30+ Fabulous Things to Do in Fredericksburg, TX

Known for its German heritage, excellent wine scene, charming downtown, and proximity to one of the most popular hikes in central Texas, seeking out the best things to do in Fredericksburg is a delightful way to spend a trip to the Texas Hill Country.

This beloved small town is one of the most popular places to visit in Texas and a staple along the Texas Wine Trail.

It’s also one that we can’t stop visiting! We have lost track of how many times we’ve stopped by over the years, whether it was for a classic Fredericksburg weekend getaway or just a quick pitstop for a German-style lunch.

Visiting Fredericksburg soon and looking for the best attractions in and around this beloved Hill Country town?

Here’s what to do in Fredericksburg, TX!

Top Things to Do in Fredericksburg TX

If you’re planning a Fredericksburg vacation, odds are that at least a few of these incredibly popular things to do in Fredericksburg are already on your list–and each and every one of them is worth your time.

Here are the top must-see places in Fredericksburg!

Enjoy a flight at some of the best wineries in Texas.

There are over 50 wineries located in Gillespie County (where Fredericksburg is located) alone, and more than 100 in the Texas Hill Country overall–suffice it to say that visitors are spoiled for choice!

The best way to enjoy Fredericksburg’s many wineries, of course, is to sample several.

If you want to see the best wineries around quickly and don’t have a designated driver to help you out, consider signing up for a Fredericksburg wine tour to make things easier!

Looking for an absolute staple?

Becker Vineyards is one of the biggest Texas vineyards in the game and a beloved destination near Fredericksburg! (And it’s also where I snapped the below photo).

Book your Fredericksburg wine tour today!

Drive (or be driven) along Wine Road 290.

Even if you’re not doing any tastings that day, driving along Wine Road 290–more officially known as Texas Highway 290–will treat you to absolutely stunning views.

The area around Fredericksburg is one of our favorite places for a Hill Country drive, and you can’t go wrong with a bit of backroad exploring as you go, too.

Looking for some detours?

Enchanted Rock and Luckenbach, both of which we’ll talk about later in this blog post, are great stops!

Want to stop at multiple wineries as you go without worrying about a designated driver? The Fredericksburg Wine Trolley has you covered!

Sign up for a ride on the Fredericksburg Wine Trolley today!

Sample fantastic German food (with a Texas twist).

As one of the most famous German towns in Texas, it’s a given that there is plenty of German-inspired food around!

Fredericksburg’s German heritage is best experienced through its food: bratwurst, schnitzel, German potato salad, apple strudel, and more, are common on menus across town and are often served in a biergarten setting.

We personally love The Auslander and find it both a solid approximation of the German food we’ve eaten on our trips to Germany and delicious in its own right.

Would the kasewurst come with jalapenos in Germany?

Nah, but this Texas girl thinks that they’re a very tasty addition when in Texas!

… and follow it up with a beer from Altstadt Brewery.

Ranked as one of the top breweries in the USA, Altstadt Brewery creates German-style beers inspired by the Reinheitsgebot (the German beer purity law dating to 1516)–quite the challenge for a 21st-century brewery in the Texas Hill Country!

The results, however, are delicious.

In addition to sampling the beer, you can also tour the brewery, try out the restaurant (it definitely feels a bit Bavarian in there!), and even check out their on-site tractor museum as part of your visit.

Stroll down Main Street.

Dotted with galleries, boutiques, and plenty of restaurants–including German restaurants, of course!–Fredericksburg’s beautiful Main Street belongs at the top of any list of what to see in Fredericksburg.

This one of our favorite places to spend time in Fredericksburg, and we’re certainly not alone in that!

Shops to keep an eye out for include but certainly are not limited to Rustlin’ Rob’s Texas Gourmet Foods, Allens Boots (currently the only Allens location outside of Austin with regular opening hours), Fredericksburg Pecan Company, and for those who like to shop for Christmas ornaments and decor year-round, The Grasshopper Christmas Market.

… and I didn’t even cover any of the clothing boutiques, which include options from babies on up!

Climb Enchanted Rock.

