The best things to do in Fredericksburg TX (with kids or without)

Last updated on December 17, 2024

Fredericksburg had me at first sight. It’s not what I expected from Texas, and I mean that in more ways than one. First, there’s the wine – who knew Texas had a wine region? And then there’s the German heritage, the Stars Hollow style downtown, and the countryside that sometimes feels like the savannahs of South Africa.

With all those ingredients, plus an excellent food scene and friendly folk, it makes for a fantastic vacation destination, and it’s a really popular day trip or weekend getaway from Austin and San Antonio. It was one of our favourite spots on our Texas Hill Country road trip.

So if you’re planning a trip to Fredericksburg, here’s our guide to all the best things to do in Fredericksburg, including where to eat, drink and sleep.

Also see our guides to Austin, San Antonio and Bandera.

Our trip to San Antonio was part of a hosted media trip with Visit San Antonio and Travel Texas. Our accommodation, activities and most meals were provided by the hosts. But, as always, all opinions are my own. If I don’t think something’s worth sharing, I don’t write about it.

What’s Fredericksburg like?

If you’ve been reading this site before, you’ll know I love small town charm (à la Stars Hollow) and Fredericksburg has that by the barrel loads. Only independent businesses are allowed in the historic downtown, so that guarantees a level of community and creativity. The pace of life is relaxed, and you’ll find warm hospitality around every corner.

Another defining characteristic is Fredericksburg’s wine tourism. There are around 15 tasting rooms downtown, and over 50 wineries in the surrounding area. This, along with elegant architecture, galleries and boutiques, gives the town a bougie feel too.

And then there’s the German influence. Fredericksburg was founded by German immigrants in the mid-19th century, and you can still feel those roots via the German bakeries, biergartens, and historic buildings.

Finally, Frederickburg is also a gateway to outdoor adventures and the Texas wine scene. The surrounding Hill Country has gorgeous landscapes, hiking trails, and a huge amount of wineries to explore. And of course, the historic town of Luckenbach.

Is Fredericksburg good for families, couples, groups?

We went with our kids (ages 4 and 6), but all these recommendations would suit couples, groups or solo travellers too. It’s the kind of destination that can be moulded to suit all tastes and styles. And while we loved it as a family, I think it’d also make a wonderful romantic getaway or girlie weekend. With those trips, you could lean into the wine side of things a lot more!

Things to do in Fredericksburg

A lot of the joy of Fredericksburg is in simply wandering around the downtown and exploring the surrounding countryside and vineyards, but there are also specific Fredericksburg attractions to visit. Here’s a selection of some of the best things to do in Fredericksburg.

Explore Main Street

Fredericksburg’s historic Main Street is the heart of the town and where I felt those Gilmore Girl vibes. It’s filled with more than 150 locally-owned stores, art galleries, and restaurants. No chain stores are allowed at all. And you can find everything from home décor to toys to gifts to antiques. You could easily spend a whole day, simply browsing, eating and doing the urban wine trail (more on that below).

There’s also a cute kids’ trail you can follow to find mockingbird statues, which I cover in the family section below.

Follow the Urban Wine Trail

Fredericksburg is Texas Wine Country, home to more than 50 wineries, plus vineyards and tasting rooms. There are around 15 tasting rooms on or near historic Main Street, so following the Urban Wine Trail is a great way to try some of the local wines while exploring the downtown area.

I really liked Grape Creek on Main and Ferris & Fletch. Cross Mountain is also great, but they specialise in imported Italian wine rather than Texan.

Tour the wineries

The Urban Wine Trail is a great way to get a taste of Texan wine, but to properly experience it, you need to visit the wineries. With over 50 in the Fredericksburg area., there are plenty to choose from, and many offer guided tours and tastings.

We loved visiting Becker Vineyards where we did a tasting followed but a tour around the whole winery. We even got to see some wine being bottled, which I particularly enjoyed as it’s something I’ve never seen before.

