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North America : United States of America : Texas : Hill Country : Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg (Texas)

Fredericksburg [1] is a city in Texas, west of Austin and north of San Antonio.

Understand

Fredericksburg was settled by immigrant families from Germany in 1846, led by John O. Meusebach. Although settlement was on Comanche frontier, Meusebach-Comanche Treaty of following year established lasting peace. Many older buildings retain traditional German styles; several units comprise National Historic District. German is still spoken occasionally, and old customs are regularly observed: Easter Fires, Schuetzenfests (marksmanship tournaments), Oktoberfest, Weihnachten, and Kinderfest. Visitors are attracted by the scenic beauty, European atmosphere, historic landmarks, excellent fall and winter hunting, and famous bread and pastries. It is the birthplace of Fleet Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet during World War II.

  • Fredericksburg Visitors Bureau, 302 East Austin, ☎ 888-997-3600(chamberasst@fbgtx.org), [2]. Offers specific help and assistance, restrooms, internet access, maps, and local information. 

Get in

By Car

Primary access to Fredericksburg is by private car. It's about 15 miles north of IH-10 on US-87, north west of San Antonio (71 mi total drive), or about 80 miles west of Austin on US-290.

By Air

The closest commercial airport is San Antonio International (SAT). Fly in there and rent a car.

However, if you have access to a small plane, you can fly into Gillespie County Airport[3] which is right outside of town. There is a restaurant and very nice hotel at the airport.

Get around

Most of town is along Main Street and is easy to see on foot. Some of the attractions are just a little past walking distance.

See

Fredericksburg is a quaint town with many stone buildings and pretty views.

  • George Bush Gallery, 340 East Main Street, ☎ 830-997-4379, [4]. 9-5 daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Various WWII navy-related exhibits.Adults $6, students $4.  
  • Admiral Nimitz Museum, 340 East Main Street, ☎ 830-997-4379, [5]. Built by Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, it shows the early lives of Fredericksburg and Nimitz.  
  • Pioneer Museum, 312 W. San Antonio St, ☎ 830-997-2835, [6]. Shows early life in Gillespie County.$4.  
  • Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, 16710 Ranch Rd 965(leave town toward the west, go north (right) on RR-965, it's on the left side about fifteen minutes away), ☎ 325-247-3903, [7]. Offers views and trails around a huge pink granite exfoliation dome believed by the Tonkawa Indians to be haunted by spirits. Day use and primitive camping facilities are available. The park often reaches parking capacity and is closed by 11 AM on weekends, so come early, call ahead, or make backup plans. The hike to the top of Enchanted rock is well-traveled and not too challenging, so almost everyone can make it. Other peaks and a small cave offer slightly more difficult passage. $6.  
  • Gish's Old West Museum, 502 North Milam, ☎ 830-997-2794, [8]. Dedicated to old time cowboys and lawmen. 

Do

Hunt

Fredericksburg is an outstanding spot for sportsmen to find year-round opportunities to hunt native and exotic species of animals. Fall hunting leases are available on many ranches throughout the area, and the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce offers a brochure on leases that is available at the Visitor Information Center.

  • Hill Country Outfitters, 115 E Main St, ☎ 830-997-3761(hco@ktc.com), [9]. Mo-Sa: 10 AM - 5:30 PM, Su: 11:30 AM - 4 PM, seasonally. Gear and information. 

Wine

There are also a number of wineries in the area that offer free tours and tastings.

  • Fredericksburg Winery, 247 West Main, ☎ 830-990-8747, [10].  
  • Texas Wine Cellars, 217 1/2 East Main, ☎ 830-990-8850, [11].  
  • Lincoln St. Wine Market, 111 South Lincoln, ☎ 830-997-8463, [12]. Wine bar, bistro, lunch, etc. 

Beer

  • Fredericksburg Brewing Company, 245 East Main Street, ☎ 830-997-1646(rich@yourbrewery.com, fax: 830-997-8026), [13]. Mo-Th: 11:30 AM - 9 PM, Fr-Sa: 11:30 AM - 10 PM, Su: 11:30 AM - 9 PM. A local brewery that offers a selection of seasonal beers in its bar. Biergarten, and B&B next door. Sidewalk consumption is allowed in Fredericksburg, so you can take a pint to go.$4.  

Events

  • Oktoberfest, on the Marketplatz(in the middle of main street, you can't miss it), ☎ 830-997-4810, [14]. Fr, 6 PM to midnight, Sa, 10 AM to midnight, Su, 10 AM to 6 PM. Held on the first weekend of October. Advance passes and online ordering available at the web site.$6 one day pass, $10 two day, $15 three day.  
  • Weihnachten, on the Marketplatz(in the middle of main street, you can't miss it), ☎ 830-997-4810, [15]. Nov. 30 - Dec. 2. A great event: Watch various performances by local groups or go through the Christmas Tree Forest. Advance passes and online ordering available at the web site. 
  • Night in Old Fredericksburg, on the Marketplatz(in the middle of main street, you can't miss it), ☎ 830-997-4810, [16]. July 18 & 19, 2008. The classic Fredericksburg event: German music, German food, German fun! Advance passes and online ordering available at the web site.Adults $6. Children under 12 are $1. Two-day passes $10..  
  • Pacific Combat Living History Program, (2 blocks East of Nimitz Museum. Follow the signs.), [17]. March 15 & 16. 10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:30 p.m., daily.. Watch a re-enactment of typical Pacific combat.Tickets are $5..  

