Johnson City is a classic little Hill Country town situated about an hour from both Austin and San Antonio on highway 290. Founded in 1879 by James Polk Johnson along the banks of the Pedernales River, Johnson City offers plenty of wonderful outdoor activities.
Start with Pedernales Falls State Park. Conveniently located right off of highway 281, this state park offers hike-and-bike trails, swimming, tubing, fishing, and camping. You can also participate in geocaching- the modern day equivalent of a treasure hunt! It is perfect for outdoorsmen of all skill levels.
Arguably the second most famous landmark of Johnson City is the LBJ Ranch. President and Mrs. Johnson donated this gorgeous swath of acreage to the National Park Service and is open to self guided tours as well as those guided by a park ranger. The tour includes the old Johnson settlement from the 1860’s, LBJ’s boyhood home, and the President and Mrs. Johnson’s private residence affectionately known as the Texas White House.
For the wine lovers in your group, the Texas Hills Vineyard offers not only tasty Texas wine, but a beautiful setting in which to enjoy it. Open all year, Texas Hills Vineyard provides guided tours of the winery, a tasting room experience, and music, wine, and food events throughout the year. For the children, a trip to the Science Mill is always an exciting and unique experience. Housed in a cotton gin built in 1880, the Science Mill has fun, interactive exhibits to inspire awe and curiosity in science, engineering, math, and technology. For the adventurous, stop by the Exotic Resort Zoo. You can take a safari- like jeep tour and have contact with over 700 different kinds of animals not always associated with Texas.
Johnson City offers food, fun, and outdoor adventure. This little gem is a great place to stop along your tour of the Hill Country or a destination unto itself.