Visit Fredericksburg Washington Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Fredericksburg, Indiana: Experience the old German settlement! Visit the German Open Air Museum and enjoy traditional old style dishes. #Travel TipsUSA
Honestly, if you ask yourself why Fredericksburg in Posey Township, Washington County, deserves a place in your guide, then let me serve you a bit of history: in 1832 the village was named after a German immigrants named Frederick, and soon a small mail shed grew up to a real junction for the surrounding farmers. The old cemetery on the outskirts, where the graves still bear the names of families who have been acquiring here for generations, is for me the tangible echo of those early days – no joke, this is almost an open air museum.
I don't quite understand the hype around the big cities, but here, between the gentle hills of Washington County, life has a leisurely rhythm that you will hardly find in the traffic jam on State Road 57. When you come from Indianapolis, take the I‐65 south, then turn off from Salem – this is the fastest route, and you have enough time to admire the fields before you arrive in the village.
A short trip to the nearby Posey Township Community Center is worth it because there is always a local market where you can taste handmade jams that taste better than what you find in the supermarket. And yes, the “Fredericksburg sights” include not only old buildings, but also the people who still talk to an eye-catcher about the “big city life” while offering you a piece of apple cake. I could keep talking forever, but the real flair can only be experienced if you even ride along the dusty road and let you be infected by serenity.
I must confess that my favorite place in Fredericksburg old town hall is – a red brick building dating back to 1910 that still hits the heart of the city, although most of us use it only as a backdrop for selfies. If you park there, be warned: the small car park behind the town hall is usually free, but on Saturdays, when the city celebrates the annual autumn festival, it turns into a battlefield of vans and strollers. I once tried to eat an ice cream while a tractor passed, and that was the best “Fredericksburg Sights” experience I ever had – a little rustic charm, mixed with the scent of sugar cane.
A short walk down the main road leads you to St. John Lutheran Churcha stone house that opened its doors in 1865 and has since survived more weddings than I bad dates. The benches still stand as if they had a secret agreement with every visitor who sits too long. I heard an organ concert there that was so loud that the neighbors from the adjacent café dropped their coffee cups – a real earworm when you ask me.
If you have enough of churches and city administrations, take a look at the Fredericksburg Community Park. The park is not just a national park, but the baseball fields are surprisingly well maintained, and the small swimming pool has more visitors in the summer than the local cinema (which, by the way, shows only a single movie per week). I once made a picnic with my neighbour who claimed that he could sort the ducks by their quaken – a talent I could never fully understand, but the ducks seemed impressed.
Another jewel I always mention is that Fredericksburg Public Library. Yes, you have read correctly – a library that offers more than just dusty shelves. The librarian, Mrs. Hargrove, knows every resident and can recommend a book to you within five minutes, which will make you laugh and cry. Last year I found an old photo album showing the city in 1902; that was a real look into the past, and I had to laugh because people at that time apparently had no smartphones.
For those who like to swallow a bit of history, there is Fredericksburg Historic District. The road is lined by half-timbered houses that look like they have accumulated a few centuries too much of dust. I once discovered an old shop that still sells handmade wooden toys – a bit like a time travel trip, only without the annoying time jumps. The shop owner, an elderly man named Carl, likes to tell stories about the founding time of the city, and I learned that the word “Fredericksburg” was originally named after a German immigrants who allegedly brewed the best beer in the region.
A short detour to Fredericksburg Cemetery may sound macaber, but I think there is a strange peace. The tombstones tell stories about pioneers who worked the country, and about families that have been rooted here for generations. I once discovered an old veteran gravestone, whose inscription was almost completely weathered until I found a piece of chalk and made the words readable again – a small triumph over the transience.
Last but not least, I must not have the weekly Fredericksburg Farmers Market forget that every Wednesday takes place in the small square in front of the town hall. Here there are fresh vegetables, homemade jams and the infamous “Fredericksburg apple cake”, which I never quite understand, because it is too sweet and too dry at the same time – a paradoxical taste experience that the locals call lovingly “a piece of home”. I once met an old farmer who told me that he had used the same tomato seeds since 1952; this is at least a reason why the tomatoes taste a bit bigger here.
The first stop I always recommend is that Washington State Park, which is just a few minutes north of Fredericksburg and extends over more than 500 hectares of forest, meadows and a small lake. I once made a picnic while a few youngsters played their frisbees loudly – that was almost a mini festival. The lake is not huge, but the water is clear enough that you can see almost your own mirror image when paddling. Parking is usually easy in the main access, except for long weekends when the visitor numbers suddenly shoot up and you have to squeeze between a caravan and a van.
A few miles further south lies Patoka Lake, which is the largest reservoir reservoir in the south of Indiana with over 12,000 hectares of water. I don't quite understand the hype about fishing there – I have seen more flies than fish – but the shore is a real secret tip for sunsets that immerse the water in an orange light. The boat docks are well developed, and the visitor center has a small kiosk where you can cool with an ice cream cup while watching the boats that slide gently over the water.
If you have enough of water, the path continues to Hoosier National Forest, a huge forest area that extends over several counties and is only about 30 minutes drive from Fredericksburg. I spent a weekend in a rustic campsite where the only light was the glowworms dancing over the meadow at night. The trails are well marked, but the signs can sometimes be somewhat confusing – a hint for those who do not like to tap in the dark. For those who prefer to travel with the motorbike, there is a network of ATV trails that lead through muddy paths and let the heart of each adrenaline junkie beat faster.
A short detour to the south brings you to George Rogers Clark National Historical Park at Vincennes, about 45 minutes by car. Here the history of the famous frontiersmen becomes alive, and I must admit that the reared campfire demonstrations sometimes seem a bit too staged – but that is exactly what makes the place attractive for families. The park is located directly on the Ohio River, so after the tour you can take a walk on the river banks where the air smells water and damp wood.
Another historical jewel is that Lincoln State Park in Spencer County, about an hour south. The park is not only a beautiful place for hiking, but also houses the Lincoln Boyhood Home, the original preserved house in which Abraham Lincoln spent his youth. I took part in a guided tour where the guide told more anecdotes about Lincoln's preference for peppercorns than about his political achievements – a refreshing view that makes the whole less dry. The parking lot is large enough that you can easily find a place even on a sunny Saturday afternoon.
Lastly, Fredericksburg Winery mentioned that is not in the center of the city, but only a short ride through the gentle hills of Posey Township. I tried a glass of the in-house Rieslings, which was surprisingly well suited to the local cheese plates. The winery is small, but charming, and the owners like to give information about the cultivation practices – a nice detail for those who want to know more about Indiana wines. Parking is right in front of the house and you just have to make sure that the gate closes automatically at night.
Whether you are looking for nature, history or a good glass of wine, the surroundings of Fredericksburg offer a colourful mix of experiences that go far beyond the city centre. These Fredericksburg Sights show that the small Posey Township has more to offer than one would suspect at first glance.
Find more vacation destinations near Fredericksburg Washington Indiana using our map.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
