Hill Country Hideaway: Fredericksburg, Texas
It’s impossible to not relax amongst the beautiful landscape and wildlife found in Fredericksburg, Texas
Willkommen (or welcome) to your Fredericksburg adventure. The city of Fredericksburg was founded in 1846 by German immigrants with German being the predominant language spoken there until the 1940’s. Today, the city is known for several things: its German heritage found in the town’s local architecture and cuisine, the 20 different varieties of delicious Gillespie County peaches, and its many wineries. Fredericksburg offers a wonderful balance of historic charm mixed with world-class lodgings and culinary offerings making it a fabulous destination for a romantic weekend getaway, girls trip or family gathering.
Let’s start the adventure by talking about where to stay. If you desire sophisticated and upscale accommodations in-town, look no further than the Hill Country Herb Garden. They offer 14 cozy cottages on property along with a fabulous spa and on-premise restaurant. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, rent a treehouse with a hot tub from HoneyTree Farm or stay in a Swiss chalet on Barons CreekSide Lodging where you can take selfies with Hope, a beautiful deer who wandered into the resort a couple of years ago and never left. The Vine on Middle Creek will give you the opportunity to stay on a working vineyard a few miles from town and wake up to stunning views of grazing deer and cows (see photo above). The owners are retired cops who love to make breakfast for guests each morning.
Sample the 20 different varieties of delicious Gillespie County peaches found at roadside stands and orchards throughout Fredericksburg
DAY ONE: Peach season runs mid-May through mid-August, so if you are visiting during this time, I encourage you to skip breakfast and start your day by visiting the roadside markets and orchards found clustered along Highway 290 between Fredericksburg and Stonewall, and along Highway 87, south of Main Street in Fredericksburg. Many of the peach growers will also have fresh blackberries and other produce available to sample and purchase. Pick your own peaches at Jenschke Orchards, try Nelda’s cobbler at Vogel Orchards, and cool off with peach ice cream from Burg’s Corner. Don’t miss Das Peach Haus, owned by the famous Fischer & Wieser families, where you can attend a class at their Culinary Adventure Cooking School, sip wines in their Adventure Tasting Room, shop their 150-plus sauces, jams and jellies, and enjoy a craft cocktail at Dietz Distillery next door.
After all that peach cobbler and ice cream, you’ll be ready to walk off some of those calories. The hub of retail activity can be found on Main Street in Downtown Fredericksburg. There you will find a variety of retail boutiques, art galleries, and wine tasting establishments. PRO TIP: Public consumption of adult beverages is legal and encouraged in Fredericksburg. You're welcome to drink beer, wine, or liquor while touring and shopping on Main Street. As you are wandering about make a stop at Vereins Kirche, the first public building in the town, which served as a town hall, school, and a church for all denominations. Today, this much-loved symbol of Fredericksburg’s German heritage houses exhibits that introduce visitors to the stories of Fredericksburg’s past. There is also a lovely garden area behind that building that’s the perfect spot to sit for a spell or snap a few photos for Instagram. All that shopping will work up an appetite so for a casual lunch, stop by Hondo’s on Main or the Altdorf Biergarten. Duck into Elk Store Winery and Distillery on Main St. for a cocktail. The place has a dark man-cave vibe and can provide some much-needed air-conditioning in the middle of the day.
Farm-to-table dining is the norm as the Fredericksburg area has deep roots in agriculture and is home to some of the best farms, orchards, and wineries in Texas
If shopping’s not your thing, take a historical tour of the city from Fredericksburg Trolley Tours where you will learn about the many famous and interesting people who have called Fredericksburg home and learn about events that have taken place since the city was established. Head back to your accommodations to take a break, check email and relax a bit, then head off to dinner at Hill & Vine, a mid-scale, casual, culinary destination, focused on Texas ingredients and superior hospitality located in Downtown Fredericksburg. Be sure to check out the wonderful works of art scattered throughout the restaurant’s interior by Dallas artist Jon Flaming. They have a wonderful patio with live music on the weekends.
DAY TWO: The Texas Hill Country is emerging as a wine destination, with more than 50 wineries and tasting rooms located in Fredericksburg and Gillespie County. Let Absolute Charm Wine Tours tour you around in style and safety. Your driver and host (ask for Mike) will transport you to 3 of the top wineries in Fredericksburg. Their VIP tour means you won’t have to wait in line or jockey for position. At each venue, you will sample 4-5 of their most popular wines while enjoying an introduction to each vintage provided by a local vino interpreter. You will be given time at each stop to enjoy the beautiful hill country scenery and, on weekends and holidays, catch some live music put on by local talent.
After all this day drinking, you’ll need a refreshing nap, then head off to dinner at Sage Restaurant and Lounge for their eclectic and internationally driven new American cuisine and cocktails. You’ll find bacon-wrapped quail, veal with wild mushroom butter and rainbow carrots, beef tenderloin with corn crème and baby spinach, and a European turbot fish with caper chorizo butter. There’s also an indulgent chef’s featured dinner for two that’s perfect for special occasions or splurges.
Take a trolley tour to learn about the history of Fredericksburg from knowledgeable guides
DAY THREE: Start Sunday with brunch at Otto’s German Bistro. This charming restaurant serves farm-to-table German cuisine sourced from local, independent farms and ranches as well as artisan producers from near and far. My picks include Zitronwaffel, a lemon ricotta waffle with lemon marmalade, whipped cream and topped with strawberries or Otto's Ruben made with warm corned beef, sauerkraut, mustard, pickles, and gruyère on toasted pumpernickel. Right across the street is the National Museum of the Pacific War founded in honor of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Fredericksburg’s native son and Commander-in-Chief of Allied Forces, Pacific Ocean Area. This world-class, cultural institution provides the nation's most comprehensive account of World War II in the Asiatic-Pacific theater.
Visit www.VisitFredericksburgTX.com to plan your Hill Country adventure today!
NOTE: Many company descriptions in this article were provided to me by Visit Fredericksburg or content was taken from the brand’s website in an effort to provide accurate descriptions. This trip was hosted in most part by Visit Fredericksburg. While I did receive compensation for authoring this post; product selections, descriptions, and opinions are 100% my own. Interested in a sponsored post or product review? Contact me for rates and details.