Austin to Fredericksburg Road Trip: Wine, Food & Hill Country Adventures

Highway 290 cuts through Texas Hill Country from Austin to Fredericksburg. You'll pass wineries, small towns, and rolling hills covered in bluebonnets during spring. The drive takes 90 minutes straight through, but the good stuff happens when you stop along the way.

Why This Route Works

Highway 290 west from Austin delivers everything that makes Texas special: authentic small towns, world-class wine, and wide-open spaces without the tourist crowds. Whether you're seeking a day trip with purpose or a weekend wine country getaway, this route has you covered.

First Stop: Spicewood (25 Minutes from Austin)

5 Soul Wine Co.: Premium Wine Meets Pickleball

Address: 4514 Bob Wire Rd, Spicewood, TX 78669
Hours: Wed-Thu 4-9pm, Fri-Sun 11am-9pm
Phone: (512) 809-1672

Three friends—Shannon, Danielle, and Kellie—created something unique here. With over 20 years of wine industry experience, they built a winery that breaks the traditional mold. The name comes from their five children: Shaye, Dayne, Quinn, Ella, and Avery, each inspiring one of the winery's original wines.

What Makes 5 Soul Different:

Six Premier Pickleball Courts
The only winery in Texas (possibly the country) with pickleball courts. Book online, play between serves, enjoy wine courtside. It works better than you'd expect.

Globally-Sourced Premium Wines
Their latest vintage features wines made from organically and sustainably farmed grapes from Monterey, California. The grapes were handpicked, shipped to Texas, and bottled at Untamed Wine Estates in Johnson City with winemaker Dane Sanvido. Previous collections have included wines from California's Central Coast AVA regions, including Santa Maria Valley and Paso Robles.

Built for Families
Most wineries tolerate children. 5 Soul welcomes them with dedicated playground areas where kids can run while parents relax.

Modern Winery Atmosphere
The 10-acre property features sprawling patios, wall-mounted TVs, a fireplace for cooler evenings, and comfortable seating that encourages conversation rather than formal tastings.

Shared Space with Frontyard Brewing
Beer drinkers in your group? Problem solved. The adjacent brewery shares the property.

Food Trucks & Live Music
Regular food trucks handle meals, and year-round live music creates the perfect backdrop.

The Approach:
Pet-friendly outdoor areas. Free parking. No formal tastings required—order wine by the glass or bottle, and staff will guide you through current selections. Arrive early on weekends when crowds gather, though the laid-back vibe stays consistent.

Next Stop: Marble Falls (50 Minutes from Austin)

Blue Bonnet Cafe: A Texas Tradition Since 1929

Address: 211 US Highway 281, Marble Falls, TX 78654
Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-8pm, Sun 7am-1:45pm
Phone: (830) 693-2344

Blue Bonnet Cafe opened on Main Street in Marble Falls in 1929. The restaurant moved to its current Highway 281 location in 1946 and has been serving comfort food ever since. Recent recognition includes being named Texas's most beloved local business and earning mentions from Southern Living as one of the South's most legendary restaurants.

What to Order:

Pies
Fresh-baked daily with real whipped cream or meringue. The pecan pie uses local nuts. Seasonal fruit pies rotate based on availability. Over a dozen varieties sit in the display case greeting you at the door.

Chicken-Fried Steak
Hand-breaded and covered in cream gravy, served with three side dishes. Consistently ranked among the best in Texas.

Breakfast
Served all day. Texas Highways Magazine and Travel & Leisure Magazine have recognized Blue Bonnet as serving one of the top breakfasts in Texas. Expect eggs cooked to order, oversized pancakes, fluffy biscuits, and homemade Texas toast.

Weekend lines stretch out the door, but they move quickly. The food and the experience are worth the wait.

Lakeside Park
Need to stretch your legs after eating? Lakeside Park on Lake LBJ offers easy walking paths and water views just minutes away.

Midway Point: Johnson City (55 Minutes from Austin)

Johnson City sits halfway between Austin and Fredericksburg. The small downtown area warrants 30-60 minutes.

LBJ National Historical Park

Address: 100 Ladybird Lane, Johnson City, TX 78636

The park preserves President Lyndon B. Johnson's boyhood home. The visitor center covers his early years and political career with thoroughness that history enthusiasts will appreciate without feeling overwhelming.

Downtown Johnson City offers antique shops and cafes—pleasant for a short walk between your winery stops.

