25 Fun Things to Do in Fredericksburg, TX

The Texas Hill Country is full of hidden gem small towns, and one of my favorites is Fredericksburg.

There are so many fun things to do in Fredericksburg, TX, that you could easily spend a week or more exploring this small town in Texas.

Fredericksburg, Texas, offers visitors the opportunity to explore world-class museums, shop until their heart is content, and get outdoors as much as possible.

The best part is that all of this also takes place in Texas wine country.

The fact that Fredericksburg is located near Austin and San Antonio makes it an easy Hill Country escape.

One of my favorite drives is the Austin to Fredericksburg drive.

There are some great stops in this part of the Texas Hill Country to explore.

As native Texans, we have been visiting Fredericksburg for years.

It consistently ranks as one of the best places to visit in Texas and one of the most romantic getaways in Texas, so we continue to go back year after year.

So, grab your best friends or that special someone and head out on an awesome weekend getaway or fun Texas road trip to Fredericksburg, TX!

Old Tunnel State Park

For a unique experience while visiting Fredericksburg, head to the Old Tunnel State Park just before sunset to witness the Mexican free-tailed bats take flight for their nightly feeding.

The park, located on Old San Antonio Road, is home to an old abandoned railroad tunnel that has now become the home to over three million Mexican free-tailed bats!

When the bats emerge, they spiral upward counter-clockwise, sometimes as high as 10,000 feet!

This is truly an amazing site, and it should be on your list of things to do in Fredericksburg, TX if you visit between May and October.

No wonder Old Tunnel State Park is considered one of the best state parks near San Antonio. It is just so unique.

While visiting Old Tunnel State Park, you cannot go inside the tunnel.

This helps to ensure that the bats are not disturbed in their natural environment.

Pro Tip: You do have to buy a ticket in advance online.

You can purchase your ticket up to 60 days in advance by visiting the Texas State Park website.

Read Next: 12 Cool Things to Do in Alpine, Texas (& the Big Bend Region)

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

For some time outdoors, head to Enchanted Rock State Park during your Hill Country escape.

Enchanted Rock State Park is home to a large pink dome-shaped granite boulder that has drawn visitors for generations.

It is said that Native Americans believed Enchanted Rock was a place of spiritual importance, so they would visit it to perform important ceremonies and rituals.

Rising 425 feet above the base elevation of the park, climbing Enchanted Rock is equivalent to climbing a 30- to 40-story building!

In the spring, you have a great view of the surrounding hill country dotted with Texas wildflowers as you ascend to the top of the rock.

In addition to hiking Enchanted Rock, you can explore the many other trails on the property or find the perfect spot for a picnic lunch.

Pro Tip: Enchanted Rock State Park is popular, so make your reservations in advance for this Hill Country gem!

Learn About History at the Pioneer Museum

To learn about the town’s history, visit the Pioneer Museum in Fredericksburg, TX.

The Fredericksburg Pioneer Museum is a 3-acre historic site that houses 11 historic buildings, all built by the original German immigrants who first settled here.

The homes of these German settlers are just some of the buildings you can see while visiting the Pioneer Museum.

In addition to the home of the German immigrants, there is also a church, a barn, a schoolhouse, and more. You can see all of these during a self-guided museum tour.

You can get a combo ticket at either of these locations, including entrance to the Pioneer Museum and the Vereins Kirche Museum.

Enjoy Wildflowers at Wildseed Farms

Lovers of Texas wildflowers will not want to miss visiting Wildseed Farms during their time in Fredericksburg, TX.

Home to numerous Texas flower and plant species, Wildseed Farms offers visitors the opportunity to walk through their vast gardens of wildflowers.

The gardens come alive in the spring with beautiful Texas bluebonnets and bright red poppies.

Of course, you can also purchase seeds to plant your own Texas wildflowers. They even have a winery on site that offers tastings and wine for sale!

Enjoy Live Music on Main Street

Finding live music in Fredericksburg, TX, is easy and should be on your list of things to do in Fredericksburg, TX.

Whether you are into country or rock music, you will find something you like in this Texas Hill Country town.

