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Fredericksburg, Texas, is a charming small city in the heart of Gillespie County. Having been founded by German settlers in the 1800s, Fredericksburg is packed with fascinating historic sites and attractive heritage buildings. It also lies in the middle of Texas wine country and is the perfect base from which to explore some of the region’s best wineries and tasting rooms.
There’s no shortage of attractions in Fredericksburg, so let’s look at 13 of the city’s most popular sights to help you plan your getaway.
1. National Museum of the Pacific War
Photo Credit: ShengYing Lin
- Website: pacificwarmuseum.org
- Address: 311 E Austin St, Fredericksburg, TX
- Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm Wednesday to Monday
The National Museum of the Pacific War is set on a six-acre complex that contains several attractions, including the childhood home of Fleet Admiral Charles W. Nimitz and the Admiral Nimitz Gallery, which is dedicated to his career.
The main museum showcases a wide range of artifacts and stories from the Asiatic-Pacific conflict of World War II, including uniforms and warships. Don’t miss the outdoor exhibits, which include the Memorial Courtyard, the Plaza of Presidents, and the beautiful Japanese Garden of Peace.
2. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Photo Credit: Jasmine Sahin
- Website: tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/enchanted-rock
- Address: 16710 Ranch Rd 965, Fredericksburg, TX
- Opening hours: 6.30 am – 8 pm daily
Enchanted Rock is the world’s third-largest granite dome, and it’s a popular spot for hiking, rock climbing, and bird-watching. Keep in mind that you’ll need to book a day pass well in advance, and capacity is often filled, so plan accordingly.
The best time to visit Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is early in the morning when the scenic drive to it via Ranch Road provides incredible views of the rugged surrounding hills lit up in dawn light.
3. Main Street
Photo Credit: ShengYing Lin
Historic Main Street is the very heart of Fredericksburg and is where you’ll find many of the city’s best restaurants, cafes, bars, live music venues, bakeries, boutique stores, and art galleries. Look out for plaques on the outside of buildings to learn about their origins.
Parades often take place on Main Street during special events in Fredericksburg, with highlights being the Light the Night Christmas Parade and the Fourth of July Parade.
4. Wildseed Farms
Photo Credit: Malachi Jacobs
- Website: wildseedfarms.com
- Address: 100 Legacy Dr, Fredericksburg, TX
- Opening hours: 9.30 am – 6 pm daily
Wildseed Farms has 200 acres of wildflower fields to explore which are rife with color in the spring and summer months. It’s one of the best wildflower farms in Texas Hill Country to see the likes of sunflowers, bluebonnets, poppies, and zinnias. There are also indoor and outdoor garden stores to explore where you can pick up locally-made products such as pottery, garden art, and cosmetics.
5. Pioneer Museum
Photo Credit: ShengYing Lin
- Website: pioneermuseum.org
- Address: 325 W Main St, Fredericksburg, TX
- Opening hours: 10 am – 5 pm Monday to Saturday
A visit to Fredericksburg wouldn’t be complete without learning about the city’s heritage. The Pioneer Museum is an open-air site that replicates the small village that Fredericksburg once was when it was originally settled. There are ten buildings to explore including a schoolhouse, a traditional log cabin, a smokehouse, the stone Kammlah barn, and a Sunday House.
6. Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
Photo Credit: EWY Media
- Website: nps.gov/lyjo/index.htm
- Location: 1048 Park Road #49, Stonewall, TX
- Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily
Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site is set up across two main sites that encompass the birthplace, home, and grave of the 36th US president who grew up here.
Johnson City is where you can see the boyhood home of President Johnson, and several historic buildings and exhibits that showcase Texas frontier life.
The LBJ Ranch, which is situated near Stonewall some 14 miles west of Johnson City, is where you can explore the original settlement of President Johnson’s grandparents who set up home here in the 1860s.
7. Old Tunnel State Park Bat Cave
Photo Credit: Wirestock Creators
- Website: tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/old-tunnel
- Address: 10619 Old San Antonio Rd, Fredericksburg, TX
- Opening hours: Sunrise – sunset daily
Old Tunnel State Park is relatively small at just 16 acres but is one of the region’s best destinations for spotting wildlife, particularly bats. Each night between May and October, a three-million-strong colony of Mexican free-tailed bats flies out of an abandoned railroad tunnel and it’s a stunning sight to see. You can also visit the park during the day to enjoy its many peaceful walking trails.
8. The Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park
- Website: fbgtx.org/236/Lady-Bird-Johnson-Municipal-Park
- Address: Lady Bird Dr, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
- Opening hours: 8 am – 10 pm daily
The 330-acre Lady Johnson Municipal Park has ample nature trails to explore, as well as a creek for fishing, a golf course, a campsite, and multiple children’s play areas. Some of the trails are a little challenging because of the park’s rolling hills, but there are plenty of large trees offering up refreshing shade when you want to take a break and enjoy a picnic.
9. Fort Martin Scott
- Website: fbgtx.org/416/Fort-Martin-Scott
- Address: 1606 E Main St, Fredericksburg, TX
- Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm Thursday to Saturday
This restored US Army outpost is one of a line of frontier forts that were created to protect Texas settlers and travelers. Established in 1848, it was the first of its kind and operated for five years.
