Fredericksburg TX: Perfect Weekend Getaway 

There’s so much to do and so many places to stay in Fredericksburg TX that every trip can be packed with unique experiences. This time we chose to stay downtown and were able to walk to many of the shops, restaurants and sites. We were traveling with three other couples that we frequently travel with and most of them hadn’t been to Fredericksburg. We ended up doing some new things and some favorites over the weekend in the Hill Country.

Winchester Lodge

Winchester Lodge was our base camp, which is located one block off Main Street. We were welcomed with a little champagne reception as we checked in and got our keys to our charming rooms. Our room was straight upstairs from the first level entry door, tastefully decorated and furnished with all we needed including a huge shower with rain head. The view from our room was of the fabulous covered patios and pool area. 

We spent a lot of time on the patios, especially every morning with our breakfast baskets that the lodge delivered to our doors! Our group would meet on the patio to have breakfast together and plan our day. The patio was also where we would regroup for dinner or other adventures later in the day. 

Fredericksburg Restaurants

The Auslander

We tried lots of new restaurants this time during our weekend getaway. Friday nite we went to The Auslander for a German dinner, since after all we were in the German settled town of Fredericksburg. The food was good and the wait was only 45 minutes or so. They don’t take reservations on weekends, but we were able to walk around town a bit until they texted us that our table was ready. 

Hill & Vine

Saturday for lunch we went to Hill & Vine which we loved! This location was the previous Peach Tree Cafe’ now transformed into Hill & Vine They have great indoor and outdoor spaces to enjoy. Located a couple blocks off of Main Street, we didn’t have to wait long at all for lunch. We were a group of nine, with our daughter joining us from nearby New Braunfels, and they ended up seating us at two different tables-guys and girls. I’m not sure what is is with big groups in Fredericksburg, but don’t let it stop you. The food and drinks were great so we didn’t mind. Also, we were able to all hang out together outside afterwards. I think dinner here would be so fun. The wait might be longer, but their VW van turned bar should be open for drinks while waiting!

Bella Sera

Saturday nite was a little more challenging for us for dinner. Some places won’t take reservations on the weekends. Some restaurants will not seat 8 people together. Planning ahead and starting early or making reservations if possible would definitely pay off. We tried to get in to Sage, Crossroads, Granite House and more before we ended up at Bella Sera. It’s an Italian restaurant a little ways out of town. It looks like it could’ve been a 50s diner at one time with all of the black and white tile you see as you drive up. Honestly, I was a little hesitant, but it had good reviews and the food really was tasty. 

Breweries/Wineries

Altstadt Brewery

Fredericksburg is wine country. Maybe that’s not what you think of when you think about Texas, but there are tons of wineries here in the Hill Country along with a few good breweries. We  visited Altstadt Brewery, an amazing property offering some thing for every mood. We started with Rathskellar downstairs which had more of a masculine and upscale pub-like feel. It had overstuffed leather seating vignettes, dim lighting, tables and of course it’s own bar. It was a beautiful day so we headed to their Biergarten and enjoyed sitting out on the patio while adding a pretzel  snack to the beer. We even stopped by the elegant/casual Grand Hall and caught some of Ariel Hutchins’ live performance. They have a restaurant, tap room, offer tours and will host your event. We definitely recommend Altstadt Brewery.

Barons Creek Vineyards

One of the new wineries (to us) that we visited this time was Barons Creek Vineyards. This one is on the 290 Wine Shuttle if you choose the shuttle for your wine tour transportation.  Here you will find a large covered patio, overlooking a pool, for enjoying wine. Or you could enjoy winetasting inside.  Villas are available for couples (no children or pets per website) so you can actually stay on the property.

Signor Vineyards

Signor Vineyards is no question the most beautiful vineyard we have visited in Fredericksburg! The property was brimming with colorful blooms throughout. We enjoyed some very good wines and a good wonderful charcuterie board while sitting outside. Before we left we checked out Joanna‘s Market which is a great little shop on the property and I walked down to the tasting room for a souvenir glass. I can’t wait to come back and visit here! 

Shopping and Exploring

Museum/Garden

Sometimes all four couples were together and sometimes the guys and girls split up. Saturday morning while the guys went to the National Museum of the Pacific War, the girls explored the Japanese Garden of Peace there and then set out to find the painted church. One of the 20 Painted Churches in Texas is located in Fredericksburg. The German and Czech settlers in the Hill Country have painted some beautiful cathedrals to bring a little bit of home with them. There was also an art fair going on that weekend we were there that we stopped at before enjoying some famous pie. 

Fredericksburg Pie Company

About midmorning Saturday we all met back at Fredericksburg Pie Company. This amazing little pie shop is only open Thursday through Saturday with their fresh daily made pies. My favorite is chocolate pecan. They don’t have set hours because as soon as they sell out every day, they close. We didn’t want to take a chance on missing out after lunch so we had dessert first.  Afterwards, the girls shopped Main Street for a while and the guys went to check out some classic cars, at Street Dreams, before all meeting back up for lunch. 

Main Street Shops

There are so many fabulous shops on Main Street whether you are looking for gifts, clothing boutiques, home decor, art, antiques, jewelry or candy.  Of course there are many restaurants on Main too. Hidden Hideaway Bar & Grill was another place where we hung out at for a while, adding one of the other couples’ daughter to our fun. She even brought her 2 fur babies and her Willie Nelson look a like friend. He actually won $100 and spent some time on the bus with Willie for his resemblance to the country music legend. It was a weekend of daughters popping over from nearby Hill Country towns to hang out with us! 

Luckenbach Texas

We couldn’t resist taking our friends to Luckenbach while we were so close. There’s not a lot to it, kind of a spot in the road, although it’s actually expanded since we’ve been there. It’s a unique must see and a fun experience. They have a large outdoor venue for live music now, in addition to the original dance hall. There’s the iconic Post Office/General Store where you can grab a souvenir or a T-shirt-which I did. You don’t want to miss Snail Creek Hat Co for cowboy hats to purchase.  One of our friends acquired a nice new cowboy hat there. Otherwise there’s some picnic tables, outdoor games and you might even find a chicken running around. 

We didn’t stay in Luckenbach long since they were charging a cover at the gate for the upcoming band and we just slid in to look around, before getting kicked out due to the lack of a required armband. Our short little visit ended up being the perfect amount of time though, since the music hadn’t started. 

Wildseed Farms

Even if our friends hadn’t been here, I still would’ve wanted to visit Wildseed Farms again on this trip. They have added a vineyard and a tasting room since we were here last. Not to mention, it’s just a beautiful place to stroll through admiring the fields of wildflowers.  They have a great gift shop and nice plant nursery with colorful pots etc.

Enchanted Rock

On our way into Fredericksburg Friday, we had a great time stopping and hiking to the top of Enchanted Rock. It has been 7 or 8 years since I had hiked it and I was glad I could still make it (with stopping to rest a time or two) to the top! The views are great from the top of the rock and it’s a fun, although a bit challenging, short hike up a small granite mountain. They also have added the Kona Ice Truck since the last time we were there. So now, you can enjoy a snow cone after your hike. 

Lunch on the Road

Since we had a 5+ hour drive ahead of us, we hit the road and had lunch on the way,  just as we had coming down. We ate at Cooper’s Barbecue in Llano on the way to Fredericksburg and then an authentic Mexican restaurant, La Hacienda De Jalisco in Llano on the way home.  It was pouring rain, so no pics, but I would stop here again. 

We had a fun weekend getaway with our awesome friends in Fredericksburg!! I could spend a week here. We always recommend it as a choice destination for girls, couples, friends, family – everyone!