Check out Hondo’s on Main on Thursday nights for live music, or head out to Crossroads Saloon & Steakhouse on Saturday evenings for live music and lots of dancing.

Of course, live music also includes concerts, and Fredericksburg has you covered there, thanks to The Backyard Amphitheater.

Go Shopping in Fredericksburg, Texas

Another one of my favorite things to do in Fredericksburg, TX is to go shopping, especially in the beautiful historic buildings in town.

Fredericksburg’s Main Street area has fun boutique shops selling everything from custom jewelry to home furnishings.

Grab a glass of wine from a wine-tasting room to drink as you stroll down Main Street, browsing the 150+ shops, art galleries, and wine-tasting rooms that call this area home.

Spend the day looking for a fabulous Texas souvenir t-shirt or enjoy choosing the perfect leather handbag. The choice is yours, and the selections are endless on Main Street!

When you think you’ve seen it all, get off Main Street and explore other areas of Fredericksburg.

The side streets are also full of great art galleries and fun shops, many housed inside historic buildings, just waiting to be explored.

Visit the Many Vineyards & Wineries in Fredericksburg

There is no denying that Fredericksburg, Texas, is a wine country!

It seems that whenever we visit this area of the hill country, more wineries pop up (which is fine with me).

Driving on Highway 290 (also known as Wine Road 290) from Johnson City to Fredericksburg, wineries line both sides of the highway.

These Fredericksburg wineries and vineyards are some of the best in the state and should be part of your list of things to do in Fredericksburg, Texas.

Visiting Becker Vineyards allows you to enjoy sipping wine while looking over a beautiful Texas lavender field.

In addition, Becker Vineyards hosts special events, making this a fun and unique venue.

Another popular place to enjoy hill country wines is Grape Creek Vineyards. Visiting Grape Creek Vineyards transports me to Tuscany.

I love sipping Grape Creek Vineyards’ delicious wine while enjoying one of their brick-oven pizzas!

In addition to the vineyards that line Highway 290 from Johnson City to Fredericksburg, TX, there are numerous tasting rooms in Fredericksburg proper.

As I mentioned above, Main Street is lined with great wineries, so you can take your pick while strolling down Main Street!

Check Out the Local Breweries

You can’t visit a town with the German heritage that Fredericksburg, Texas, possesses and miss checking out its breweries.

Fredericksburg’s Main Street contains the Fredericksburg Brewing Company.

They serve delicious beer and awesome pub-style food in one of the historic buildings on Main Street.

For a completely different experience, head to Altstadt Brewery on Highway 290.

This brewery is showing off its German heritage with some of the coldest Hefeweizen you will find in town.

Combine that with their fabulous outdoor beer garden, and you will have the perfect place to spend an afternoon in Fredericksburg, Texas!

Enjoy the Fredericksburg Distilleries

If liquor is more your style, then the Fredericksburg area also has you covered there.

The Elk Store Winery & Distillery is located on Main Street in the heart of Fredericksburg.

The Elk Store Winery & Distillery serves handmade, small-batch premium spirits, including gin, moonshine, rum, and whiskey.

Of course, the Elk Store Winery also sells wine (hence their name).

A little outside of the downtown area, you will find Dietz Distillery.

Dietz is pretty new to the scene. At the time of publication, it only offered Five Judges Gin, but it plans to introduce more flavors soon.

One of my favorites in this area, Garrison Brothers Distillery, is outside of Fredericksburg in a small town named Hye, Texas.

Garrison Brothers has made a name for itself as one of the first bourbon distilleries outside of Kentucky.

Serving delicious bourbon whiskey, Garrison Brothers Distillery offers fun cocktails and a tour of their facilities when you visit the ranch.

Garrison Brothers Distillery is a fun place to add to your list of things to do in Fredericksburg, TX!

This is one of my favorite stops when road-tripping from San Antonio to Fredericksburg.

Visit the National Museum of the Pacific War

You might wonder how a national museum like the Pacific War Museum wound up on Main Street in Fredericksburg, Texas.

I wondered the same thing. How did a national World War II museum wind up in the Texas Hill Country?

I was especially surprised to learn that the Museum of the Pacific War is considered the fifth-best history museum of the Pacific in the United States! And why is it in central Texas?

