Harper, TX Road Trips

Fredericksburg was settled by immigrant families from Germany in 1846, led by John O. Meusebach. Although settlement was on Comanche frontier, the Meusebach-Comanche Treaty of following year established lasting peace. Many older buildings retain traditional German styles; several units comprise the National Historic District. German is still spoken occasionally, and old customs are regularly observed: Schuetzenfests (marksmanship tournaments), Oktoberfest, Weihnachten, and Kinderfest. Visitors are attracted by the scenic beauty, European atmosphere, historic landmarks, excellent fall and winter hunting, and famous bread and pastries. It is the birthplace of Fleet Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet during World War II. Fredericksburg Visitors Bureau, 302 East Austin, toll-free: +1-888-997-3600, [email protected]. Offers specific help and assistance, restrooms, internet access, maps, and local information.

Fredericksburg is a quaint town with many stone buildings and pretty views. 1 The National Museum of the Pacific War, 340 East Main St, ☏ +1 830-997-4379. 9AM-5PM daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Includes the Admiral Nimitz Museum, describing the life of Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz and his important role in World War II, the George H.W. Bush Gallery with various WWII navy-related exhibits on show, the tour guide-led "Pacific Combat Zone" which takes you through life-like displays of war, and peaceful gardens and courtyards. Adults $12, students $6. Pioneer Museum, 325 W. San Antonio St, ☏ +1 830-997-2835. Shows early life in Gillespie County. $12 adults. Vereins Kirche Museum, 100 W Main St. Part of the Pioneer Museum complex, it's an octagonal landmark in the city.

Fredericksburg is an outstanding spot for sportsmen to find year-round opportunities to hunt native and exotic species of animals. Fall hunting leases are available on many ranches throughout the area, and the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce offers a brochure on leases that is available at the Visitor Information Center. Hill Country Outfitters, 115 E Main St, ☏ +1 830-997-3761, [email protected]. M-Sa 10AM - 5:30PM, seasonally. Gear and information. There are also a number of wineries in the area that offer free tours and tastings. Fredericksburg Winery, 247 West Main, ☏ +1 830-990-8747. Lincoln St. Wine Market, 111 South Lincoln, ☏ +1 830-997-8463. Wine bar, bistro, lunch, etc. Texas Wine Cellars, 217 1/2 East Main, ☏ +1 830-990-8850. Night in Old Fredericksburg, on the Marketplatz (in the middle of main street, you can't miss it), ☏ +1 830-997-4810. One weekend in July. The classic Fredericksburg event: German music, German food, German fun! Advance passes and online ordering available at the web site. Adults $6, children under 12 are $1, two-day passes $10. Oktoberfest, on the Marketplatz (in the middle of main street, you can't miss it), ☏ +1 830-997-4810. F 6PM to midnight, Sa 10AM to midnight, Su 10AM to 6PM. Held on the first weekend of October. Advance passes and online ordering available at the web site. $6 one day pass, $10 two day, $15 three day. Pacific Combat Living History Program (2 blocks East of Nimitz Museum. Follow the signs.). March 15 & 16. 10:30AM, 1PM, and 3:30PM, daily. Watch a re-enactment of typical Pacific combat.

You can stay a week and probably not have time to see all the local restaurants. German cuisine with a hill country flair is what you'll most often see. Most local places close at 9PM unless otherwise noted. A surprising number of places do not take credit cards, so check for a logo or a sign, or carry some cash. Altdorf Biergarten, 301 West Main, ☏ +1 830-997-7865. W-M 11AM-9PM. The highlight is the nice outdoor seating, which indeed is most like what you would see in Germany. The kitchen serves up German, of course, along with steaks and Tex-Mex. There is also occasionally live music. Auslander, 323 East Main, ☏ +1 830-997-7714. 11AM-midnight. A German biergarten with outdoor seating, live music, and a restaurant that also happens to offer steak, seafood, and Tex-Mex. It is undeniably popular with tourists. $8-21. Der Lindenbaum, 312 East Main, ☏ +1 830-997-9126. 11AM-10PM. Homemade German food in a cozy historic restaurant with a nice stock of apropos bar beverages; the atmosphere is more mellow than some of the other rowdy tourist joints and the food is about what you'd expect. $10-20. Hondo's, 312 West Main, ☏ +1 830-997-1633, [email protected]. Tu-Su 11AM-midnight. Expansive, rib-sticking menu including Tex-Mex and BBQ, with live music on the weekends and a good patio. The best burgers in town! $10-15. Hill & Vine, 210 S. Adams, ☏ +1 830-997-9527. M-F 11AM-2:30PM, Sa 11AM-3PM, Su 11AM-2PM. Homey cafe-style cooking by local personality Cynthia Pedregon, served in a pleasant old house. Expect sandwiches, soup, quiches and the like.

Drinking in public areas such as on sidewalks is allowed provided the drinker remains well behaved. Fredericksburg Brewing Company Biergarten, 245 East Main St, ☏ +1 830-997-1646. M-Th 11:30AM - 9PM, F Sa 11:30AM - 10PM, Su 11:30AM - 9PM. An indoor (air conditioned!) drinking area serving the on-tap brews off the adjoining brewery. The beer selection changes with the whim of the brewmaster, but is always good (although they pretty much only serve house beer). Also has a B&B next door and restaurant, but go for the beer. $4.50 pints. Luckenbach Dance Hall, Ranch Road 1376 (take 290 east about 5 mi, then 4.5 mi south (right) on Ranch Road 1376), ☏ +1 830-997-3223. Dance hall with live music.

Hangar Hotel, 155 Airport Rd (from Main, take South Adams Street for 2 miles), ☏ +1 830-997-9990, [email protected]. This "World War II/aviation"-themed boutique not only marches to its own beat, but it does it very well. Everything from the service to the furnishings (selected to reflect the 1940s era) are a step above, and the attention to detail when it comes to the setting is fun. There's an "Officer's Club" for lounging and drinks, an observation deck where planes can be seen coming and going (this is an airport, after all), a retro diner for burgers and fries, and a "Pacific Showroom" complete with tiki bar. $119-169. La Quinta, 1465 E Main St (about a mile east of town), ☏ +1 830-990-2899, fax: +1 830-990-2944. Built in 2004, it provides free Wi-Fi in every room. $75. Bed and Brew, 245 East Main St (by the brewing company), ☏ +1 830-997-1646. A unique lodging house by the Fredericksburg Brewery. All rooms are queen non-smoking and a sample of the local beer is served for breakfast. Be sure to specify B&B rooms when making your reservations as the booking location is the Hangar Hotel. $99. All Seasons Main Street Retreat, 708 W. Main, ☏ +1 830-998-1981. Pool, hot tub, and wireless internet access a short drive up Main Street. Pet friendly, all ground floor. $99-140. Der Stall, 68 Cedar Hills Dr (4.5 miles west, just off US Highway 290 West.), ☏ +1 830-456-0151. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM or earlier. Der Stall (The Barn) Bed and Breakfast is a replica of this German descendant's family barn in Reifenberg, Germany.

Primary access to Fredericksburg is by private car. It's about 40 miles north of IH-10 on US-87, north west of San Antonio (71 mi total drive), or about 80 miles west of Austin on US-290. Greyhound buses stop on the outskirts of Fredericksburg. The closest commercial airport is San Antonio International (SAT IATA). Fly in there and rent a car. However, if you have access to a small plane, you can fly into Gillespie County Airport which is right outside of town. There is a restaurant and very nice hotel at the airport.

Most of town is along Main Street and is easy to see on foot. Some of the attractions are just a little past walking distance.