Visiting Fredericksburg Texas with Kids – What you need to know
One of the best things about living in San Antonio is living near the Texas Hill Country Drive for an hour or so and you're in completely different surroundings. Rolling hills, quaint German buildings, and delicious German food – who doesn't like the sound of that? With all the surrounding wineries, you might think that Fredericksburg, Texas is sort of an adulty place and you wouldn't be wrong about that. Fredericksburg is my top choice for a couple's getaway in Texas but there are also a ton of kids activities in Fredericksburg Texas. I've put together this guide to visiting Fredericksburg Texas with kids that tells you everything you need to know about all the cool places. If you're looking for family-friendly in Fredericksburg, you've come to the right place.
Visiting Fredericksburg Texas with kids – What you need to know
Here's everything you need to know to have a great trip to Fredericksburg with kids.
1. Sauer-Beckmann Farmstead – Don't miss this one when visiting Fredericksburg Texas with kids
The Sauer-Beckmann Farmstead is a living history museum within the LBJ State Park and Historic Site. It gives an authentic look at rural life in Texas circa 1900-1918. Living history interpreters wear period clothing and perform household and farm chores as they were done during that time.
We saw a family scrubbing floors with lye soap and making lunch on a wood-burning stove. It gave my kids a new appreciation for the microwave! It’s one thing to read about “the olden days” but seeing it carried out in real life and being able to ask questions takes a history lesson to the next level. It also – hopefully – gives today's kids a new appreciation for all the technology and comfort they have at their fingertips.
Read more: How to have an epic couple's trip to Fredericksburg Texas
2. Pioneer Museum
The Pioneer Museum in downtown Fredericksburg is three museums in one, all within an easy walk of one another. There are a lot of similarities between the Pioneer Museum and the Sauer-Beckman Farmstead. The Pioneer Museum covers less physical space and it's easier to do if you're pressed for time. The Sauer-Beckman Farmstead has more live-action components, such as animals and real people doing farm tasks.
The Pioneer Museum has buildings, artifacts, and displays of Fredericksburg's earliest pioneers, including a one-room schoolhouse, log cabin, Sunday house, barn, smokehouse, and more. Several times a year, Pioneer Museum will hold events staffed by docents in period dress that are fun for the whole family including storytelling, rope making, soap making, sheep shearing, and more. Check the calendar before your visit for special events.
3. The Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
The LBJ Historic Site offers a look at the 36th president’s boyhood home, the settlement of his grandparents, and the house where he lived during his presidential years, known as the Texas White House, which has been restored to look as it did when LBJ was in office. We took a 30-minute guided tour of the ground floor, which cost $3.00 per adult (kids under 17 are free). Tours are limited to 12 people, so if you’re interested, sign up for your time early. Entrance to the park itself is free, but you need to stop at the visitors’ center and snag a parking permit.
Admittedly, touring the Texas White House is not super-duper exciting for younger kids and maybe not even for older kids. I remember my mom dragging me here when I was about 11 years old and hating every minute of it, but here I am all grown up and taking my own kids to the very same place, so go figure. I pounce at any opportunity to add a little education to our travels. It was full of facts that I found fascinating, which probably sounded like the adults in the Charlie Brown cartoons to my kids. The actual tour doesn't take very long and you'll need to stay on top of younger kids with reminders not to touch stuff or try to crawl behind areas that are roped off.
Touring the Sauer-Beckman Living History Farm and seeing all the LBJ sites took up the better part of a day. We did the living history farm in the morning, followed by a picnic lunch at Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historical Site. There are plenty of places to sit and eat. After lunch, we explored the outbuildings on the LBJ property and ended with the Texas White House tour, just in time for dinner in downtown Fredericksburg.
One important thing to note about visiting LBJ sites near Fredericksburg is that there are some areas managed by the National Parks Service and others managed by Texas Parks and Wildlife. Different entry procedures may apply but the two areas are next to each other.
Pro-tip: There's a pool in the state park if you're looking for a spot to cool off during the summer.
4. Wildseed Farms
Visit Wildseed Farms in the spring to see the most beautiful Texas Wildflowers in bloom. There is also an onsite winery and tasting area, as well as a charming shopping area where you can purchase locally-made gourmet food items, garden supplies, and home decor.
