Known for its German heritage, excellent wine scene, charming downtown, and proximity to one of the most popular hikes in central Texas, seeking out the best things to do in Fredericksburg is a delightful way to spend a trip to the Texas Hill Country.
This beloved small town is one of the most popular places to visit in Texas and a staple along the Texas Wine Trail.
Visiting Fredericksburg soon and looking for the best attractions in and around this historic town?
Here’s what to do in Fredericksburg, TX!
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Top Things to Do in Fredericksburg TX
If you’re planning a Fredericksburg vacation, odds are that at least a few of these incredibly popular things to do in Fredericksburg are already on your list–and each and every one of them is worth your time!
Enjoy a flight at some of the best wineries in Texas.
There are over 50 wineries located in Gillespie County (where Fredericksburg is located) alone, and more than 100 in the Texas Hill Country overall–suffice it to say that visitors are spoiled for choice!
The best way to enjoy Fredericksburg’s many wineries, of course, is to sample several.
If you want to see the best wineries around quickly and don’t have a designated driver to help you out, consider signing up for a Fredericksburg wine tour to make things easier!
Looking for an absolute staple? Becker Vineyards is one of the biggest Texas vineyards in the game and a beloved destination near Fredericksburg!
Drive (or be driven) along Wine Road 290.
Even if you’re not doing any tastings that day, driving along Wine Road 290–more officially known as Texas Highway 290–will treat you to absolutely stunning views.
Sample fantastic German food (with a Texas twist).
As one of the most famous German towns in Texas, it’s a given that there is plenty of German-inspired food around!
Fredericksburg’s German heritage is best experienced through its food: bratwurst, schnitzel, German potato salad, apple strudel, and more, are common on menus across town, and often served in a biergarten setting.
We personally love The Auslander and find it both a solid approximation of the German food we’ve eaten in Germany and delicious in its own right.
Would the kasewurst come with jalapenos in Germany? Nah, but they’re sure tasty when in Texas!
… and follow it up with a beer from Altstadt Brewery.
Ranked as one of the top breweries in the USA, Altstadt Brewery creates German-style beers inspired by the Reinheitsgebot (the German beer purity law dating to 1516)–quite the challenge for a 21st-century brewery in the Texas Hill Country!
The results, however, are delicious.
In addition to sampling the beer, you can also tour the brewery, try out the restaurant, and even check out their on-site tractor museum as part of your visit.
Stroll down Main Street.
Dotted with galleries, boutiques, and plenty of restaurants–including German restaurants, of course!–Fredericksburg’s beautiful Main Street belongs at the top of any list of what to see in Fredericksburg.
Climb Enchanted Rock.
This gigantic dome of pink granite has been mesmerizing humans for thousands of years–and just north of Fredericksburg, you can climb it yourself to earn magnificent views of the surrounding Hill Country!
The climb to the summit is a short 0.8 miles each way, but absolutely zero shade and steep inclines can make it quite the trek, especially during the sweltering summer months.
As climbing Enchanted Rock is one of the most popular things to do in Fredericksburg and the surrounding area, show up early to earn a spot–once the park is full for the day, cars start being turned away.
Stay at a beautiful bed and breakfast.
Fredericksburg is known for its many charming bed and breakfasts, and whether you choose a spot on bustling Main Street or down a quiet side road, it’s worth choosing a beautiful place to sleep during your Fredericksburg vacation.
Go antiquing in the Warehouse District.
Fredericksburg’s Warehouse District is covered in antique stores, and even if you don’t plan on seeking out any large items like furniture, it’s worth visiting–browsing is (more than) half the fun!
Fun Museums + Attractions in Fredericksburg
For a town of only 10,000, Fredericksburg has an incredible number of museums, gardens, and historical highlights to visit.
Here are the best Fredericksburg attractions to add to your list!
Learn important US history at the National Museum of the Pacific War.
Featuring an enormous number of artifacts and archives, the National Museum of the Pacific War is dedicated to telling the story of the Americans who fought in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater in WWII.
… and follow it up with a visit to the Japanese Garden of Peace.
Technically part of the National Museum of the Pacific War, though you can visit it separately, the Japanese Garden of Peace is set up as a traditional Japanese garden and was a gift from the people of Japan to the people of the USA.
It’s a beautiful, quiet place, and the perfect place to reflect on the area’s history.
Visit the Pioneer Museum to learn about Fredericksburg’s German roots.
Fredericksburg was originally settled by German immigrants in the 1840s. The Pioneer Museum, spread across multiple buildings in town, tells their story, including the origins of the settlement and the struggles that the first European settlers in Fredericksburg contended with.
Admire the beauty of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
In the mid-19th century, German and Czech immigrants built many beautiful churches throughout Texas, with intricately painted interiors done in the style brought over from Europe.
The results are stunning, and while the small town of Schulenberg is known for having the greatest concentration of these churches, Fredericksburg has its own example at St. Mary’s Catholic Church!
It’s free and easy to poke your head inside, and a visit here is absolutely worth adding to your list of what to do in Fredericksburg.
Tour the Lyndon B. Johnson National Memorial Park.
Home to the “Texas White House” (so named because Johnson spent about 20% of his time as president working there), the former president’s restored boyhood home and ranch, and even “Air Force One Half”, the plane used by LBJ when in office to fly back and forth from DC to the ranch, the Lyndon B. Johnson National Memorial Park is a short drive from Fredericksburg and an interesting look at 20th century American history.
Stroll through Fort Martin Scott.
Operated from 1848 to 1853 by the US Army, Fort Martin Scott holds the distinction as the first outpost built by the US military in the state of Texas.
