20 Top Ways to Make Family Memories in Fredericksburg, TX

Head out for loads of old-fashioned fun on Fredericksburg Main Street, a National Historic District with over 100 shops, boutiques, galleries, and German-inspired coffee shops and eateries in beautifully restored buildings, all locally owned and operated. Main Street is a top attraction for families with wide sidewalks for easy strolling, old fashioned five and dime variety stores, toy stores, ice cream parlors, mechanical pony rides, and kid-friendly tasting rooms and breweries for mom and dad! 

Marktplatz on Main Street is the heart and soul of Fredericksburg and a great place to take a shopping break and let the little ones burn off steam. There’s public restrooms, a kids playground, lawns and native gardens with historical sculptures, the Vereins Kirche Museum (the first public building in town) and fun family events year round.

From the hustle and bustle of Main Street to the tranquility and nature of Enchanted Rock State Park, with magical and mystical landscapes, over 1,600 acres of wide open space for kids to roam, and trails for all ages to climb to the summit of Enchanted Rock, a huge pink granite dome with spectacular views over Texas Hill Country. The 30-minute drive is exceptionally scenic and it’s one of the most popular things to do with kids in Fredericksburg, so be sure to reserve your day passes well in advance.  

From the hustle and bustle of Main Street to the tranquility and nature of Enchanted Rock State Park, with magical and mystical landscapes, over 1,600 acres of wide open space for kids to roam, and trails for all ages to climb to the summit of Enchanted Rock, a huge pink granite dome with spectacular views over Texas Hill Country. The 30-minute drive is exceptionally scenic and it’s one of the most popular things to do with kids in Fredericksburg, so be sure to reserve your day passes well in advance.  

The abandoned railroad tunnel at the Old Tunnel State Park is home to an estimated 3-million bats that migrate from Mexico to Fredericksburg each year from May through October. There’s a half mile nature trail and picnic tables to explore the park by day or reserve your tickets for the bat emergence at Old Tunnel State Park, nightly at 5pm. Reserve in advance, it fills up fast!

Texas Hill County is a top wildflower destination and Fredericksburg is fantastic in spring! From mid-March to mid-May the hills come alive with bluebonnets, red poppies, daisies and magnificent magenta wine cups. Wildseed Farms is the largest working wildflower farm in the world and one of the most beautiful places in Fredericksburg. Let the kids run wild (not too wild!) on winding trails through acres of wildflower fields, butterfly gardens and vineyards, shop for gardening supplies in the quaint market, and end your visit with tasty treats in the coffee shop.  

While the flowers are still blooming, fruit season in Fredericksburg begins and roadside stands line the streets from mid-May through August with the finest farm-fresh peaches and products. You’re in the Peach Capital of Texas, so why not gather the kids and head to a local orchard to pick your own peaches, a fun family adventure with tasty rewards.  

Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park is an oasis only 3 miles south of downtown Fredericksburg with 10 acres of woodlands, savannahs and natural landscapes, an ADA accessible walking trail along Live Oak Creek (perfect for strollers!), a butterfly habitat, bird feeding spots, and picnic areas for a day in nature. For hot summer days, you’ll find the Fredericksburg community pool and splash pad nearby. 

If the older kids can’t leave home without their high tops and decks, no worries! Less than a mile from Fredericksburg Main Street there’s a free outdoor skate park at Old Fair Park. Fredericksburg delivers fun for kids of all ages!

The Willow City Loop stretches for 13 miles from Fredericksburg through scenic valleys, jagged cliffs, rugged deep canyons, meandering streams and a vibrant display of wildflowers and jaw-dropping Texas Hill Country scenery at every turn. If the kids are too young to appreciate a scenic drive, this is the perfect opportunity for them to nod off for their afternoon nap in the car. Word of warning – this loop can get super busy in wildflower season!

Luckenbach is a tiny, authentic German only 10 miles south of Fredericksburg, a must for every vacation itinerary with kids. The town remains untouched since 1848 with only two buildings, a general store & post office, and a bar & old dance hall, one of the oldest dance halls in Texas! 

