Blog

Fredericksburg is home to some fantastic places to eat. This small town has a vast array of eateries that are sure to satisfy any of your cravings. Traditional bratwurst, fresh sushi, and good Texas BBQ: Fredericksburg has it all. Here are our picks for the best places to eat in town. more Farm Haus Bistro The Farm Haus Bistro is set in one of Fredericksburg's historic buildings dating back to the 1890s. Located in the Fredericksburg Herb Garden, this beautiful bistro is in the perfect tranquil farm setting. The kitchen serves up farm-fresh, locally sourced food, and most of the bistros' vegetables come from the Herb Garden. The menu is constantly changing and offers excellent dishes, like their pan-roasted salmon entree with a tomato-basil relish and fresh vegetables. Cabernet Grill The Cabernet Grill is unique for showcasing over 75 wines from across the state of Texas. While most wouldn't expect it, Texas is home to a variety of successful vineyards, and the Cabernet Grill is a great place to eat and try many of Texas' best wines. The restaurant is located on the property of Cotton Gin Village Bed and Breakfast. The restaurant has a beautifully rustic atmosphere and chef Ross Burtwell makes some exceptional examples of Texas Hill Country Cuisine. Try his green chili and crab stuffed shrimp with lemon cream and honey mango slaw. August E's This contemporary restaurant in Fredericksburg specializes in steak, seafood, and sushi. The restaurant was designed by local firm Mustard Design Architects with a modern, chic setting that has beautiful artwork and a perfect ambiance. The menu at August E's changes daily and focuses on seasonal and local ingredients. Some menu staples are their signature crab stack starter, the mesquite-grilled steak, and sushi rolls. Otto's Fredericksburg is rich in German heritage, so you know we need to have a German-inspired restaurant on the list. Otto's is a fantastic bistro that serves authentic German and central European cuisine. All of their ingredients are locally sourced, and dishes include Benison Klopse Appetizer, venison meatballs, horseradish gravy, and lingonberry jam, and a paprika schnitzel entree. Backwoods BBQ For a classic Texas BBQ, Backwoods BBQ is our top pick. Including tender brisket, tasty sausage, smoked turkey, pork ribs, chicken, steaks, beef ribs, and more. They have a great beer and wine selection and offer an excellent setting for some quality Texas BBQ. Alamo Cafe The Alamo Cafe is a great place to take in some local live music, with a great patio space. Tucked in a charming country setting, this cafe has been made famous from being dubbed the third-best burger in Texas. So if you end up taking the scenic drive over to the Alamo Cafe, try the burger. Don't forget to get it on a jalapeno cheese bun. Next time you are looking for a great bite to eat in Fredericksburg, Texas, make sure to stop by and try one of these fantastic restaurants. They are all sure to satisfy your cravings.   Image via Pixabay.com by piviso

With the holidays quickly approaching, it's time to start thinking about gifts. Luckily, Fredericksburg, Texas, is a town full of wonderful shops where you can do all of your holiday shopping. From unique Christmas and home décor to fun toys that will delight both kids and adults, these shops have it all. Fredericksburg Christmas Store Christmas lovers will fall in love with the Fredericksburg Christmas Store. The shop is a collector's paradise and features a wide selection of specialty Christmas décor such as Jim Shore figurines, Inge European blown glass ornaments, Fontanini nativities, Kurt Adler nutcrackers, and plenty more. The store has one of the largest selections of Christopher Radko ornaments in the country, with many being custom-designed, limited editions that are sold exclusively at the store. The shop is also the largest Department 56 Village dealer in the country and carries a variety of houses and accessories that are perfect for starting your own Christmas village collection. Add to your collection of Snowbabies porcelain figurines or purchase limited-edition Mark Roberts fairies. Fredericksburg Christmas Store is located at 155 E. Main. It is open Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Dooley's 5, 10 & 25 Cent Store Inc. Take a step back in time at Dooley's 5, 10 & 25 Cent Store Inc., a fun little novelty store where you'll find everything from clothes and BB guns to toys galore. You'll find gifts for every member of the family at this fun shop. Fill their stockings with gifts that will remind you of when you were a kid such as fast little cars, sweet baby dolls, and yo-yos. There's something for the adults too, such as funny fly swatters, wacky hats, lotions, Christmas ornaments, and more. You never know what you'll find at Dooley's, so be sure to set aside some time to wander the aisles and relive your childhood. Blackchalk Home + Laundry For unique home furnishing gifts for special friends or family, stop by Blackchalk Home + Laundry. This little shop beckons you to walk around and explore the many enticing items that are sure to bring a smile to you and your loved ones. Pick up a lovely, colorful vase to fill with flowers or grab a vintage throw pillow for your couch or chair. Eclectic décor, soft rugs, and Boho decor are the perfect items to wrap and put under your tree. Additionally, you'll find beautiful pieces of jewelry, an entire collection of flowery San Saba soaps and lotions, kitschy animal statues, and wall art that is sure to be a conversation starter. If you're looking for a gift that will last through the years, the store sells beautiful furniture that is truly unique, along with fantastic light fixtures, and more. Blackchalk Home + Laundry is located at 306 S. Lincoln. It is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Spend the day holiday shopping at these stores in Fredericksburg and get into the Christmas spirit.   Image via Pixabay by rawpixel

