EAT
Founded by German immigrants in the mid-1800s, Fredericksburg and its cuisine still center around delicious traditional German dishes, like the ones on the menu at the historic Der Lindenbaum (derlindenbaum.com). Located in the heart of downtown, Der Lindenbaum’s mouthwatering menu features schnitzels, bratwurst and one of the largest selections of German beers in Texas. For a sample of authentic Texas Hill Country cuisine, visit Fischer & Wieser’s Das Peach Haus (daspeachhaus.com)—a boutique culinary shop that offers free samples of every delicious product in the store. Fredericksburg is also home to more than two dozen wineries and tasting rooms as well as an open container law in the town’s main drag, so be sure to save some time to explore the local winery scene on your visit.
SLEEP
Fredericksburg bustles with more than 400 bed and breakfasts, guesthouses, inns and guest ranches. Consult visitfredericksburgtx.com to find your perfect accommodations. For a truly unique experience, head to the Fredericksburg Brewing Company’s Bed & Brew (yourbrewery.com)—an 11-room hotel located above the oldest brewpub in Texas. Nightly rates run between $99 and $129 mid-week.
PLAY
Spring is the time to dust off your road bike, and scenic Texas Hill Country is the perfect place to get back in the saddle. The area’s miles and miles of quiet, rolling hills are lined with wineries and wildflowers. Stop by Hill Country Bicycle Works (hillcountrybicycle.com) for rentals and the scoop on local rides. If you’re after hiking or rock climbing, head to the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area (bit.ly/1vgI7di) to explore 11 miles of hiking trails and some epic climbing. The park has Dark Sky Park designation, and hosts Rock Star stargazing parties throughout the warm weather months.
—Tyra Sutak
