In 1846, a group of German immigrants made their way to the Texas Hill Country to begin a settlement. Fredericksburg, named for Prince Frederick of Prussia, would develop cattle ranches and farms and later a town after a unique peaceful treaty they made with the Comaches. Today, the town oozes charm in its original buildings, art galleries and studios wineries, community theater, peach production and the National Museum of the Pacific War, among so much more.
“Fredericksburg is the crown jewel of the Texas Hill Country and it’s something we’re so passionate about,” said Brady Closson, the president and CEO of the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau.
Fredericksburg bursts with visitors for its Octoberfest and German Christmas, but it’s an ideal getaway any time of the year.
Stay
It’s hard to pinpoint where to stay in Fredericksburg for there are more than 1,500 accommodations, from Airbnb and historic guesthouse rentals to the boutique Albert Hotel, which opened in January right in the heart of downtown. The Albert offers 110 guest rooms and suites, spa, pool and three restaurants including fine dining by James Beard-finalist Chef Michael Fojtasek.
It’s a short drive outside Fredericksburg to The Vine on Middle Creek, but visitors will feel a world away. The three buildings featuring two suites apiece surround a common area with fire pit and a lodge where a gourmet meal is served every morning. Rest on the swings and watch deer and cows saunter by or relax in a cozy lodge chair and test your hand at a board game. There’s even a winery next door.
Dine
Start a relaxing day with Chef Nury Lopez’s fresh bistro dishes at the Fredericksburg Brunch Co., especially if waiting to take in boutique shopping and the art galleries along Main Street and its parallel thoroughfares. Prometheus Pizza makes for a great lunch spot, its pizzas a combination of fresh ingredients, organic tomatoes and Barton Springs Mill flour. Follow that up with an Italian ice from Piccolina located in a retrofitted 1950s gas station. A great afternoon pit stop is Chase’s Place, where mixologist Travis King creates your craft cocktails and explains how it’s made while videos of artist Bob Ross play on the TV. Don’t miss King’s “Phat Matt” consisting of rye whiskey, brisket fat-washed Amaro and a rosemary smoke. Dinner at Alla Campagna means Italian dishes sourced with Texas produce and extensive wine pairings in a romantic setting.
Shop
Main Street attracts visitors to its quaint shops and galleries but don’t miss a chance to visit Quintessential Chocolates, which specializes in liquid liquor and wine-filled chocolates, the only one of its kind in America that manufactures chocolate in this European method. The Fredericksburg Cast Iron Co. began during the Pandemic when local foundry owners experienced a downturn and turned to cooking. They longed for non-stick cast iron pots without toxic chemicals and developed a 100 percent cast iron series made in Texas that’s beautifully lined with avocado oil.
Peaches & Spirits
Fredericksburg and the Texas Hill Country are known for both peaches and wine with more than 50 wineries, vineyards and tasting rooms in town and throughout the countryside.
First generation Mark Wieser started selling his mother’s jams and jellies off the side of the road, then later products from his father’s peach orchard. In 1969, he established Fischer & Wieser’s Das Peach Haus, the region’s first permanent roadside fruit stand and crafted from an 1870’s German log cabin. Today, the company produces more than 150 specialty products, including their top selling roasted raspberry chipotle sauce. New to the company is Dietz Distillery next door, the brainchild of Dietz Fischer. Visitors don’t have to settle for tastings; Fischer serves up cocktails as well.
