Who would have thought that the second largest wine country in the US, after Napa valley is right here in Texas??? Located about 4 hours outside Dallas and 1 hour outside Austin, this historic German town boasts a central location, making it a prime vacation destination for those all over Texas and the US. With over 50 wineries though, it’s hard to see it all in one weekend! We set out on our Fredericksburg TX weekend getaway with an ambitious list of stops on our itinerary. We booked an airbnb within walking distance of Main Street, which is where the restaurants, shops, cafes and historic landmarks are located.

Embarking on our Fredericksburg TX weekend getaway, we grabbed some lattes at Kaffe Haus on Main Street. This was probably my favorite coffee shop stop on the trip as its location is close to several of the main shops on Main Street and it was thoroughly decorated for spooky season. We then headed to our first winery, the Rhinory. This winery is unique in that it is located on a rhino reserve. We did the standard tasting menu where one can sample a selection of wines while watching Blake, the rhino play around on the grounds. There is also a “rhino experience” that includes a tour and more personal experience with the rhinos.

After this really unique experience, we set our sights on eating at one of the best restaurants in Fredericksburg, Hill and Vine. This popular restaurant spot has a large outdoor patio with live music on Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays. They do not take reservations so we put our name down and waited about 45 minutes for an outdoor table, but it was well worth it!

The next morning, I ran along main street (and met a little goat friend along the way) as the best way I get to know a city/town is by running it. Fredericksburg has a really unique feel as it feels like a small, quaint town, but doubles as a major tourist destination. I stopped by Caliche coffee after my run. This coffee shop, based in a historic building is in a more discreet area and appears small from the outside, but has a large outdoor patio whereone can enjoy a coffee and delicious baked goods.

That afternoon, we went to one of the best wineries in Fredericksburg, Barons Creek Vineyards. This is probably also one of the most beautiful wineries in Fredericksburg. We enjoyed several glasses of wine along with a fruit and cheese plate and took a lot of scenic pictures. After our visit to the winery, we walked around main street and did some shopping. I really love browsing the stores in Fredericksburg and I’ve managed to come across some really great finds from jewelry to Christmas decorations.

There are also some historical sites such as the pioneer library on Main Street that are worth checking out. The Japanese Garden of Peace is another notable place on Main Street that really does reflect its namesake and embodies serenity.

On our last morning, we did a hike on Enchanted Rock. This is a large granite dome that is the main attraction at Enchanted Rock Natural State Park. While the rock looks easy to scale from faraway, it is actually somewhat steep. We walked up it with my toddler strapped to my husband’s back and it was somewhat challenging for him, otherwise it is not a treacherous hike. We made reservations head of time because we read that they are typically needed on the weekends since the park can get pretty busy.

Next stop was to one of the best breakfasts in Fredericksburg TX at Emma + Ollie. Another popular spot, we had to put our names down and walked to a nearby coffee shop, Java Ranch while we waited to be called. This is a really cute coffee spot that has a western vibe and sells breakfast wraps and sandwiches. Emma + Ollie was a delicious brunch experience! Everything from the noteworthy beignets to the breakfast bowl to the avocado toast was delectable.

Our last stop before our drive back to Dallas was to Fischer and Weiser’s Das Peach Haus. This is a must-see! This establishment offers wine tasting and houses a shop that sells a large array of Fischer and Weiser specialty foods mainly, jams, sauces, and wines. They even have their own peach orchard and make baked goods out of their fresh peaches. Even if peaches aren’t your thing, this place is worth checking out just for the beautiful location situated on a serene lake with lots of instagram-worthy views!

Fredericksburg is truly a gem in the Texas hill country and a place I plan on returning to many times again in the future.