This gigantic dome of pink granite has been mesmerizing humans for thousands of years–and just north of Fredericksburg, you can climb it yourself to earn magnificent views of the surrounding Hill Country!

The climb to the summit is a short 0.8 miles each way, but absolutely zero shade and steep inclines can make it quite the trek, especially during the sweltering summer months.

As climbing Enchanted Rock is one of the most popular things to do in Fredericksburg and the surrounding area, show up early to earn a spot–once the park is full for the day, cars start being turned away.

We cover more details about what to know before visiting, including times when reservations are prudent and/or required, in this blog post.

Stay at a beautiful bed and breakfast or a cozy cabin.

Fredericksburg is known for its many charming bed and breakfasts as well as its spacious Hill Country cabin properties, and whether you choose a spot on bustling Main Street or down a quiet side road, it’s worth choosing a memorable place to sleep during your Fredericksburg vacation.

If you’re looking to enjoy Fredericksburg’s walkable town center without driving there (or worrying about parking) the extremely well-reviewed Emigrant’s Inn and the cozy Peach Tree Inn & Suites (we personally had a wonderful stay there) are both great options.

Looking for wide open spaces, starry nights, and maybe a hot tub?

If so, you might love City on a Hill at Spring Creek or Contigo Ranch!

Want to keep things simple (or use some points)? The Fairfield Inn & Suites By Marriot is the top-rated chain hotel in town.

Shop unique stays in Fredericksburg today!

Go antiquing in the Warehouse District.

Fredericksburg’s Warehouse District is covered in antique stores, and even if you don’t plan on seeking out any large items like furniture, it’s worth visiting!

Browsing is (more than) half the fun, but you also never know what treasure(s) you may stumble across.

If antiquing/thrifting/treasure hunting is a big part of the draw of visiting Fredericksburg for you, I also highly recommend checking out Fredericksburg Trade Days, a monthly flea market with the slogan “If you can’t find it at Trade Days… you don’t need it!”.

Fun Museums + Attractions in Fredericksburg

For a town of only 11,000, Fredericksburg has an incredible number of museums, gardens, and historical highlights to visit.

Here are the best Fredericksburg attractions to add to your list!

Learn important US history at the National Museum of the Pacific War.

Featuring an enormous number of artifacts and archives, the National Museum of the Pacific War is dedicated to telling the story of the Americans who fought in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater in WWII.

It’s a compelling place, and if you hope to visit, it’s worth planning ahead for.

While day-of tickets are sold, the museum does sell out and the official website strongly recommends purchasing them in advance.

… and follow it up with a visit to the Japanese Garden of Peace.

Technically part of the National Museum of the Pacific War, though you can visit it separately, the Japanese Garden of Peace is set up as a traditional Japanese garden and was a gift from the people of Japan to the people of the USA.

It’s a beautiful, quiet place, and the perfect place to reflect on the area’s history.

Visit the Pioneer Museum to learn about Fredericksburg’s German roots.

Fredericksburg as we know it today was originally founded by German immigrants in the 1840s.

The Pioneer Museum, which is spread across multiple buildings in town, tells their story, including the origins of the settlement and the struggles that the first European settlers in Fredericksburg contended with.

It’s well worth a visit, and a great place to start exploring the German influences that you can still feel in Fredericksburg (and in Texas overall) to this day, in everything from the food to the language.

(As a side note, the Texas German dialect is sadly fading away now, but it is an incredibly fascinating piece of living Texas history and a very important part of Fredericksburg’s history and culture).

Admire the beauty of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

In the mid-19th century, German and Czech immigrants built many beautiful churches throughout Texas, with intricately painted interiors done in the style brought over from Europe.

The results are stunning, and while the small town of Schulenberg is known for having the greatest concentration of these churches, Fredericksburg has its own example at St. Mary’s Catholic Church!

It’s free and easy to poke your head inside, and a visit here is absolutely worth adding to your list of what to do in Fredericksburg.

Acorrigan1956, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tour the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park.

Want to visit an actual Texas ranch, complete with cows, antique buildings, and even presidential history?

