14 and WWII veterans admitted for free.
Hill Country Science Mill: A perfect spot for learners of all ages, the Science Mill specializes in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Open Wednesday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., with adult admission of $8.
Pioneer Museum: This museum is sponsored by the Gillespie County Historical Society to showcase Fredericksburg’s early history, where you can walk through exhibits and early Texas structures. Open Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with adult admission of $5.
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Park: The park dedicated to our 36th president allows you to tour his boyhood home, the Johnson Settlement and LBJ Ranch.
Cave Without a Name: The Cave Without a Name is a living natural cavern where you can find stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones and more. Enjoy an average temperature of 66 degrees in the cave, compared to our hot Texas summers! Open Memorial Day – Labor Day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and after Labor Day – Memorial Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Theater
Rockbox Theater: Rockbox is a live music venue off the historic Hill Country main street that pays homage to the rock ‘n’ roll sounds of the 1950s-1960s; since 2012, Rockbox has added new special events and contemporary country to its lineup as well.
Fredericksburg Theater Company: Fredericksburg is rich with culture, and its theater performances are no exception. Fredericksburg Theater Company has productions year-round, as well as a youth theater.
Parks & Zoos
Enchanted Rock State Park: An enchanting site indeed, Enchanted Rock is perfect for hiking, picnicking, and enjoying Texas’ great outdoors and open spaces. The park is open from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Fredericksburg Nature Center: The center, located at Lady Bird Johnson Park, is home to 11 habitats including riparian, wetland, old-growth live oak woods, native Texas prairie, and more.
Exotic Resort Zoo: Up in Johnson City, you’ll find a one-of-a-kind preserve and zoo. Here, the animals are people-friendly and allow you to touch them! The zoo offers safari tours where you can see over 500 animals. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.