Fredericksburg [http://www.fbgtx.org/] is a city in Texas, west of Austin and north of San Antonio.

Understand

Fredericksburg was settled by immigrant families from Germany in 1846, led by John O. Meusebach. Although settlement was on Comanche frontier, Meusebach-Comanche Treaty of following year established lasting peace. Many older buildings retain traditional German styles; several units comprise National Historic District. German is still spoken occasionally, and old customs are regularly observed: Easter Fires, 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

By Car

Primary access to Fredericksburg is by private car. It's about 40 miles north of IH-10 on US-87, north west of San Antonio (71 mi total drive), or about 80 miles west of Austin on US-290.

By Air

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[http://www.gillespiecounty.org/airport/default.htm] 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.
  • Admiral Nimitz Museum. 40 East Main Street. 30-997-4379. ttp://www.nimitz-museum.org/. Built by Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, it shows the early lives of Fredericksburg and Nimitz.
  • George Bush Gallery. 40 East Main Street. 30-997-4379. ttp://www.nimitz-museum.org/. -5 daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas. dults $6, students $4. Various WWII navy-related exhibits.
  • Gish's Old West Museum. 02 North Milam. 30-997-2794. ttp://www.curtrich.com/fr.gish.html. Dedicated to old time cowboys and lawmen.
  • Pioneer Museum. 12 W. San Antonio St. 30-997-2835. ttp://pioneermuseum.com/. 4. Shows early life in Gillespie County.

    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.
  • Hill Country Outfitters. 15 E Main St. 30-997-3761. co@ktc.com. ttp://www.hillcountryoutfitters.com/. o-Sa: 10 AM - 5:30 PM, Su: 11:30 AM - 4 PM, seasonally. Gear and information.

    Wine

    There are also a number of wineries in the area that offer free tours and tastings.
  • Fredericksburg Winery. 47 West Main. 30-990-8747. ttp://www.fbgwinery.com/.
  • Lincoln St. Wine Market. 11 South Lincoln. 30-997-8463. ttp://www.lincolnst.com/. Wine bar, bistro, lunch, etc.
  • Texas Wine Cellars. 17 1/2 East Main. 30-990-8850. ttp://texaswines.net/.

    Events

  • Night in Old Fredericksburg. n the Marketplatz. n the middle of main street, you can't miss it. 30-997-4810. ttp://www.tex-fest.com/niof/default.htm. uly 18 & 19, 2008. dults $6. Children under 12 are $1. Two-day passes $10.. The classic Fredericksburg event: German music, German food, German fun! Advance passes and online ordering available at the web site.
  • Oktoberfest. n the Marketplatz. n the middle of main street, you can't miss it. 30-997-4810. ttp://www.oktoberfestinfbg.com/. r, 6 PM to midnight, Sa, 10 AM to midnight, Su, 10 AM to 6 PM. 6 one day pass, $10 two day, $15 three day. Held on the first weekend of October. Advance passes and online ordering available at the web site.
  • Pacific Combat Living History Program. blocks East of Nimitz Museum. Follow the signs.. ttp://nimitz-museum.org/events.php. arch 15 & 16. 10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:30 p.m., daily.. ickets are $5.. Watch a re-enactment of typical Pacific combat.
  • Weihnachten. n the Marketplatz. n the middle of main street, you can't miss it. 30-997-4810. ttp://www.tex-fest.com/weihnachten/default.htm. ov. 30 - Dec. 2. A great event: Watch various performances by local groups or go through the Christmas Tree Forest. Advance passes and online ordering available at the web site.

    Learn

  • <listing name="Fredericksburg Culinary Arts" alt="Cooking classes for all at Fischer & Wieser's Das Peach Hauson S. Washington St. (US 87S)." address="Classes are Saturdays 3-5pm or by special arrangement." directions="See website for class schedules and sign-up." phone="830-997-8396" email="learn2cook@fbgculinaryarts.com" fax="" url="http://www.fbgculinaryarts.com" hours="" price=""></listing>
  • 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! Typical are shops like [http://www.creativehandsllc.com Creative Hands] (327 E. Main) and [http://www.tearosequilts.com Tea Rose Quilts] (709 W. Main).

