Fredericksburg, Texas

April 2-6, 2018 Itinerary

Monday, April 2

Kansas City to San Antonio via Southwest Airlines. Drive to Fredericksburg for dinner and check-in at Hangar Hotel.

Dinner–Get in touch with Fredericksburg’s German history with dinner at Der Lindenbaum

This authentic restaurant and Biergarten is located in a beautiful historic limestone building built by the German pioneers. You’ll find the atmosphere is cozy, comfortable and friendly. Chef/Owner Ingrid Hohmann serves up German specialties such as schnitzel, steaks, great sandwiches and homemade breads. Desserts are made in-house, including apple strudel and black forest cake… not to be missed!  There is a large selection of over 30 German beers and a variety of German and Texas wines.      

Tuesday, April 3

Breakfast at Clear River Pecan—Clear River does things differently, but sometimes different is good! Stop by to pick up some delicious hot-from-the-oven baked goods and a cup of coffee from the extensive coffee bar at Clear River Pecan. Be sure to check out some of Clear River’s specialties including: Award-winning Mexican Vanilla and Amaretto, Peach & Pecan ice cream, Praline Dipped Pecans, Smoky Pecan BBQ Sauce, hand decorated Sugar Cookies and Pecan Pepper jelly!

Fredericksburg History and Community

Stop by the Fredericksburg visitor center. Then, hop on the Fredericksburg trolley for a guided tour through the downtown  Fredericksburg National Historic District—learn about the German pioneer history, folklore and architecture of this Hill Country community.

Step back in time at the Pioneer Museum Complex—a collection of authentic structures preserved from the 19^th century German Pioneer days including the Weber Sunday House which served as a place to rest and eat when the family made the seven-mile trip to Fredericksburg on weekends to attend church or to trade with other settlers.  A typical Sunday House had only one room with a lean-to kitchen downstairs plus a half-story above, usually reachable only by an outside stairway.

Then, tour several of Fredericksburg’s unique Sunday houses where you can see historical Sunday houses as well as modern interpretations of the traditional Sunday House.

Lunch at Tubby’s Icehouse— Meet Chef Adam Yoho and owner, John Washburn and learn about the food, concept, and inspiration behind Tubby’s Icehouse. Known for its Caribbean style street food and a kicked back atmosphere, Tubby’s makes you feel as though you were back on the islands (right in the heart of Hill Country). The jerk chicken and pan con leche lure people in, while the extensive wine and beer list keeps them coming back for more.

Afternoon–Tour the George H. W. Bush Gallery at The National Museum of the Pacific War—This museum is the only institution in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to telling the story of the Pacific Theater in World War II. Fueled by respect for Fredericksburg’s native son – Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander-in-Chief of Allied Forces, Pacific Ocean Area – recently expanded in 2009, the museum is designed to engage a new generation of visitors. New construction fuses elements of Texas Hill Country architecture and materials with iconic elements of the Pacific War era to enhance visitor experience providing curatorial and research space for the museum’s collections. Join a guided tour and debut the newly renovated  Pacific Combat Zone, where the realistic environment and your guide’s insights will give you a deeper understanding of the momentous struggle between Allied and Japanese forces that took place on the islands of the Pacific.

Later, meet with Edward Hellman, Ph.D. of Texas Tech for a short intro to the new specialization in local food and wine production systems being offered in Fredericksburg. This new food and wine program is very exciting for Fredericksburg and adds to the burgeoning wine and culinary scene in the Texas Hill Country. Here is some additional information on the program: http://today.ttu.edu/posts/2017/10/food-and-wine

Dinner at Burger Burger in downtown Fredericksburg. Sip a brew on the patio in this family-friendly, local joint while relaxing with live music. Burger Burger uses quality ingredients including fresh baked buns, house-made pickles, hand cut fries, grass-fed beef, and handspun milkshakes. Be sure to munch on chili queso fries, crispy fried jalapenos, or spicy wings doused in-house crafted sauces in the clean contemporary dining room.

Wednesday, April 4

Breakfast at Java Ranch—Locally owned, Java Ranch serves the finest hot or iced coffee drinks anywhere including lattes, cappuccinos, Hill Country roasted brewed coffee, Americanos, mochas. Be sure to start the day with one of their popular kolaches.  

Lone Star State of Mind

Welcome the day “Texas style” at Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park— Visit “The Texas White House” and see where the 36^th U.S. President conducted much of his business.  The house was first opened for public tours on August 27, 2008, the 100^th birthday of LBJ.  During his administration, Lyndon Johnson signed more education bills into law than any other president.  He signed the landmark Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 at his first school.

Continue your tour at the Lyndon B Johnson State Park & Historic Site across the Pedernales River from the Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park and visit the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farmstead, a working farm that recreates Texas pioneer life in the 1800s.  Park interpreters wear period clothing, and carry out the day-to-day activities as that of a turn-of-the-century Texas-German farm family.

