Hill Country Getaway

Fredericksburg offers authentic taste of the Texas Hill Country — and so many things to do

For an authentic taste of Texas Hill Country — as well as the delicious fruit of the Texas Wine Trail — look no further than Fredericksburg. Just 70 miles west of Austin, this heritage community was settled by Germans in the 19th Century and retains its old world charm even today. Filled with unique shops, casual and sophisticated restaurants, a profusion of wildflowers and friendly people, Fredericksburg is the perfect weekend getaway for Central Texans — and much more than just another sleepy little town.

What to do
An entire day can easily be spent wandering the shops and galleries on Main Street, or you might hop on a bicycle to pedal among the wildflowers or to nearby Enchanted Rock.

Of course, the grape is king in this region, and you can taste wine at area vineyards such as Becker, Torre di Pietra and Grape Creek. Try a Texas Wine Tour, or meander through the newly developed Wine Road 290 yourself. Several special wine road events are scheduled throughout the year. Coming up June 21 is Vino al Pastor and on July 19 enjoy the Chili and Chillin' event. Or meander along the delightful Wine and Wildflower Trail, happening through April 20.

If you are a history buff, visit the Vereins Kirche Museum in the Fredericksburg National Historic District for a taste of German folklore. Nearby Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site offers a look inside the “Texas White House” and ranch of the 36th U.S. President. The National Museum of the Pacific War is the only institution in the country dedicated to the story of the Pacific Theater in World War II. Recently expanded, the museum offers a new George H.W. Bush Gallery with a multimedia presentation and historical artifacts.

What to eat
For a small town, Fredericksburg is a culinary delight. Gourmet restaurants such as August E’s, Navajo Grill, Rock House and Austin’s dish up creative cuisine for the most discerning palate. There are plenty of casual and lunch spots as well; try El Milagro Twenty Twelve, or the Fredericksburg Brewing Company, the oldest brewpub in Texas serving up craft beer and offering a traditional biergarten in the back.

The town also knows how to celebrate its food. The Fredericksburg Crawfish Festival is going on Memorial Day weekend, May 23-25. This annual party features activities for the whole family including lots of great Cajun food, live music, crawfish races and a creole brunch with a special appearance by Chef John Russ of the renowned Lüke San Antonio.

If you really want to get hands-on, Fredericksburg is a great place to take cooking classes. Jacque Rudman offers a variety of classes, from “feast of flavors” culinary delight samplers to “haute and healthy herbs” with ingredients picked straight from the chef’s own garden. Private group sessions can be arranged with recipe and menu development for a customized adventure.

What to splurge on
Part of any good getaway is treating yourself, and there is no better place than Fredericksburg’s newest destination spa, Fredericksburg Herb Farm. Done in the old "Sunday Haus" style, the buildings were done by local artisans.

"The Sunday Haus was a concept for people coming in from the country and enjoying the weekend attending church and then picking up supplies for the rest of the week," says owner Dick Estenson. "Each one of the 14 cottages is done in an architectural styling of the original Sunday Haus. We also have the old 1884 rock house that is now being restored into its original rock condition."

The 5,000-square-foot facility offers pampering of all types, and the Farm Haus Bistro will replenish you with garden-fresh food. You can enjoy a massage, facial or more at the day spa, or retreat entirely in one of the new guest cottages.

When to go
Any time of year is nice in Fredericksburg, whether in summertime when you can refresh at a nearby watering hole or during the light-filled winter holiday season. But spring is magical, with wildflowers in bloom and the best weather of the year. The Hill Country Wine & Music Festival (April 26) is a winner, bringing together together libations, vibrations and great Texas food in a celebration of Texas traditions at Wildseed Farms.

From April 30-May 4, check out the Hill Country Film Festival, a five-day independent film event created to celebrate and showcase filmmakers from Texas and around the world. In 2013, HCFF screened more than 50 independent films, both short and feature length, and hosted filmmaker interviews, discussion panels and festival parties.