    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.

  • Altdorf Biergarten. 01 West Main. 30-997-7865. ttp://www.altdorfbiergarten-fbg.com/. -M 11AM-9PM. 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.
  • August E's. 03 East San Antonio. ne block south of Main (take Llano Street). 30-997-1585. nfo@august-es.com. ttp://www.august-es.com. unch W-Sa 11AM-2PM, Dinner M-Su 5PM-10PM. 22-$49. Here you'll find seasonal "nouveau Texan" cuisine with a subtle Asian twist (and sometimes not so subtle - witness the sushi selection and "Thai Thursdays", in honor of executive chef Leu Savanh). Good service and wine selection, all in a very modern dining space. Significant savings can be had at lunch and on Thursdays.
  • Auslander. 23 East Main. 30-997-7714. ttp://www.theauslander.com/. 1AM-12AM. 8-$21. 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.
  • Bejas Grill & Cantina. 09 East Main. 30-997-5226. ttp://www.bejasgrill.com/. -Th 11AM-8PM, F-Sa 11AM-9PM, Su 10AM-3PM. 9-$22. Southwestern grill with nice gourmet touches and a bar. Pleasant patio seating and a good Sunday brunch.
  • Der Lindenbaum. 12 East Main. 30-997-9126. ttp://www.derlindenbaum.com/. 1AM-10PM. 10-$20. 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.
  • Hondo's. 12 West Main. 30-997-1633. nfo@hondosonmain.com. ttp://www.hondosonmain.com/. u-Su 11AM-12AM. 10-$15. Expansive, rib-sticking menu including Tex-Mex and BBQ, with live music on the weekends and a good patio. The best burgers in town!
  • Navajo Grill. 03 East Main. 30-990-8289. 30-997-0297 . avajogrill@austin.rr.com. ttp://www.navajogrill.com. u-Th 5:30PM-9PM, F-Sa 5:30PM-10PM. 18-$30. Modern, seasonal cuisine with inspirations from the South (including the zingy West and down-homey East). Good service and wine, plus a nice patio has been recently added.
  • The Peach Tree. 10 S. Adams. 30-997-9527. ttp://www.peach-tree.com/. -F 11AM-2:30PM, Sa 11AM-3PM, Su 11AM-2PM. 5-$12. 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.
  • Rathskeller Cellar Bistro. 60 East Main. elow street level, look for the stairs outside. 30-990-5858. 10-$25. Cozy atmosphere, attentive waitstaff, and serves bistro and local german food. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, live music Saturday nights.
  • Rather Sweet Bakery & Cafe. 49 East Main. 30-990-0498. ttp://www.rathersweet.com/. -Sa 8AM-5PM. 3-$10. Delectable baked goods from renowned pastry chef Rebecca Rather are what's on display here; try the incredible kolaches and pastries. The cozy cafe offers up soup, salads, and sandwiches.
  • Silver Creek Beer Garden & Grille. 10 East Main. 30-990-4949. nfo@silvercreekfbg.com. ttp://www.silvercreekfbg.com/. -M 11AM-12AM. 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

  • Alamo Springs Cafe. 07 Alamo Rd. rom Main Street (US-290) head east out of town for 3 miles and turn south at Old San Antonio Road (a brown 'Old Tunnel Wildlife Area' sign will be here), continue for 10.5 miles and turn left on Alamo Road. 30-990-8004. ttp://www.alamospringscafe.com/. 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.
  • Cabernet Grill. 805 S. Hwy 16. rom Main Street take Adams Street south for 2.5 miles. 30-990-5734. reatfood@cottonginlodging.com. ttp://www.cottonginlodging.com/restaurant.html. -F 11AM-2PM, 5PM-9PM, Sa 5PM-9PM. 5-$33. 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.
  • Hilltop Cafe. 0661 North US Hwy 87, Doss, TX. ead west-northwest on Main Street (US-290) until the intersection with US-87 North, take the intersection and continue for 10 miles. 30-997-8922. eservation@hilltopcafe.com. ttp://www.hilltopcafe.com/. unch 11AM-2PM, Dinner M-Th 5PM-9PM, F-Sa 5PM-10PM. 11-$30. 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.