There is no charge to enter the grounds at Wildseed Farms and parking is free. There are lots of walking trails and amazingly beautiful spots to take photos. You can check the Wildseed Farms website for a bloom update. If you're visiting Fredericksburg Texas with kids in the spring, this is a don't miss spot.
5. Pick Your Own Produce
Produce tastes better if you pick it yourself. Jenschke Orchards offers blackberries and strawberries in the spring, peaches in the summer, pumpkins in the fall, and even Christmas trees. Seasonal activities like a corn maze and jump pillow make this a great, family-friendly place. Vogel Orchard has a pick-your-own pumpkin patch in the fall, too!
Pick-your-own hours and offerings vary by season so make sure to call ahead to see what's available.
6. Fly in a Biplane
If you want a high-adrenaline activity in Fredericksburg, take to the skies for an aerial view of Fredericksburg at TacAero, the flight school at the Gillespie County Airport. Availability is subject to weather and schedule. Prices range from $100-$250 for up to two passengers at a time. For more info, call (844) 359-2827.
7. Go horseback riding
If you getting into the saddle and riding the trails are a must-do on your Texas Hill Country bucket list, there are several opportunities for guided horseback riding for all levels. Check out Circle K Trail Rides, Bit & Bridle Stables, and Tres Molinos Ranch & Resort.
8. Visiting During the Holidays? Hit the ice
While it is unlikely – although not impossible – you'll find snow in the Texas Hill Country, you can still enjoy ice skating during the holiday season. Skate amid the glow of Christmas lights at Marktplatz at Fredericksburg's only outdoor ice skating rink, Eisbahn. The rink opens the week of Thanksgiving and continues through New Year's Day. The fee to skate includes skate rentals.
9. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area – Probably our favorite thing to do when visiting Fredericksburg Texas with kids
This massive formation of pink granite is located 18 miles from Fredericksburg and is easily one of the most beautiful and picturesque places in Texas.
There are 11 miles of trails for hiking and exploring. Camping is also an option, with some sites offering water and others being totally primitive.
The summit trail is 1.3 miles up and down and is a moderately challenging climb which is very steep in some areas. The views from the top are incredible, though. There's also a flatter loop trail that circles the rock if you're not up to the climb. Enchanted Rock gets very crowded on weekends and holidays and parking is limited. It isn't uncommon to see a long line at the entrance during busy periods when the Rangers practice a one car in, one car out rule.
10. National Museum of the Pacific War
The National Museum of the Pacific War is in downtown Fredericksburg. Look for the larger-than-life statue of Admiral Nimitz. You cannot miss it. Seriously, if you miss it, you have probably been to one too many wine tastings. He's two stories tall.
If you’re a World War II history buff, checking out this six-acre museum complex is a no-brainer. That said, my kids aren’t World War II history buffs and yours probably aren’t, either. Don’t let that stop you. Not only is the National Museum of the Pacific War an educational experience, but it contains lots of interactive exhibits with cool sound effects.
11. Science Mill in Johnson City
The Science Mill is in Johnson City, which is 30 miles and an easy drive from downtown Fredericksburg. I've included this on my list of things to do when visiting Fredericksburg Texas with kids, even though it isn't technically in Fredericksburg. Once a steam grist mill and cotton gin, it’s a present-day forum for science exploration. All exhibits are hands-on and most are indoors, making this one of our family favorites during the hot Texas summer. But don’t miss the backyard exhibits.
12. Luckenbach
This tiny town – so tiny that you’ll miss the sign if you're not paying close attention – was established as a trading post in 1849. Luckenbach has a general store and post office, a bar, and an old dance hall. My husband and I love relaxing under the 500-year-old oak trees, listening to live music, and enjoying a cold drink while our kids run around and burn off energy, which there’s plenty of room for them to do. Luckenbach is close enough to Fredericksburg that I'm including it on my list of things to do in Fredericksburg Texas with kids.
Aside from enjoying the music and browsing in the general store, which is great for those quirky and unique Texas souvenirs, there’s not a ton to do in Luckenbach, but the photo opportunities in this gem of a town make it worth the time to stop. The saying goes that “everybody’s somebody in Luckenbach” which is reason enough to check it out, don't you think?
If you're looking for more adult-centered activities near Fredericksburg, check out this post about wineries in nearby Hye, Texas, or my recent post on how to have an epic couples trip to the Texas Hill Country.