We took the kids on our visit to Becker Vineyards and it was perfectly family-friendly. They played while we did the tasting, and then they joined us on the tour, where they enjoyed seeing all the big machinery.

It’s particularly beautiful in Spring when the surrounding lavender fields are in bloom. They also hold an annual lavender festival.

Climb the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

We were blown away by the beauty of the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Just 20 minutes from downtown Fredericksburg, it’s a must for appreciating the beauty of the Hill Country. The 425-foot pink granite dome rises out of the green hills that surround it, and it’s a fairly easy hike to the top that even kids can cope with.

That said, we didn’t go up the whole way as it was a really sunny day and the kids were struggling with the heat. You can see 360-degree panoramas from the top, and the views from even half way up are stunning.

Visit Luckenbach

Visiting Luckenbach Texas is an absolute must if you’re in Fredericksburg. The preserved historic town has a fascinating history and is a chance to visit a place frozen in time.

It started as a German settlement and a trading post for settlers and Comanche tribes. Then over the decades, it evolved into a country music hub. Its fame took off in the 1970s when Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson immortalized it in the song ‘Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)’. 

But it’s largely thanks to one man, Hondo Crouch – a “mirthquake” and “legend in his own mind”, that it’s as it is today. He and two friends bought the deserted town back in 1970, re-imagining it as a fairy-tale-like principality. They gave themselves titles –Mayor, Sheriff and Ambassadors to foreign countries – and created whimsical traditions like Hug-ins and picking’ parties. And with their own charm and the eccentricity of their vision, managed to attract all sorts of characters and – crucially – musicians to the town.

Nowadays it’s a great place to visit, sit back under the old 500-year-old oak trees, relax and listen to live music. It’s home to a historic dance hall still in use every weekend, live music daily, a General Store and a bar. Before you go, make sure to listen to the hit song that made Luckenbach Texas famous.

Visit Longneck Manor

This unique wildlife experience is one of Fredericksburg’s hidden gems. Longneck Manor is home to a collection of rhinos and giraffes, and it offers a Conservation Ambassador Tour where you get to meet the rhinos and feed the giraffes. The tour lasts around 75 minutes and also teaches about animal conservation and extinction. We all loved feeding the giraffes!

Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park

This spacious park has hiking trails, picnic areas, a golf course, and a lovely creek for fishing or bird-watching. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon enjoying the outdoors.

Visit the Pioneer Museum

Dive into Fredericksburg’s German heritage at the Pioneer Museum. This open-air museum includes historic buildings, artifacts, and exhibits that bring the town’s history to life.

Visit the National Museum of the Pacific War

This world-class museum honours Fredericksburg native Admiral Chester W. Nimitz and explores the Pacific War of World War II. We didn’t manage to visit, but we heard the museum is interactive and engaging, with exhibits for adults and kids alike.

Things to do in Fredericksburg with kids

Fredericksburg is a lovely place to visit with kids. Most of the best things to do are included in the main section above, but some of our favourites are:

• Visit Longneck Manor to feed the giraffes
• Our kids loved the Recess! Toy shop and the Old Thyme Fun Shop on Main Street
• Outdoorsy Hill Country is the perfect place to stay with kids
• The outdoor patio at Hill & Vine is a lush place to dine outside, and they have a great kids menu
• The Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is easy to climb, but go in the morning to avoid the heat
• Don’t miss Luckenbach, which our kids loved!
• When exploring Main Street, pick up a copy of Main Street Mockingbirds, a cute scavenger hunt book that guides you on a journey to find a series of mockingbird statues around the town. It’s a sweet and engaging way to learn more about the history and culture of the town during your wanders.

Where to Stay in Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg offers a mix of accommodations, from charming inns to unique Hill Country retreats. Here are some top picks…

Outdoorsy Hill Country

g343rtrYou know I’m fanatical about finding special places to stay. And with this one, I feel like I outdid myself. As soon as we arrived at Outdoorsy Hill Country, I knew it was special. Live music was playing on the terrace, the light was golden and the landscape reminded me more of South Africa than what I expected from Texas. And that comparison became even more accurate when we saw the gorgeous safari tents we’d be staying in. Better yet, we were given our own golf cart to get around the place!

