Fredericksburg is an interesting small town. I’ve been on a few weekend trips, and it’s a good option for a weekend getaway if you live in Texas and you’re itching to explore somewhere new. This small town is walkable, especially if you don’t plan on visiting wineries out of town. While it’s a tourist town, there are gem moments here and there that make you especially glad to be there.
Quick Tips: My Recommended Top Things to Do in Fredericksburg
- Drink Texas wine
- Catch some live music at Crossroads Saloon and Steakhouse or Lincoln Street
- Venture out to Enchanted Rock (since it’s only 20 minutes away)
Getting There
Located in west Texas, Fredericksburg is located on 290 and about an hour and a half from Austin and a little more than four hours from Dallas.
Where to Stay in Fredericksburg
Cotton Gin Village
This spacious yet cozy cabin we stayed in was delightful. It had everything we needed, from a plush bed to a Keurig. The bath products were really nice! It’s a bed and breakfast, so a plentiful breakfast with hot and cold items was delivered in the morning. There are seven cabins on the property and a big house that can fit up to 12 people. You don’t have to go far for good food. Cabernet Grill is on-site and is a great option with Texas wine pairings.
All Seasons
We stayed at the downtown location, which was conveniently two blocks away from Main Street. It was a comfortable walk to all the restaurants and bars we wanted to visit, and we felt very safe walking around at night. We stayed in the Simple Pleasures room, which felt like a cute tiny house since it was complete with a small kitchen area and full-size refrigerator. Though the shower was a tight squeeze, the bed was very comfortable. The stay includes breakfast and our room was stocked with cereal, coffee, milk, orange juice, and a coffee cake. All Seasons has multiple properties around town, and I’d recommend them for a very comfortable stay!
More Suggestions
- For a beautiful, luxury stay, check out Heavenly Hosts.
- For a comfortable stay in Downtown Fredericksburg, check out The Roadrunner Inn.
- A unique stay would be the trailers at Blue Skies Retro Resort.
- Wein Cottage is a cozy spot.
- HoneyTree has some beautiful tree houses.
- A-Fram Ranch is a spacious place to stay.
What to Eat and Drink in Fredericksburg
There is a good variety of eats in Fredericksburg. Here are some options.
Cabernet Grill
Delicious food with perfectly paired wines? I’m in! It’s one of my favorite restaurants in Fredericksburg. They focus on Hill Country flavors and they have a Texas-only wine list. See all the details in this post.
Otto’s
Otto’s is one of the recommended finer dining restaurants in Fredericksburg and it focuses on German food. We had highs and lows with our experience at Otto’s. I really enjoyed my Evy (gin) cocktail and the Foie Gras BLT. The Stuffed Quail (stuffed with sauerkraut) was good but my Duck Schnitzel was overpowering on the crisp breading and the duck flavor was hidden.
Sunset Grill
Looking for breakfast very early one morning, we found the cute Sunset Grill. The colors of mint and salmon inside made me wish I was at the beach. We arrived before 8 am so it was still empty and quiet. One bite of my boyfriend’s smoked salmon eggs benedict and I knew I had lost at ordering. I got the Senorita Omelet, which was good but no eggs benedict. This meal was the highlight of my dining experiences in Fredericksburg!
Vaudeville
I loved the look and atmosphere of this restaurant. It is underground from the home décor store by the same owners. The salmon tartare was a bit salty but the duck confit was very good.
Burger Burger
While a grass-fed Old Fashioned burger with cheese combo will cost you close to $20, it was a good burger and delicious, crispy French fries.
Lincoln Street
This is a great wine bar with a roomy patio with live music. They have a wide selection of wine and not only Texas wines.
Fredericksburg Pie Company
Stop in here for a slice of pie!
Clear River
This spot is for ice cream, deli, and baked goods. Their ice cream is homemade and they have simple sandwiches.