It’s hard to sum up what it’s like to visit the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park (more commonly simply referred to as the “LBJ Ranch”), but think part wide open spaces, part early-2oth century Texas agricultural history, and part mid-20th century presidential politics.

The LBJ Ranch is home to the “Texas White House” (so named because Johnson spent about 20% of his time as president working there), the former president’s restored boyhood home and ranch, and even “Air Force One Half”, the plane used by LBJ when in office to fly back and forth from DC to the ranch.

Located in Stonewall, a very short drive from Fredericksburg, it’s a fascinating stop in Texas.

(It’s also worth noting that if you want to reach further back in history, LBJ’s grandparents lived at the Johnson Settlement in Johnson City from the mid-19th century, and that location is also memorable and free to visit).

Stroll through Fort Martin Scott.

Operated from 1848 to 1853 by the US Army, Fort Martin Scott holds the distinction as the first outpost built by the US military in the state of Texas.

With a self-guided walkway that’s free to visit (and dog-friendly, which Ranger loved), paying a visit to Fort Martin Scott State Historic State is a fun way to mix getting outside with learning some history during a trip to Fredericksburg.

(Just make sure to prioritize an early-morning visit if you’re visiting during one of Texas’ many hot months: there’s not a ton of shade to speak of.)

… and the Texas Rangers Heritage Center.

Located right next door to Fort Martin Scott, the Texas Rangers Heritage Center honors Texas Rangers, both past and present.

2025 Update: Sadly, the Texas Rangers Heritage Center is temporarily closed. You can check their website for updates regarding any future reopening. As I’m updating this blog post in June 2025, no estimated reopening date is mentioned.

Browse specialty foods at Das Peach Haus.

Das Peach Haus is not just a beautiful store selling boutique Texas products such as wine, jam, and olive oil–it’s also a peach orchard, cooking school, and wedding venue with incredibly beautiful grounds!

Whether you’re planning to shop for local food products or not (though you definitely should be!), Das Peach Haus belongs on your list of places to visit in Fredericksburg.

Visit Marktplatz and the Vereins Kirche Museum.

Fredericksburg’s central park/square, known as the “Marktplatz” in a nod to the town’s German heritage, is the location of many of the best events and festivals in Fredericksburg throughout the year.

It’s also lovely to visit year-round, especially to see the Vereins Kirche–the unmistakable, octagonal building that is built on the site of the first church and first school in the town–and the gorgeous small garden located behind it.

The Vereins Kirche Museum is part of the Pioneer Museum mentioned above, but it’s distinct enough that it’s worth highlighting separately!

Visit the beautiful Magnolia Pearl.

Though it is a clothing store, Magnolia Pearl’s flagship store in Fredericksburg is a draw for visitors whether or not they’re looking for new clothes.

Te stunning farmhouse-style building made from reclaimed wood is one of the most striking buildings in town!

Head over to Luckenbach for live music and small-town charm.

With a population of 3 (no, that’s not a typo), Luckenbach takes the idea of a charming small town in Texas to an absolute extreme–and it’s definitely worth visiting!

Home to one of the most famous Texas dance halls, Luckenbach boasts near-constant live country music, beautiful grounds, quirky decor, and an adorable general store housed in the town’s former post office.

Seasonal Things to Do When Visiting Fredericksburg

While visiting Fredericksburg is a delight year-round (okay, outdoor attractions in August have their flaws), some of the absolute best things to do in Fredericksburg only come around once a week, month, or even a year!

If you have your pick of dates for when to visit Fredericksburg, consider planning around one of these memorable events.

Pick your own Fredericksburg peaches.

Without a doubt, one of the most fun things to do in Fredericksburg is to pick your own peaches right off the tree!

There are a lot of delicious peaches grown in the Lone Star State, but if you’re not from around here, you may not know that hyper-local “Fredericksburg Peaches” are famous in Texas and that Hill Country residents wait all year for them to come into season.

Roadside farm stands selling them dot the Hill Country each summer, but for a particularly memorable experience, consider picking your own!

Several orchards around town offer visitors the chance to pick their own peaches, and the season typically runs from mid-May to mid-August each year.

