Things To Do
MUSEUMS, PARKS & HISTORIC SITES
Fredericksburg Historic District:
Heart of Fredericksburg
Over 80 points of historic interest and significance are in the district. A free self-guided walking map of
the district is available at the Fredericksburg Visitor Information Center.
Historic Cemeteries
Fredericksburg has two historic cemeteries located at the east and west ends
of town. Der Stadt Friedhof, located at the 300 block of N. Lee Street, and
the Catholic Cemetery, located on
Catholic Cemetery Road-both known for their striking granite markers and headstones,
many in German.
Historic Churches
Fredericksburg has been called "The City of Steeples" due to the steeples
of the historic churches which rise above the town. Many of these churches
are
located in the historic district.
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area (Hiking)
RR 965 N., 18 miles, Fredericksburg / (830) 685-3636
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/enchanted_rock/
This 1,643-acre park is home to the US' second largest granite
outcrop and provides opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, rappelling,
camping and picnicking and has breathtaking views overlooking the Texas Hill
Country. Hours: Daily 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. (Fee).
Gillespie County Country Schools Driving Trail
Throughout Gillespie County / www.historicschools.org
View 12 historic country schools in Gillepie County. A special map with highlighted
routes will direct visitors to schools in a particular quadrant of the county.
Driving times on routes vary from one hour in
length to half a day. Free maps of the trail are available in the main Visitor
Information Center at 302 E. Austin Street in downtown Fredericksburg. Also,
an open house with planned activities is held at one
school the first Saturday of each month.
Gish's Old West Museum
502 N. Milam St., Fredericksburg / (830) 997-2794
Visit a personal collection of many items from the Old West featuring authentic
relics of real cowboys- a must-see for Old West enthusiasts! Open to the
public, but please call first as a courtesy.
Luckenbach, Texas
RR 1376, 8 miles Southeast of Fredericksburg / (830) 997-3224
www.luckenbachtexas.com
Established as a trading post in 1849, Luckenbach
consists of a dancehall, general store, and bar. This
settlement has enjoyed continued notoriety for its free
spirit. Live music is available daily with a variety of
performances weekly. (Fees may apply for specific
events.) Everybody is somebody in Luckenbach!
Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park
Hwy 16 S., Fredericksburg / (830) 997-4202
This 340-acre park features wooded picnic and recreation areas. The park
has numerous pavilions, playgrounds, tennis courts, a pool, fishing, nature
trail, RV spaces, tent sites and rally hall. Hours:
Daily 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Lady Bird Johnson Golf Course (Golf)
341 Golfer's Loop, Hwy 16 S., Fredericksburg / (830) 997-4010 www.GolfFredericksburg.com
18-hole, par 72, 6,432-yard championship golf course open seven days a
week. Course also has pro shop, grill and meeting/tournament room. Hours:
Tuesday
- Sunday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00
p.m., Monday Noon - 6:00 p.m. Call for tee times. (Fee)
Live Oak Wilderness Trail
Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park, Hwy 16 S., Fredericksburg / (830) 997-4202
www.fredericksburgnaturecenter.org
Ten acres of natural landscape can be enjoyed from a one-mile trail along
Live Oak Creek. Enjoy a bird-watching station and a butterfly area.
A printed
guide is available at the park
office.
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Parks
LBJ Ranch District:
www.nps.gov/lyjo/index.htm
Hwy. 290 E., 16 miles east of Fredericksburg / (830) 868-7128
Located adjacent to the LBJ State Park, the LBJ Ranch District is open
to the
public thanks to its donation to the American people in the 1970s
by President and Ladybird Johnson. Take a self-guided
tour the district which includes the LBJ family ranch, Texas White
House (LBJ family home), LBJ birthplace, Johnson family cemetary, old
Junction School, LBJ's grandparent's
house and ranch show
barn. A loaned CD provides historic background at to all the sites
listed above as you drive and visit at your own pace. Stop by the LBJ
State Park Visitor Center
for a free pass. There is a $1 fee to tour the
Texas White House.
Johnson City District:
Hwy 290 East, 30 miles east of Fredericksburg / (830) 868-7128
Located in Johnson City, this National Historical Park offers a visitor
center with exhibits and films on LBJ and Lady Bird, the Boyhood Home,
an education
building, and the historic Johnson Settlement.
Hours -- Visitor Center: 8:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Boyhood Home: 9:00
a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Johnson
Settlement: 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily.
LBJ State Historical Park
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/lyndon_b_johnson/
Hwy 290 East, 16 miles east of Fredericksburg / (830) 644-2252
The LBJ park complex encompasses 700 acres and has a visitor center, historic areas, pool, exhibits,
and hiking trails. There are opportunities to photograph buffalo, longhorns,
and whitetail deer, and in the spring time, wildflowers.
Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm
LBJ State Park / (830) 868-7128 x231
Visit this living history farmstead to learn how farm families of a
century ago lived -- lots of farm animals and costumed interpreters make
this a great experience
for kids! Hours: 8:00 a.m. -
5:00 p.m. daily.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/lyndon_b_johnson/#sauer
The National Museum of the Pacific War
311 E. Austin St., Fredericksburg / (830) 997-4379 ext. 227.
www.pacificwarmuseum.org
Also referred to as the Nimitz Museum, this is the only museum in the
United States to specialize in telling the unbiased story of WWII in the
Pacific;
dedicated to all those who served in the Pacific War. The Admiral Nimitz
Museum, George Bush Gallery of the Pacific War, the Plaza of the Presidents,
Japanese Garden of Peace, and the Pacific War Combat Zone are all part
of its complex. It also offers Pacific Combat living history reenactments
several times per year. The museum features the Japanese mini-sub from
Pearl Harbor,
a B-25 bomber representative of the Doolittle Raid, the only remaining
PT boat
in action from WWII and other notable exhibits. The museum also tells
the story of home life during the war. (Fee).
Update: A 43,000 square foot expansion is currently underway at the George H W Bush Gallery, which originally opened in 1999. The George H W Bush Gallery section will close from June 1 through December 6, 2009. The rest of the 6.5 acre museum complex is open. The Grand Opening of the expansion will take place on December 7, 2009.
Marktplatz and Marktplatz Playground
100 block of W. Main St., Fredericksburg
Site of numerous community fairs and festivals, the Marktplatz is
a large open space located in the center of town and is home to the Vereins
Kirche Museum
(see below). This location is also a great
place for young kids to burn off some energy. The playground has
numerous
climbing, balancing and
swinging apparatus. You'll also find public restrooms at this location.
Old Tunnel Wildlife Management Area (Bat Tunnel
)
Old San Antonio Hwy., 12 miles southwest of Fredericksburg / (830)
990-2860
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/wma/find_a_wma/list/?id=17
Open evenings June through October to view a colony of over two million
Mexican free-tail bats as they fly out for their nightly hunt. Special
programs are available
for a fee.
Pioneer Museum
Complex
325 W. Main St., Fredericksburg / (830) 997-2835
www.pioneermuseum.net
Experience the rich German heritage of Gillespie County. This 3.5-acre
museum complex contains superb examples of early German structures and
artifacts. Hours:
Monday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. -
5:00 p.m., Sunday 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. (Fee).
Vereins Kirche Museum
Center of Marktplatz, 100 W. Main St., Fredericksburg / (830) 997-2835
www.pioneermuseum.net
This unique building is a well-known landmark of Fredericksburg.
Learn about the original "Society's Church" and its interesting history
plus view the many historic photographs displays. Hours: Monday
- Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Sunday 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. (Fee).
ATTRACTIONS
Double B Ranch's Hidden Springs Golf Course (Golf)
225 Living Water Ranch Rd., Harper / (830) 990-4122
http://golf.double-b-ranch.com
Hidden Springs Golf Course is an 18-hole, public golf course within
a 20 minute drive from Fredericksburg. The course rests between enchanting
water features
and stunning elevations -- it's
challenging and delightful! Open daily from dawn to dusk, except
on Tuesdays when it opens at noon.
(Fee).
Fredericksburg Brewing Company
245 E. Main St., Fredericksburg / (830) 997-1646
www.yourbrewery.com
Award-winning ales and lagers brewed
on-site in copper kettles and stored in
stainless tanks. Also full service
restaurant, meeting facility and 'bed &
brew' rooms upstairs. Hours: Monday -
Thursday 11:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., Friday -
Saturday 11:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.,
Sunday
11:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Fredericksburg Herb Farm
405 Whitney St., Fredericksburg
(830) 997-8615
www.fredericksburgherbfarm.com
Beautiful organic herb gardens, a celebration of scent and color.
The Herb Farm also has a tea room, candle shop, restaurant, retail
area
and spa, along with
herb gardens. Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:30
a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Friday - Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., Sunday
Noon - 4:00 p.m.
Fredericksburg Trade Days
Hwy 290 E, just outside Fredericksburg / (830) 990-4900 www.fbgtradedays.com
Over 350 vendors offering antiques, collectibles, tools, crafts,
primitives, ranch furniture, clothing, jewelry and much more. Hours:
Third weekend
of every month Friday - Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.,
Sunday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. $3 parking fee good for all three days.
Fredericksburg Theater Co.
1668 Hwy. 87 S., Fredericksburg / (830) 997-3588
www.fredericksburgtheater.org
This theater runs numerous plays and musicals throughout the year at
various venues. Call for schedule and performance location. (Fee).
Gillespie County Fairgrounds
Hwy 16 South, 2 miles / (830) 997-2359
www.gillespiefair.com
This multi-acre site hosts numerous events throughout the year and is home
to the oldest continuous county fair in Texas each August. The fairgrounds
also offer live pari-mutuel horseracing on its track.
