Historic Fredericksburg Guided Walking Tour
Led by Local Historian
Join us on an enchanting walking tour of Fredericksburg, consistently ranked as the #1 most charming small town in Texas! Discover the rich history of Fredericksburg and its beautifully-preserved architecture while taking a relaxing stroll through the charming historic district in downtown Fredericksburg.
Learn about the founding of Fredericksburg and its German pioneers. Explore the wide variety of architecture including log cabins, fachwerk houses, Sunday houses, locally-quarried limestone houses, grand Churches, Main Street, and the MarketPlatz!
Your expert guide will take you on a path through Fredericksburg history. History will come to life as you uncover the stories of Fredericksburg and the German pioneers through many historical sites. Your tour through the historic district includes the Vereins Kirche, Pioneer Memorial Library, Main Street, St. Mary’s Churches, historic homes, and more.
New Addition — Inside Tour of the Gillespie County Jail!
Every first Saturday of the month our tours include an inside tour of the Gillespie County Jail! See the old scary solitary confinement cells, the cold steel community jail cells, and the jailer rooms! Along with some period-dress jailers! Cost is included in our tour cost!
Join Us Today!
$15 per adult (16 and older)
$10 per child
Children 5 and under are free
Payment accepted by credit card, Venmo,
Zelle and cash before the start of the tour.No advanced booking required.
Tips are welcome!
Private guided tours available.
Contact us for details.Biking tours coming soon!
Tour Information
Stroll through the charming Historic District of Fredericksburg and enjoy a walk through history! The tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours and is 6 blocks in length (long blocks, so 1.5 miles!).
Tours start every Saturday at 10am and 2pm in front of the Marien Kirche and St. Mary’s Catholic Church at the corner of San Antonio and Orange Streets.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends, we’ll add an additional Saturday evening tour starting at 630pm. See beautiful Fredericksburg in the evening lights!
Help Preserve Fredericksburg History!
25% of net proceeds from the tour are donated to the Gillespie County Historical Society to support the preservation of Fredericksburg’s German pioneer and architectural history!
While enjoying the tour, you also financially support the preservation of Fredericksburg’s history!
German Pioneer Heritage
Fredericksburg was founded in May 1846 by John O. Meusebach and 120 German pioneers. The Adelsverein in Germany purchased a land grant in Texas and offered Germans the opportunity to settle in Texas, promising rich, fertile soil for farming. Thousands of German pioneers emigrated to Texas and arrived in Galveston and Indianola during the Mexican-American War. The Germans suffered disease, sickness, and starvation during their trek across the Atlantic Ocean and across Texas lands. The survivors settled in various locations and formed communities, including New Braunfels and Fredericksburg. The Fredericksburg German pioneers lived hardscrabble lives and found that the Texas lands were not conducive to farming. They learned to survive in other ways such as ranching and learning trades.
The land around Fredericksburg was located in Native American country, primarily the Lipan Apaches and Comanches. The German pioneers needed to co-exist with the Native Americans. In 1847, John Meusebach and the Comanches negotiated and signed a peace treaty for the peaceful co-existence and ordered society among the German pioneers and Comanches. This treaty was the only Native American treaty in United States history that was upheld by both parties.
Vereins Kirche
First permanent structure built in 1847. Used as a church for all religions and a meeting center.
Historic Architecture
Pioneer Memorial Library
Originally the Gillespie County courthouse built in 1882. Designed by famous architect Alfred Giles.
Main Street
Original historic main street (or Hauptstrasse) that ran through the center of town. Developed into a charming commercial and residential district.
Gillespie County Courthouse
Art Deco Gillespie County courthouse built in 1939. Designed by architect Edward Klein.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church
“New” Catholic Church built in 1906. Designed by architect Leo Dielmann. One of the 20 famous historic painted churches in Texas.
Marien Kirche
Original Catholic Church built in 1863.
Log Cabins
Original German pioneer house construction from the 1850s-1870s.
Sunday Houses
Unique Fredericksburg houses owned by farming families for weekend visits in town.
Fachwerk Construction
Old German construction brought to Fredericksburg by the German pioneers.
Contact Us
Interested in learning more? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!