Experience Fredericksburg, Texas

How To See Them

Wildflower season in the Hill Country, around Fredericksburg, is somewhat variable. Redbuds, Flowering Quince, Mountain Laurel, Bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrush and phlox begin in early March. Bluebonnets are usually at their peak around the middle of April, but can begin much earlier. We recommend the following areas for viewing wildflowers. See these 4 scenic drives that will "take your breath away". Below are four of my very favorite Scenic Drives around Fredericksburg, Texas! They are all BEAUTIFUL! Enjoy!

1. Take 965 (Milam Street) out of Fredericksburg, just past Enchanted Rock. 965 connects with 16. Take a left to Llano. Just before 71 turn left on 2323 and follow it back to 87. Take a left back to Fredericksburg.
2. Take 87 from Fredericksburg to Mason swing around the courthouse square and return to Fredericksburg! This is a beautiful drive... some of the BEST wildflowers anywhere!
3. Take 87 from Fredericksburg toward Mason, turn right on 152. In Castell veer right and follow 152 along the river back to !6. Turn right back to Fredericksburg.
4. Take 87 to 648 (Hilltop Cafe is on the corner), turn left and continue into Doss, Texas. In Doss take a right on to 783 and continue to 87 take a right back to Fredericksburg. Fredericksburg, Texas, in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, is the place to spend a fabulous Spring Time Getaway or Best Friend Weekend. Enjoy world class dining at Vaudeville, Otto's, August E's, Navajo Grill, Crossroads Saloon and Steakhouse, or Stouts Trattoria at Grape Creek Vineyards!

About Enchanted Rock

It's a fine time to climb Enchanted Rock... when the sky is that deep TEXAS-blue and the weather is warm... it's MAGICAL up there! And, the view from the TOP is TEXAS FOREVER! Standing there in the clouds, looking out over the beauty blazing below, you'll instantly understand why it's called the "Enchanted" Rock! Be sure to call before you drive! The park sometimes fills to capacity on weekends during peak season and on holidays! Enchanted Rock is located 18 miles north of Fredericksburg on Ranch Road 965. Your canine friend, if leashed, is welcome at Enchanted Rock, but test the granite surface with your bare hand before you climb with your dog... the surface temperature in the heat of the day can BLISTER your dog's paws!

Old Tunnel State Park

Old Tunnel State Park and the Alamo Springs Cafe - From May through October, the abandoned railroad tunnel at Old Tunnel State Park is home to more than 3 million Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasilienses mexicana) and 3,000 cave myotis (Myotis velifer) bats. During this time visitors can watch the amazing sight as the bats emerge nightly from the tunnel in a huge fluttering upward spiral just as the sun begins to set. The park offers nightly educational programs Thursday through Sunday that provide guests with a better understanding of the life, history and ecology of the bats. Be sure to take a pair of binoculars for the best viewing of the bats in flight. To get the latest emergence time information call, 866-978-2287.

Visitors to the Old Tunnel State Park can participate in a variety of recreational and wildlife-viewing opportunities on the Old Tunnel nature trail which is open year round. The trail is less than half a mile long and visitors can enjoy it from sunrise until it closes (closing times vary throughout the year based on bat emergence time). Monday through Wednesday evenings, May through October, the trail and lower viewing area are not open to the public. On Thursday through Sunday evenings, the trail is open to those visitors who pay admission to view the bats at the lower viewing area. The Old Tunnel Trail is primitive and steep in some places. Be sure to take your own drinking water and snacks. Pets are NOT allowed.

