New Year, New Location

Work, learn, and relax during a Fredericksburg vacay this year

Now that 2020 is in the rearview mirror, start the new year off right by taking a getaway to Fredericksburg. It can even be a working holiday, with the change of scenery and the Hill Country's natural beauty jumpstarting your creativity.

You could find inspiration in Fredericksburg's art scene, or gain some new perspective from your unique vacation rental.

Need a spot for the kids to learn? Explore with the whole family at local museums like the Smithsonian-quality National Museum of the Pacific War, Pioneer Museum, and Lyndon B. Johnson State and National Parks. Insider tip: don't forget to verify hours of all local attractions before you leave.

Get outdoors and experience Mother Nature in one of Fredericksburg's many nature areas and parks, or introduce the youngins to all types of music — starting with Luckenbach Texas and continuing with Fredericksburg's wide variety of live music events (again, double-check that these events are happening before heading out).

After a long holiday season, perhaps you'd rather reset with a grownup's getaway. Take part in some retail therapy, be pampered at a spa, or relax on the patio of a Texas Hill Country winery.

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, take this time to plan and book your romantic stay in Fredericksburg. Don't forget to secure dinner reservations at an award-winning restaurant!

Not quite ready to travel yet? There are plenty of exciting events scheduled for 2021, such as the town's 175th anniversary celebration beginning in May. The year-long party will showcase the area's rich German heritage. Browse this event and more online and plan a future trip to town.

Of course, in-the-know visitors take advantage of smaller crowds by visiting Sunday through Thursday. A midweek getaway includes great rates on places to stay, a relaxed pace for shopping, and a personalized experience at wineries and restaurants.

Click here for the latest on COVID-19 guidelines in Fredericksburg. Plan ahead, please bring your mask (or buy a new one at a local boutique) and continue to practice social distancing while you visit.

Wind down at a Hill Country winery.

Barons Creek Vineyards in Fredericksburg

Photo by Jason Risner

Wind down at a Hill Country winery.

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ON THE ROAD

6 must-try restaurants for your next Texas Hill Country getaway

Salt Lick BBQ/ Facebook

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While wine gets the majority of the attention in the Texas Hill Country, something has to soak it all up, and the region is also home to some of the state's best eats.

From legendary barbecue and famous desserts to elegant bistros serving elevated fare, these six Texas Hill Country restaurants are among our favorite detours. Add them to your next weekend getaway itinerary.

The Dodging Duck Brewhaus, Boerne
Named for Cibolo Creek's most famous waddlers, this Boerne gastropub has an international menu that ranges from blistered shishito peppers to fish and chips. But flowing beer calls for a sturdy foundation. Get your ducks in a row with a beer sampler paired with hearty German fare like huge Bavarian-style pretzels or a spicy bratwurst.

Old City Hall Restaurant & Bar, New Braunfels
Housed in a, well, old city hall, this graceful New Braunfels newcomer is now more of a hub of languorous date nights than municipal intrigue. Still, that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t inspire a few debates. Should the appetizer be the lighter smoked crab dip with farm-fresh crudité or the indulgent truffle fries paired with a frosty gin martini?

Old City Hall in New Braunfels has our vote. Old City Hall/ Facebook

Salt Lick BBQ, Driftwood
Sure, some Texans obsess about post oak versus mesquite, but this Driftwood barbecue joint is not for barbecue cultists. While the famous circular smoker is mostly just for show, the all-you-can-eat family meal is still a rite of passage. For $33.95, guests can munch on beef brisket, sausage, pork ribs, and all the Texas fixings.

The Blue Bonnet Cafe, Marble Falls
This Marble Falls charmer, open since 1929, is famed for sky-high meringues that tower as high as five inches. Pie, however, is just the start. Almost all of the fare is a little oversized, from a Dagwood club to a hefty Wednesday meatloaf special. The stripped-down interior isn’t much to look at, but that doesn’t mean your eyes won’t be popping.

Vaudeville Fredericksburg At Vaudeville, come for the shopping; stay for the bistro cuisine.Vaudeville/ Facebook

Vaudeville Bistro, Fredericksburg
It’s a boutique. It’s a wine bar. It’s a stylish brasserie. Much like its namesake, Fredericksburg's Main Street stunner likes to lay on the variety. Start with Spanish-style grilled octopus, then head to the showstopping rack of lamb. The curtain call is a chocolate chunk pecan cookie almost richer than the dark chocolate pot de creme.

Calivence, Fredericksburg
This Fredericksburg winery's biggest surprise isn’t the bright Cab Franc. The property also hosts a charming bistro serving French-Californian fare. Housed in an 1869 Sunday house, the quaint spot serves pairing-friendly dishes like crostini, oysters, and a Thai steak salad with a minty chutney. And, of course, there's an absolutely killer crème brûlée for dessert.

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