 

 

 

Wildflower Glory

Midday —Enjoy lunch and stroll the lush landscape and charming boutiques at Wildseed Farms—The largest wild seed producer in the U.S. is home to 200 acres of colorful fields where visitors can pick their own flowers, tour a butterfly garden or shop a variety of boutiques.  Interview owner and founder, John Thomas, a Native Texan who started the business 38 years ago and is an expert on wild seed production.  To help you recharge for the afternoon, you’ll munch a bite at the on-site café. Nestled inside Wildseed Farms is Wedding Oak Winery.  Enjoy their wines of distinction – grown from 100% Texas wine grapes – as you stroll through the incredible setting of Wildseed Farms along Wine Road 290! With beautiful views from the patio, visitors overlook fields of wildflowers!

Afternoon–Photography Tour

Take a scenic drive through the Texas Hill Country with plenty of photo opportunities along the way! We’ll end our drive at Luckenbach’s world famous watering hole, made famous by Waylon Jennings’ and Willie Nelson’s 1976 classic country hit.  Sashay through its famous dance hall, post office and “beer joint”, all home to a cult following of fans hungry for fun and lively Texas atmosphere.                                      

Evening–Dinner at an area restaurant

Late evening–Enjoy after dinner drinks at Elk Store Winery & Distillery—Carrying on a family tradition dating back to 1895, Elk Store Winery & Distillery pays homage to the spirit of realizing the American Dream. Todd Smajstrla, along with Scott Hladky, decided to follow in the footsteps of their great-grandfather, proudly producing small batch moonshine, gin, rum and whiskey from their one of a kind handmade Kentucky copper still. Elk Store Winery & Distillery serves incredible wines from all over the world, including Texas, along with offering small batch handmade liquors by the bottle or cocktail!

Thursday, April 5

Morning–Breakfast at the Farm Haus Bistro — Located at the  Fredericksburg Herb Farm featuring an American menu with French and Italian influences using locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs.  Owners Dick and Rosemary Estenson will take us on a tour of the B&B Cottages based upon the design of the early historic Fredericksburg “Sunday Houses” and Nature’s Spa.

Culinary Delights

8:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Begin the day with breakfast at Farm Haus Bistro. Then, discover the flavors of Fredericksburg with stops at several local eateries.

10:30 a.m.  Chocolat—Meet Lecia Duke, the first creator of European-style,  liquid-centered chocolate in the U.S. You will want one of everything–truffles, colettes, creams, silk fudges, nut clusters, bark and caramelsls.

 

11:10 a.m. The Peach Tree Gift Gallery and Tea Room—Peach Tree Restaurant and Gifts has been a family-owned Fredericksburg destination for 39 years. In the cottage style restaurant, you will find tasty combinations of fresh, homemade breads, soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts all made with   seasonal fruits and vegetables.

12:10 p.m. La Bergerie—An artisanal market specializing in fine wine, cheese and charcuterie, curated by John & Evelyn Washburne and cured by Chef Judd Wood. The wine selection ranges from fun and affordable bottles to rare, hand-picked selections that can be enjoyed for many years to come. All charcuterie is cured at La Bergerie with heritage Texas meats. The goal is to let the quality of the meat speak for itself and with some patience, it transforms into something truly extraordinary.

12:50 p.m. Fredericksburg Pie Company—Their mission is to serve pie that is as good as, or better than, your mothers and grandmothers made. The pies are made from scratch and selections change daily with up to 20 different kinds of pie.            

Afternoon–Hill Country Wine

Enjoy tasting and touring one of Wine Enthusiast “Ten Best Wine Travel Destinations in 2014”.  Explore the Texas countryside and travel along Wine Road 290 with visits to award winning wineries.

Explore the Texas countryside and travel along Wine Road 290 with visits to award-winning wineries.

Narrow Path Winery—Seated in the midsts of the growing vineyard, Narrow Path has one of the best views in the Texas Hill Country. You can enjoy a wine tasting in the beautiful tasting room without sacrificing the view thanks to being wrapped in floor to ceiling glass. The Turbeville family began making wine in the early 2000s and all wines are small batch (under 200 cases). The Vineyard is comprised of Tempranillo, Grenache, Garnacha Tinta, Mourvedre, Sangiovese, Syrah, Roussanne, Tannant, and Viognier, with more vines and varietals planted each spring.

4.0 Cellars—Relax with a wine and chocolate pairing in a gorgeous private tasting room that started as a collaboration of three separate wineries (Brennan Vineyards, Lost Oak and McPherson Cellars) that came together to form a fourth winery!      

Option 2: Outdoor Adventure

Hike to the top of Enchanted Rock—the second largest granite dome in the US. Bring your camera for a stunning shot of the Texas Hill Country (Note: this is a fairly strenuous climb), OR take an easier hike on “E Rock’s” Loop Trail, and still enjoy majestic views of this rock formation.

Evening–Culinary Delights

Deep in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, learn to cook, learn to taste, learn to share and learn to laugh – it’s all part of Fischer & Wieser’s new Culinary Adventure Cooking School. Learn new recipes and enjoy a delicious dinner using products from one of Fredericksburg’s culinary treasures, Fischer & Wieser Specialty Foods—home of The Original Roasted Raspberry Chipotle Sauce (the number one specialty condiment sold in Texas)!

Friday, April 6

Check out of accommodations and depart for KC!