Hikers can view of the tunnel from the trail, but entrance into the tunnel is strictly prohibited to prevent disturbance of the bat colony, and for the safety and well-being of visitors. Alamo Springs General Store and Cafe is located next to the Old Tunnel Wildlife Management Area at 107 Alamo Road. Take a scenic drive, dine al fresco on a fabulous Texas Monthly "BEST Burger" and watch the bats fly during their seasonal stay! Enjoy fantastic food, including the FAMOUS homemade hamburgers, BLT's, portabella mushroom burgers, New Mexico style green chili burgers, goat cheese w/roasted garlic, handmade fries, onion rings, dinner specials that are out of this world, pot roast, lasagna, strawberry key lime pie... Icy cold beers, and fresh-made ice tea and coffee! You can dine inside or out on the deck. Enjoy live music on weekends.

Directions Fredericksburg to Alamo Springs Cafe / Old Tunnel State Park: Leave Fredericksburg on Hwy. 290 and continue 3 miles east. Look for the brown TxDOT highway sign that says "Old Tunnel Wildlife Area". Turn right (south) on the Old San Antonio Road. Proceed 10.5 miles. The Old Tunnel WMA will be on the left at the top of the hill, turn left onto Alamo Springs Road. Alamo Springs Cafe is located right next to the bat cave.

Experience the Best

Experience the BEST of Fredericksburg Texas! Fredericksburg Texas Online is comprehensive online Guide for TRAVEL and TOURISM in Fredericksburg and the Hill Country of Texas! When planning your next VACATION use our Online Guide as your source for Travel Information: Accommodations, Hotels, Cabins, Resorts, Bed & Breakfasts, Wine, Wine Tours, Enchanted Rock, Restaurants, Shopping, Things to Do, Attractions, Art, Parks, Camping, Scenic Drives, Golf. Discover why Fredericksburg, Tx is a favorite Hill Country Tourist Attraction!

Walking & Biking

Fredericksburg, Texas, is a wonderful walking and bike riding town, especially during the holidays when homes are adorned with the fabulous lights and decorations of the holiday season. You can rent bikes at Hill Country Bicycle Works, but be sure to reserve them in advance, especially on weekends. Hill Country Bicycle Works also has maps and recommendations for rides in and around Fredericksburg and the surrounding Texas Hill Country! You can also rent bicycles and reserve a Wine Tour by Bicycle at Jack & Adam's Bicycles Fredericksburg, our NEW full service bicycle shop located at 206 South Lincoln Street.

Play

You could spend a lifetime... there's so much to do and see! There's no place quite like Fredericksburg TX! Come and DISCOVER the MAGICAL Texas Hill Country! EXPLORE! Amazing historic SHOPPING districts with unique galleries and boutiques. Be inspired by world-class ENTERTAINMENT, acclaimed community THEATER, The Hill Country Film Festival, The Rockbox Theater, offering family friendly live entertainment "celebrating the golden era of Rock 'n' Roll". A huge number of Live MUSIC venues, including three historic Texas Dance Halls, Luckenbach Texas, Albert and SisterCreek Dance Hall. A vibrant and rapidly growing ART scene that has won Fredericksburg the reputation as "An American Art Destination"! An explosion of WINERIES (30 +), WINE TOURS, and tasting rooms that feature Texas Wine and Wine from around the world, SCENIC DRIVES through Awe-Inspiring Natural Beauty, and a rural landscape dotted with notable small Texas towns with lovely, well preserved historic districts. There are plenty of RECREATION and ADVENTURE opportunities, including a large concentration of some of Texas' most popular State Parks, including ENCHANTED ROCK, Old Tunnel State Park (Bat Tunnel), the Blanco River State Park, the Pedernales State Park and the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site. GOLF courses, and a number of beautiful Texas Rivers, the Guadalupe, the Pedernales, the Llano, and the Blanco that welcome nature lovers and outdoorsmen to their pristine waters for TUBING, swimming, canoeing, kyaking and fishing. Go out and PLAY! The wonderful Texas Hill Country is waiting for YOU! Allow yourself the time to Discover all that the charming and historic town of Fredericksburg, Texas has to offer. Venture into the countryside on incredible scenic drives, take leisurely strolls in the historic district, surrounded by turn-of-the-century architecture, history, heritage and culture. Spend your day Shopping; purusing one-of-a-kind, eclectic shops and art galleries, Museums, Award-Winning Texas Wineries and Tasting Rooms, unwind at a day spa... where a delightful massage will restore your mind, body and soul! There’s so much to do in this idyllic Texas town. At the end of your busy day return to the cozy charm and peaceful surroundings of your bed and breakfast and savor some quality time together, with family, or friends. Or... indulge in a DELIGHTFULLY ROMANTIC evening with your sweetheart, enjoy a revitalizing soak in the hot tub at your b&b, a midnight swim in the hotel pool, or curl up with a good book and a glass of wine in a deliciously comfortable chair! If you'd rather go out on the town, you'll find an impressive variety of nightlife in Fredericksburg; Live Music, Theater, Dance Halls, Festivals and Events, or you can spend a memorable evening walking in the stillness of the night with stars twinkling overhead. You WILL fall in love... with Fredericksburg, Tx and the EXTRAORDINARY Texas Hill Country! Fredericksburg Tx enjoys a peaceful, rural setting, centrally located in the Hill Country just a short drive from the larger metropolitan areas of San Antonio and Austin. Plan your next Texas Vacation in Fredericksburg, Tx, and it can serve as your hub to EXPLORE the greater Texas Hill Country. After an exciting Day Trip to the hustle and bustle of the Big City, you can return to charming Fredericksburg where the pace is more relaxed and peaceful. Tourist Attractions like the San Antonio River Walk, Sea World San Antonio, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Schlitterbahn, and Historic Gruene, home of Gruene Hall and the BEST River Trips and Tubing Outfitters in the state of Texas, can be reached within a short and scenic 1.5 hour drive!