Today, the historic site features four garrison buildings, three of which are reproductions and one of which is an original that has been carefully restored. There’s also an original 1800s farm shed that was constructed after the fort was abandoned and later sold off to the Braeutigam family.
10. Luckenbach Outpost
Photo Credit: TLF Images
- Website: luckenbachtexas.com
- Location: 412 Luckenbach Town Loop, Fredericksburg, TX
- Opening hours: 9 am – 9 pm Sunday to Thursday / 10 am – 10 pm Friday & Saturday
The small town of Luckenbach, which lies 13 miles south of Fredericksburg, was established by German farmers in the 1840s although it was known then as South Grape Creek. It is renowned for its friendly community, relaxed pace of life, and live music venues. It even inspired Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson’s 1977 hit, “Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love).”
11. Fredericksburg Wine Trail
There are more than 100 wineries, tasting rooms, and vineyards dotted across Texas Hill Country and Fredericksburg is considered the heart of the region’s wine trail. The city’s original settlers began the tradition of winemaking here using native grapes. The rich soils and warm climate offer the perfect environment for vineyards to thrive.
If you’re interested in the growing and winemaking process, take a wine tour at one of Fredericksburg’s copious vineyards, many of which lay outside of the city itself. There are several shuttle services available that allow you to sample the delicious wines on offer without worrying about a designated driver.
If you’d prefer to stay in the heart of Fredericksburg, there are several tasting rooms in the city center within easy walking distance of each other. The city has an open container policy so that you can enjoy wine in a plastic glass as you wander around and take in the sights.
12. Breweries and Distilleries
The Texas Hill Country is famed for wine, but it’s also a hub for fantastic independent distilleries and breweries. Visit some of these popular businesses to sample delicious Fredericksburg beers and spirits:
Dietz Distillery
- Website: dietzdistillery.com
- Location: 10091 US-290, Fredericksburg, TX
- Opening hours: 11 am – 5 pm Tuesday & Wednesday / 11 am – 6 pm Thursday to Saturday / 1 pm – 5 pm Sunday
Dietz Distillery uses old-world distilling practices and you can learn about the historic techniques of producing alcohol when you take a tour here. The distillery is set within the Fischer & Weiser’s Das Peach Haus complex which is also home to expansive fruit orchards. The fresh fruit is used by Dietz Distiller to produce its small-batch spirits which include Peach and Pear Eu de Vie, Five Judges Gin, and Himbeere Vodka.
Salvation Spirits
- Website: salvationspeakeasy.com
- Location: 10091 US-290, Fredericksburg, TX
- Opening hours: 3 pm – 10 pm Thursday / 1 pm – 10 pm Friday & Saturday / 1 pm – 6.30 pm Sunday
Locally-grown pears, plums, peaches, blackberries, and pecans are used by Salvation Spirits to craft their premium brandy, vodka, and gin. This environmentally-conscious distillery operates a speakeasy that is hidden away on a ten-acre orchard.
Here you can enjoy specialty cocktails crafted with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. The Salvation Speakeasy also offers cocktail-making classes for groups of ten or more which is ideal for those visiting Fredericksburg on an adult group getaway.
Elk Store Winery & Distillery
- Website: elkstore1895.com
- Location: 327 E Main St, Fredericksburg, TX
- Opening hours: 1 pm – 9 pm Sunday to Thursday / 1 pm – 11 pm Friday & Saturday
Elk Store sells a wide variety of wines from all over the world, including many from local winemakers, but it’s best known for its handmade liquors. Using techniques passed down through multiple generations, Elk Distillery produces its spirits in a unique Kentucky copper still. You can buy its small-batch gin, rum, whiskey, and moonshine by the bottle or case, or enjoy some cocktails and small plates in the store’s lounge and patio areas.
Fredericksburg Brewing Company
- Website: yourbrewery.com
- Location: 245 E Main St, Fredericksburg, TX
- Opening hours: 11 am – 8 pm Sunday to Thursday / 11 am – 9 pm Friday & Saturday
Fredericksburg Brewing Company is one of the oldest and most popular brewpubs in Texas. Set within a restored historic building that dates back to the 1890s, this brewery serves up tasty German and American grub alongside its craft brews. It even has “Bed & Brew” guestrooms on its second floor for those looking for unique accommodation in the heart of the city.
Altstadt Brewery
- Website: altstadtbeer.com
- Location: 6120 East, US-290, Fredericksburg, TX
- Opening hours: 11.30 am – 6 pm Wednesday / 11.30 am – 8 pm Thursday / 11.30 am – 9 pm Friday / 11 am – 9 pm Saturday / 11 am – 6 pm Sunday
Altstadt Brewery uses authentic Bavarian brewing practices that date back to the 1500s. Just four ingredients — hops, barley, yeast, and spring water — are used to optimize the beer’s purity.
The brewery is set on a 120-acre site which you can tour to learn about the brewing process and sample some award-winning beers. There are multiple attractions on the property, including a Tractor Museum, a German-style Grand Hall with live music, a tap room, a restaurant, a biergarten, and a cozy basement bar.
Plan Your Fredericksburg Itinerary
These are some of Fredericksburg’s most popular attractions, but this charming city has even more to see and do once you arrive and start exploring. Where will your Fredericksburg adventure take you?
