The Texas Hill country encompasses approximately 10,000 square miles. It is
an area of rugged beauty with German heritage and Texas
hospitality. The Hill country has rocky landscapes, undulating hills, lakes,
caverns, springs, and stunning native wildflowers as the bluebonnet, Indian
paintbrush, and lemonmint.
What to do in Fredericksburg:
Museums
The heart of the Hill Country is Fredericksburg
with a population of in the region of 7000 people. The town is the birthplace
of Chester W. Nimitz the commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet during WWII.
You may tour the museum in his honor which offers a history walk displaying
rare aircraft and tanks. A Garden of Peace,
donated by the Japanese people, is also on the grounds of the museum.
Visit the herb farm and butterfly ranch with a 1500 square foot enclosure to
walk among the butterflies and the Marketplatz for exceptional experiences. You
can take a wine tour or visit Gish’s Old
West Museum
displaying a 40 year old collection of many items form the Wild West.
Shopping
Shopping in the quaint village with 150 shops and boutiques is delightful.
You can leisurely browse the bread and pastry shops, quilting stores, and
specialty arts and crafts and gift stores featuring unique items such as
authentic German made nutcrackers and Christmas ornaments.
Festivals
Many buildings reflect the German style and the town celebrates some old
German customs such as Oktoberfest highlighting German music, food, drink and
arts and crafts for an entire weekend.
Camping
Lady Bird
Municipal Park
offers picnic areas, pool tennis courts, and nature trails and RV spaces.
Side Trips
Several golf courses are in the vicinity. Much beauty of the Texas Hill
country can be found below ground in one of the caverns. The closest to Fredericksburg
are the Cascade Caverns and The Caverns without a Name located near Bourne, TX.
Another side trip you can make is to Enchanted
Rock State Park
which is a few miles away. The site of a dome 640 acres and 500 feet high is
said to be an area of ancient Indian sacrifice.
Millions of Mexican free-tail bats make their summer home in Central
Texas. In Fredericksburg
area there are two places to view the evening emergence of the bats from
mid-may through mid-October. The Old Tunnel Wildlife Management area presents
educational programs. It is located 10 miles south on highway 290. The second
place is the Eckert James River Bat Cave Preserve.
Museums, shopping, camping, recreational activities such as swimming, golf,
horseback riding, wine tours, and restaurants featuring German –American
specialties contribute to the wonder of Fredericksburg which is the heart of
the Hill Country.