In a City that was founded over 150 years ago, Fredericksburg, Texas is a wonderful blending of good ol Texan warmth and German heritage. They are well known for their Oktoberfests and other old world German customs. It is definitely a place to visit if you are attracted by European atmosphere and the rustic feel of the Texan lifestyle. There are museums, outdoor activities and shopping that will provide something for everyone in the family to enjoy when visiting this unique town.



If you are a history buff, then Fredericksburg is definitely a must stop on your trip into the Texas Hill Country. Here, you can learn about the history of and life of Lyndon B. Johnson by visiting the Lyndon B. Johnson State Historical Park. Not only can you learn about President Johnson’s life, but you can also explore the history of the German immigrants and see how they actually lived in the mid 1800s when they first came to the rugged Hill Country. This is also a great place to hike along a nature trail and see some of the native wildlife including bison and longhorn cattle. While you are at the park, you should also take time out to visit the Sauer-Beckmann Farmstead where you see the Texas-German rural farm life actually being lived. It is like stepping back into the early 20th century and seeing how life on the farm for the homesteaders actually was.

If you want more information about Texan German descendants, you can visit the Pioneer Museum which will give you a look into the German culture that shaped Fredericksburg. You can also visit the Tatsch Haus in downtown Fredericksburg. What is so historic about this house is that it was made by John Peter Tatsch in 1856 from local stone and it is reminiscent of what homes in Fredericksburg were like in the early years. You can also learn about the Vereins’s Kirche, or better known as the Society Church. This building serviced all the different groups in the growing community with each religious denomination taking their turn in the building for services. As Fredericksburg grew and each religion was able to build individual places of worship causing the Vereins’s Kircheto sit unused, and eventually was destroyed. It has since been rebuilt and services as a museum and landmark about the town of Fredericksburg and their development.

If you are more into the outdoors activities, then you will definitely want to head on over to the Enchanted Rock State natural Area, just North of Fredericksburg. The Enchanted Rock exfoliation dome is the second largest one in the United States and dates back to the Precambrian age. What makes it such a great place to visit is the Native American folktale that goes along with this site. The Tonkawan Indians believe that ghost fires burned on top of Enchanted Rock because of the weird groaning and creaking they heard at night. The story goes that a Spanish conquistador escaped from the Tonkawa Indians and lost himself in the rocks which made the Indians believe that because he was ‘swallowed by the rock’ he wove enchantments in the rock… and to this day, people still say that they hear and see the ghost of the Enchanted Rocks. Regardless of the legend, it is a great place to visit as there is plenty of hiking, rock climbing, and wildlife to watch. It is a great place to enjoy and relax in the beautiful rugged terrain of the Texas Hill Country.

Fredericksburg is also a wonderful place to shop. You will find over a hundered emporiums, antique shops and boutiques to meander through while you are visiting. Also, the third weekend of every month is Fredericksburg Trade Days. Here, you will find venders upon venders with everything from antiques to crafts, jewerly, and clothing. This is a shopper’s haven and is a must stop place on your visit to Fredericksburg.

The next time you are visiting the gateway to the Texas Hill Country (Austin and San Antonio); make sure to visit all of the beautiful sites. Whether you are looking for some place different to visit, want to learn more about the history of this beautiful United States, or just want to have fun in the outdoors, you will find a variety of activities that are only a short drive away from the big cities in the heart of Texas. Fredericksburg is definitely a place that has something for the whole family to enjoy. The Texas Hill Country is definitely the best place to get away from the stresses of your life.