With a self-guided walkway that’s free to visit (and dog-friendly!), Fort Martin Scott is a fun way to mix getting outside with learning some history during a trip to Fredericksburg.
… and the Texas Rangers Heritage Center.
Located right next door to Fort Martin Scott, the Texas Rangers Heritage Center honors Texas Rangers, both past and present.
Browse specialty foods at Das Peach Haus.
Das Peach Haus is not just a beautiful store selling boutique Texas products such as wine, jam, and olive oil–it’s also a peach orchard, cooking school, and wedding venue with incredibly beautiful grounds!
Whether you’re planning to shop for local food products or not (though you definitely should be!), Das Peach Haus belongs on your list of places to visit in Fredericksburg.
Visit Marktplatz and the Vereins Kirche Museum.
Fredericksburg’s central park/square, known as the “Marktplatz” in a nod to the town’s German heritage, is the location of many of the best events and festivals in Fredericksburg throughout the year.
It’s also lovely to visit year-round, especially to see the Vereins Kirche–the unmistakable, octagonal building that is built on the site of the first church and first school in the town–and the gorgeous small garden located behind it.
Visit the beautiful Magnolia Pearl.
Though it is a clothing store, Magnolia Pearl’s flagship store in Fredericksburg is a draw for visitors whether or not they’re looking for new clothes–the stunning farmhouse-style building made from reclaimed wood is one of the most striking buildings in town!
Head over to Luckenbach for live music and small-town charm.
With a population of 3 (no, that’s not a typo), Luckenbach takes the idea of a charming small town in Texas to an absolute extreme–and it’s definitely worth visiting!
Home to one of the most famous Texas dance halls, Luckenbach boasts near-constant live country music, beautiful grounds, quirky decor, and an adorable general store housed in the town’s former post office.
Check out the Fredericksburg Herb Farm.
In addition to being a quaint farm, the Fredericksburg Herb Farm also operates as a restaurant, gift shop, spa, and small inn, renting adorable cottages to visitors on their property.
Seasonal Things to Do When Visiting Fredericksburg
While visiting Fredericksburg is a delight year-round, some of the absolute best things to do in Fredericksburg only come around once a week, month, or year!
Pick your own Fredericksburg peaches.
Without a doubt, one of the most fun things to do in Fredericksburg is to pick your own peaches right off the tree!
Several orchards around town offer visitors the chance to pick their own peaches, and the season typically runs from mid-May to mid-August each year.
… and other fruits and vegetables!
Can’t wait for peach season, or simply missed it?
Peaches aren’t the only fruits you can pick at orchards in Fredericksburg: strawberries and blackberries are available at some farms in the spring, and pumpkins in the fall.
Enjoy a drink at Fredericksburg’s Oktoberfest.
For a Texas twist on a German tradition, don’t miss Fredericksburg’s 3-day Oktoberfest each fall, complete with German food, live music, a dirndl and lederhosen contest, and of course, plenty of beer!
… and enjoy German-style Christmas traditions in December.
With a German Christmas Pyramid standing proudly in the Marktplatz and plenty of mulled wine to go around, Fredericksburg keeps German Christmas traditions alive each December.
Unsurprisingly, Fredericksburg is considered one of the best places to celebrate Christmas in Texas!
Admire the brilliant fields at Wildseed Farms.
The largest working wildflower farm in the USA is located right in the Texas Hill Country, and visiting is one of the best things to do in Fredericksburg!
While the farm is beautiful throughout most of the year, bluebonnet season and sunflower season are both deservedly popular times to visit.
Wildseed Farms has beautiful walking trails lined with picket fences that allow visitors to get up-close views of the gorgeous flowers.
In addition, they also sell plants and local, artisanal foods on-site!
Sample Fredericksburg’s art scene during a First Friday Art Walk.
For half the year, on the first Friday of each month, Fredericksburg’s many galleries stay open late–until 8:00 PM, to be exact–to show off new work they’ve acquired and give visitors a chance to explore.
Grab some food, a glass of wine, and get ready to wander!
Seek out some of the best bluebonnet fields in Texas along the Willow City Loop.
Located northeast of Fredericksburg in the beautiful Hill Country, 13-mile Willow City Loop is a gorgeous scenic drive year-round–but it’s at its absolute best during wildflower season, when seemingly endless fields of bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, and more ensure that the surrounding fields are positively bursting with color.
Willow City Loop is one of the best places to see bluebonnets in Texas, so if you’re visiting during wildflower season, it’s an absolute can’t-miss attraction.
Watch the bats at Old Tunnel State Park.
From May to October each year, millions of Mexican free-tailed bats call the abandoned railroad tunnel outside of Fredericksburg home.
One of the coolest things to do in Fredericksburg is to watch them emerge over Old Tunnel State Park to hunt around sunset each evening!
Head to town in October to stuff yourself at the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest.
Held in the Marktplatz, the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest features local food, wine, beer, and more, and is a must-taste event for foodies in Texas.
Browse the stalls at Fredericksburg Trade Days.
Once a month, Fredericksburg’s monthly flea market takes over Sunday Farms for the weekend, featuring all kinds of vendors and even a biergarten to relax in between shopping sprees.
If you’re looking to do some eclectic shopping, be sure to plan your visit during Fredericksburg Trade Days!
We went to Fredericksburg in December. It was ok. Would have been better, but with covid, so many businesses were closed. We missed out on a lot of shopping and a lot of places we were looking forward to going to. Hopefully next time we go, this virus will be gone and we can go about our life as usual. Looking forward to it.
Main Street is pretty much back to normal .We have been getting a lot of rain and it’s been a mild summer here .