For an exhaustive insight into what life was like for Fredericksburg’s first settlers, take a fascinating self-guided stroll through this grassy downtown precinct. Visitors are surprisingly free to inspect the artifacts displayed in its 10 restored historic buildings, ranging from log cabins and sturdy stone homes to barns and a blacksmith’s forge. Costumed docents demonstrate skills such as rope-making, while displays tell the stories of local notables.
Harmon Li for Lonely Planet
Pioneer Museum
Hill Country
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
15.69 MILES
A pink granite dome rising 425ft above the grasslands north of Fredericksburg, Enchanted Rock cuts a striking but mild-mannered profile. At first glance,…
15.33 MILES
Run by the National Park Service, the beautiful LBJ Ranch preserves the sites where Lyndon B Johnson was born, lived and died. Explored on a 7-mile…
7.62 MILES
To admire vast cultivated fields of color – especially between March and April, when wildflowers like orange Indian paintbrushes, deep-purple wine-cups…
National Museum of the Pacific War
0.71 MILES
The only US museum devoted exclusively to the Pacific War, in which over 100,000 American military personnel lost their lives, spreads through three sites…
22.62 MILES
This 60-acre park may not be Kerrville's largest, but it's free and offers river access, shaded picnic tables, sports courts and barbecue pits. Also, as…
11.23 MILES
Located 10 miles east of Fredericksburg, just off US 290, this is one of the state's most decorated wine producers. Its vineyard has 36 acres of vines and…
0.31 MILES
Check out the enormous tapestry on the 2nd floor of the beautiful library building. About 8ft by 16ft, the mixed-media tapestry highlights many of…
23.41 MILES
A nonprofit showcase of Western Americana, across the river 1.5 miles south of downtown. The quality and detail of the work, mostly paintings and bronze…
Nearby Hill Country attractions
0.31 MILES
Check out the enormous tapestry on the 2nd floor of the beautiful library building. About 8ft by 16ft, the mixed-media tapestry highlights many of…
0.32 MILES
The city's Vereins Kirche was the original town church, meeting hall and school. The tiny building anchoring the town square – the Marktplatz – contains…
3. National Museum of the Pacific War
0.71 MILES
The only US museum devoted exclusively to the Pacific War, in which over 100,000 American military personnel lost their lives, spreads through three sites…
7.62 MILES
To admire vast cultivated fields of color – especially between March and April, when wildflowers like orange Indian paintbrushes, deep-purple wine-cups…
11.23 MILES
Located 10 miles east of Fredericksburg, just off US 290, this is one of the state's most decorated wine producers. Its vineyard has 36 acres of vines and…
15.33 MILES
Run by the National Park Service, the beautiful LBJ Ranch preserves the sites where Lyndon B Johnson was born, lived and died. Explored on a 7-mile…
7. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
15.69 MILES
A pink granite dome rising 425ft above the grasslands north of Fredericksburg, Enchanted Rock cuts a striking but mild-mannered profile. At first glance,…
8. Kerr Arts & Cultural Center
22.4 MILES
Step inside to catch the pulse of the Hill Country art scene. Located in the old post office, it frequently changes exhibits, which could include anything…