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Having owned retail stores and vacation rentals in Fredericksburg, Texas since the 1990’s, the most common question I have been asked over the years is …when is the best time to visit? I always tell people it depends on which experience you are hoping to have. The answer is very different depending on whether you want to visit when Fredericksburg is hopping and full of festivals and special activities or whether you would rather have the place a bit more to yourself.
Unlike some destination towns, Fredericksburg is truly open and ready for business 12 months of the year. But of course, some months are definitely busier than others. So let’s take it from the top so you can plan YOUR perfect time to head to the Hill Country!
In Fredericksburg, like most tourist towns (unless it’s a ski resort), January and February are always the slowest months of the year. Think about it; most people have overspent for holiday gifts or travel and have just received their credit card bills! My brother used to own convenience stores, and he said even his stores suffered in January and February. He said his customers would buy gas but wouldn’t splurge on that extra soda or candy bar!
So January and February offer fewer crowds and, many times, great deals on both shopping and lodging. I know our vacation rental service… Absolute Charm B&B + Vacation Rentals… offers discounted weekday specials most of the year but provides even deeper discounts in January and February. Sometimes you can even find, “stay two nights, get a third-night free” deals. You will also find sales in most of the stores; so if bargain shopping is your thing, you will not find a better time to visit Fredericksburg, Texas than January and February. Needless to say, Valentine’s Day is an exception but even then it really depends on what day of the week it falls on as to whether you can still get a bargain. Honestly, business owners prefer for it to fall on a Wednesday. That way some people will celebrate the weekend before and some the weekend after!
So, fewer crowds and better prices are pros of visiting in January or February, but there are cons as well. You run an increased risk of inclement weather. Fredericksburg has very mild winters and rarely has snow, but if a nor’easter blows in after a rain, we do occasionally have ice. And there’s nothing scarier than watching Texans drive on ice! However, it is quite rare; and if you are planning a last-minute getaway, you can probably check the forecast and feel pretty confident making your travel plans.
The only other possible downside is that smaller crowds lead to fewer festivals and special events. Or is it the other way around? This may be a chicken and egg thing. Of course, Fredericksburg offers so much to do year-round, so this is not a huge issue. But if festivals, car shows, and grape stomps are your thing, I wanted to point it out because you won’t find as many of them this early in the year.
So now let’s talk about all the busy times! Sure “busy” can have a negative connotation when you think about crowds. However, there is usually a reason a place is busy at a certain time. Either the timing is convenient for most people, the weather is good, there are unique activities happening, etc. And then the impact compounds because when the crowds are here, the shops, wineries, museums, etc. are all going to plan even more events and festivals to harness all that shopping power.
Fredericksburg is unique in one way. Typically when you are coming out of a slow season, you come out gradually, but not here! January and February are super slow and it actually feels like we live in a normal small town for a while. Then overnight… spring break hits! And, just like that, we kick off one of the busiest eight-week stretches of the year, March and April. Fredericksburg is a HUGE spring break destination, but not in the way you might think. We don’t get partying college kids; we have no beach, after all! But we do get couples, groups and lots of families. Even those who don’t have school-aged children often have one of the partners who work for the school district and have a free week.
A few years ago it felt even more crowded at spring break, but in recent years, whether by luck or by design, Texas seems to have decided to spread out the spring break periods for different schools. Now we have 3-4 consecutive weeks where SOMEBODY is on spring break. This has been great to alleviate congestion and crowds at least a little.
So what’s the draw during March and April, other than time off from school? Wildflowers of course! The hill country is known for being a GREAT place to check out the Texas state flower, the bluebonnet! There are numerous scenic drives all around Fredericksburg that showcase the beautiful spring wildflowers like nowhere else. Plus, bigger crowds mean more festivals and events!
Of course, one of the best perks of visiting during March and April would be the beautiful, temperate weather. There is simply nothing more beautiful than Fredericksburg in the spring. Check out our wildflower map here.
The other two slower times of year fall in May and August/September and revolve around getting out of school and going back to school. When the kids are getting ready to get out of school for the summer, the household revolves around finals, prom, simply surviving the pent-up energy of kids ready for a break! Of course, Memorial Day weekend is always busy here in Fredericksburg, but the 2-3 weeks leading up to it are pretty quiet. (Pro tip: the weekend before or after ANY holiday is relatively slow and a GREAT time to visit.)
Then you have August and September. Not only is it brutally hot, as it is all over most of the country, but people also have back-to-school on their minds. This is true even when people don’t yet have kids or are empty-nesters. I often say everyone has a grandkid, niece or cousin about to play in their first football game of the year and, this is Texas, after all, so we definitely circle the wagons and support the team!