Optional Detour: Luckenbach (13 Miles from Fredericksburg)

Population: 3 (unincorporated)
Address: 412 Luckenbach Town Loop, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Luckenbach achieved fame through Waylon Jennings' 1977 hit "Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)." The song, which featured Willie Nelson, reached #1 on country charts and remained there for six weeks, transforming this tiny settlement into a music destination.

What's There:

• Historic dance hall (operating since the late 1800s)

• General store (originally established in 1849, now selling souvenirs)

• Bar with cold beer

• Live music daily, especially on weekends

• 500-year-old oak trees providing natural shade

Willie Nelson has played here multiple times. The town hosts events like the Women's Chili Cookoff and Willie's annual 4th of July Picnic has been held here.

Getting There:
About 10-15 minutes south of Highway 290 on Ranch Road 1376. The drive itself is scenic Hill Country backroads.

Stop if you're interested in Texas music history. Stay if there's live music happening. Skip if you're on a tight schedule.

Final Destination: Fredericksburg

The main attraction combines German heritage with Texas wine country.

Why Fredericksburg Deserves the Drive

Main Street Shopping
Over 100 shops stretch across downtown. German bakeries, antique stores, art galleries, and restaurants create a walkable destination worth exploring for hours.

Texas Wine Country Hub
Fredericksburg anchors Texas wine country with dozens of wineries in the surrounding area. The concentration and quality of wineries here are unmatched in the region.

National Museum of the Pacific War
This six-acre museum complex honors Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Fredericksburg native who commanded Pacific forces in World War II. The museum covers the entire Pacific theater with extensive exhibits that surprise most visitors with their scope and detail.

Museum Hours: Wednesday through Monday, 9am-5pm (grounds open daily)
Admission: $24 adults; $16 seniors; $14 military w/ID; $10 kids 6+/students w/ID; children 5 and under free

The museum includes the George H.W. Bush Gallery, Admiral Nimitz Gallery, Plaza of Presidents, Japanese Garden of Peace, Memorial Courtyard, and Pacific Combat Zone.

German Food & Heritage
Schnitzel, kolaches, pretzels, and strudel reflect the town's German roots.

Recommended Spots:

• Der Lindenbaum for traditional German fare

• Clear River Pecan Company for kolaches

• Local bakeries for fresh pretzels and pastries

• Planning Your Road Trip

Best Time to Visit

Spring (March-May)
Wildflower season with bluebonnets lining Highway 290. Comfortable temperatures but expect peak tourist crowds.

Summer (June-August)
Temperatures regularly exceed 95°F. Visit early morning or late afternoon. Some wineries have reduced hours.

Fall (September-November)
Cooler weather with fewer crowds. Beautiful sunsets and ideal conditions for wine tasting.

Winter (December-February)
Mild temperatures. Some businesses reduce hours during the holidays—check ahead.

Timeline

Just Driving: 90 minutes

With Stops: 6-8 hours minimum

Weekend Trip: Ideal for experiencing everything

Start early. Popular wineries and restaurants fill up by noon on weekends.

What to Bring

• Sunscreen (Texas sun is intense)

• Comfortable walking shoes

• Cooler for wine purchases

• Cash (some small-town establishments prefer it)

• Designated driver or rideshare budget

• Where to Stay

Fredericksburg offers:

• Historic bed and breakfasts downtown

• Chain hotels on the outskirts

• Vacation rentals for groups

Book ahead for spring weekends and October (Oktoberfest brings extra crowds).

Making the Most of This Route

This Austin to Fredericksburg drive works because it's flexible. Stop where something catches your eye. Move on when you're ready.

Want pickleball and wine? Stop at 5 Soul Wine Co. in Spicewood.

Craving legendary pies and comfort food? Hit Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls.

Interested in presidential history? Johnson City covers that.

Looking for music and Texas character? Luckenbach delivers.

Need a full day of wine, food, and shopping? Fredericksburg is your destination.

Your Hill Country Adventure Awaits

The best road trips combine scenic beauty with authentic experiences. This Hill Country drive delivers both. From the premium wine and pickleball at 5 Soul Wine Co. to the legendary pies at Blue Bonnet Cafe, from the music history of Luckenbach to the German heritage and wine tours in Fredericksburg—every stop offers something real.

Pack the car. Head west on Highway 290. The Hill Country is waiting.