Pick up fun swag and souvenirs in the general store, and hang out with fellow traveling families, locals and some of Texas top country bands at a live performance in the dance hall, or outdoors under the ancient oaks. Even Willie Nelson & Waylon Jennings love Luckenbach, TX.   

Saddle up for an authentic western trail ride through the scenic Hill Country. Bit & Bridle Stables are geared for family horse riding adventures with gentle horses, professional lessons and guided trail rides for horse lovers as young as 3 years old. A fun and adventurous way to spend quality time with the kids, experience the beauty of nature and create lifelong family memories in Fredericksburg, TX.   

Longneck Manor has gone viral on TikTok and now the whole world knows there are Rhinos and Giraffes in Fredericksburg! Experience an up close and personal encounter with these African beauties on an immersive safari experience at Longneck Manor. Continue your wildlife adventures near Fredericksburg – The Preserve is a unique Elephant habitat with educational and interactive elephant experiences with three resident Asian elephants – Kitty, Rosie and Becky or take a drive to nearby Lincoln City for a safari park adventure. 

The Exotic Resort Zoo is home to six pastures with over 45 species of free roaming animals that can be viewed on a self-guided drive-thru experience or guided tours in a classic tractor tram. The Exotic Resort Zoo is an amazing experience for all ages!  

Fredericksburg has two local theaters for a rainy day activity and engaging cultural experience for the kids. The Fredericksburg Theater Company features outstanding shows with singing cadets, fun-filled musical whodunits, award-winning PG comedy and local Texas classics or book a kids showtime for live music at the Rockbox Theater.

There are over 70 wineries along Fredericksburg Wine Road 290, but this is about the kids right! Messina Hof is an award-winning winery near Fredericksburg where your kids can join in the winery tours, stomp the grape harvests and learn the art of winemaking. 

Our German heritage means you’ll find lots of fun family-friendly beer gardens to visit with kids but for the largest selection of beers in Hill Country, authentic German cuisine, live music and laid-back family vibes head to Silver Creek Beer Garden & Grill in the heart of historic Main Street.

Munch Food Park is a fun stop for little kids and fussy eaters with a selection of 6 funky food trucks, great options for the kids, and ice cream to keep them smiling. The park has a fenced playground, the Munch Bar with wine and beer, and family-friendly live music on the weekends.  

There’s always something fun happening in Fredericksburg, TX! Fredericksburg has over 400 events, festivals and celebrations throughout the year (that’s not to mention the live music!). Celebrate the spring blooms, fruit and wine harvests, vibrant fall foliage, traditional German Oktoberfest, world-class living history events, and so much more on your vacation in Fredericksburg, TX!

It’s not often you come across such a small town with a National Museum! The National Museum of Pacific War offers fascinating insight for all ages into World War II in the Pacific with interactive exhibits, vintage aircraft, WWII artifacts, the Plaza of Presidents, a traditional Japanese Garden, and real-life stories of unsung heroes to inspire little minds.

The nearby Pioneer Museum on Main Street is a top attraction for families visiting Fredericksburg. This 19th century village depicts the life of the early German Settlers in a fun (and educational!) way with authentic artifacts, an old schoolhouse, homesteads and cabins, and interactive living history events for all ages.

Fredericksburg is a haven for budding history buffs! The Fort Martin Scott Historic Site is the first US army post on the Texas frontier with historic buildings, self-guided walks and fun historic reenactments and chuck wagon dinners at the Texas Rangers Heritage Center.

The final living history attraction to add to your Fredericksburg kid’s activity list is Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, only 20 minutes from downtown Fredericksburg. The park celebrates the life of the 36th President of the US where little historians can view his birthplace, the family cemetery, and the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm with costumed staff and fun living history experiences. The boyhood home of LBJ is located a little further east along the scenic wine route 290 near the Hill Country Science Mill.

If you’re exploring the surrounding areas of Fredericksburg, the Hill Country Science Mill is well worth a visit for families with kids. The museum is set inside a reimagined historic steam grist mill and cotton gin from the 1880s and is a delight for young scientists with 50 world-class interactive experiences and exhibits for kids and teens, a backyard for picnics and playtime, and plenty of local restaurants nearby to refuel.