Many parents are also moving kids away to college and paying tuition. At the very least, most parents are spending extra money on new clothes and school supplies. This translates into staying home and spending less on leisure travel. Labor Day weekend is the one bright spot for retailers in the August/September slump. In recent years, the effects have been even greater (sometimes extending into July) as school starts earlier and earlier.
We’ve already discussed May, so what about June and July? The summer months are traditionally busy, again because school is out so it is a good time for families, or those working for the school system, to take a vacation. Sure, the weather is hot but we have lots of fun activities to help you cool down!
If you love a good small-town parade, and who doesn’t, then I couldn’t recommend our Fourth of July Parade more highly. It is truly nostalgic and will just leave you feeling like you have stepped back in time.
June is usually a little less busy than July because school is just barely getting out, and travel plans aren’t usually in full force. But it’s typically a little cooler too, which gives June a few bonus points on great months to visit.
That brings us to the final busy, but the beautiful, season in Fredericksburg… October, November, and December. Fourth-quarter is a party for local merchants as the crowds show up for Oktoberfest and don’t go home until after New Year’s!
Fredericksburg’s Oktoberfest is one of the largest in the nation and attracts visitors from all over the state and beyond You will see sponsors and patrons alike dressed in authentic German dirndls and lederhosen and boy does the beer flow! Check out our full video about Oktoberfest here.
Then later in October, we see the Fredericksburg Food and Wine Fest drawing crowds. Our local weather in October tends to be quite mild. That combined with fun, special activities, has a lot of visitors feeling that it’s worth fighting the crowds to take part in all the fun! November is a nice transition month as the shops began to fill with extra goodies for Christmas shoppers and of course, everything from lattes to creme brulee come with… you guessed it, pumpkin spice!
And Black Friday isn’t quite the push and shove match you find in the big city. There’s just enough excitement in the air, and special offers in the shops, to get you in the holiday spirit and make you want to knock out that Christmas list… but not enough to make you want to say bah humbug!
And December is just full of festivities! We kick off the month with the Light the Night lighted Christmas parade. Held the first Friday of December each year, all the local organizations and businesses come together to put on a celebration you won’t soon forget. The parade is then followed by the lighting of the Christmas tree in the town park (Marktplatz – our central park in town… note the German spelling with no “e”). Visitors can then enjoy all the lights in our beautiful park and take a photo in front of the HUGE German wooden Christmas pyramid. All the festivities make for a trip you won’t soon forget.
So, I may be a little biased, but I truly believe there is no wrong time to visit the beautiful town of Fredericksburg. Hopefully, this guide will help you find the perfect time to match your personal travel style. We’ll be lookin’ for ya!
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Fredericksburg: The Best Place for Fresh Strawberries and Peaches
Nothing goes better with spring and summer than strawberries and peaches. Here in Fredericksburg, Texas, we know all the best places to find delicious, fresh strawberries and peaches. Take a peek at these beautiful farms and see the agricultural richness of Fredericksburg for yourself.
History of Fredericksburg Farming
Before we get into the farms, you need to know why Fredericksburg is the best place for fresh fruit – particularly peaches. With approximately 600 acres worth of peach trees, Gillespie County (home of Fredericksburg) produces more peaches than almost every other county in Texas. We don’t need to tell you that’s a lot of peaches!
Peaches have been growing here since German settlers arrived in 1846. Because of our rich soil, altitude, and diurnal temperatures, we’ve got the perfect conditions to produce flawless, tasty peaches from May to August.
Each farm brings something different to the peach market, but they all share the deep commitment to keeping Fredericksburg’s peach business alive – and they’re doing a phenomenal job!
Bariloche Farm
Strawberry season still has some time left! From April to May, Bariloche Farm offers the freshest berries around. This charming little farm doesn’t stop there. In addition to their plethora of fruit selections, Bariloche Farm makes their own peach and blackberry cobbler, delicious ice cream, jam, jelly, salsa, and specialty seasonal items for you to take home. Enjoy the tasty treats while you take in the scenic country.
Don’t think Bariloche Farm only supplies fresh fruit products. They’ve got a quaint gift shop, too! From soaps made from goat milk to an extensive lavender collection, Bariloche Farm has everything you need for the perfect Fredericksburg agricultural experience.
