City Spotlight: Fredericksburg
How about a little sauerkraut with your chicken-fried steak, y’all?
Founded by German immigrants in 1846, the city of Fredericksburg has remained true to its roots over the years and has become the perfect blend of Texas charm and German hospitality.
Although Fredericksburg is small in size (with approximately 10,500 residents), this Gillespie County city lures a huge roster of visitors each year, and it’s easy to see why. Fredericksburg acts as the southern gateway into the scenic Texas Hill Country, and the city welcomes all visitors — just look at the street signs for proof. Starting at the Adams Street intersection, head east on Main Street and take the first letter of every intersecting street name — they spell “All Welcome.” Drive west on Main Street starting after the Adams Street intersection, and the first letter of the intersecting streets spell “Come Back.”
The holiday spirit shines with a 26-foot rotating Christmas Pyramid in the Marktplatz from about late November until mid-January, but Fredericksburg is a magnet for tourism year-round. The authentic Sunday Haus Cottages are available for rent at the Fredericksburg Herb Farm, while the Hangar Hotel offers an aviation aesthetic visitors surely won’t forget.
Around town, outdoor lovers flock to Enchanted Rock — rumored in some circles to be haunted — while history buffs can’t miss the National Museum of the Pacific War that was established in honor of the men and women who fought during World War II with Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, who was originally from Fredericksburg.
Shopping along Main Street is a great way to sample local treasures like the gourmet goodies at Fischer & Wieser, the gamut of kitchen gadgets at Der Kuchen Laden, or the handcrafted jewels at Texas Silver Rush. On the way out of town, visitors shouldn’t miss the chance to grab a few German pastries at the Old German Bakery & Restaurant before making a final stop at the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, which was once the private home of our nation’s 36th president.
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