I’ve been driving to Fredericksburg for 35 years because my grandparents moved there in 1980. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I started realizing how much the small peach town had to offer. There are so many aspects of this German town; just pull the curtain back to see it all. It’s particularly interesting for foodies.
Fredericksburg is known for its world-class peaches. Even though peach season only runs mid-May through mid-August, you can enjoy the fleshy fruit throughout the year. This year produced a great crop of peaches, the first since 2010. A cold, wet winter means a great peach crop – so we’ll see what 2016 brings.
If you’re in the mood for peaches, consider starting your day with breakfast at Das Peach Haus. Learn some new recipes using products from one of Fredericksburg’s culinary treasures, Fischer & Wieser Specialty Foods.
Then stop by the roadside Vogel Orchard, family-owned and run since 1953. This month, you can pick your own pumpkin. Ever heard of a Cinderella pumpkin? They are the flat, round ones and can be plucked at the orchard in the fall.
Next, you can head over to The Peach Basket for lunch. This family-owned natural food grocery, which opened in 1977, works with five local farms. They are able to supply fresh kale, celery, lettuce and a variety of produce, as well as maintain a small grab-and-go café.
If you happen to be in town on a Thursday afternoon, check out the Fredericksburg Farmer’s Market — every week vendors bring locally grown food to the community. This grower’s market consists of farmers, ranchers and wineries located in Gillespie and adjacent counties.
In recent years, Fredericksburg has become known for a proliferation of vineyards. Check out Becker Vineyards. Their zinnia and lavender gardens out back are a tourist attraction all their own. End your day with dinner at the any one of the dozens of restaurants on the Main Street.
Of course, there’s plenty more to do around Fredericksburg. You can climb Enchanted Rock, visit the National Museum of the Pacific War, or head a short distance to see several historic sights. Nearby attractions include a living history pioneer farm, where you can tour one-room schoolhouses, and the Lyndon B. Johnson state park and historic site, known as the Texas Whitehouse.
