We hope you’ve packed your appetite: today, we’re taking you to Fredericksburg. Whether you’re interested in taking a tour of Hill Country wineries, putting your cooking skills to the test at a German cooking class, or trying the award-winning Texas fare at Cabernet Grill, this driving-distance destination is every foodie’s dream.
Before you start packing your bags, here’s everything you need to know about the area + our insider recommendations.
Drive time: ~1.5 hours from downtown
Est. population: 11,000
Avg. high in March: 72°
Join a winery tour for a full day of sipping or stop by for a solo tasting at one of the dozens of wineries in Fredericksburg. | Photo by @emilyjeanvines
🎟️ Things to do
Go on a wine tour
If there’s one thing Fredericksburg is known for, it’s wine. The Hill Country town boasts more than 50 wineries + tasting rooms and more than 20 wine tour companies. Between a luxurious limousine tour and a private bus for large groups, there’s an option for every type of traveler.
Attend a tasting
Not up for a full day of sipping and sightseeing? Stop by one winery — such as Grape Creek Vineyard, William Chris Vineyards, or Augusta Vin — for an afternoon of light tasting + snacks.
Explore historic Main Street
With dozens of boutique stores, Fredericksburg’s Main Street is a destination for enthusiasts of all things antiques, clothing, and locally made gifts. Foodies can enjoy spots such as Chocolat, The Peach Basket, and Rustlin’ Rob’s Texas Gourmet Foods.
Learn to cook something new
The Fischer & Wieser Culinary Adventure Cooking School offers classes on cooking cuisines such as classic Fredericksburg German Fare, French bistro, and Spanish tapas. Each class comes with wine pairings — including Hill Country brands, of course.
Take a hike
After all that munching and wine drinking, take in a breath of fresh air at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. The famed pink granite dome has almost 11 miles of trails, rock climbing sites, and thousands of years of history.
You won’t be thirsty at Cabernet Grill — this award-winning restaurant has 150+ bottles of wine on the menu. | Photo by @onbeingchermms
🍲 Memorable eats
Cabernet Grill Texas Wine Country Restaurant
This award-winning, high-end Texan restaurant is known for perfectly pairing dishes with its 150-bottle wine menu. We suggest trying one of their meals with famous Fredericksburg peaches, such as the Almond Crusted Breast of Chicken with Hatch chile peach cream.
Vaudeville
Before you feast on caviar, seafood gratin, and grilled lamb at this downtown restaurant, feast your eyes on the building’s 100-year-old facade.
Otto’s German Bistro
What better way to dine in a German town than to eat farm-to-table German cuisine? Otto’s seasonal menu is currently offering Flammkuchen, Duck Schnitzel, and Shokoreigel.
The Auslander
Texas meets Germany in this 20-year-old downtown biergarten. Where else can you order a crispy schnitzel made with spicy Texas-style sauce?
Rarumpelpunzeldornaschenwittchen — yes, we said that right — is a storybook-style stay within close proximity to some of Fredericksburg’s most-visited vineyards. | Photo by @ehauserworldhopper
🏨 Accommodations
Hoffman Haus
Guests at this luxury bed and breakfast receive a hot meal made with local ingredients delivered to their door every morning. But that’s not all — the Haus also collaborates with local chefs to offer private dinners, cooking classes, and demos.
Rarumpelpunzeldornaschenwittchen
This cottage boasts a cozy kitchen and close proximity to local vineyards. How could we resist including a storybook stay like this one?
The Inn on Baron’s Creek
In addition to an on-site heated pool, spa, and fitness center, this inn is just steps away from downtown Fredericksburg.
The Winchester Lodge
This lodge’s outdoor fireplace is the perfect cozy spot to enjoy a glass of locally made wine.
Barons CreekSide
The Hill Country views at this secluded spot is reason enough for the visit, but music enthusiasts will also enjoy live shows at the hotel’s wine bar and bistro.