The July 4th celebration is also big, with a community parade and fireworks, and other celebrations in nearby Luckenbach. From spring through summer, you can't go wrong with Fredericksburg as a nearby weekend escape.

Fredericksburg Herb Farm boasts cottage accommodations, a restaurant and a destination spa.

Fredericksburg Herb Farm Facebook

Fredericksburg Herb Farm boasts cottage accommodations, a restaurant and a destination spa.

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Now hear this

New Texas museum shines spotlight on Tejano music history

Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum, San Antonio, tejano music

Photo by Edmond Ortiz

Roger Hernandez serves as board president of the Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum.

For a city that proudly calls itself the capital of Tejano music, San Antonio has long been missing a permanent place to honor the genre’s pioneers and preserve its history. That gap officially closed In December with the opening of the Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum at 1414 Fredericksburg Rd.

The music couldn’t have found a better steward than its founder and board president. Roger Hernandez has had his finger on the pulse of Tejano music for decades. His company, En Caliente Productions, has provided a platform for countless performing artists and songwriters in Tejano, conjunto, and regional Mexican music since 1982.

Hernandez says his wife, who ran a shop at Market Square years ago, would often get questions from visitors about the location of a physical Tejano music museum, a thing that simply did not exist. In 2022, he banded together with friends, family, and other local Tejano music supporters to make the nonprofit Hall of Fame a reality.

“I decided I've been in the music scene for over 40 years, it's time to do a museum,” Hernandez recalls.

Hernandez says a brick-and-mortar Tejano music museum has long been needed to remember musical acts and other individuals who grew the genre across Texas and northern Mexico, especially those who are aging. Recently, the community lost famed Tejano music producer Manny Guerra and Abraham Quintanilla, the renowned Tejano singer/songwriter and father of the late superstar Selena Quintanilla-Perez. Both deaths occurred roughly one week after the Totally Tejano museum opened to the public.

“They're all dying. They're all getting older, and we need to acknowledge all these people,” Hernandez says.

The Totally Tejano Museum — named after Hernandez’s Totally Tejano Television Roku streaming — has 5,000 square feet of space packed with plaques, photos, promotional posters, musical instruments, and other memorabilia honoring the pioneers and stars of the beloved genre. Mannequins wear stage outfits from icons like Laura Canales and Flaco Jimenez, and a wall of photos remembers late greats. Totally Tejano Television plays legendary performances on a loop, bringing the exhibits to life.

The newly opened Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum includes a growing collection of memorabilia. Photo by Edmond Ortiz

Hernandez says the museum will soon welcome permanent and rotating exhibits, including traveling shows, a Hall of Fame section, and an area paying homage to Chicano music crossovers, such as the late Johnny Rodriguez, the South Texas singer-songwriter who blended country with Tex-Mex music. Plans call for the organization to hold its inaugural Hall of Fame induction in February 2026.

Eventually, a 2,000 square feet back room will be converted into additional display space and host industry gatherings, community symposiums, and record and video release parties. The museum also plans to add a gift and record shop and a music learning room where visitors can listen to early Tejano music and browse archival photos. Hernandez is already talking with local school districts about educational field trips.

Much like Tejano itself, the museum is a grassroots production. Hernandez and fellow board members have used their own money to rent, renovate, develop, and maintain the museum space. The board also leads the selection of the Hall of Fame honorees and curates the exhibits.

Hernandez has been heartened by the museum’s reception, both from media outlets and music fans around Texas and beyond.

“We had a radio station come in this morning from Houston to interview us,” he says. “People have come in from Lubbock, Texas. We have had people from Midland, Texas. We have another person who emailed us who’s coming in from New York. People are learning all about us.”

That includes many of the musicians who helped shape the genre. Johnny Hernandez, Sunny Ozuna, Elida Reyna, and Danny Martinez from Danny and The Tejanos are among the luminaries who have already graced the halls.

The Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum is now open 10 am-6 pm, Tuesday-Sunday, and closed Monday. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. Fans can call 210-314-1310 for more information.

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