Wine & dine in Texas Hill Country’s newest hot spot—Johnson City, TX.
The Texas Hill Country is no stranger to travelers visiting from Texas and nearby states. With scenic views, outdoor activities, history, and wineries popping up everywhere, it’s been a popular destination for those looking to see Texas’ natural beauty alongside a good glass of wine. And Johnson City is growing on people. Here’s how to spend a fantastic girlfriend getaway in Johnson City, TX.
With a population of 1627 in 2020, Johnson City has grown tremendously and is home to popular restaurants, coffee shops, wineries, and a historic site of Lyndon Baines Johnson. And where the Texas 290 Wine Trail begins. While Fredericksburg is the top destination in the area, there are more towns with southern hospitality, like Johnson City, Texas.
Things To Do On A Getaway In Johnson City, Texas
Johnson City, TX, by far is Texas Hill Country’s latest booming town. Not because I visited there twice last year and once this year—I love the area. And not because I say so, but if you look at all there is to do in the small charming town, I think you’ll see why. With wineries, great restaurants in town, funky shops to browse, and good coffee to boot, it should be on your travel list when visiting the hill country. Don’t pass it up on your way to that other town.
Your getaway with your bestie will be perfect, and you won’t even have time to go anywhere else!
The Perfect Girlfriend Getaway To Johnson City, TX
Depending on what you want to do in Johnson City, TX, is up to you. But I’ll tell you what I’ve done while visiting, and you can choose these things to do if you want. I’ve been twice in 2022 and once or twice in 2023. Once in February (during that awful storm) and again this past May. I like to go to the hill country during the Texas Wine Trail, so it brought me back in February 2023. Much of what I’ve done is right on Main Street – a walkable area.
1. Johnson City Coffee Co.
First, to start your day, you’ve got to go by Johnson City Coffee Co. and order yourself a coffee – any kind, but I like their plain coffee for $2 bucks ($2.75 now). It’s the best coffee I’ve had at a coffee shop. Use the drive-thru, sit on the shaded patio, or walk inside, where it’s nice and cool – and the decor is fabulous. They also offer other types of coffee and grab-and-go cold sandwiches.
2. Wineries In Johnson City, TX
When in the Hill Country – wine tasting is a thing to do!
My favorite winery in Johnson City, TX, is Farmhouse Vineyard & Market Place. I’m a little partial, though, because the owner has been very kind to me and has hosted us twice now. Their wines are fabulous, and I love the unique decor and boutique items they sell in the shop. This last time we were there, we enjoyed a wine tasting with a charcuterie board of several fabulous kinds of cheese and meats.
There are a few other wineries in town on Hwy 281 and Hwy 290 (Wine Road), where the wine trail starts as you make your way to Fredericksburg.
- Texas Hills Vineyard is on the same road as Pedernales Falls
- Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa on Hwy 290
- Pebble Rock Cellars – US Hwy 281
- Allen Anthony Vineyards – North Nugent Ave.
We scoured the area and found all the wineries in Johnson City to visit …there is quite a lot.
3. Lyndon B. Johnson Boyhood Home
Our former U.S. President, Lyndon B. Johnson, was five years old when his family moved to Johnson City, Texas, from just down the road in Stonewall. Today, you can visit the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, see LBJ’s Boyhood Home, and take a driving tour of LBJ Ranch. Parts of the LBJ Settlement are closed to the public, but there is still much to see.
4. Pedernales Falls State Park
When visiting the hill country area, put the Pedernales Falls State Park on your list. Just outside of town is this beautiful state park with a scenic overlook of the beauty of the green-blue water. It’s a great place to schedule a day trip to meander through the park and hike down the Pedernales River banks. I didn’t go through the entire park, but I do know there is swimming allowed somewhere in the park, but not where I was or near the falls.
Make your reservations online, and be sure to research the park so you know where to go.
Travel Pro Tip: The park gets very busy on weekends, and time slots will sell out.
5. Live Music At Pedernales Falls Trading Post
After your road trip through the park, if you’re hungry and feel like a beer and a burger, may I suggest the Trading Post? It’s only a stone’s throw from the park entrance when turning right out of the park. As you leave the park, turn right (towards Johnson City) and look to the right – that’s where this rustic cabin/diner is located. I hesitated to stop because I was alone, but I decided to, and I’m glad I did. That hamburger (yes, with all those onions) was the bomb! The burgers and whatever else they offer are cooked right outside on a standard grill.
It opens at 3 pm Weds-Fri. Saturday 1-9 pm. Live music.
6. Exotic Resort Zoo
Who doesn’t love a zoo? Girlfriends do, and this drive-thru zoo is in Johnson City, TX. It also has safari cabin rentals. Exotic Resort Zoo offers guided tours on a tractor, free zoo tours & petting zoo when you rent a cabin.
Where To Stay In Johnson City, TX
There are several home rentals in Johnson City. Again, I have a favorite place to stay because the owner hosted us while I was there to write a story about the Texas Wine Trail, the Texas Hill Country.
Vagabond Farmhouse is completely walkable off a street across from the Farmhouse Winery. It is available for rent on VRBO. The Farmhouse Marketplace’s co-owner owns both these houses.
New Life Farms B-n-B on Airbnb
Breakfast is her specialty.
Carter Creek Resort & Spa – winery, music, and dancing on 37 private acres in Johnson City.
Where To Eat In Johnson City, TX
Many eateries are in town to satisfy your time in town.
Proof & Cooper
Good ole comfort food and shareable meals.
Bryan On 290
A popular restaurant in town for steak and drinks. Reservations are recommended.
Fat Boy Burgers on US-281
Good delicious hamburgers topped high with all the fixings.
Dumpling Diva
An Asian kitchen serving homemade dumplings and authentic Chinese Food. On Main Street
There is a DQ – Dairy Queen in town too!!
Make your getaway in Johnson City, TX, fun with these things to do. This hill country town is worth checking out. Look up Johnson City, TX, annual events, including the Blanco County Fair in another nearby town.
Pro Tip: Two small towns near Johnson City are Dripping Springs and Marble Falls. Both are only a short drive from the town in two different directions, and both have wonderful things to see and do.
I could go on and on about our girlfriend getaway in Johnson City, TX, because I love this town. I’ve been back more than once and am planning another trip for September 2023.
But, if you’re still searching for that special place for a girlfriend getaway in Texas, Adeina, one of our writers, shared Seven Texas Destinations for a Girlfriend Getaway that you might want to take a peek at.
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