Well, you see, Admiral Nimitz, one of the leaders of the US Pacific fleet in the battles of the Pacific War, was from Fredericksburg, TX.

The Main Street property now houses the National Museum of the Pacific War, but it was once home to the Nimitz Steamboat Hotel.

This hotel was owned by Admiral Nimitz and operated by his family during his absence.

The National Museum of the Pacific War focuses on the battles associated with this part of World War II.

While touring the national museum, you can read first-hand stories and see numerous artifacts associated with the war.

One of my favorite areas of the National Museum of the Pacific War is the memorial and Japanese Garden of Peace.

The Japanese Garden of Peace was a gift from Japan that offered peace and forgiveness for all that happened during the Pacific War.

The Japanese Garden is a place of solace and reflection and shouldn’t be missed during your visit to the Pacific War Museum.

Fredericksburg Theater Company

The Fredericksburg Theater Company proudly brings live theatre performances to the Texas Hill Country.

The Fredericksburg Theater Company has been serving this area for over 20 years and has a long-standing presence in Fredericksburg, TX.

Check out the Fredericksburg Theatre Company and their schedule of events for a complete lineup of performances.

Acts include everything from live music to full-scale Broadway-style productions.

Vereins Kirche Museum

The Vereins Kirche Museum showcases more of the stories of the German Settlers that first settled in this area.

The octagonal building in the heart of downtown Fredericksburg, TX, now houses the Vereins Kirche Museum.

The original Vereins Kirche building served many purposes in Fredericksburg’s history but was demolished in 1897.

The new building you see today serves as a museum, a Pioneer Memorial Library, and the Fredericksburg, TX Chamber of Commerce.

Step inside to learn more about this fun town, and don’t forget to visit its sister property, the Pioneer Museum.

Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site

Granted, the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site is located outside Fredericksburg, TX, in Johnson City, but I just had to put it on our list!

This is just one of those historic Texas sites you must visit!

Visiting the Johnson National Historical Park allows visitors to see where President Lyndon B. Johnson was born and raised.

During your visit to Johnson National Historical Park, you can tour Johnson’s boyhood home and see the ‘Texas White House,’ the home Johnson continued to own and visit during his presidency.

After stopping at the park’s visitor center, you can take a self-guided tour to see the beautiful ranch grounds and the Texas White House.

The site includes several historic sites, including an old schoolhouse, parks, a church, and the Lyndon B. Johnson family cemetery.

Visit the National Park’s website for more information.

Enjoy Some German Restaurants and a Biergarten

You can’t visit Fredericksburg, TX, and not eat German food. That would just be wrong!

Luckily, Fredericksburg has several German restaurants, thanks to its German heritage.

These restaurants serve everything from traditional German cuisine to beer and pub-style food, so you will surely find one that you will love.

The best part is that some of them even have amazing beer gardens!

Some restaurants include Altdorf Restaurant, Altstadt Brewery, The Auslander Restaurant, Otto’s German Bistro, Der Lindenbaum, and the Old German Bakery and Restaurant.

Das Peach Haus

Das Peach Haus is a cute little store in Fredericksburg, TX, specializing in gourmet food items, especially those made with peaches.

Here, you can find everything from peach jam to peach ice cream.

One of my favorite things about Das Peach Haus is that you can sample almost everything they sell!

Offering over 150 sauces, jams, and jellies, Das Peach Haus is sure to have one that you love.

You can enjoy a glass of wine in the wine-tasting room or outside by their beautiful pond during your visit.

Texas Rangers Heritage Center

The Texas Rangers Heritage Center is a 12-acre site dedicated to showcasing and honoring those who have served the Lone Star State.

A visit to the heritage center allows you to learn more about the Texas Rangers’ role throughout Texas’s history.

The center sponsors open-to-the-public events, such as campfire storytelling, live history reenactments, and walks with a Ranger.

If you are a history lover, the Texas Rangers Heritage Center should be on your list.

Historic Fort Martin Scott

The historic Fort Martin Scott is located just east of town on Highway 290.

Fort Martin Scott is a historic army outpost from 1848-1853.