For a glamping-style adventure that perfectly blends luxury and nature, Outdoorsy Hill Country is a dream come true. The vibe is relaxed yet refined, and the accommodations are fabulously luxurious while maintaining a connection to the natural surroundings. Think boutique hotel comfort with an earthy, safari-inspired twist.

Spend your days exploring Fredericksburg’s wineries, hiking trails, and charming small towns, then return to your tent for evenings filled with stargazing, s’mores around the fire, and the serene sounds of nature.

One of the highlights for me at Outdoorsy Hill Country was the community feel. The site regularly hosts a “Locals’ Night,” where visitors can mingle with local residents, enjoy live music, cut-price drinks, and burgers straight off the grill. It’s a wonderful way to feel connected to the area and enjoy a slice of local life, something rare in traditional accommodations. This is the kind of place that stays with you long after you leave.

Longneck Manor

For a stay you’ll never forget, Longneck Manor offers luxury accommodations with amazing, up-close views of giraffes and rhinos. We went there for a day trip, so didn’t try the accommodation firsthand, but I’ve heard good reviews. Your stay goes towards supporting local conservation efforts.

The Hill Country Herb Garden

We went to the Hill Country Herb Garden for lunch and I was bowled over the beauty of the wider property, which includes a spa and a collection of charming cottages. The farmhouse chic aesthetic reminded me a little of Babylonstoren.  It’s a picture-perfect, peaceful escape, just a few minutes from downtown Fredericksburg.

Barons CreekSide

Set on a serene 26-acre property, Barons CreekSide features Swiss-inspired log cabins surrounded by streams and gardens. It’s an idyllic and very well-reviewed retreat just minutes from downtown.

Hoffman Haus

The stylish Hoffman Haus has the charms of a B&B paired with the luxury of a boutique hotel.  It’s perfect for those seeking a cozy yet upscale experience. Each room is uniquely styled, and a homemade breakfast is delivered to your door every morning. It’s just one block from Main Street.

Where to eat in Fredericksburg

For such a small place, Fredericksburg has a fantastic dining scene with the kind of farm-to-table influence you often find in wine regions. From German-inspired dishes to modern American fare, here are some of the best places to eat…

Hill Country Herb Garden

We had one of the best meals of our whole time in Texas at the Hill Country Herb Garden. The serene spot serves fresh, garden-inspired dishes in a picturesque setting. We loved the inventive salads, and the drinks menu was fantastic too with lots of healthy juices and botanical cocktails.

Hill & Vine

Hill & Vine is a local favourite in Fredericksburg, serving a menu of Texan food and wine with a farm-to-table approach. The fairy-lit patio is particularly picturesque, and the interior is stylishly decorated with local arts while maintaining a family-friendly, casual vibe. It’s open for lunch and dinner, plus brunch on weekends.

The Bistro at Vaudeville

The Vaudeville shop on Main Street is an extravagant showroom of arts and gifts. And downstairs is the elegant Bistro at Vaudeville, a bustling bistro-style café with a focus on wine and cheese. It feels like being transported to Europe. We went for lunch, but it’d make a great dining spot too. Don’t miss the cookies!

Otto’s German Bistro

Otto’s is great place to go for upscale German fare with a farm-to-table twist. From bratwurst to schnitzel, the seasonal menu is a nod to Fredericksburg’s German heritage. It features the Germanic cuisine you find in Germany, Austria, Alscaem Northern Italy and even Texas. The cocktail and craft beer menu is also excellent, and they have a lovely outdoor patio as well as a stylish restaurant.

Caliche Coffee

This cute coffee shop serves excellent, locally roasted coffee, pastries, and light bites. It’s a perfect spot to recharge during your Fredericksburg explorations. And we particularly loved the outdoor terrace beneath the trees – it’s a picturesque spot for breakfast, and had those charming small-town vibes that I love so much!

Map of things to do in Fredericksburg

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