Rows and rows of grapevines line the vineyards around Fredericksburg. For a taste of these delicious fruits, daily wine samplings are available at many locations. Waylon Jennings sang about Luckenbach, but it doesn’t describe the feeling one gets from visiting the small community a few miles outside of Fredericksburg. Swing by, have a beer, visit the locals, and, heck, take in some good ol’ music if there happens to be a band playing. Luckenbach is appropriately nestled back off the road, as if to emphasize that it was created to provide an escape from the rest of the world.
FOOD, WINE, SHOPPING AND LODGING Nothing beats a good jagerschnitzel, a German pork dish. But if that’s not your thing, there’s plenty of other German food from which to choose as Fredericksburg is filled with German cuisine. But there is a wide assortment of other foods as you wander among the many shops on Main Street or nearby. You can’t go wrong with a good burger, barbecue or a visit to a bistro. You must, however, make a trip a little farther down Main Street and visit the Old German Bakery and Restaurant. If this is the ONLY place you eat in Fredericksburg, you can’t go wrong. Only open from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. – and don’t hesitate because they might run out of food for the day, they’re that popular – you can get a delicious breakfast or lunch. But be sure and grab some of their to-diefor pastries or home-baked bread from a recipe even grandma would steal, take it back to the room at your bed-and-breakfast or hotel (or home) and enjoy! Or hey, you’re in the Hill Country, the 8 | Prime | September 2015
heart of Texas Wine Country. While taking in a wine tasting at one of the many vineyards, most along Highway 290, grab a bottle or two of your favorite and take it back to your room. Enjoy the aforementiond bakery snack on the patio with a glass of your favorite vino while watching a midnight moon.
From bed-and-breakfasts to quaint hotels, Fredericksburg has plenty from which to choose.
hotels, Fredericksburg has plenty from which to choose. We stayed at the Fredericksburg Inn & Suites, a few steps from Main Street. It featured an area in which to play card games, read, watch a little TV, or just visit with other hotel guests. There were also around-the-clock goodies in the dining area such as fruit, milk, juice drinks, soft drinks, and the most delicious chocolate chip cookies the mind can imagine. Most of the hotels also include an outdoor patio/dining area, with shade, of course. Ours was right outside of our room, which was very nice, as was the yardswing right outside our front door.
ALSO The vineyards also have their own ambience, each unique. There’s always plenty of great music and delicious cheese on which to dine with the wine (we discovered the best bleu cheese on the planet there). And, if the time is right, don’t you dare leave Fredericksburg without trying the famous peaches. Yes, I know we have the Peach Capital of the World right down the road in Weatherford (you should try some of those if you haven’t already), but the ones in Fredericksburg are also incredible. But visiting Fredericksburg is more than a lot of going, going, going (which it can certainly be that). When the day is done, when a new one starts or when it’s time to wind down, we all want a comfortable place to relax. From bed-and-breakfasts to quaint
While we did plenty in our three-day weekend in Fredericksburg, we weren’t able to take in EVERYTHING. Guess that gives us a reason to go back! We touched upon the historic district, but it would be nice to do the walking tour. The Pioneer Museum on Main Street looks like a great place to visit, also. And perhaps a visit to Fredericksburg Downs is in order.
PLANNING YOUR TRIP The folks in Fredericksburg certainly welcome the impromptu visitor. However, if you want to plan your trip, they are prepared to help you. Communications manager Amanda Koone is ready and waiting to answer any questions and make suggestions. She can be reached at 830-997-6523 or communications@fbgtx.org. Q