Fredericksburg Herb Farm
A spacious restaurant with a variety of pizzas, salads, burgers, and entrees. They have a big breakfast selection.
Alamo Springs Cafe
Come here for the burger! Some claim it’s the best burger they’ve ever had.
What to Do in Fredericksburg
Main Street Fredericksburg
Main Street is a few blocks downtown and filled with restaurants, bars, and shops. You could spend all day popping in and out of shops, and you’ll find an interesting mix of souvenirs, from cowboy boots to antiques and decorative signs.
Wineries
There are about 40 wineries in the Fredericksburg and Hye area! Wineries usually require a tasting fee to try a few of their wines and the fee differs by each winery. Here are some wineries you should check out:
290 Wine Shuttle
An easy way to tour multiple wineries is by taking the 290 Wine Shuttle. It stops at over 20 wineries and comes by every 10 minutes. An all-day pass is $29.99. It also stops at distilleries and breweries.
Texas Wine Tours
Since we had a great wine tour experience in Sonoma and we wanted a designated driver with local knowledge, we booked Texas Wine Tours after looking at reviews and pricing. Similar to the Sonoma experience, our guide Darryl was knowledgeable about the wine industry in the region and state. He had contacted us earlier in the week to tailor the four winery destinations to the preferences of the eight people on our tour. We ended up going to Grape Creek Vineyards, 4.0, Becker Vineyards, and Compass Rose Cellars (which is now closed). Overall, it was a good experience, and I found at least one wine I liked at each winery. My favorite wines were at Grape Creek Vineyards and my favorite experience was at Compass Rose Cellars. Here’s a little about each of the wineries.
Grape Creek Vineyards: I enjoyed the most kinds of wines at Grape Creek Vineyards. My favorites were the Viognier and Petite Sirah, though I also enjoyed their Pinot Grigio, Bellissimo, and Cabernet Trois. If you don’t want to venture out of downtown, they do have a tasting room on Main Street. They also have tasting rooms around Texas. The closest one to Austin is in Georgetown!
Four Point Cellars: I liked this winery because it houses three wineries from out of town, so it’s likely to find something for everyone – from very sweet to the dark reds. My favorite wine from the Cellar Selection Tasting Flight was the Doc’s Tribute Red 2014 from McPherson Cellars.
Becker Vineyards: While this winery was very popular based on the crowds, our group was not as impressed, though it could be that it was the last stop of the day. From our tasting, I enjoyed the 2014 Jolie Rose and 2012 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.
Altstadt Brewery
Wait, there’s a brewery in the Texas wine country? Yep! Opened in fall 2018, this huge brewery is a destination! You won’t miss it as you’re driving on 290. They focus on German-style beers, and an Alt, Kolsh, and Lager are their signature beers.
Crossroads Saloon and Steakhouse
We came here after dinner one night and it ended up being one of our favorite activities of the weekend. There were live music, two-stepping and lots of great people-watching. One area is strictly their restaurant and the other was the music, bar, and dance floor. There were the cutest older couples dancing who left early to make way for five different bachelorette parties to hit the dance floor. It was a fun atmosphere!
National Museum of the Pacific War
The 6-acre museum complex includes the Admiral Nimitz Museum, the George H.W Bush Gallery, a Japanese Garden, and Memorial Courtyard. This is a great activity for history buffs.
Enchanted Rock
One of Texas’ most visited sights is only 20 minutes away from Fredericksburg so it would be a great activity to throw into your trip. The entrance fee is $7 per person. Visitors usually take the Summit Trail, which is simply an up and down trip. Check the weather because if it rains more than a drizzle, they will shut down the Summit Trail because it gets very slick. If you hustle, you can get to the summit in 20 minutes. There are several other trails looping around the park if you’d like to hike more. They also have campsites. Check out my post about Enchanted Rock.
Have you visited Fredericksburg? What sights and restaurants would you recommend?
You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Bloglovin’. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.
You might also like