It's good to have a few places where you really enjoy the coffee or other caffeinated beverages. Fredericksburg has a number of coffee shops to try where you can enjoy your favorite caffeinated drink, or even find a new favorite. Check out these five excellent coffee shops. Caliche and Ranch Road Roasters Caliche and Ranch Road Roasters aims to serve the finest cup of fair-trade coffee in town from the finest beans. Green Arabica beans from the world's best coffee regions are roasted at the shop in small batches for freshness and consistent flavor. The shop serves drip, pour-over, and cold-brew coffee as well as espressos, cappuccinos, lattes, teas, and more, as well as light savory dishes such as a variety of toasts. more Flat white coffee at Patch Cafe in Richmond. #coffee #flatwhite The coffee shop is at 338 W Main St. It's open every day from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sweetbriar Rose Sweetbriar Rose is a family-owned coffee shop that also specializes in bread, pastries, wine, and beer. They sell brewed coffee, cold brew, espresso, Americano, cappuccino, lattes, and mochas. You can enjoy your beverage with a scone or a kolache. Sweetbriar Rose is at 9973 U.S. Highway 290 on the Wine Trail between Fredericksburg and Stonewall. The shop is open Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Twisted Sisters Bake Shop Twisted Sisters Bake Shop has a full-service espresso bar and offers specialty coffees, such as ginger and Mexican spice chocolate. The shop also sells baked goods that are changed frequently enough that it doesn't print a menu. Customers enjoy the cute seating area. Twisted Sisters is at 111 S Washington St. and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:33 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 7:30 a.m. to noon Sunday. Kaffee Haus Kaffee Haus is new to Fredericksburg. After operating for a few years as a mobile cookie and coffee bar, they found a home in the heart of the historic downtown. The shop sells made-from-scratch baked goods and offers coffee beverages and an espresso bar. Kaffee Haus is at 218 E. Main St. and is family-owned and operated. It's open every day except Monday, with hours from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Java Ranch Espresso Bar & Cafe Java Ranch Espresso Bar & Cafe serves hot and iced coffee beverages, including the Texas Hill Country, roasted brewed coffee, cappuccinos, lattes, mochas, Americanos, and specialty drinks. You can enjoy their espresso bar as well. The bakery produces a wide variety of pastries and pies, and visitors can get breakfast and lunch as well. Java Ranch is at 114 E. Main. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. We've given you just a handful of choices, from small coffee shops to full-service cafes that serve a variety of delicious coffee beverages. We hope you find some caffeinated beverages to tantalize your taste buds and keep you coming back for more. Some rights reserved by ultrakml

Halloween is just around the corner and it's time for both kids and adults to think about how they'll celebrate it. Its large variety of traditions and cultures makes the state of Texas home to plenty of fun and exciting Halloween activities for everyone to enjoy, and this year is no different. 9th Annual Houston Halloween Festival This amazing Halloween festival is a fun experience for people of all ages. Attendees will be treated to thrilling live music shows, food trucks serving delicious dishes, beer tents, art vendors, costume contests for kids, and plenty of Halloween fun. All proceeds from this event go to the Too Ghoul For School Scholarship Fund, which helps students, teachers, and other charities all over the state of Texas. more Historic Galveston Ghost Tours Halloween is all about having a scary good time and there's nothing scarier than a ghost tour. This fascinatingly frightening tour lasts for an hour and a half and features some local ghost stories that are sure to raise the hairs on the back of your neck. Get ready to explore a cemetery with more than 10,000 undead souls who can't find their peace and are absolutely dying to meet you. Screams and Nightmares: Halloween Ball If you're looking to fully get into the Halloween spirit but you're also in the mood for partying, Houston National Museum of Funeral History's Halloween ball has everything you need. The only way to get to the dance floor is by walking through their terrifying haunted house, but once you get there you will have an amazing time, thanks to the live DJ, two bars, and overall great atmosphere. Port Isabel's Day of the Dead Celebration Many Mexican traditions have found their way to Texas, and the yearly Day of the Dead celebrations are some of the most popular. Several Southern Texas towns celebrate it every year around Halloween, but the historic Texan town of Port Isabel arguably has the most unique of them all. Brightly-colored skeletons will be everywhere, along with street dancers, food vendors, and many people in scary costumes. The festivities start in late October and last until November 2. Boo at the Zoo Many zoos across Texas celebrate Halloween by hosting the Boo at the Zoo celebration. Zoos such as the ones in Fort Worth, Houston, Dallas, Waco, Bryan, and more will feature special festivities that include carnival games, hayrides, face painting, lots of Halloween candy, haunted houses, and plenty of other fun scary activities that kids will surely remember for a long time. The unique mix of a zoo environment and Halloween activities make the Boo at the Zoo events very popular with residents all over Texas. Halloween is a special holiday, one where we face our fears and inner demons, only to come out of it stronger and with a bag full of candy. By visiting any of the places on this list you and your friends or family are guaranteed to have an amazing time while getting scared and scaring others in the process. Some rights reserved by Joe Shlabotnik