Rather than purchasing multiple gifts for each other this year, my husband and I decided to splurge on the perfect getaway to the Texas hill country. Fredericksburg, to be exact. This quaint, historic German town oozes charm and southern hospitality.
It’s also nestled in the foothills of Texas wine country. Boasting over 70 vineyards and wineries, this sleepy little town has produced top-ranked wines and has earned quite a reputation as an excellent destination.
From wine tastings and delicious food to a plethora of shops ranging from antique and vintage to high-end linens and everything in between, Fredricksburg has everything you need and more for a slow-paced getaway.
Getting to Fredricksburg
If you’re flying into Texas for your visit, I recommend landing at Austin Bergstrom International Airport and renting a car for the hour-and-a-half drive to Fredericksburg. The airport is right off Highway 290, so all you have to do is drive on and head west.
You’ll pass through Dripping Springs and Johnson City, home to Lyndon B. Johnson, on your way. Both are cute little towns that have several places where you can stop and have lunch or check out a shop or two.
Abby Jane Bakery in Dripping Springs offers some of the best baked goods in the Hill Country. LBJ State Park and Historic Site is also right outside of Johnson City if you feel like having an outdoor adventure. You can also visit the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm and walk 1.2 miles of trails, passing bison, longhorns, wildflowers, creeks, and historic cabins.
Where to Stay
There are several options to consider when planning an overnight stay in Fredericksburg, Texas. Multiple Airbnbs, bed and breakfasts, and a handful of hotels are available. Guide your decision based on how close you want to be to the center of town. For me, city center proximity is paramount. Fredericksburg is a walkable city, so take advantage of that!
We chose to stay at the newly opened boutique Whitetail Court Hotel, owned and operated by Steve and Marsha Mengle. This European eight-cabin courtyard hotel has only been open for three months and has already established itself as a fabulous place to book.
The owners live on-site and are the most charming couple you’ll meet. They make it their mission to get to know each guest, taking them on a tour of the property and showing them all of the amenities.
From excellent Italian toiletries and plush Turkish robes to handpainted wallpaper as the backsplash of the kitchen nooks, the couple outdid themselves when designing the perfect cozy cabins enveloping a welcoming courtyard.
Did I mention they’re also ice cream chefs? Steve, a retired engineer, spends his days perfecting the most delicious ice cream (dairy and non-dairy options), which is free to their guests. You just have to stroll up to the ice cream window and place your order. You won’t be disappointed. Check-in is at 4 p.m. and check-out is at 11 a.m.
Where To Eat
This historic town offers a plethora of incredible food. If you love German cuisine, this is your spot! I highly recommend making dinner reservations at Otto’s German Bistro and Vaudeville. Although they are very different restaurants, they are first-class. Offering excellent service, incredible wine lists, creative cocktails, and well-executed dishes, they will leave you delighted and wanting to return.
Otto’s
I lived in Germany for a year and developed a taste for high-end German cuisine. Most people think it’s just schnitzel and sausages, but it’s so much more robust than that, and the chefs at Otto’s prove it.
We started our dinner with an excellent Gruner Veltliner wine and a hot toddy, as there was a nip in the air. We walked to the restaurant, and I needed to warm up. First up were the sauerkraut and sausage balls and the Wachau Riesling soup as appetizers.
My husband had the braised pork shank, spaetzle, and glazed carrots for his entree, and I ordered the Wurst plate because when in Rome, you order the sausages. I think that’s how the saying goes. It came with kartoffelsalat (potato salad) and caraway sauerkraut–just like Oma used to make.
We skipped dessert, opting to have ice cream back at the hotel instead.
Vaudeville Bistro
Vaudeville Bistro is an absolute must-have dining experience. Located downstairs below their high-end retail store that has anything from candles, linens, jewelry, and artwork, this bistro is known for its wood-fired pizzas and superb wine list.
The Hill Country offers choice wines, but Vaudeville’s selection entails more than just Texas wines. I enjoyed a Napa Valley Honig Sauvignon Blanc while my husband imbibed on some classic Altstadt Alt Amber Texas microbrew beer.
We started with the salmon tartar and grilled vegetable salad. Both were incredibly scrumptious. The tartar came with an extraordinary pesto, and the asparagus, squash, and peppers served on a bed of eggplant puree were out of this world.
For our main course, we shared the grilled chicken pesto pizza with ricotta cheese. The crust was perfectly golden and crunchy, and the pesto and other toppings melted in our mouths.
To round out the meal, we ordered coconut milk rice pudding and butterscotch creme bruleé, both of which were absolutely fabulous.
Honorable Mentions
For a quick and healthy breakfast, check out Zuly’s cafe, which was just around the corner from our hotel. Guests order at the counter, and they can take their food to go or eat at the few tables inside.
On our first day, we had lunch at Hill and Vine. This charming farm-to-table restaurant is located on Main Street, only a block from the Gillespie County Courthouse. It offers vegetarian and gluten-free options.
I had the chicken salad and tomato soup combo, while my husband had grilled chicken quinoa salad. However, our favorite item was the black eyed pea hummus served with veggies and pita bread.
What To Do
Before arriving in Fredericksburg, make sure you schedule at least one winery tour. You can book tours that offer a variety of packages to visit multiple vineyards, or you can wing it. I don’t recommend doing that, though.
Since we were there for a short time, we chose to do one winery visit. I picked Becker Vineyards because, in my opinion, it’s one of the best in the Hill Country. They do allow walk-ins at their Estate tasting room or the satellite tasting room on Main Street, though you should definitely aim to visit the estate, especially in the springtime when you can see the grapes and the lavender fields in full bloom.
Main Street Shops
Main Street in downtown Fredericksburg is lined with shops galore. From eclectic vintage and year-round Christmas stores to trendy fashion and outdoorsman retail shops, there’s a little something for everyone. We even browsed a western wear store that sold remakes of old-fashioned revolvers, which were commonly used during the Civil War and Antebellum eras.
Situated between the stores are local breweries and bars, German restaurants, wine-tasting rooms, and art galleries. My favorite store wasn’t on Main Street, though. Instead, we went to the Shops on Llano and discovered incredible deals on gently used designer clothing, furniture, accessories, and art. I scored a vintage black velvet Ralph Lauren blazer for $38.
Historical Sites
Fredericksburg is filled with historical gems for history buffs. From the Pioneer Museum in the center of town to the Pacific War Museum just a few blocks down the street, there is no shortage of significant memorials to the community and the United States.
This hill country destination will surprise you with its charm, the warmth and kindness of its residents, and the sheer beauty of its surroundings. It might be a sleepy weekend getaway, but you’ll find plenty of things to do while visiting that will definitely keep you awake.
This article is cross-posted on the author’s website: www.theroadlesswandered.com.
