Charming German Town

Words by Mary Bryce  Photos by Blake Mistich & Claire McCormack

Located just over an hour west of Austin, Fredericksburg still has the vestiges of German immigrants who came to the Central Texas Hill Country in the 1800s. With a charming main street and a variety of attractions, this small town is the perfect weekend getaway if you’re needing a slower pace and a break from the city.

Friday

Start your morning sweetly with a stop at Hill Country Donuts & Kolaches for some fluffy donuts and classic central Texas kolaches. Be sure not to miss the sausage, jalapeño and cheese kolache; it’s delicious! Afterwards, explore the quaint shops up and down the bustling Main Street. With a variety of antique and clothing stores, there’s a little something for everyone. Be sure not to miss Dooley’s 5-10 & 25 Store for a huge array of treasure and junk at a premium discount. Kids in particular will love this stop.  After you’ve shopped yourself silly, head to the National Museum of Pacific War for a comprehensive understanding of the war and the Texans who served. In fact, this is the only museum dedicated solely to the Pacific War in the entire United States. If you’re getting hungry again, head to Woerner Warehouse for a healthy and delicious meal. Located in a refurbished feed store, Woerner Warehouse serves local produce and delicious local wines.

Saturday

Begin the morning with a hearty breakfast at the Sunset Grill before heading to Enchanted Rock State Park. Located roughly 20 minutes outside of Fredericksburg, Enchanted Rock is a remarkable destination for nature-hungry travelers. The massive pink granite dome is an amazing site (It’s over 1.1 billion years old!) and makes for both amazing hiking and beautiful vistas. Be sure to pack a picnic, because the hike to the summit of the rock can take a few hours. After experiencing the beauty of the rock, head back to town for a drink at the lively Silver Creek Beer Garden and Grille for German style food and beer.

Sunday

Take the morning nice and slow before heading out to enjoy the day. Make the day all about enjoying the beauty of the Hill Country by taking tours of a few local vineyards such as Wildseed Farms where you can taste wines and explore their remarkable selection of wildflower seeds and garden supplies. If you still feel the need to explore, head to Grape Creek Vineyards Fredericksburg for more wine tasting, Italian food and a remarkably relaxed environment. If that hasn’t sated your appetite, return to Fredericksburg and grab dinner at Otto’s, a German style fine-dining restaurant where you can try dishes such as duck schnitzel and a variety of house-made sausages.

If you go…

Transportation: A car here is a must as many restaurants and attractions are not necessarily walkable beyond the main street. However, walking shoes for strolling within the main street area are a good idea.

Events: For a list of upcoming events, visit visitfredericksburgtx.com/plan/events.

Forecast: Temperatures typically are slightly lower than in Austin, so bring a sweater in case of late evening chills.