Quiet Hill Ranch (Horseback riding)
110 Quiet Hill Ranch, Doss, 20 miles north of Fredericksburg / (830)
669-2253 / www.quiethillranch.com Escorted trail rides where the
wrangler engages you
with the history, lore and legend of the beautiful
Texas Hill Country. Call to schedule a ride.
Quintessential Chocolates / Chocolat
330 W. Main St., Fredericksburg / (830) 990-9382
www.chocolat-tx.us
Here is an opportunity to view the production process of the oldest
manufacturer of its kind in the U.S. making liquid center chocolates
in the European tradition.
Catch a whiff of the chocolate as you enter
the store, where display cases are overbrimming with enough chocolate
delights to temp any palette!
Rockbox Theater
109 N. Llano St., Fredericksburg / 1-866-349-6688
www.rockboxtheater.com
Always a good time, the Rockbox Theater guarantees family-friendly
entertainment every Friday,
Saturday and Sunday with comedy and great music. Rockbox features costumed and
choreographed
performances from the Golden Age of
Rock & Roll; with performances every
weekend. Shows approximately two
hours in length with an intermission.
Group pricing available. Reserved
seating. Hours: Friday 8:00 p.m.,
Saturday 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.,
Sunday 1:30 p.m. Ticket office
opens daily at 10:00 a.m.
Stagecoach Theater (Movies)
2254 S. U.S. Hwy 87, Fredericksburg
(830) 997-1777
www.stagecoachtheater.com
Three screen theater featuring
stadium seating and western decor.
Family fun at a state-of-the-art theater.
Open daily. (Fee) .
The Race Barn (Horseracing)
35 Fair Drive (Hwy 16 S., Fredericksburg / (830) 997-4058
A simulcast facility that carries racing from the finest horse and
greyhound tracks across the country. The facility, with 34 television
screens, is also
a full-service restaurant.
The Trois Estate at Enchanted Rock
300 Trois Lane off RR 965 N, Fredericksburg / (830) 685-3090 / www.troisestate.net
The
Trois Estate offers a wedding and event facility, bed and breakfast
accommodations, an Italian
restaurant, a day spa, equestrian services, is home to the world's
largest popgun collection and much more.
Wildseed Farms
Hwy.
290 E., 7 miles east of Fredericksburg / (830) 990-1393
www.wildseedfarms.com
Visit one of the nation's largest working wildflower farms featuring
over 200 acres of flowers in commercial production. See colorful
flowers from spring through
first frost. Visit the Brewbonnet
Biergarten for refreshments and shop in the
expansive market center for seeds, plants,
garden items, and gifts. Open daily
year-round.
"The Meadows" feature 80 acres of flower fields and display gardens, new flower test-plots and the Butterfly Haus, a 3,000-square-foot butterfly enclosure featuring native butterflies. Learn about the butterfly's lifecycle and about plants necessary for its survival. (Fee at The Meadows).
OTHER
Art Galleries
Fredericksburg and Gillespie County have a thriving artists community
and Fredericksburg is home to numerous galleries specializing in
different mediums with varying
price ranges. Every first Friday of the
month the carpet is rolled out in Fredericksburg as participating
galleries plan special events and stay open later for First Friday
Art Walk Fredericksburg. The Visitor Information
Center (see below) has a list of
participating galleries for your use.
Festivals
The Fredericksburg area is home to over 250 festivals and events
each year -- with each promising to
be a lot of fun! The Fredericksburg Convention & Visitor keeps an updated calendar listing for these
events. For a free calendar, call 1-888-997-3600 or download a copy
from our events page at http://www.FredTexLodging.com/fbgcvbeventscalendar.pdf.
Shopping
With over 150 shops and boutiques, shopping remains one of the primary
reasons
visitors come to Fredericksburg. Many of the shops are concentrated
on and immediately off Main Street. However,
other shopping opportunities can be discovered around every corner
in town and along major highways leading into Fredericksburg.
Wineries and Vineyards
With vineyards located in and around Fredericksburg, Gillespie County
is home to three distinct viticultural areas, nine wineries and numerous
wine specialty
and wine tasting rooms. For a complete
listing, log on to our wine and culinary site at www.FredTexFlavors.com and visit the "wines" section.
Volkssporting
The first volkssport event in the United States was held in Fredericksburg
in June of 1975, and the
Volkssportverein Fredericksburg was the first club organized in the U.S., there the number AVA-001.
The Pilgrimage Routes consist of three different sanctioned walk
routes. For more information, call
830-997-2533 or 830-992-2053.
Fredericksburg Visitor Information Center
(VIC)
302 E. Austin St., Fredericksburg / 1-888-997-3600
The Fredericksburg Convention & Visitor
Bureau operates the VIC to provide visitors with
information on Fredericksburg, the Hill Country
and surrounding destinations. The VIC has
a 46-seat theater for viewing, a free
Fredericksburg Welcome DVD, large
restroom facility plus motorcoach
loading / unloading zone and parking.
Free internet access is also available
on lobby computers.
We're here for you!
German heritage. Texan hospitality.