  • Fredericksburg Brewing Company Biergarten. 45 East Main Street. 30-997-1646. ttp://www.yourbrewery.com/biergarten.htm. o-Th: 11:30 AM - 9 PM, Fr-Sa: 11:30 AM - 10 PM, Su: 11:30 AM - 9 PM. 4 pints. 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.
  • Luckenback Dance Hall. anch Road 1376. ake 290 east about 5 mi, then 4.5 mi south (right) on Ranch Road 1376. 30-997-3223. ttp://www.luckenbacktexas.com/. Dance hall with live music.

    Sleep

  • Country Inn & Cottages. 30-997-2185. ttp://www.mycountryinn.com/.
  • Hangar Hotel. 55 Airport Road. rom Main, take South Adams Street for 2 miles. 30-997-9990. teven@hangarhotel.com. ttp://www.hangarhotel.com/index.html. 119-$169. An unexpectedly excellent alternative from, well... any other hotel you've probably ever seen, 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 1940's era) are a step above, and the attention to detail when it comes to the setting is just, well, 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 - this place really just has to be seen to be believed.
  • La Quinta. 465 E Main St. bout a mile east of town. 30-990-2899. 30-990-2944. 75. Built in December of 2004, it provides free wired Internet access in every room.

    Bed and Breakfasts

  • Bed and Brew. 45 East Main Street. y the brewing company. 30-997-9990. ttp://www.yourbrewery.com/bed%20&%20brew.htm. 99. A unique lodging house by the Fredericksburg Brewery on Main Street. All rooms are queen non-smoking and a sample of the local beer is served for breakfast. Be sure to specify B&B rooms when making your reservations as the booking location is the Hangar Hotel.
  • Camp David Bed & Breakfast. 08 W. Main. 30-997-7797. ttp://www.campdavidbb.com/. 99-$140. Pool, hot tub, and wireless internet access a short drive up Main Street. Pet friendly, all ground floor.
  • Cottages at Limestone on Main. 06 W. Main. 30-997-8396 or Toll Free 866-330-1736. nfo@cottagesatlimestone.com. ttp://www.cottagesatlimestone.com/. 109-$135. Full hot, gourmet breakfast served in your own private, quiet, contemporary cottage located on West Main Street. Wi-Fi, cable TV, full kitchen. Discounts for weeknight stays.
  • Magnolia House. 01 E. Hackberry St.. ttp://www.magnolia-house.com/fredericksburg-tx-bed-and-breakfast-map.htm. 00-880-4374. tay@magnolia-house.com. ttp://www.magnolia-house.com/. 105-$165. Historic home with five guest rooms. Two course gourmet breakfast served daily. Located seven blocks from main street.
  • Schandua. 30-990-1415. ttp://www.schandua.com/.

    Reservation Services

    Fredericsburg has over 350 bed & breakfasts, which makes it hard to decide where to stay. If this is your first visit, check out one of the two services that can find an available place and make all the arrangements for you.

  • First Class Bed & Breakfast: http://www.fredericksburg-lodging.com/
  • Gastehaus Schmidt: http://www.fbglodging.com/ -Choose from a variety of lodging options in several local areas. Gastehaus Schmidt provides an extensive selection of properties with a variety of styles, locations, and prices.
  • Contact

  • Fredericksburg Visitors Bureau. 02 East Austin. 88-997-3600. hamberasst@fbgtx.org. ttp://www.fredericksburg-texas.com/. Offers specific help and assistance, restrooms, internet access, maps, and local information.

    Get out

  • '''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.
  • '''Harper'''
  • '''Hill Country''' a more general overiew of the area, most destinations are an easy day trip.
  • '''New Braunfels'''
  • '''Pedernales Falls State Natural Area''' [http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/pedernales_falls/]
  • '''San Marcos'''
  • '''Stonewall''' about 15 minutes east of Fredericksburg.