Venues

Click here to view venue Calendar
Hondo’s on Main
Western Edge Cellars
Crossroads Saloon and Steakhouse
The Club at Barons CreekSide
Rockbox Theater
The Hangar Hotel

Silver Creek
Auslander
Hilltop Cafe
Luckenbach Texas
Albert Icehouse

Hill Country Terroir

Let's do a little Texas two-step around the meaning of TERROIR. Traditionally terroir referred to the physical elements of place... soil, weather, climate, and how these elements combined from place to place to create different, recognizable characteristics in the wine produced in each locale. But I think there's a lot more to the story! So, here's our expanded definition. Hill Country Terroir is Territory + Texas ZEST! EVERYTHING that makes a PLACE, or vineyard special... the chemistry of the soil, the rain that falls and late freezes that nip. Wind and coons, birds and disease, HEAT! the people that tend the vines and their attitudes, the food, the MUSIC, the ground water... folk traditions, seasonal festivals... the DIRT... right up to the BIG BLUE SKY, and everything in between! So, join us on a journey to DISCOVER Texas Hill Country Terroir! Let the scenic back roads lead you on a treasure hunt for REAL TEXAS GOLD... the PEOPLE, the places, the wine and food! Experience take-your-breath-away Natural Beauty, Award-winning Wineries, Vineyards, and winemakers, exceptional Wine and Picnic Markets, Handcrafted Beer and Spirits, Olive Farms, Epicurean Cafes, Hill Country Bakeries, "DIVES to Die For", Farmer's Markets, Wine Tasting Rooms, Chef-Owned Restaurants, Gourmet Chocolates, Artisan Cheese, Live Music Venues and the GREAT OUTDOORS.... miles and miles of TEXAS! There's so much to do and see in historic Fredericksburg and the surrounding Texas Hill Country! Follow the journey as we DISCOVER the treasure!

TEXAS MUSTANG GRAPES SAVED THE EUROPEAN WINE INDUSTRY Did you know that NATIVE MUSTANG GRAPES SAVED THE EUROPEAN WINE INDUSTRY from the Great French Wine Blight during the mid-19th century? From 1880 to 1910, TV Munson of Denison, Texas traveled 50,000 miles in 40 states, classifying over 1,000 native American vines. When the Phylloxera aphid threatened to destroy Europes Wine industry, Munson collected 15 wagon loads of dormant native grape cuttings and shipped them to France to be used as rootstock... villages were saved and grape growers could once again grow grapes in Europe. Munson was awarded the Legion of Honor, Chevalier du Merite Agricole, by the French Government for his efforts.

