A Visitor’s Guide to Downtown Fredericksburg

Photo Credit: JJoshua Resnick

You will find a little bit of everything in downtown Fredericksburg, from authentic German cuisine to Texas barbecue and steaks, or even gourmet candy shops the little ones (and adults!) will love. Many of the restaurants locally source their ingredients and, of course, the wines are right from Texas Hill Country.

Here are some of the best places to eat based on different cuisines.

German-inspired

• The Ausländer Restaurant & Biergarten: This spot specializes in Bavarian cuisine and is a great location to eat a good Schnitzel dish.
• Der Lindenbaum Restaurant: Authentic German dishes and Black Forest cakes.
• Old German Bakery & Restaurant: Serves breakfast meals and pastries.

BBQ

• David’s Old Fashioned Pit BBQ: Tasty smoked barbecue with sides in Texas style.
• Eaker Barbecue: Excellent Central Texas-style barbecue with traditional sides and Korean-inspired options (try the homemade kimchi!).
• Junebug's BBQ: Classic, Texas-style brisket and sauces with a variety of sides and drink options.

Tex-Mex

• Campo Azul Mexican Grill & Bar: Great tacos and Margarita drinks.
• Leroy’s TexMex BBQ: Located on US 290, great options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including a kids’ menu.
• La Tequila Jalisco: Authentic Mexican dishes located on State Hwy 16.

Hill Country vibes

• Cabernet Grill Texas Wine Country Restaurant: Enjoy your meal with paired wine in a relaxed and rustic setting in one of the best restaurants in the country.
• Hill & Vine: Pet-friendly and with outdoor seating, Hill & Vine offers brunch, lunch, and dinner menus. If there are wait times, you can enjoy a cocktail or beer from their Das Bar Bus (‘74 Volkswagen microbus) located on their patio.
• Granite House Lounge: Great food and a special place for both locals and visitors.

Family dining

• Altdorf Biergarten: Great traditional German cuisine, great atmosphere, and great live music.
• Hondo’s on Main: Housed in a cute traditional building, the menu includes burgers, sandwiches, and kids’ food they’ll love.
• Woerner Warehouse: Bakery and cafe serving bistro style and flavorful dishes on Lincoln Street.

Fine dining

• Vaudeville Bistro & V Supper Club: Housed in a renovated three-story landmark building, with a great dinner menu and a great wine selection.
• Martini's Seafood House: Locally caught specials and show-stopping seafood towers, perfect for date night.
• Otto’s German Bistro: Upscale, farm-to-table German dishes and drinks.

At fine-dining establishments, we recommend making reservations ahead of time.

Gourmet snacks and candy

• Big Pop’s Popcorn Company: All things popcorn!
• Quintessential Chocolates: Perfect location for wine-filled chocolate assortments.
• Lone Star Candy Bar: Kids will love the assortment of candy, fudge, and chocolate-covered sweets.

The Best Places to Shop in Fredericksburg

There is no shortage of shopping options in downtown Fredericksburg, with over 150 shops and boutiques. All you need to do is head down to Main Street, where all the main shops are located.

Shopping in Fredericksburg is part of the experience, especially downtown, where historic storefronts are filled with locally owned boutiques, specialty shops, and Hill Country treasures. For all in one spots, head to the Warehouse District, Fredericksburg Trade Days, or Marktplatz to find some unique items.

Whether you’re hunting for a meaningful souvenir, Texas-made goods, or something stylish to wear out to dinner, you’ll find plenty of standouts just steps from Main Street.

• Rustlin’ Rob’s Texas Gourmet Food Store – A must-stop for edible souvenirs, offering Texas-made salsas, jams, rubs, hot sauces, and sweets in a fun, bustling space right downtown.
• Der Kuchen Laden – A beloved German bakery and gift shop known for authentic strudels, baked goods, and European-inspired kitchen items that reflect Fredericksburg’s heritage.
• Vaudeville – A beautifully styled shop blending upscale home décor, clothing, and gourmet food items, housed in one of the most charming historic buildings on Main Street.
• Red Baron Antique Mall – One of the largest antique destinations in town, offering multiple vendors with everything from European antiques to farmhouse finds, just a short walk from downtown.

