This tiny central Texas town is a tourist magnet in its way, located approximately an hour and a half outside of both Austin and San Antonio. Here’s a list of 12 awesome things to do in Fredericksburg to get you started!
Of course, little towns in Texas aren’t the first thing that springs to mind for visitors planning their trips around the state. However, some of the state’s most intriguing culture may be found in these rest stops.
With a population of barely 11,000 people, Fredericksburg has everything from world-class wines to traditional German architecture. This list, like the town itself, offers something for everyone. It’s a must-do in the United States!
Continue reading if you want to venture off the main road and spend a relaxing weekend in Fredericksburg, Texas, learning about another side of the Lone Star State.
Are you looking for other places to visit in Texas? Check out our weekend ideas in Dallas, one of the state’s most vibrant cultural centers and only a four-hour journey north of Fredericksburg.
Best Things to Do in Fredericksburg
Are you looking for the best wine tour? Then you should check out our list of the top wine tours in Fredericksburg, Texas! It also includes the winery mentioned above visit.
Do you need to find a place to stay in Fredericksburg? Don’t miss this comprehensive Fredericksburg hotel guide and recommendations for where to stay. The greatest three inns, B&Bs, and Airbnbs in Fredericksburg are discussed in this article.
12 Epic things to do in Fredericksburg, TX
1. Go shopping
Fredericksburg is the place to go if you’re looking for beautiful antiques, artisanal apparel, adorable stores, or one-of-a-kind home products.
The “Magic Mile” is a stretch of boutique boutiques that wonderfully embodies Fredericksburg’s distinctive style–quintessentially Texan with a tinge of European flair–in the heart of town.
While there are many vendors to choose from, here are a few of the town’s favorites.
Barefoot Campus Outfitters is a one-stop shop for Fredericksburg souvenirs, with a large selection of amusing items. T-shirts with slogans like “I don’t give a schnitzel” and “Prost y’all” are guaranteed to go over well in Texas.
On the other hand, Phil Jackson’s Granite and Iron Stone specializes in beautifully handcrafted tables and other design items.
At Dogologie, you can even get a keepsake for your pet. If you’re traveling with your dog, the business provides dog stroller rentals as well as a Dog Pause program to keep your pup cool while you’re out and about.
Furthermore, the stores are housed in lovely old buildings, so even if you don’t want to shop, the architecture alone will make your stroll down Main Street a pleasure.
2. Marktplatz is a great place to rest your feet
This central square in Fredericksburg is home to the town’s original church and school (more on that later), as well as the city’s two main retail districts on either side.
The grounds are full of extensive gardens, providing a beautiful backdrop for many of Fredericksburg’s festivals and special events, as well as a popular wedding ceremony location. It also offers fantastic photo opportunities!
Wandering around Marktplatz is an event in and of itself, even if there is nothing on the schedule.
After a morning of shopping, there are historical statues, picnic places, and plenty of green space to sprawl out on.
During the summer, Marktplatz comes alive with a farmer’s market that highlights a variety of homegrown delights, ranging from locally sourced cuisine to live music performed by local musicians.
Chefs are pleased to talk about their natural ingredients and exquisite culinary secrets with visitors who eat dishes from them.
Part of the park is transformed into an outdoor skating rink during the holidays.
Marktplatz is a dynamic core of Fredericksburg at any time of year, with a focus on bringing the community together and supporting local livelihoods.
3. Luckenbach hosts a jam session with country hits
This small town 13 miles outside of Fredericksburg has a population of three people and only two buildings–a post office/saloon/general store and a dance hall–but it is the birthplace of country music.
Luckenbach, Texas, the music venue, was founded in the mid-1800s by one of the first German settlers in this part of Texas, and it shot to national prominence over a century later after country legends Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson released a song called “Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love).”
Luckenbach exploded onto the country music scene again in the 1990s, exploring and popularising new genre niches.
Almost every evening, the town has live music events, and visitors are urged to join in the enjoyment.
Whether or not country music is your cup of tea, it’s difficult to ignore the community’s rich history and the thrill of free casual jam sessions for all ages.
4. Stop by Wildseed Farms and smell the state flowers
This stunning 200-acre location is home to magical sunflower fields and the famed Texas bluebonnet and other state specialties like red corn poppies and phlox. It is the largest wildflower farm in the United States.
The farm is still full of summer blossoms and a stockpile of pumpkins ready to be carved in the fall, but the best time to visit is in the spring, when all of the showstoppers are on display.
Visitors can even shop for seeds to take home and plant!
A half-mile of slow strolling trails will get you up close to the flowers, and sitting spaces scattered throughout the farm are a perfect location to rest and take in the sights.
Fredericksburg is one of the most romantic vacations in the United States, which comes as no surprise.
Wildseed Farms has recently expanded into vineyards and also offers tasting sessions, including local grapes and wines.
5. Visit One of Fredericksburg’s Numerous Museums to Travel Back in Time
Fredericksburg has a lot of history for such a tiny town! There are several must-see museums in and around the city center, so hitting the highlights in a day is simple.
A variety of galleries dedicated to World War II can be found at the National Museum of the Pacific War, which was ranked the sixth-best history museum in the United States by USA Today in 2020.
You can immerse yourself in a staged reconstruction of the war’s events at the museum’s combat zone in the Pacific.
The Pioneer Museum Complex provides a more tranquil voyage into the past, recounting the tale of the area’s first German settlers who came to Fredericksburg in the 1840s.
All of this is housed in a 3.5-acre museum complex that also houses the Vereins Kirche Museum.