Along rivers and streams, fencerows on backroads native TEXAS MUSTANG GRAPES are everywhere!. From 1880 to 1910, T. V. Munson of Denison, Texas traveled 50,000 miles in 40 states, classifying over 1,000 native vines. 15 wagons of dormant stem cuttings for shipment to France. Most importantly, all lots were identified by species and shipped via three ships to southern France. The vines were the breeding stock for the rootstocks which saved the European wine industry. Hundreds of villages were saved and thousands of grape growers were able to grow grapes again. The rootstocks used throughout the world today originated in Europe from the Texas native grape material from Munson. For this effort, T. V. Munson was awarded the Legion of Honor, Chevalier du Merite Agricole, by the French Government.

Wine Tour

Want the BEST wine tour experience in Fredericksburg, Texas? Absolute Charm Wine Tours prides themselves on being the best wine tour in Fredericksburg.

What others are saying: "I never thought that wine tour could be that special. This was my first wine tour and a special mention for Absolute Charm Wine Tours. Most grateful to our driver Barry who took care of everything and was helpful with all the excellent recommendations that made our experience memorable.

"Absolute Charm Wine Tours have provided us with the perfect food, wine and travel destinations. We have captured a lot of memorable moments along with the perfect shots of beautiful destinations from our trip. Thanks heaps for the wonderful adventure."

Book your next wine tour here - Absolute Charm Wine Tours

The Fredericksburg, Texas Wine Country Wineries and Vineyards invite you to EXPERIENCE the magic of the Texas Hill Country!

Wine Enthusiast named the Texas Hill Country USA, #3 on their list of "Top 10 Wine Destinations 2014”!

Fredericksburg is a Texas Wine Destination! If you've been DREAMING about a Texas Wine Getaway, a New Release Roadtrip, or Springtime Wine Buying Extravaganza the perfect destination for your wine adventures is Fredericksburg, Texas! If your perfect spring day in the Texas Hill Country includes a perfect bottle of chilled Texas Wine, grab your BEST FRIEND and DRIVE! The HEART of Texas Wine Country, is just a scenic drive away...

Take an exciting, inspiring, DELICIOUS respite from the ordinary! Escape from Summer in the city... take a mid-week getaway, or a weekend of friends and fun! The Texas Hill Country is the perfect tonic for body, mind and soul!

The Wineries and Tasting rooms along US Hwy 290 have new vintages to share. Many have music, and specialty food on Saturdays and Sundays. WINE and MUSIC = A PARTY! So, get on the line to your favorite traveling companion, and join us! SWIRL! SNIFF! SIP! SAVOR! Drink in the Glorious Flavors of Texas Hill Country Terroir... find inspiration on the backroads of Texas and don't forget to Raise your glass and "Toast a Rising Star, TEXAS WINE! Salut!

Fredericksburg Wine Road 290 Member Wineries:
1851 Vineyards
4.0 Cellars
Becker Vineyards
and more... check out the full list of 290 wineries here

For maps, directions, and details visit: www.wineroad290.com

Texas Hill Country TERROIR STARS... Dan Gaitlin from Inwood Estates Cellars, Kim McPhearson at 4.0 Cellars, Don Pullum, grape grower and winemaker at Sandstone Cellars in Mason, Bob Young and John Riverburgh from Bending Branch Winery, William Chris Vineyards, David and Julie Kuhlken and Fredrik Osterberg from Pedernales Cellar, Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo at Messina Hof Hill Country, Dr and Bunny Becker from Becker Vineyards and Brian and Jennifer Heath from Grape Creek Vineyards! SALUT!