Overview
Fredericksburg is a city of 10,500 people (2010) in Texas, west of Austin and north of San Antonio.
3 sights · 8 things to do · 10 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 7 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Fredericksburg
The National Museum of the Pacific War
Includes the Admiral Nimitz Museum, describing the life of Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz and his important role in World War II, the George H.W. Bush Gallery with various WWII navy-related exhibits on show, the tour guide…
Pioneer Museum
Shows early life in Gillespie County.
Vereins Kirche Museum
Part of the Pioneer Museum complex, it's an octagonal landmark in the city.
Hill Country Outfitters
Gear and information.
Fredericksburg Winery
Lincoln St. Wine Market
Wine bar, bistro, lunch, etc.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–Apr. Summer highs reach about 96°F; winter lows dip to about 41°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: May and Sep. (climate data from nearby San Antonio)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SAT San Antonio International Airport, San Antonio — 57 mi away (major hub). Directions
- AUS Austin Bergstrom International Airport, Austin — 72 mi away (major hub). Directions
Primary access to Fredericksburg is by private car. It's about 40 miles north of IH-10 on US-87, northwest of San Antonio (71 mi total drive), or about 80 miles west of Austin on US-290.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $75–$120 a night (typical $102), from 8 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $10 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$100, mid-range ~$160, comfortable ~$240.
Options are grouped as Bed and Breakfasts in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The National Museum of the Pacific War, Hill Country Outfitters
- Lunch Altdorf Biergarten
- Afternoon Texas Wine Cellars, Pacific Combat Living History Program
- Dinner Auslander
- Evening Fredericksburg Brewing Company Biergarten
Day 2
- Morning Pioneer Museum, Fredericksburg Winery
- Lunch Der Lindenbaum
- Afternoon Night in Old Fredericksburg, Weihnachten
- Dinner Hondo's
- Evening Luckenbach Dance Hall
Day 3
- Morning Vereins Kirche Museum, Lincoln St. Wine Market
- Lunch Hill & Vine
- Afternoon Oktoberfest
- Dinner Rathskeller Cellar Bistro
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
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.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Fredericksburg was settled by immigrant families from Germany in 1846, led by John O. Meusebach. Although the settlement was on the Comanche frontier, the Meusebach-Comanche Treaty of following year established lasting peace. Many older buildings retain traditional German styles; several units comprise the National Historic District. German is still spoken occasionally, and old customs are regularly observed: 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.
Get in
Primary access to Fredericksburg is by private car. It's about 40 miles north of IH-10 on US-87, northwest of San Antonio (71 mi total drive), or about 80 miles west of Austin on US-290.
Greyhound buses stop on the outskirts of Fredericksburg.
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 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.
See The National Museum of the Pacific War
Includes the Admiral Nimitz Museum, describing the life of Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz and his important role in World War II, the George H.W. Bush Gallery with various WWII navy-related exhibits on show, the tour guide-led "Pacific Combat Zone" which takes you through life-like displays of war, and peaceful gardens and courtyards.
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.
Wine
There are also a number of wineries in the area that offer free tours and tastings.
Do Texas Wine Cellars
Place Fat Ass Ranch Winery & Brewery
Wine and craft beer destination that offers handcrafted Texas wines, small-batch beer, live music, and food trucks across four Hill Country locations. The ranch welcomes visitors for tastings, private events, and its wine club, all with a signature blend of Texas hospitality and easygoing fun.
Events
Learn
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!
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.
Eat Altdorf Biergarten
The highlight is the nice outdoor seating, which indeed is most like what you would see in Germany. The kitchen serves up German, of course, along with steaks and Tex-Mex. There is also occasionally live music.
Eat Auslander
A German biergarten with outdoor seating, live music, and a restaurant that also happens to offer steak, seafood, and Tex-Mex. It is undeniably popular with tourists.
Eat Der Lindenbaum
Homemade German food in a cozy historic restaurant with a nice stock of apropos bar beverages; the atmosphere is more mellow than some of the other rowdy tourist joints and the food is about what you'd expect.
Eat Hondo's
Expansive, rib-sticking menu including Tex-Mex and BBQ, with live music on the weekends and a good patio. The best burgers in town!
