Day Trip Ideas – Exploring the German town of Fredericksburg, Texas

One thing I love about living in Austin is all the neat towns within driving distance of Austin. They make for easy day trips or a weekend staycation. Each town is different from the next. Offering their own Texas flavor. I had been reading about Horseshoe Bay Resort and its annual Hot Air Balloon Festival. So I decided one Saturday to start my day there in the early morning of 5am. My day would round out in Fredericksburg, another town that I have always wanted to visit.

Balloons Over Horseshoe Bay

Balloons over Horseshoe Bay is an annual event that takes place at the Horseshoe Bay Resort during Easter weekend. It involves 20 hot air balloons that travel all over the Midwest and Southwest, stopping each year giving attendees the opportunity to view and ride in the hot air balloons, enjoy a helicopter ride, shop local vendors and enjoy local food trucks. 

Adults can enjoy wine tasting and live performances. This all-day family filled event has more than enough activities to keep the kiddos busy. They can rock climb, enjoy an Easter egg hunt, bungee jump, and participate in a live animal show. The night is rounded off with a Balloon Glow finale (which I missed!). The next Balloons Over Horseshoe Bay event takes place April 19-21. 

Visiting Fredericksburg

In my opinion, weekends are the best time to visit Fredericksburg. It’s Main Street downtown is filled with people hustling about taking in all it the town has to offer. There’s so much to eat, see, and do. I decided to head there one Saturday and spend the entire day.

Fredericksburg has a little bit for every thing for everyone. From the lone explorer to a family making a day of it together. To food and wine lovers to history and nature lovers, a trip to Fredericksburg is worth it.

Quick History of Fredericksburg

Founded in 1846 by German immigrants, Fredericksburg was the final location established by John O. Meusebach for Germans who were promised plots of land within South and Central Texas. In early 1947, Meusebach met with tribes of the Comanche Indians to negotiate a peace treaty. This resulted in the town’s ability to farm on Comanche land and offered promising times for the Indians in times of hunger. The peace treaty was concluded by the smoking of the peace pipe between Meusenbach and the Comanche tribal leader.

Things to Do in Fredericksburg

One thing I love about visiting new places is learning about its unique history. It’s local Culture. How it became what it is today. I enjoyed learning about Fredericksburg’s unique history. If you find yourself on historic Main Street, you’ll find that it’s a good starting place to explore all that Fredericksburg has to offer.

Vereins Kirche Museum

Sitting at the entryway to Marketplatz is the Vereins Kirsch Museum. This octagon shaped building houses collections of artifacts and history showcasing Fredericksburg’s interesting Texas German history. The original building also known as society church, was originally built in 1847. It served as a church, school, fortress, and meeting hall. Vereins Kirche was one of the original buildings of Fredericksburg.

Marketplatz

Step outside the door of Vernes Kirche Museum and enjoy Marketplatz. Located in the center of Fredericksburg, Marketplatz, or Market Square, is comprised of historic sites, gardens, and pavilions for city events and festivals. Its most notable historic site is where the passing and smoking of the peace pipe between Meusenbach and the Comanche tribe leader.

Pioneer Museum

Located a few blocks from the Vereins Kirche Museum is the Pioneer Museum. This combination museum and historic site provides visitors with another look into the lives of Texas German inhabitants.

I love strolling through the grounds of places similar to this. Getting an idea of what life was like. From eating, sleeping, and working, to learning about the inhabitants from infancy to adulthood.

On the grounds of the Pioneer Museum, there are 10 buildings that you can leisurely stroll through. Stories are told though historic homesites, a one room school house, log cabin, Sunday house, bath house, barn and smokehouse, and a fire house.

Explore Historic Main Street

Main Street is the heart of Fredericksburg. In addition to historic sites, there are plenty of eats, unique shops, and wineries and breweries- many of which are right along Main Street.

Stop by the lone star candy bar to get your sweet tooth fixed here you can find over 20+ flavors of fudge, jellybeans, Taffy, and M&Ms. Chocolate dipped goodies of bacon, pickles, jalapeños, and Twinkies.

Rustlin’ Robs is a Nother fun place to explore. You can try varieties of foods. Such as honey, peanut, or fruit butters. My favorites were the sea salt caramel pecan and praline pecan honey butter. You can also taste hot sauces, salsas, jams and jellies, barbecue, and marinades and glazes.

While I did not get a chance to explore the National Museum of the Pacific War, I did get to stroll through the Japanese Garden of Peace and Memorial Walk. They were both peaceful places to relax after a busy day of exploring.

Visit Wild Seed Farms

Continue on a few miles up Highway 290 to Wild Seed Farms. You’ll know when you have arrived when you see large fields of colorful wild flowers along the highway. You can enjoy the wildflower blue blooms from March to October. Shop at blossoms boutique and visit the Nursery for unique plants and accessories from one of the largest garden centers in the Texas Hill Country.

Explore the walking trails and try out your photography skills and one of the mini wild flower fields. After head to the Brewbonnett Biergarden for a cold beer and refreshments why you enjoy some live music. If you are looking for a more relaxing and firemen try wedding oak winery.

Visiting LBJ Ranch

 Located in Lyndon B. Johnson Historic National Park is LBJ Ranch, also known as the Texas White House. This was the home to the birthplace and final resting place of 36th President, Lyndon B. Johnson. On the grounds you can find his home (which you can tour), working ranch, presidential plane, and other mementos during its active years. 

By the time I arrived to the Visitor Center, I had just missed the ability to tour the White House. You can do a self guided tour in the comfort of your car as you travel through the ranch grounds. On the nature trail, you can find Texas longhorns, bison, wild turkeys, and other native wildlife. 

Fredericksburg Herb Farm

If you are looking for a relaxing way to enjoy breakfast in Fredericksburg, the herb farm is a lovely place. In addition to the farm it has a restaurant, spa, cottages for staycations and a cute gift shop. I love walking through the grounds and taking in the various smells , snapping photos of the statues throughout.

It was such a tranquil area to stroll through. One of these days I plan on booking a weekend stay at one of its cottages and enjoy a relaxing spa treatment. Lawd knows I need that in my life. 

To say Fredericksburg is small in comparison to other popular Texas cities, there is so much to do and see. I definitely plan on returning to experience its wineries, breweries, restaurants and other attractions. 

Until next time…

Nadia

Did I miss any “must-dos” when visiting Fredericksburg? Let me know in the comments.