Fredericksburg, Texas, is a favorite destination among Texans for wineries, German food, gorgeous hill country views, and easy getaways. I’ve been there on weekend trips with girlfriends, as a couple, and as a family.
For anyone who lives in the Austin area (or who is visiting Austin for an extended period of time and wants to take some day or weekend trips to Texas Hill Country), Fredericksburg is a great spot. It’s 80 miles west of the middle of Austin, making it a great city for a day trip or weekend getaway.
Even if wineries and bachelorette parties are the first things that come to mind when you think of Fredericksburg, the area is great for families! Use this guide to make your plans for a kid-friendly vacation to Fredericksburg.
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What to Do in Fredericksburg With Kids
Walk Main Street
Main Street is the heart of downtown Fredericksburg, and it’s full of small-town Texas charm. Walk up and down the street to find lots of little shops, boutiques and restaurants. Pop into toy stores, candy shops, souvenir stores, and more, then cross the street and turn around to do it again.
Playground in Marktplatz
While you’re on Main Street, head to Marktplatz, the main plaza/park in downtown. There’s space to run around, plus a shaded playground and picnic tables. There are playscapes for both big and little kids, and the public bathrooms (nice ones!) are just across the street from the park. You can also find lots of history and art to explore.
Enchanted Rock
Whether you’re in Fredericksburg for an outdoorsy trip or a more relaxing vibe, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area can be a fun addition. If you prepare and go early in the day, you can hike the Summit Trail to the top of Enchanted Rock. And if you don’t want such a big undertaking, there are shorter and flatter hikes around the bottom of the dome. Just make sure to make reservations ahead of time.
Find out more about Enchanted Rock here.
Pioneer Museum
This spot is in downtown Fredericksburg and showcases what like was like for the Germans who settled there in the 1840s. There are 10 historic buildings to explore, including a one-room schoolhouse, log cabin, bath house, and smokehouse. You can also see early 20th century firefighting equipment.
National Museum of the Pacific War
If you have a kid who likes history or military vehicles and equipment, they will find tons to look at here. This museum in downtown is bigger than it appears, and you can learn so much about World War II, specifically in the Pacific. There are planes, trucks, a mini-submarine that attacked Pearl Harbor, videos, and tons of stories and artifacts.
There’s also an interactive kids area about what it was like to be a kid at the time, including children who were sent to internment, or incarceration, camps.
The Preserve
This is your chance to get up close with exotic animals native to Africa and Australia! Take part in the Elephant Experience and help give an Asian elephant a bath (plus learn loads and take lots of photos). Or choose the Animal Expedition to meet Australian species and giraffes. You’ll get to pet some of the animals and feed the giraffes.
Exotic Resort Zoo in Johnson City
This drive-thru safari is such a good memory-making outing for kids who love animals. You can take your own car through a safari where hundreds of animals will come to your vehicle to get food. If your kids like being up close and personal with animals, they’ll love this! Just be prepared to roll up those windows!
There’s also a guided tour option where they take you on a tractor to learn about dozens of animal species.
Jenschke Orchards
Fredericksburg is known for its peaches, and this is a popular orchard right there on 290! You can find pick-your-own fruit and berries here. You can pick strawberries in the spring, peaches and blackberries in the summer, pumpkins in the fall and Christmas trees during the holiday season.
In the fall, you can also find a full fall festival at Jenschke Orchards in Fredericksburg, complete with corn maze, games, bounce pads, and more.
Here are more you-pick farms near Austin!
Christmas in Fredericksburg
Christmas time in Fredericksburg is so charming! Small-town vibes meet German traditions. Marktplatz has an ice skating rink, huge German Christmas pyramid, and Christmas tree. There’s a nightly light show, plus so many decorations, lights and events all over town.
Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Fredericksburg
Pi Social
This restaurant is in a cool food hall type set-up, Grand Central at Milam. There’s pizza, brunch, and more, and the patio is next to a big turf lawn with ping pong, cornhole, a chalkboard, and space to run.
There is also a tea spot, a Bear King Brewing counter, and a market with soups and sandwiches.
Hondo’s on Main
This Fredericksburg spot has a big patio that’s great for wiggly kids who need a less formal environment! The whole place is super casual — order at the bar and get your food at the window when it’s ready. Plus there’s often live music.
Airport Diner
This old-school 1940s-style diner is such a fun experience and, even better, it’s next to the Gillespie County Airport. You can watch planes take off and land while you eat!
West End Pizza
Can’t go wrong with pizza (though they serve other Italian food here too!). This family-friendly spot has a nice patio and a kids game room right off of it with arcade games!
Treats in Fredericksburg
There are plenty of delicious spots for treats and desserts in Fredericksburg that the whole family will love.
Fredericksburg Pie Company
Grab a slice of pie at this family-run pie shop. Get a few and share, or order a whole pie for a special occasion.
Lone Star Candy Bar
You can’t miss this candy shop on Main Street — it has giant M&M and jelly bean guys outside, perfect for photos. Get a free sample of fudge and explore all kinds of candy!
Piccolina
Hand-crafted Italian ice with local ingredients! This is the perfect fresh, cold treat on a warm day. You can even add a scoop to lemonade (or grown-ups can have it with prosecco!).
Clear River Ice Cream, Bakery and Deli
If your group wants different sweets, Clear River can make everyone happy, with 35 flavors of small-batch ice cream each day plus fresh baked goods!
Kid-Friendly Wineries in Fredericksburg
Obviously, Fredericksburg is known for its Texas wine! And there are SO many wineries to choose from. You can filter for wineries that allow children here. These are a few that are particularly interesting for families.
As always, drink responsibly and plan your ride back.
Prochnow Vineyard at Crabapple Creek
This newer, family-run winery has a fenced-in playground for kids to enjoy.
Rhinory
Rhinory is a winery AND rhino reserve. They have a Southern White Rhino as part of a rhino survival and breeding program.
Wildseed Farms
Wildseed Farms has a winery and tasting room, but it’s much more than that. There is a half-mile walking trail and gardens full of wildflowers, seeds to purchase, sandwiches and ice cream, and a 2,000-square-foot market.
Where to Stay in Fredericksburg
There is no shortage of cute short-term rentals in Fredericksburg, making it perfect for families. There are also hotels and motels, including a new luxury hotel.
If you want to rent a house, the neighborhood north of Main Street (between, say, Milam and Washington) has lots of options that are great for families or groups.
There are also many hotels that are walkable to Main Street. Inn on Baron’s Creek is a favorite that I have stayed at a few times. There are also familiar brands like Hampton Inn, La Quinta, and Holiday Inn.
If you’re heading to Fredericksburg from Austin, you might want to plan a day at Pedernales Falls State Park!