Buy

Fredericksburg has many unique and distinctive gifts and handcrafted items. Stroll down Main Street to take it all in, but allow yourself at least 3-4 hours for the experience! Typical are shops like Creative Hands (327 E. Main) and Tea Rose Quilts (709 W. Main).

Eat

You can stay a week and probably not have time to see all the local restaurants. German cuisine with a hill country flair is what you'll most often see. Most local places close at 9PM unless otherwise noted. A surprising number of places do not take credit cards, so check for a logo or a sign, or carry some cash.

  • Fredericksburg Brewing Company, 245 East Main Street, ☎ 830-997-1646, [18]. Mo-Th: 11:30 AM - 9 PM, Fr-Sa: 11:30 AM - 10 PM, Su: 11:30 AM - 9 PM. Has a restaurant in the brewery. Go for the beer but not the food.$10-$15.  
  • Ratheskeller Cellar Bistro, 260 East Main(below street level, look for the stairs outside), ☎ 830-990-5858. Cozy atmosphere, attentive waitstaff, and serves bistro and local german food. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, live music Saturday nights.$10-$25.  
  • Rather Sweet Bakery & Cafe, 249 East Main, ☎ 830-990-0498. Soup, salads, and sandwiches. Incredible kolaches and pastries.$3-$10.  
  • The Peach Tree, 210 S. Adams, ☎ 830-997-9527, [19]. Restaurant and gifts. 
  • Silver Creek, 310 Easy Main Street, ☎ 830-990-4949. Beer garden and grill.$10-$15.  
  • Der Lindenbaum, 312 East Main Street, ☎ 830-997-9126. 11 AM to 10 PM. German restaurant.$10-$20.  
  • Hondo's, 312 West Main, ☎ 830-997-1633, [20]. Food, live music, dominoes. The best burgers in town!$10-$15.  
  • Auslander, 323 East Main, ☎ 830-997-7714. 11 AM - midnight. German biergarten and restaurant.$10-$15.  
  • Bejas Grill & Cantina, 209 East Main, ☎ 830-997-5226, [21]. Mon - Sat 11-9, Sun Brunch 10-3. Southwest grill and cantina.$10-$20.  

Drink

Drinking in public areas such as on sidewalks is allowed provided the drinker remains well behaved.

  • Fredericksburg Brewing Company Biergarten, 245 East Main Street, ☎ 830-997-1646, [22]. Mo-Th: 11:30 AM - 9 PM, Fr-Sa: 11:30 AM - 10 PM, Su: 11:30 AM - 9 PM. An indoor (air conditioned!) drinking area serving the on-tap brews off the adjoining brewery. The beer selection changes with the whim of the brewmaster, but is always good. Pretty much only serves house beer.$4 pints.  
  • Luckenback Dance Hall, Ranch Road 1376(Take 290 east about 5 mi, then 4.5 mi south (right) on Ranch Road 1376), ☎ 830-997-3223, [23]. Dance hall with live music. 

Sleep

Reservation Services

Fredericsburg has over 350 bed & breakfasts, which makes it hard to decide where to stay. If this is your first visit, check out one of the two services that can find an available place and make all the arrangements for you.

Historic District

  • Bed and Brew, 245 East Main Street(by the brewing company), ☎ 830-997-9990, [24]. A unique lodging house by the Fredericksburg Brewery on Main Street. All rooms are queen non-smoking and a sample of the local beer is served for breakfast. Be sure to specify B&B rooms when making your reservations as the booking location is the Hangar Hotel.$99.  
  • Schandua, ☎ 830-990-1415, [25].  

Near Downtown

  • Cottages at Limestone on Main, 706 W. Main, ☎ 830-997-8396 or Toll Free 866-330-1736(info@cottagesatlimestone.com), [26]. Full hot, gourmet breakfast served in your own private, quiet, contemporary cottage located on West Main Street. Wi-Fi, cable TV, full kitchen. Discounts for weeknight stays.$109-$135.  
  • Camp David Bed & Breakfast, 708 W. Main, ☎ 830-997-7797, [27]. Pool, hot tub, and wireless internet access a short drive up Main Street. Pet friendly, all ground floor.$99-$140.  
  • Country Inn & Cottages, ☎ 830-997-2185, [28].  
  • La Quinta, 1465 E Main St(about a mile east of town), ☎ 830-990-2899(fax: 830-990-2944). Built in December of 2004, it provides free wired Internet access in every room.$75.  
  • Magnolia House, 101 E. Hackberry St., ☎ 800-880-4374(stay@magnolia-house.com), [29]. Historic home with five guest rooms. Two course gourmet breakfast served daily. Located seven blocks from main street.$105-$165.  
  • Country Inn & Cottages, ☎ 830-997-2185, [30].  

Classes

  • Fredericksburg Culinary Arts(Cooking classes for all at Fischer & Wieser's Das Peach Hauson S. Washington St. (US 87S).), Classes are Saturdays 3-5pm or by special arrangement.(See website for class schedules and sign-up.), ☎ 830-997-8396(learn2cook@fbgculinaryarts.com), [31].  

Get out

This page was last edited at 17:29, on 25 February 2009 by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by Lara Golden, Bart, Colin Jensen, Marc Heiden, Jordan Mills, Joshie Surber, Michele Ann Jenkins and David, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others.