Photography by Trish Rawls
By Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau
Fredericksburg
As the end of summer draws to a close and temperatures cool, fall arrives in Fredericksburg. The change in landscape, festivals, and events combine for the perfect getaway.
Planning your autumn adventure midweek, Sunday-Thursday provides several perks, including a more personalized experience at tasting rooms, more room to shop the latest fall fashions, smaller crowds to enjoy the great outdoors, and ample time to relax and recharge. With so much to see and do, you will want to make sure you stay awhile.
Spend Time in the Great Outdoors
Cooler weather provides great opportunities for hiking, biking, or even just a casual stroll down Fredericksburg’s historic Main Street.
Visit Enchanted Rock State Natural Area for 360-degree views of the Texas Hill Country. Reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance and guarantee entry into the park.
Or stay close to town and hike Cross Mountain Park or walk the trails at Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park, which includes a handicap-accessible trail, bird watching, and a butterfly habitat.
Taste Texas Wine
Fredericksburg is Texas Wine Country, and the fall brings plenty of opportunities to taste and tour the best in Texas vino. Enjoy new varietals by the glass or by the bottle. Relax and enjoy the fall weather on the patio at one of the area’s more than 60 wineries, vineyards, and tasting rooms. October is Texas Wine Month.
Fall Festivals and Events
Each weekend in October, Fredericksburg is full of fall fun. Discover the great festivals and events, including:
Oktoberfest: Celebrate the town’s rich German heritage with food, drink, live music, and fun for all ages.
Texas Mesquite Arts Festival: The world’s finest mesquite wood artisans come to Fredericksburg to showcase furniture, lamps, unique gifts, and more.
Bestfest: Featuring craft beer and all-you-can-eat sausage, Bestfest brings together great German fare, polka music, dancing, and more.
Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest: The best in Texas food and wine come together at this event. The 2024 festival will feature everything from an intimate street dinner, yoga, brunch, family-friendly food activations, and grand tasting event.
Unique Places to Stay
You can experience all there is to see and do in Fredericksburg by extending your visit. Find your home away from home at one of the area’s more than 1,500 vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts, or cabins. There are also more than 20 hotels and locally owned boutique inns.
Plan Your Visit
Start planning your next visit to Fredericksburg. Discover more information, including itinerary ideas, lodging, maps, brochures, and more, at VisitFredericksburgTX.com.
Comfort
By Shirley Wills & Associates
As the fall season arrives, the small-town charm of Comfort, a Hill Country jewel, really shines. A short drive from San Antonio, Comfort offers a relaxing, fun getaway complete with great shopping, wineries and restaurants, vintage accommodations, and special events.
The town is rich in architectural heritage, and nearly the entire downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places. Many of these structures are home to antique stores, specialty shops, restaurants, and lodging.
One of Comfort’s most popular autumn activities is the 12th Annual Comfort Art Festival, planned for September 21. A select group of Hill Country artists will demonstrate, display, and sell their works, representing a variety of media from oils to photography. These original pieces complement the many antiques available at stores throughout Comfort, including the Comfort Antiques Mall, 8th Street Market, Shopping with Siobhain’s Downright Comfort, America Reclaimed, and many more.
Shopping opportunities continue with Diva Day on November 9 and Girls Night Out on November 12. The town and its merchants dress up for Christmas to give visitors a head start on their holiday shopping.
The town’s signature event is Christmas in Comfort, one of the most popular holiday events in the Texas Hill Country. Always held the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the day-long event includes shopping, entertainment, food, and family fun on November 30.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Weinachten Lichter (Christmas Lights Parade), which marks the end of the event. The parade features more than 100 entries from throughout Texas and has great small-town flavor. The parade starts with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus (parade organizers Garry and Janis Schwab) and ends with a wonderful fireworks display.
Comfort also has accommodations to meet the needs of almost any traveler, from cabins in the country to lavishly decorated Victorian-era mansions and picturesque creek-side and river-side lodging.
For more information, visit comfortchamber.com.
Painting by Andrea Rummel