The fort played an important role in the history of Texas and the United States during the Civil War.

When you visit Fort Martin Scott, you can take a self-guided tour to see the original buildings used by the settlers.

Fort Martin Scott showcases an original garrison building and three reproduction garrison buildings for visitors.

There is also a late 1800s farm shed on site.

Twice a year, this Fredericksburg, TX, historic site also puts on live historical reenactments.

Willow City Loop

For one of the most beautiful drives in the Texas Hill Country (in my opinion), head to the Willow City Loop.

Located just outside of Fredericksburg in Gillespie County, the Willow City Loop showcases gorgeous Texas terrain.

From gentle rolling pastures to dramatic canyons, driving the Willow City Loop is what Texas is all about.

My favorite time to drive the Willow City Loop is March-May, when the Texas wildflowers, specifically the Texas bluebonnets, are in bloom!

Fredericksburg, TX, and the Loop are some of Texas’s best places to see bluebonnets.

Fredericksburg Herb Farm

One of the hidden gems in Fredericksburg, TX, is the Fredericksburg Herb Farm.

Judging by its name, you would think this is just a place where herbs are grown, but don’t judge a book by its cover.

While the Fredericksburg Herb Farm does grow its herbs for its restaurant, there is much more to it than that.

This hill country destination also has a wonderful spa facility, perfect for relaxing while visiting Fredericksburg, Texas.

The Fredericksburg Herb Farm also has a great little gift shop where you can find the perfect gift or souvenir to commemorate your visit.

Fredericksburg Trade Days Sunday Farms

If you find yourself in Fredericksburg, Texas, the third weekend of the month, then take time to check out the Fredericksburg Trade Days Sunday Farms.

The trade days are located on Highway 290 near Wildseed Farms.

Over 350 vendors will be on hand, selling everything from boutique clothing to home furnishings. The Fredericksburg Trade Days is a fun, outdoor shopping event.

When you need a break, you can visit the outdoor Biergarten and enjoy some fair-style food and a nice cold beer or glass of wine.

First Friday Art Walk

On the first Friday of every month, the small town of Fredericksburg, Texas, comes alive as participating art galleries in the area open their doors for the First Friday Art Walk.

The art galleries stay open until 8 p.m. for the art walk, allowing visitors to enjoy viewing the art and visiting with the artists.

Many galleries also host special events, visiting this small town even better!

Texas Oktoberfest

The German culture that Fredericksburg, Texas, is so proud of is honored yearly with its annual Oktoberfest celebration.

The first German settlers to this area would be proud to see that the Fredericksburg, Texas, Oktoberfest has been going strong for over 40 years!

Oktoberfest means lots of beer, brats, and oompah music! Fredericksburg, Texas, offers three days of celebrations in the Texas Hill Country, and it is truly a great time!

You can watch keg tapping, do the chicken dance, and participate in a 5k while donning your best dirndl or lederhosen.

Find the most up-to-date information on the Oktoberfest website.

Fredericksburg is one of the best places to spend fall in Texas!

Painted Churches of Texas

The historic painted churches of Texas were originally built in the early to mid-1800s.

They are called “painted churches” because each has uniquely designed and artistic interiors.

Granted, the painted churches aren’t in Fredericksburg proper, but they are nearby in the surrounding hill country, so if you have time, be sure to check them out.

There are 20 painted churches throughout the area, all listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Go Peach Picking

If you find yourself in Gillespie County during the summer, you must visit the many peach orchards that call this area home.

You can purchase peaches and peach products from the many roadside stands in Fredericksburg, Texas, and pick your own peaches!

The area has numerous orchards, allowing you to pick your peaches.

This is one of the unique things to do in Fredericksburg, TX!

Fredericksburg Visitor Center

I don’t usually include a visitor center on my list of things to do, but the Fredericksburg Center is an exception to this rule.

Here, you will find loads of information on some of the best attractions in Fredericksburg.

Whether you want to learn more about Pearl Harbor at the Museum of the Pacific War, find out where to see some live country music, discover the Hill Country herb garden, learn more about the Vereins Kirche Museum, or maybe chat about the Gillespie County Historical Society, the center has you covered!

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