Fredericksburg (from Austin, Texas)

Ninety minutes west of Austin in the Texas Hill Country, this German-settled town (founded 1846) has reinvented itself as a wine-and-wildflower destination without losing its character. Over 50 wineries line US 290 — Texas wine is no longer a punchline. Main Street has antique shops, biergartens, and the National Museum of the Pacific War (Admiral Nimitz was born here). In spring, the bluebonnets turn the surrounding hills into a Monet painting. Come for the wine, stay for the kolaches.