Founded by German colonists in the 19th century, the Texas Hill Country town of Fredericksburg is a friendly and historic small town that has become one of the Lone Star state’s most unique and popular destinations.

While remnants of its early history are easy to spot as you walk around its historic core with its many well-preserved buildings from its earliest days, Fredericksburg boasts a wide range of other surprising attractions and experiences. Here are 10 of our favourites:

Immerse yourself in the history of World War II’s Pacific Theatre

What is a museum about a war that was largely fought across vast areas of the Pacific Ocean doing in a small, land-locked town in Texas? It just so happens that Fredericksburg was the birthplace of United States Admiral Chester Nimitz, the fleet admiral who commanded Allied forces in the Pacific Theatre during the war with Japan. A museum dedicated to the admiral that was housed in a former hotel that was once owned by his father has since evolved into a world-class museum known as the National Museum of the Pacific War. The museum continues to evolve and an upcoming update promises to make it even more interactive and experiential. On weekends, there are re-enactments in an outdoor amphitheatre that bring those bitter island-hopping battles to life.

Learn about Fredericksburg’s fascinating link to Germany

Fredericksburg’s founding by German immigrants is a fascinating slice of American history. Lured by promises of owning land of their own, hundreds of immigrants came from the principalities that would one day become modern Germany, but many obstacles awaited them, including a Comanche nation that wasn’t wild about the idea of foreigners living on their land. The Fredericksburg Pioneer Museum tells the early story of Fredericksburg including how John O. Meusebach signed a treaty with the Penateka Comanche to share the land, which remains one of the few unbroken treaties with America’s Indigenous peoples.

Go all the way with LBJ!

One of America’s most colourful presidents, Lyndon B. Johnson spent almost as much time at his Texas ranch during his presidency in the late 1960s as he did in the White House in Washington, D.C.. It wasn’t long before reporters dubbed his Texas home as the Western White House. The home and ranch are a short drive from Fredericksburg and are preserved at the Lyndon B. Johnson National Park & Historic Site. It remains a working ranch and notable attractions include the one-room schoolhouse LBJ attended as a child, the home where he was born and his grave site which is just a stone’s throw away. The Western White House is currently undergoing a major renovation so check to see if it’s open before you visit.

Discover why Texas Hill Country wineries are winning awards

The Texas Hill Country is gaining a reputation as one of the finest wine-growing regions in America and the number of wineries continues to grow. Today, there are about 60 of them around Fredericksburg. Many of them have retail outlets on Fredericksburg’s Main Street, a popular shopping thoroughfare that is hopping with unique boutiques and shops, but many oenophiles prefer to visit the tasting rooms at the wineries themselves. Some tour operators offer comprehensive tours of multiple wineries to help you sample several during your visit.

Rhinos, giraffes and wine! Oh my!

Have an interest in wines and African wildlife conservation? Fredericksburg’s Rhinory is a surprising Hill Country experience that combines the two. Not only can you sample their world-class wines, but you can meet the rhinos that they have on-site and even give them some loving scratches. Not to be outdone, nearby Longneck Manor not only has rhinos of its own to visit, but is also home to a ‘tower’ of giraffes. You can visit for the day or stay overnight in their luxury accommodations to get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures.

Marvel at millions of bats

Every evening from May to October, visitors to Old Tunnel State Park can witness a magnificent natural spectacle. As the sun sets, a seemingly endless stream of three million Mexican free-tailed bats and 3,000 cave myotis bats emerge from an old railway tunnel for their nightly quest for insects. Because space is limited, visitors have to buy an admission ticket in advance, but the fee is minimal and this incredible experience is worth it at double the price.

Delve deeper into Fredericksburg’s Germanic heritage

Fredericksburg was famously founded by German settlers in the middle of the 19th century and many of the traditions they brought with them from the Old Country continue today. You’ll certainly notice many residents have German family names and will see traditional German dishes on the menus of the town’s many fine restaurants. Where Fredericksburg’s German heritage really comes to life is during the many festivals that are held throughout the year, including Oktoberfest which is celebrated in true German style. Come Christmas time, you’ll see a towering Christmas pyramid in the middle of Marktplatz that wouldn’t look out of place in a Bavarian Christmas market.

Climb to the top of Enchanted Rock

There are numerous ways visitors can enjoy the natural landscape around Fredericksburg, but among the most popular options is a trip to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Named after a massive pink granite dome rising above the surrounding Central Texas landscape, people come not only to climb to its 425- feet peak which roughly translates to around 30 storeys, but also to picnic, bird watch, hike its 11 miles of trails, star gaze or simply commune with nature.

Step into America’s largest wildflower farm

Wildseed Farms is the largest working wildflower farm in the United States and one of Fredericksburg’s must-visit attractions. Spread across 200 acres, visitors can walk through its trails to admire vast fields bursting with seasonal blooms, including bluebonnets, poppies, sunflowers and cosmos. Founded in 1983 by John and Marilyn Thomas, the farm has been a trailblazer in the wildflower industry. In 2015, they expanded into viticulture, planting their first vineyard and visitors are invited to sample some of their award award-winning wines. More of a beer fan? Step into their Brewbonnet Biergarten for refreshing drinks and light snacks while admiring the surrounding flowers.

Stay in a Sunday house

A century before tiny houses were all the rage, Fredericksburg’s citizens were building diminutive homes of their own. Known as ‘Sunday houses,’ these cozy pied-a-terres were homes that farming families would live in on the weekends when they were away from their ranches. They would come to town on Saturday to sell their produce or pick up supplies, stay until Sunday to attend church then return to their farms. Today, many of these Sunday houses are used as short-term rentals and are a great way for visitors to truly immerse themselves in this aspect of Fredericksburg’s colourful past.

Need more evidence that Fredericksburg has long been a welcome place for visitors? The first letters of the names of the streets that cross Main Street spell out the subliminal message ‘All welcome, come back.’