Attractions in Downtown Fredericksburg

Photo Credit: ShengYing Lin

Pioneer Museum

If you would like to learn more about the history of Fredericksburg, you can visit the Pioneer Museum to learn about the German heritage of Gillespie County. It is a 3.5-acre museum complex where you can explore homesteads, including a schoolhouse, a Sunday house, and a smokehouse, showcasing how the settlers lived.

Marktplatz von Fredericksburg

The Marktplatz (Central Market) serves as the town center for annual activities and festivals, such as Oktoberfest, Christmas Markets, the PCAA concert series, and Fredericksburg's Farmer’s Market.

Vereins Kirche Museum

The Marktplatz also houses the Vereins Kirche Museum. Vereins Kirche translates to Society Church, and it was the first public building in downtown Fredericksburg in 1847. The current structure is a replica of the original building, which serves as a museum showcasing the German settlement in the area and the history of the Texas Hill Country.

National Museum of the Pacific War

On East Austin Street, you will find the National Museum of the Pacific War, depicting some of the major WWII events in the Pacific. It houses the Admiral Nimitz Gallery, the Plaza of the Presidents, and a Japanese Garden of Peace.

Other areas in and around downtown Fredericksburg that you can visit and explore include the nearby state parks and fun activities fit for different types of travelers.

• Fort Martin Scott Historic Site
• Wildseed Farms
• Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
• Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Park

Unique Fredericksburg Experiences

Haunted Fredericksburg Ghost Walks

For those who are interested in the paranormal or who like to hunt for ghosts, you can attend one of the Haunted Fredericksburg Ghost Walks to learn some of the local folklore and history.

We also recommend a visit to the Fredericksburg Visitor Center, where they show a free 10-minute movie about the history of Fredericksburg. It is also one of the few downtown Fredericksburg locations with free parking and public restrooms (you can find additional restrooms at the Marktplatz).

Take a Wine Tour

When you think of wine country, the first things that come to mind are probably Sonoma and Napa Valley. However, Texas Hill Country is home to over 100 wineries and vineyards, making it an excellent place for wine lovers. Taking a Fredericksburg Wine Tour is the perfect way to get a guided tour through Texas Hill Country’s local blends.

Wine Tasting Rooms on Main Street

Photo Credit: ShengYing Lin

Many Texas Hill Country wineries are located on Wine Route 290 in downtown Fredericksburg, perfect for a day trip during your time in town. Because Fredericksburg serves as the center of the Texas Wine Country, many visitors will find various tasting rooms on Main Street, so you don't have to go all the way out of town to the wine estates and vineyards.

Texas wines have won state and national awards for their flavors and aromas, so you will certainly enjoy some whites and reds during your trip. For visitors who wish to stay within walking distance of downtown Fredericksburg, you can still get a taste of the local vineyards in the following wine-tasting rooms on Main Street:

• Cuvée Wine & Piano Bar (247 E Main St)
• Texas Vineyards & Beyond (329 ½ E Main St)
• Texas Wine Cellars, ETC. (217 ½ E Main St)
• 78624 The Bar (229 E Main St)
• Becker Mainstreet Fredericksburg Tasting (307 US-87)
• Ferris & Fletch Wine Co. (409 E Main St)
• Grape Creek on Main (223 E Main St)
• Elk Store Winery & Distillery (327 E Main St)

But wines aren't the only drinks you'll get to taste in Fredericksburg, since many breweries and distilleries craft tasty beers and spirits here, too. Here are some of the best breweries and distilleries you can visit around downtown Fredericksburg, though you'll also find popular spots like Altstadt Brewery and 1693 Distillery a short drive away.

• Iron Goat Distillery
• Fredericksburg Brewing Company
• Belly Up Brew Pub

Enjoy Downtown Fredericksburg

We hope this visitor’s guide to downtown Fredericksburg gives you a taste of all the amazing things there are to see and do in this small German town, all within a short distance of one of our many guesthouse and vacation rentals.

Whether you are planning to visit as a couple, with the family, or on a girl’s trip to celebrate upcoming nuptials, downtown Fredericksburg is a place we can guarantee will give you some pretty unique memories of your time here.

Book your stay today!