Fredericksburg, Texas at a Glance
Location: Texas Hill Country
Access: Located one hour from San Antonio and 90 minutes from Austin
Major Meeting Spaces: The Hangar Hotel and Conference Center, Gillespie County Fair Grounds, Nimitz Ballroom at the National Museum of the Pacific War
Hotel Rooms: 1,200+
Off-Site Venues: Altstadt Brewery, Texas Wine Collective, Becker Vineyards, Luckenbach Texas Dance Hall
Contact Info:
Fredericksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau
830-997-6523
visitfredericksburgtx.com
Songwriter June Hershey was probably thinking of Fredericksburg when penning “Deep in the Heart of Texas,” which topped the charts in 1942. It’s centrally located in the Lone Star State, only an hour from both San Antonio and Austin and four hours from Houston and Dallas. This German-infused city of about 12,000 is also nestled right in the middle of Texas Wine Country. It’s home to more than 60 wineries, vineyards and tasting rooms, along with a growing craft beer and distillery scene — giving plenty of reasons to say “Cheers!” when choosing it for your next meeting.
The town was founded in 1846, when the first German settlers arrived in the Hill Country. The U.S. Army Texas Rangers founded one of the first frontier forts in the state, Fort Martin Scott, two years later. Now owned by the city, the fort is preserved as a historic site and has a lovely one-mile nature trail that winds along Barons Creek. The Hill Country surrounding Fredericksburg is renowned for the spectacular wildflowers — including bluebonnets, poppies, Indian paintbrushes, daisies and firewheels — that carpet the landscape each spring.
Fredericksburg is a great base for visiting the time-warp town of Luckenbach, Texas. Only 13 miles away and made famous by “Waylon, Willie and the boys,” the former trading post of Luckenbach was established in 1849 and boasts a general store, dance hall and bar with live music seven days a week. Private events are easily arranged: Bring your group and throw a never-to-be-forgotten hoedown in the shade of 500-year-old live oaks.
“Fredericksburg is a great destination for groups, and we typically focus on groups of under 200 because that’s the capabilities our venues have,” said McKenzie Moellering, communications manager for the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau. “We’re a German town, and you can see that heritage in the food, museums and architecture. We’re very proud to have been proactive in preserving and sharing that heritage.”
Unique Hotels
Fredericksburg has more than 1,200 hotel rooms in properties ranging from locally owned boutiques to national chains. Planners will be particularly excited about the soon-to-open Albert Hotel, which comprises four historic downtown buildings and will feature event spaces along with 110 guest rooms, a sunken pool, a spa, three restaurants and two bars. The Inn on Barons Creek Spa and Conference Center has 90 rooms and adjoins the Walch Haus Conference Center, which host up to 250 guests. Adults-only groups may opt for the 50-room 1940s aviation-themed Hangar Hotel and Conference Center. It’s home to the Officer’s Club, a themed bar and piano lounge the Pacific Showroom; and the Airport Conference Center, with a capacity of up to 500 guests.
Well Preserved History
Historic architecture abounds in Fredericksburg, but the town has more than buildings to tell its story. Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz was born there in 1885 and led the U.S. naval victory over Japan in World War II. Today, the hero’s hometown is the site of the National Museum of the Pacific War, a Smithsonian-affiliated institution that provides a comprehensive account of events in the war’s Pacific Theater. Elsewhere, the Pioneer Museum explores the heritage of Gillespie County’s German settlers, and a day pass also grants admission to the octagonal Vereins Kirche Museum, a unique replica of one of Fredericksburg’s earliest structures.
No Chains on Main
Fredericksburg’s Main Street is a National Historic District with more than 80 points of interest. Franchise and chain stores are verboten along Main, so your group’s experience promises to be unique. Visitors will find more than 150 locally owned boutiques and art galleries, brewpubs, restaurants and tasting rooms. The Marktplatz (Market Square) surrounds the Vereins Kirche. The grassy park is perfect for picnics and also hosts festivals, concerts and a holiday ice skating rink. After exploring Main Street, take in the surrounding area on a private tour by trolley, limousine, luxury shuttle or — in true Texas style — on horseback.
Presidents and Petals
President Lyndon B. Johnson hailed from Stonewall, 13 miles from Fredericksburg, and his heart belonged to the Hill Country. Explore his legacy at the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic site and the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, which are located just across the Pedernales River from each other. The park has walking trails, bison, Texas longhorn cattle, historic cabins and an Olympic-sized swimming pool. It also has wildflowers — a passion of Lady Bird Johnson. Take a stroll through the 330-acre Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park, and for even more flowers, arrange a tour of Wildseed Farms, the nation’s largest working wildflower farm.
