This part of the Hill Country is known as the Texas Wine Trail and you can't throw a stone without hitting a winery - there are more than 45 wineries and vineyards in the Hill Country - and all of them offer tastings. Our favorite winery is Pedernales Cellars, they have amazing views and it's a short drive down RR 1623.
Other notables are Lewis Wines, Calais Winery, 290 Vinery and Pontotoc Vineyards. Becker Vineyards is one of the oldest wineries in the area and they have beautiful poppy and lavender fields in bloom in the spring.
We recommend a self-guided tour so you can pick the wineries you want to visit and you can spend as much - or as little - time at each winery as you want. If you prefer a guided tour, there are plenty of wine tours and shuttles available. Check the Wine Tours & Shuttles page of the
Visit Fredericksburg TX website for more information.
Outdoors
If you run or bike, take a left as you leave the driveway and then an immediate right and another right on to Ranch Road 1, which turns in to Park Road 1 and takes you through the LBJ Ranch right along the Pedernales River. You're likely to see deer in the early morning hours. The road has very little traffic, which is why I run it myself.
Enchanted Rock provides a beautiful view of the Hill Country, but arrive early on the weekends or you might not get entrance to the park - it's pretty crowded. Check the Enchanted Rock Facebook page for special events such as stargazing and moonlit hikes. When the weather is warm, take a dip in the swimming hole at Blanco State Park.
Old Tunnel State Park is off Old San Antonio Road just east of Fredericksburg. The seasonal (May - November) emergence of bats from the tunnel at dusk is worth the visit. There are plenty of state parks nearby where you can go fishing, canoeing, swimming, hiking and more.
Stop in at Wildseed Farms to enjoy the best in seasonal blooms. Pick up your own seeds to plant in your backyard...you can have your very own field of bluebonnets.
If you're visiting during bluebonnet season you definitely need to drive the Willow City Loop. Beautiful Hill Country vistas, longhorns, boots and bluebonnets. Stop in at Harry's on the Loop for a cold beer before you head back.
Educational
For history buffs, the self-guided tour of the LBJ Ranch and Park is almost directly across Highway 290 from Last Stand TX. The drive through the ranch is perfectly relaxing and the $3.00 guided Texas White House tour is worth your time. See how the farm families of a century ago lived. Learn about seasonal activities such as sausage making, sheep shearing, canning, etc. at the Sauer-Beckman Living History Farm just down from the LBJ visitor center.
Want more LBJ? The Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park offers a Visitor Center with exhibits and films on LBJ and Lady Bird, the Boyhood Home, an education building, and the historic Johnson Settlement in Johnson City.
The National Museum of the Pacific War off Main Street in Fredericksburg is interesting and thorough. If science is your thing, check out the Science Mill in Johnson City. It's not just for kids!
Enjoy visiting 17 historic schools on the Gillespie County Country Schools Driving & Cycling Trails. A special map with highlighted routes will direct visitors to schools in a particular quadrant of the county. Driving times on routes vary from one hour in length to half a day. Free maps of the trail are available at the Visitor Information Center located at 302 East Austin Street in downtown Fredericksburg.
Want more history? Check out the Historic Sites and Museums page of the Visit Fredericksburg TX website.
Bourboun, Cider, Rum, Beer
Be sure to stop by Garrison Brothers Distillery for a bourbon tour at 1827 Hye Albert Road, Hye. The bourbon is top notch and the hospitality is five star. As you plan your itinerary, keep in mind that Texas doesn't allow spirits sales on Sunday if you might want to take a bottle home.
Hye Cider Company is not your ordinary cider house. The ciders are crisp and drinkable - not at all sweet or fruity. If you talk to Travis or Cherry, let them know that Jack & Amy sent you.
Hye Rum is a few miles east of Last Stand. Enjoy a flight or a specialty cocktail Real Ale Brewing offers a great tour and a great tap room and outdoor seating. My favorite beer is the Devil's Backbone.
Taste
Stop next door at Chocolates El Rey, at the corner of Highway 290 and RR 1623. They offer a more than generous taster sample. The hard part is deciding which treats to take home.
Take a break from shopping on Main Street and enjoy an ice cream at Clear River Ice Cream at 138 E Main or stop by any of the German restaurants for Opa's Sausage. Our favorite is Old German Bakery at 225 W Main....they have the best chocolate chip short bread cookies.
Fredericksburg and the surrounding area is know for the peach crop. There are plenty of orchards and peach farms as you drive Highway 290. Most of them have other farmer's market quality produce, pecans, jams & jellies, and even peach ice cream. •Pick your own Fredericksburg peaches at family owned and operated Jenske Peach Orchard.
Shopping
Main Street Fredericksburg offers plenty of shopping from clothing boutiques, home decor, coffee shops and art galleries galore.
If you're lucky enough to be visiting on the first weekend of the month, head in to Fredericksburg for First Friday Art Walk. Participating galleries stay open until 8pm. It's a great way to take in the best of regional artists and sometimes the artists are on-hand to discuss their work and inspiration. Most of the galleries offer complimentary food and local wine and beer.
If your visit falls on the third weekend of the month then spend some time shopping at Fredericksburg Trade Days. Located a few miles west of Last Stand TX on Highway 290. You'll find antiques, collectibles, tools, crafts, and more.
Dine
Alamo Springs Cafe is next door to Old Tunnel State Park and they usually have live music at night. The Black Pig is just a little further down the road from the park..and it's BYOB. Feed your left-overs to Petunia, the black pig. It'll leave you both squealing.
Enjoy a cold beer on the patio at Albert Ice House, 5435 RR 1623. The onsite food truck, The Pig Pen, has great food. Drive a little further down RR 1623 to Blanco for BBQ at Old 300 on Main and then head over to Real Ale Brewing for a brewery tour. It's the perfect meal after a day at the swimming hole at Blanco State Park.
Hye Market at 10261 W Highway 290 in Hye is a great place to grab food for a picnic and they also sell retail beer and wine. Availability of food at wineries is hit and miss but most allow you to bring in your own food.
For a special night out, check out The Bistro at Vaudeville at 230 E Main, Otto's German Bistro at 316 E Austin or August E's at 203 E San Antonio. All spots in Fredericksburg.
Live Music
Take in some live music at Luckenbach at 412 Luckenbach Town Loop, Fredericksburg. There's always a pickers circle playing during the week. Don't be shy, bring your guitar and join in. Weekend days are bit touristy but worth the visit. Remember, Everybody's Somebody in Luckenbach, TX. It completely transforms to a local spot on weekend nights. It's worth the price of admission (usually around $15) especially if you like to two-step.
My favorite local duo is Trace of Gold - Greg & Lisa. Check their Facebook page to see where they're playing. Most wineries have acoustic/singer/songwriter live music on the weekends.
The Backyard at Fritztown is another great outdoor live music venue.