… and other fruits and vegetables!

Can’t wait for peach season, or simply missed it?

Peaches aren’t the only fruits you can pick at orchards in Fredericksburg: strawberries and blackberries are available at some farms in the spring.

In the fall, Fredericksburg farms offer not only pumpkins, but in some cases corn mazes and other classic harvest festival activities!

Enjoy a drink at Fredericksburg’s Oktoberfest.

For a Texas twist on a German tradition, don’t miss Fredericksburg’s 3-day Oktoberfest each fall, which transforms the Marktplatz into a festive party complete with German food, live music, a dirndl and lederhosen contest, and of course, plenty of beer–think 50 beers on tap.

We recommend buying tickets (and making hotel reservations) well in advance, planning your trip around the events you want to participate in, and coming ready for a crowded but memorable weekend!

… and enjoy German-style Christmas traditions in December.

With a German Christmas Pyramid standing proudly in the Marktplatz and plenty of mulled wine to go around, Fredericksburg keeps German Christmas traditions alive each December–with a Texas twist, of course!

Unsurprisingly, Fredericksburg is considered one of the best places to celebrate Christmas in Texas!

While the town is beautifully decorated all season long, if you want to make the most of a Fredericksburg Christmas vacation, we recommend planning ahead and structuring your trip around the events you’re most interested in–some only run for a day or on certain days of the week!

Admire the brilliant fields at Wildseed Farms.

The largest working wildflower farm in the USA is located right in the Texas Hill Country, and visiting is one of the best things to do in Fredericksburg!

While Wildseed Farms is beautiful throughout most of the year, bluebonnet season and sunflower season are both deservedly popular times to visit.

Wildseed Farms has beautiful walking trails lined with picket fences that allow visitors to get up-close views of the gorgeous flowers.

In addition, they also sell plants and local, artisanal foods on-site!

Sample Fredericksburg’s art scene during a First Friday Art Walk.

On the first Friday of each month, Fredericksburg’s many galleries stay open late–until 8:00 PM, to be exact–to show off new work they’ve acquired and give visitors a chance to explore.

Whether you’re looking seriously for a new piece of art to bring home or you just want to enjoy the festive environment, you’re bound to enjoy Fredericksburg’s First Friday Art Walk!

Grab some food, plus a glass of wine if you like, and get ready to wander!

Seek out some of the best bluebonnet fields in Texas along the Willow City Loop.

Located northeast of Fredericksburg in the beautiful Hill Country, the 13-mile Willow City Loop is a gorgeous scenic drive year-round–but it’s at its absolute best during wildflower season, when seemingly endless fields of bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, and more ensure that the surrounding fields are positively bursting with color.

Willow City Loop is one of the best places to see bluebonnets in Texas, so if you’re visiting during wildflower season, it’s an absolute can’t-miss attraction.

Do note that while Willow City Loop is extremely famous (and can get crowded as result), it’s also on private land. Be sure to behave respectfully as you visit, as you are visiting someone’s home.

Watch the bats at Old Tunnel State Park.

From May to October each year, millions of Mexican free-tailed bats call the abandoned railroad tunnel outside of Fredericksburg home.

One of the coolest things to do in Fredericksburg is to watch them emerge over Old Tunnel State Park to hunt around sunset each evening!

The Hill Country views during the day aren’t bad, either, and tend to be extremely uncrowded!

(And while you may not see any bats that way, we greatly enjoyed watching the armadillos milling about).

Head to town in October to stuff yourself at the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival.

Held in the Marktplatz, the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival features local food, wine, beer, and more, and is a must-taste event for foodies in Texas.

Live music, themed meals, and local food with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients are just a few of the many things to look forward to!

Held in late October (AKA when Texas Hill Country weather is often at its best), it’s an event not to be missed.

Browse the stalls at Fredericksburg Trade Days.

Once a month, Fredericksburg’s monthly flea market takes over Sunday Farms for the weekend, featuring all kinds of vendors and even a biergarten to relax in between shopping sprees. 

If you’re looking to do some eclectic shopping, be sure to plan your visit during Fredericksburg Trade Days!