The Vereins Kirche Museum is a replica of the historic Town Hall and a piece of living history, among other things.
The main edifice is not the only attraction for visitors.
A self-guided tour of the property features ancient homesteads, a one-room schoolhouse, and a smokehouse, all nestled beneath towering Texas pecan trees.
6. An Absolute Charm Wine Tour is a great way to pamper your taste buds
On a luxury tour with Absolute Charm, cruise around to three of Fredericksburg’s greatest wineries. Guests will sample 5 or 6 of the venue’s best-selling bottles at each stop, with explanations provided by a local expert.
Unlike other excursions, Absolute Charm takes their trips at a slower pace, allowing you to soak in the scenery and–if you’re lucky–some live music provided by local bands.
Signor Vineyards, a family business with historical roots in Central Texas, highlights the tour.
Although the vineyard was only established six years ago, it has already established itself as a mainstay on the Fredericksburg wine scene. The Signor family has been involved in agriculture in the region for five generations, and even though the vineyard was only established six years ago, it has already established itself as a mainstay on the Fredericksburg wine scene.
You’ll also stop at Lost Draw Cellars, a winery with a long history of family ties to the Texas wine region.
Lost Draw takes pride in producing 100% Texas wines, with every step of the process, from planting to bottling, taking place on-site.
Still, instead of merely stepping on the Wine Road 290 shuttle bus to see some of the greatest wineries along the 290 Wine Trail, you might consider joining a Fredericksburg wine tour.
If you want to continue your tasty wine tour of Texas, one chic winery in the north made our list of the most romantic things to do in Dallas.
7. At the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site, visit the ‘Texas White House’
The famed LBJ Ranch–an outstanding historic site–was home to the 36th president of the United States, and travelers can still visit it today.
Visitors can pick up free driving licenses that allow them to tour the grounds in the comfort of their own vehicle, stopping and enjoying the sites at their leisure.
The President’s birthplace, the family cemetery, and Johnson’s large ranch mansion, affectionately known as the Texas White House, are all must-see sights.
You can also visit LBJ’s childhood house or his grandfather’s cattle driving headquarters, both of which were erected in the 1860s and are still standing today.
While walking around this State Park, nature lovers can expect to see mockingbirds, armadillos, and even the occasional bald eagle, among other native Texas species.
8. In the Old Tunnel State Park, you can see a bat emerge
Imagine seeing a colony of Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from an old, spiraling tunnel.
From May to October, you may enjoy this at the Old Tunnel State Park. Reservations are required.
The Old Tunnel State Park is a former railroad tunnel closed in 1940 and is now a popular place to see bats take flight from their tunnel home.
Aerial predators snag some of the bats as they gain altitude, while terrestrial predators are waiting to prey on falling bats. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you can’t afford to pass up!
Furthermore, visiting the Old Tunnel State Park is one of Fredericksburg’s most popular and free activities!
9. Fredericksburg Theater Company offers off-Broadway excellence
This is the place to go if you want to see the best entertainment in town! With their stunning assortment of dramas, musicals, and classic plays, we feel this theatre has the greatest applause in the Texas Hill Country.
There’s no bad seat in the house, with snug seating and an intimate ambiance.
From 2016 to 2019, the Fredericksburg Theater Company was chosen as the greatest theatre in the San Antonio region four years in a row, so a visit to Fredericksburg isn’t complete without a performance.
Even better, FTC is committed to strengthening the community in which they operate by providing youth classes and summer camps to help the next generation of artists.
10. Jenschke Orchards offers you to pick your own peaches
Fruit harvested and eaten straight from the tree is one of life’s greatest pleasures, and Jenschke Orchards claims to have the best tasting peaches in the Texas Hill Country.
Between May and September, this seven-generation family farm has over 26 different types of peaches available for harvesting.
Of course, you can buy ready-to-go boxes at their roadside shop, but exploring the orchards on your own is considerably more enjoyable.
If the peaches are too excellent to eat right away, Jenschke also sells homemade jams, jellies, and ice cream, so you may save some for later.
11. At Enchanted Rock, succumb to nature’s spell
Fredericksburg is home to not just the country’s largest wildflower farm, but it’s also within a 20-minute drive from the country’s largest pink granite mountain. The spectacular Enchanted Rock, perched above the Llano Uplift, is a pink granite dome visible for miles around. The rock is part of the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area and is a gigantic granite dome.
Enchanted Rock is a spectacular natural environment with 8.4 miles of hiking trails and some of the state’s best night sky views. There are campsites available throughout the park.
The Tonkawa Indians believed that this location was inhabited by ghosts who guarded the area against unwanted visitors, and much of that charm may still be felt today.
Many tourists report hearing odd noises and seeing strange lights at night.
If that isn’t enough adrenaline for you, Enchanted Rock also has some of the best rock climbing in the state, with routes for climbers of all levels.
The Bottom Line
If you want to continue your journey through Texas, follow Highway 281 north to Dallas for a gorgeous drive through some of the state’s most charming little towns and roadside cafes.
Hico, Hamilton, Lampasas, and Marble Falls are all excellent places to visit.
Oh, and you might want to continue your journey to the big city because Fredericksburg is a short drive from Dallas.
However, you might prefer to go around the Lone Star State and see other cities. You might find some inspiration for that from these fantastic Texas road excursions.
Once you’ve arrived in Dallas, check out our entire guide to where to stay in Dallas, which includes information on all of the city’s areas as well as our top hotels, hostels, and Airbnbs.
In the meantime, take in the historic sites, Fredericksburg’s distinct ambiance, and all the Texas-German wonders it has to offer!