Eat Hill & Vine
Homey cafe-style cooking by local personality Cynthia Pedregon, served in a pleasant old house. Expect sandwiches, soup, quiches and the like. A small bakery with homemade cookies and bread and a gift shop are attached. Popular with the locals.
Eat Rathskeller Cellar Bistro
Cozy atmosphere, attentive waitstaff, and serves bistro and local German food. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, live music Saturday nights.
Eat Silver Creek Beer Garden & Grille
Grill serving up steaks, pasta, and seafood (and the mandatory German fare), with a brunch on Sundays. Food is okay but the bar is particularly well-stocked, there's nice outdoor seating, and they host live music throughout the week. Service can be frazzled on the weekends when the seats fill up.
Nearby
Eat Alamo Springs Cafe
Known for their outstanding hamburgers (preferably with the jalapeno-cheese bun) and nightly dinner specials, they advertise that they are "inconveniently located", but worth the trip. And they're right! Getting there really is half the adventure - plus its situated right next to a bat cave (cool, eh?). Kick back, grab a beer, and check out the live music on Saturdays.
Eat Cabernet Grill
Upscale but casual wining and dining with attentive service in a nouveau-rustic dining room. Also offers a spiffy lunch buffet during the week. Located at the Cotton Gin bed & breakfast.
Eat Hilltop Cafe
An intriguing mix of Texan, Cajun, and Greek food offered in an offbeat dining room filled with doo-dads hanging from the ceiling and music memorabilia (not to mention the occasional live music). Friendly faces, good food, and can be very popular on weekends, where reservations are recommended. A bed-and-breakfast and meeting hall are also on the premises.
Drink
Drinking in public areas such as on sidewalks is allowed provided the drinker remains well behaved.
Drink Fredericksburg Brewing Company Biergarten
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 (although they pretty much only serve house beer). Also has a B&B next door and restaurant, but go for the beer.
Drink Luckenbach Dance Hall
Dance hall with live music.
Sleep
Stay Hangar Hotel
This "World War II/aviation"-themed boutique not only marches to its own beat, but it does it very well. Everything from the service to the furnishings (selected to reflect the 1940s era) are a step above, and the attention to detail when it comes to the setting is fun. There's an "Officer's Club" for lounging and drinks, an observation deck where planes can be seen coming and going (this is an airport, after all), a retro diner for burgers and fries, and a "Pacific Showroom" complete with tiki bar.
Bed and Breakfasts
Stay Der Stall (The Barn)
A replica of this German descendant's family barn in Reifenberg, Germany. This guesthouse was constructed by the innkeepers and two generations of the innkeeper's German descendants to include milling the hardwood floor boards from locally procured rough-cut pine. Guests get the whole barn to themselves, including a master bedroom featuring a queen-sized bed with a robust log headboard and footboard. Both were cut from nearby cedar trees and made by the innkeepers. The bedroom also has an in-floor two-person Jacuzzi. Climb the steep wooden steps to the hayloft for two full-size beds with a commanding view down into the living room.
Go next
- Enchanted Rock State Natural Area Offers views, trails, and camping around a huge pink granite exfoliation dome believed by the Tonkawa Indians to be haunted by spirits.
- Hill Country a more general overview of the area, most destinations are an easy day trip.
- New Braunfels - 72 miles southeast of Fredericksburg, this town is best known for its German culture and heritage, not to mention the Schlitterbahn, persistent in being voted the world's best waterpark.
- San Marcos - 70 miles southeast of Fredericksburg, San Marcos is the home of Texas State University and its Aquarena Center, as well as two massive outlet malls that have more than 350 shops.
- Pedernales Falls State Natural Area
- Stonewall about 15 minutes east of Fredericksburg.
Nearby
Luckenbach
City / town · 10 mi away
Stonewall
City / town · 2 listings · 13 mi away
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
Park · 2 listings · 15 mi away
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Park · 16 mi away
Comfort
City / town · 1 listings · 21 mi away
Kerrville
City / town · 54 listings · 22 mi away
Johnson City
City / town · 6 listings · 27 mi away
Blanco
City / town · 1 listings · 30 mi away
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