Fredericksburg, Texas

West of Austin in the undulating greenery of Hill Country, Fredericksburg is a historic city that was founded by German settlers in 1846. Full of bed-and-breakfast inns, beer gardens, and boutiques, Main Street runs through one of the best preserved downtowns in the Lone Star State. But this ideal weekend getaway spot is surrounded by great destinations as well: to the north, Enchanted Rock, a pink granite dome rising 425 feet from the ground; to the east, Luckenbach, a dinky town that late humorist Hondo Crouch bought and converted into a world-class country music venue; and farther east, the Lyndon B. Johnson State and National Historic ...

West of Austin in the undulating greenery of Hill Country, Fredericksburg is a historic city that was founded by German settlers in 1846. Full of bed-and-breakfast inns, beer gardens, and boutiques, Main Street runs through one of the best preserved downtowns in the Lone Star State. But this ideal weekend getaway spot is surrounded by great destinations as well: to the north, Enchanted Rock, a pink granite dome rising 425 feet from the ground; to the east, Luckenbach, a dinky town that late humorist Hondo Crouch bought and converted into a world-class country music venue; and farther east, the Lyndon B. Johnson State and National Historic Parks at LBJ Ranch, the onetime stomping grounds of the former president. Back in Fredericksburg, there is plenty of live music to choose from most nights, and regular festivals of all kinds take place on the town square. Also of note is the fertile farmland that surrounds Fredericksburg, supporting not only the largest wildflower farm in the U.S., Wildseed Farms, but also numerous groves of peach trees - roadside stands sell Gillespie County's famed peaches all summer long.

About the Expert

Eric Peterson has written and contributed to numerous Frommer’s guidebooks covering the American West, including Montana & Wyoming, Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks, and Texas.