Donald Eckhardt Orchards
Ready to move on to peach season? You’ve still got a little while before Fredericksburg’s peaches are ripe for the picking, but don’t let that stop you from perusing the products at Donald Eckhardt Orchards. Eckhardt boasts several awards for their homegrown peaches. They’re dedicated to growing fresh Fredericksburg peaches, but they also have delectable plums, blackberries, and tomatoes – truly something for everyone! While Donald Eckhardt Orchards isn’t a pick-your-own orchard, you receive some of the best quality produce in Gillespie County.
You get the real Southern experience when you visit Donald Eckhardt Orchards. Established in 1936, this orchard places emphasis on its roots. They’ve been family-owned for three generations. You won’t find a more homegrown experience than at Donald Eckhardt Orchards.
Lydell’s Store
Looking for a store that makes you feel like you’re right at home? Lydell’s Store is the place for you. The intimate atmosphere allows you to get a feel for the family who runs the farm. Deeply connected to the Fredericksburg community, Lydell’s sponsors Dripping Springs Youth Sports Little League Baseball. It’s clear to see their commitment to Fredericksburg, meaning you get to see a bite-sized portion of all the reasons why Fredericksburg is the best place in Texas.
From the moment you enter their store, you feel part of their family. Fresh peach cobbler and peach ice cream are fresh and ready for you to purchase along with a bunch of beautifully ripe peaches.
Jenschke Orchards
Our last stop on this tour of Fredericksburg’s best peaches is Jenschke Orchards. This farm’s biggest feature has to be their pick-your-own peaches option. You can buy the fruit from their store if you need to stop in quickly, but when you want a fun day out with your family, picking peaches is the way to go! Like the other farms in this list, Jenschke offers a variety of tasty treats along with their peaches. Ice cream, jam, jelly, and canned peaches are among the options available to purchase.
Jenschke Orchards has been a family-owned business for seven generations. If you’re keeping track, that puts Jenschke Orchards right at the start of peach growing in Fredericksburg. What a legacy!
Fredericksburg: A Place Peaches Call Home
These farms are merely a sampling of the peach farms in the Fredericksburg area. Plenty more farms line Highway 290. The peach market is just one of many reasons Fredericksburg makes a great place to live. Southern charm pervades every street corner. Not a moment goes by where you don’t think to yourself, “Wow, this place is beautiful.”
Culturally rich and full of places to explore, Fredericksburg, Texas makes a great place to settle down with your family. Our farm fresh peaches bring you down, and their yearly crops make you stay – as do all of Fredericksburg’s wonderful features! Stop on by and stay forever Fredericksburg, the heart of Texas.
October 7th week live music coming soon!
When you travel through the heart of the Texas Hill Country in the Springtime there are some things you just come to expect: bright green pastures dotted with cattle and their tiny offspring, new growth bringing the vineyard vines back to life, the heavenly site of peach trees in full bloom… but, perhaps the most iconic of them all: the eye-catching, historically iconic, gorgeous: Texas bluebonnet. While you can find these brilliant beauties if you drive down just about any Texas road – back-country or major highway – the absolute best place to view them is in Fredericksburg’s very own backyard: the iconic 13-mile, scenic Willow City Loop.
A quick, 15-minute drive from downtown Fredericksburg on Highway
16 N towards Llano, the unincorporated town of Willow City boasts a
population of about 100 people. While not much is happening most of
the year, there is one establishment that caters to the massive influx of
visitors during the busy season: Harry’s on the Loop.
If one really wants the authentic “Willow City Loop experience”, then
stopping at the seasonal Harry’s for a bite to eat and a cold beer is an
absolute must.
From there, the entrance to the loop is just a couple of minutes away.
One thing that might surprise first-timers on the loop is how different
the terrain is from most of the Hill Country. Dense, shrubby, spruce-
like trees along with giant yuccas greet motorists at the beginning of
the loop only to fade away revealing steep cliffs and jaw-dropping
valley views.
“The bluebonnet is to Texas what the shamrock is to Ireland, the
cherry blossom to Japan, the lily to France, the rose to England and
the tulip to Holland.” – Jack Maguire, Historian
In the distant fields, you don’t even have to look closely to see the
bright blue ocean of bluebonnets that foreshadows your drive down to
the valley below. You’ll spot bluebonnets everywhere on this drive:
popping up between boulders, across the rivers growing in colonies on sandy banks, on outcroppings and low water crossings. And yet, you’ll
never tire of them. When the blue finally starts to fade away towards
the end of the drive and the fields full of Mexican white poppies come
into play (a sight to see in and of itself) don’t be surprised when the
temptation comes to you to turn around and take it all in again. And
again. And again.
