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 Fredericksburg,
Texas is a
picturesque setting 22 miles north of Kerrville, Texas. Fredericksburg,
Texas was settled in 1846 by German immigrant families and still has a
rich German heritage. The National Historic District is comprised of
several older buildings which retain the traditional styles of Germany.
Many restaurants still offer traditional German dishes. Oh yes, and
German beer too.
Fredericksburg
celebrates its German heritage through
Oktoberfest. German music, food and drink, arts and crafts, children's
area and family fun are enjoyed each year on the first weekend in
October.
 Fredericksburg
is the "shopping capital" of the Texas Hill Country. With
over 150 shops, galleries, boutiques and emporiums, shopping remains
one of the primary reasons visitors come to Fredericksburg. Many of the
shops are concentrated on or near Main Street with some also located on
the side streets. Also worth mentioning is the National
Museum of
The Pacific War also located on Main Street. The Museum has grown into
a
dynamic, first-class experience that can be enjoyed by people of all
ages and from all backgrounds. In addition to nearly 34,000 square feet
of indoor exhibit space, the museum boasts an impressive display of
Allied and Japanese aircraft, tanks, guns and other large artifacts
made famous during the Pacific War.
The
area around Fredericksburg is also said by many to be the next Napa
Valley. The Fredericksburg area has around 14 wineries that are open to
tours.
11 miles east of Fredericksburg off
Highway 290 is
Luckenbach, Texas (population 3). Luckenbach is famous for its
dance hall, unique
post
office/gift shop and live country music played under the cool shade
trees directly behind the post office. Notable concert appearances in
the town include Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Pat Green, Robert Earl
Keen, and Lyle Lovett. The little community is still a very active home
to country music. Every weekend folks gather to listen to area
musicians, eat and drink cold beer. But please drink
sensibly.
The Old Tunnel WMA is the smallest Wildlife
Management Area in Texas, containing only 16.1 acres of land. Despite
its small size, there are a variety of recreational and
wildlife-viewing opportunities at Old Tunnel WMA. The abandoned
railroad tunnel is home to up to three million Brazilian free-tailed
bats. From May to October, visitors come to watch the bats emerge from
the tunnel each night, and nightly educational programs provide guests
with a better understanding of the life history and ecology of bats.The
Old Tunnel WMA is located on Old San Antonio Road just 11 miles South
of Fredericksburg, or 13 miles north of Comfort, Texas.
Just
North of Fredericksburg is Enchanted Rock
State Natural Area. It
is 18
miles from Fredericksburg along Ranch Road 965 and is a nice motorcycle
ride through scenic country. It is rather isolated and is not on a
direct route to anywhere else. Enchanted  Rock
is several large domes of pinkish granite rising 450 feet above the
surrounding plateau. The rock is a protrusion of volcanic origin, and
part of an underground mass of 90 square miles, one of the largest such
features in the US.
To get to Fredericksburg from
Kerrville is simple. Take Highway 16 North for 22 miles until you get
to Highway 290 east in Fredericksburg. Turn right onto 290 and you will
see the main shopping district ahead.
To get to Luckenbach continue on
Hwy 290 (Main St.) East for approximately 6 miles. Go right at RR1376
(KOA Kampgrounds and Shell Gas Station). Go 4.6 miles and take a right
on Luckenbach Town Loop just before the South Grape Creek Bridge.
To ride to Enchanted Rock, go on
Ranch Road 965 North for 18 miles and you will see the entrance to the
park on the left. If you take the ride to Enchanted Rock during the
Summer months I highly recommend taking a supply of cold water with you
on the ride.
Alternative
to Highway 16 South
For
a
very scenic ride back to Kerrville from Fredericksburg/Luckenbach and
points North I highly recommend this route for its scenic beauty. Take
Highway 87 West to Ranch Road 648. Make a left on Ranch Road 648 and
stay on 648/783 through Doss, Texas until you come to Highway 290. Make
a right on 290 then a left on Ranch Road 783 and stay on 783 until you
come back into Kerrville.
The
ride from Fredericksburg to Kerrville using this route is 50 miles. It
is a very nice ride through some very beautiful country. If you time
this ride in the Spring or early Summer you will see many wildflowers
in bloom on Ranch Road 648. Keep the camera handy.
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The Lone Star Motorcycle Museum displays
a wonderful
collection of motorcycles from around the world dating from the 1910's
to modern.
