Fredericksburg is located in the Texas Hill Country in the middle of rolling hills. There are plenty of places to stay and you can select from hotels, guesthouses, small inns, and B&Bs. You can visit many great restaurants, hundreds of stores, live music venues, not to mention many wineries open to public wine tastings. If wine isn’t your libation of choice, there are a number of breweries and distilleries in the area. Fredericksburg has a historic district and a few museums as well so there is an abundance of things to do. Additionally, located a short drive from downtown is Enchanted Rock. Enchanted Rock is an enormous mass of pink granite that rises from the earth. You can climb to the top simply by walking up the slanted portions of rock, no guide ropes necessary!
Best Cottage in Town – Courtyard Cottage Airbnb
My husband and I visited with another couple for a long weekend. We decided to stay at an Airbnb that was within walking distance to town. We reserved the Courtyard Cottage which was a block off Main street. The house was charming, clean, and perfect for the four of us. It had a wonderful courtyard for coffee in the morning or wine in the evening. Each couple had a nice size bedroom with its own bathroom. The house was updated and had all the modern amenities even though it was built in the 1940s. I loved the kitchen, not that we did much cooking, something about the white-washed floors and the cupboards that I found very quaint and delightful. Several of the doors led to the courtyard, with one leading to the backyard which was where the hot tub is located. If ever in Fredericksburg, I highly recommend this Air B&B.
Eateries
There are so many wonderful restaurants in Fredericksburg. I seriously have had to cut back on calories this week, because there were so many delicious options. Our first stop was at Sozial Haus for a late lunch. What first attracted me to this restaurant was the large outdoor patio situated under huge Native Pecan trees. We also thought it was interesting that the restaurant used to be an actual house built in the late 1800s. The restaurant had a large selection of reasonably priced items and a well-stocked bar. I had wine with a vegetable sandwich, my husband had the latest incarnation of Pearl Beer, a Texas original, and a Ruben sandwich. My friend’s husband had a Rueben as well and she had a Turkey sandwich. Both enjoyed Dr. Peppers, also a Texas native. Everything tasted great and the service was excellent even though it was very busy!
Dinner our first night was at The Auslander restaurant on Main street who’s menu consisted primarily of German Bavarian dishes and plenty of drinking options including authentic German beers and other imported options. This place had a great vibe and was clearly a popular location since we had to wait 45 minutes before being seated. I highly recommend reservations. The food was authentic and hearty portions were also served. I had the meatless sausage and it was fantastic! I appreciated that there was a vegetarian option at a German restaurant which is not the norm in my experience. Everyone else had Rouladen, a Ruben Sandwich, and a Chicken Schnitzel. We all raved about the food and no one could finish their plates!
If you are searching for more of a fine dining experience, then the Navarro Grill is the place to visit. They have a great wine selection and an amazing selection of delicious items. I would describe the cuisine as steakhouse fare with a southern influence. This restaurant is nestled in the trees with beautiful lighted gardens. The patio is an inviting place to have a flavorful meal. I had the seared salmon with a side of farro that was mixed with vegetables while others had a ribeye steak, and the Bistro Burgers. I would venture to say it was my favorite meal in Fredericksburg! The ambiance was perfect and the food was delectable. Another amazing find!
The Rathskeller restaurant is located in the basement of the old Keidel Hospital. I shudder to think what the basement was used for in the late 1800s so I will not try to guess. We had beignets along with eggs, bacon, and potatoes for breakfast. The food was delicious, and the coffee did not disappoint. They also serve lunch and dinner with live music on most Saturday nights. I enjoyed eating at this restaurant for the ambiance and for the history of the building. If only the walls could talk!
Wineries
There are easily 100 wineries in the Texas Hill Country with at least half of them being in the Fredericksburg area which is located in Gillespie County. There are multiple options for visiting wineries. You can schedule with one of the tour companies and visit multiple wineries in one day or reserve a tasting independently. Many of the wineries also serve food or at a minimum have a small menu of tapas or appetizers to enjoy while you sample the selections. We reserved a tasting at Augusta Vin which was simply spectacular. We sat on the balcony over-looking the vineyard and the wine and the food were incredible! I recommend the Reserve or Red wine tasting with a charcuterie board. It’s a great place to come with friends or family while you sit and relax while sharing a bottle or two of wine. I personally enjoyed the Petite Sirah Reserve the most as it was rich, dark, and complex; however, many of the wines I tried were incredibly savory and finished wonderfully. I am certainly one of their newest fans and now a loyal consumer. I simply wish the winery was closer to Houston, TX, but you can’t have it all!
Shopping
I am not sure if there are more shops than restaurants or the other way around. I know I went into many stores on Main street and beyond. I shopped for candles at the Circle E Candle Company. We looked at Christmas decorations at The Christmas Store. We had frozen sangria from the Fat Ass Winery as we walked up and down the street entering every store that caught our fancy. There is even a store for dog lovers, Dogologie! One of my favorite stores, which has a bistro by the same name is Vaudeville. The boutique has clean lines, implacably laid out with exquisite and unique items. Whether you were looking for a rare item; add to your Lladro or Waterford collection, or simply purchasing the perfect coffee table book, this store had beautiful arts and gifts. The layout and building are esthetically pleasing and gorgeous from top to bottom. A must visit hands down!
Whether you are someone who would like to purchase something at the Five and Dime, shop for Christmas ornaments, or step into a world-class store, Fredericksburg offers many options!
There is so much to do in Fredericksburg and in the surrounding Texas Hill Country area. It is a short drive to Austin and San Antonio if you would like to explore the surrounding cities. Houston and Dallas are approximately 4 hours away. You can experience German cuisine and influences without flying across the world. If wine is more your preference, then select one of the many fine wineries in the area. Of course, there is shopping or maybe you just prefer to explore the surrounding Texas Hill Country with its hiking trails, caves, rivers, and lakes. You could just go and relax in one of the numerous Airbnbs, but as previously stated, there is no other cottage like the Courtyard Cottage. Don’t delay, book your trip now!