Disclaimer: These photos were taken from inside a vehicle or with
permission. Please respect private landowners wishes to stay on the
roads at all times and not get out of your vehicle.
Over the next few days you’ll discover why everyone seems to be flocking to the Texas Hill Country to visit the booming wineries, distilleries, and breweries!
Check In
Check in this afternoon to your beautiful accommodations and settle in for a wonderful stay! But where to stay? How about a luxurious vacation rental… such as Buckhorn Cabin! Built in the 1700’s in Tennessee, this charming log cabin was reassembled in the 1990’s right here in Fredericksburg, Texas! Enjoy sitting on your front porch overlooking the koi fish pond or walk to Main Street tasting rooms from this convenient location.
Sip & Sample
Fredericksburg not only has fabulous wineries and vineyards but also tasting rooms right in the middle of town. So why not pop in to one or two prior to dinner just to get a feel for the town? After settling in, walk a few blocks to La Bergerie, an artisanal wine bar and market that specializes in fine wine and cheese. Peruse their uniquely, personally curated collection of housewares… all dedicated to the fine art of dining. Enjoy a glass of wine before walking next door to dinner!
You won’t believe you are in Texas when sampling the wares at La Bergerie! You will feel as if you stepped into a European haven of hand-selected delights from artisanal cheeses you won’t find anywhere else in town to a very special collection of wine sold by the bottle or by the glass!
A Relaxing Dinner
One of the true pleasures of any great vacation is indulging in new and exciting culinary experiences. Right next door to La Bergerie, is Otto’s German Bistro… one of the hottest spots in town! Otto’s is known for having introduced fresh, farm to table German cuisine to Fredericksburg… with a modern twist. The warm yet lively ambience is at the heart of an Otto’s experience. Their unique fusion style cuisine is one of the things visitors rave about most!
You will notice the fine attention to detail in both the layout of La Bergerie and Otto’s German Bistro because they have the same owners. John & Evelyn Washburne take pride in bringing their discerning eye and caring touch to all they serve to their guests. You may find the weekly menu offering traditional German schnitzel or even decadent French foie gras. Whatever you find, you’re sure to leave raving about the whole experience that is …. Otto’s!
Culinary Delight!
Whether you prefer a leisurely mid-morning brunch or a full hearty breakfast PLUS a lingering lunch… this town has got you covered! One of the hottest spots for breakfast or lunch is Sunset Grill. Whether you’re hankering for hearty Huevos Rancheros, a Tex-Mex Scramble or a plate piled high with fluffy pancakes… you’ve come to the right place!
Hit the Streets!
Before hitting the wineries, why not take some time to check out what Fredericksburg was famous for BEFORE the wineries… the shops of our famous Main Street! Fredericksburg boasts over 100 unique boutiques and specialty shops along its extra-wide Main St. so see as many as you can before stopping for lunch! Make sure you visit Hill Country Outfitters.
Hill Country Outfitters
Hill Country Outfitters is a family-owned store offering relaxed, casual clothing for both men AND women. The clothing they offer is perfect for … well… walking Fredericksburg’s Main Street or enjoying a special picnic for two. Friendly service and commitment to their clients for over 20 years makes Hill Country Outfitters a must-see shop on Main.
Wine Tour
You’re here to relax and enjoy the pleasure that is wine, right? So you certainly won’t want to be driving! Absolute Charm Wine Tours provides small group tours in a new Mercedes Sprinter van with Barry, your private driver and host. Sit back and enjoy your visit to 3 personally curated vineyards and tasting rooms that never disappoint!
Continue the tasting journey with a ½ day wine tour provided by Absolute Charm Wine Tours. You’ll meet your guide at 1:00 for a 3-stop tour of our top recommended wineries which may include Hilmy Cellars, Signor Vineyards, and Lost Draw Cellars (exact stops vary based on availability and seasonality.) We can’t wait to see which is YOUR favorite!
Dinner
What could be better after a full day of sipping and shopping than settling in for an indulgent meal? This is your time to reflect on the day you have enjoyed, taking in all the sights and sounds of the Hill Country. Now it’s time to savor some of the finest cuisine in the state of Texas! Starting with a fabulous dinner at Cabernet Grill!
If you are looking for some of the most delicious food on the planet, served in a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere… then Cabernet Grill is the perfect place! Their highly trained, attentive servers will make sure everything is just perfect … from your perfectly cooked filet… paired with unique sauces to their decadent desserts. It just doesn’t get any better than this!
