We native Texans have always known our small towns are awesome, so it's nice to see the rest of the world catching on. In a recent listicle by Buzzfeed, Fredericksburg was named among the coolest small towns across the entire U.S. Here are just a few of the reasons this little blip on the map is worth visiting.
About 90 minutes west of Austin lies Fredericksburg, a sleepy little town of just over 11,000 in the heart of the Texas Hill Country.
From sprawling wineries to history museums to bluebonnet fields far as the eye can see, there's something for every member of the family in this charming little blip on the map.
Nature is one of the main reasons people visit Fredericksburg, as the town is home to the iconic Enchanted Rock State Natural Area.
This pink granite mountain dates back over 10,000 years, and early humans left a profound mark on the area.
Today, visitors to Enchanted Rock can embark on nearly 11 miles of hiking trails.
Upon reaching the summit, you'll enjoy sweeping panoramic views that simply can't be beat. The elevation gain is a little over 400 feet, but it's worth every aching muscle and drop of sweat.
Just outside of Fredericksburg proper is Willow City Loop, arguably the best place to see bluebonnets in the spring.
The 13-mile scenic drive winds through jagged canyon walls and over meandering rivers on its way to Llano.
From mid-March through early May, wildflowers - including our beloved state flower, the bluebonnet - line every inch of the road on either side.
You'll see blooms in every color of the rainbow, making for a picture-perfect scene that can only be described as enchanting.
History buffs will love to visit the National Museum of the Pacific War, which provides the nation's most thorough account of World War II in the Asiatic-Pacific theater.
A handful of different exhibits tell the stories of Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima, the Doolittle Raid, Okinawa and the Atomic Bomb, the Medal of Honor, and the Pacific Combat Zone as a whole. You'll also see the boyhood home of Fredericksburg native, Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, as well as a plaza dedicated to the 10 presidents who served during WWII, a Japanese garden, memorial courtyard, and reenactment zone.
It's impossible to talk about Fredericksburg without mentioning its plethora of award-winning wineries and vineyards.
Over 50 wineries and tasting rooms are located in Fredericksburg and Gillespie County, with Messina Hof (pictured above) being one of the most popular.
Have you ever been to Fredericksburg? If so, what's your favorite thing to do there? Let us know in the comments section, and check out our previous article for more small towns in Texas worth paying a visit to.
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