Home Care In Johnson City, TX

If you're like me, you occasionally need a break from the usual hustle and bustle of life in San Antonio. So, how about we step away from the large crowds and chaotic mayhem and book a day trip to Johnson City. Our neighbors up north have so many unique places to shop, eat, and stay overnight in our quest to relax and escape from life in the Alamo City.

A historic city of discovery, adventure, and fun for the whole family, Johnson City has just what we need to make this one memorable trip.

Get your engine rolling at the Texas Vintage Motorcycle Museum

Unlike most Hill Country destinations that has seen rapid growth throughout the years, Johnson City is somewhat of a throwback. As such, you should take a visit to see the Texas Vintage Motorcycle Museum owned by Gordon Massie. The California native moved to Houston in the late 70s before up and retiring to Johnson City in 2021, where he houses his insane collection of over 70 classic motorcycles from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, and holiday Mondays.

Find it at: 100 N Nugent Ave, Johnson City, TX 78636

Make your way down 290 Wine Trail

You've probably heard it somewhere before, but Johnson City is the gateway to Texas Hill Country wineries, breweries, and distilleries. So, visitors should look no further than off of Texas Highway 290 Wine Road, where they can indulge themselves in their alcoholic beverage of choice and relax. This particular stretch of the highway offers over 15 different winery, distillery, and brewery options, so you have plenty to choose from.

Find it at: 402 E Main St, Johnson City, TX 78636

Get your grub on at Fat Boy Burgers

The pictures online speak for themselves, but Fat Boy Burgers serves 100% braveheart black angus beef that's fresh and never frozen, according to its website. Topped with home cut fries or hand dipped onion rings, this 'Fat Boy' meal would put a smile on anyone's face. Every Friday Fat Boy serves its special fried fish and shrimp dish that comes with homemade tartar sauce, home fries, pinto beans, and Rosie's coleslaw. Sign me up for that please. Fat Boy Burgers is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. On Friday, the restaurant is closed between 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.

Find it at: 104 US-281, Johnson City, TX 78636

Take a look at a bit of history and visit the LBJ State Park & Historic Site

A trip to Johnson City just wouldn't feel right if we didn't stop and see what the town is actually famous for. Located right next door to the iconic Lyndon B. Johnson Ranch, the LBJ State Park and Historic Site is home to numerous walking trails, wildlife, and more. You'll also find individuals re-enacting life on a small 19th-century farm, where - you guessed it - they grow crops and care for the animals. Due to safety concerns rising from structural issues, the Texas White House is temporary closed, but the LBJ Ranch driving tour is still up and running, the National Park Service website says. The park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Find it at: 199 Park Road 52, Stonewall, TX 78671

Here's a map detailing each location as well:

July 25, 2022

The Johnson City mural depicts the hallmarks of Hill Country life: longhorns, cowboys, bluebonnets, vineyards, rivers, a stonework courthouse, and, of course, rolling hills. But downtown is packing more than rustic charm. The city center is chock-full of places to eat, drink, shop, and hang.

This reporter spent a Tuesday afternoon exploring and sampling a slice of Johnson City. I parked beside the Blanco County Courthouse, one of many beautiful stonework structures that define the Hill Country. It was clear downtown was thriving. All of the storefronts were occupied with an array of art galleries, cafes, breweries, and boutiques. The town square is walkable, and it isn’t a stretch to stroll down U.S. 290, which doubles as Johnson City’s Main Street and holds many of the stops to grab a bite or a drink.

Like in many small towns, Tuesdays are slow and there wasn’t a lot open, but I was surprised at the presence of so many hip shopping spots. The Texas Vintage Motorcycle Museum and the Science Mill are also dominant features on the Johnson City downtown landscape. Both are worth a visit when you take a trip out this way.

I was drawn into the Farmhouse Vineyards Tasting Room on my walk down Main Street by an “open” sign and a shining airstream trailer parked out front. As I stepped through the doors, I was greeted by Carrie Hillabrant, a tasting room attendant with years of experience in the Hill Country wine scene but new to Farmhouse Vineyards.

“I think it’s the cutest little town,” said Hillbrant, who had only been working in the tasting room for a month.

She recommended I try Farmhouse Vineyards’ Cultivated, a red blend comprised of 60 percent cabernet sauvignon, 32 percent merlot, and 18 percent petit verdot. Hillabrant described it as earthy with a little spice and well rounded with a smooth finish. My tastes aren’t refined enough to corroborate her description, but I did think it was pretty good.

Farmhouse uses 100 percent Texas grapes for its wine, which is a big deal. According to the American Viticulture Association, only 75 percent of the grapes used in a wine have to be from the state for it to qualify as a Texas wine.

As I sipped my wine, Hillabrant broke down the layout of Farmhouse Vineyards, which is actually located in Brownfield, a small town outside of Lubbock. The vineyard’s owners chose to open a tasting room in Johnson City because it is in the heart of Texas wine country, and they aren’t wrong. U.S. 290, which runs through Johnson City, is also referred to as Texas Wine Road 290 because dozens of wineries and vineyards dot the highway from Interstate 10 in the west to Austin in the east.

The tasting room is built right into an old home, and it feels like you’re visiting friends and family when you walk in. But the outdoor portion is what really drew me. A slick airstream trailer, gyroscopic wind chimes, and plenty of seating made it obvious that this would be a great spot to visit in cooler weather. The airstream was actually the original tasting room, which later expanded into the whole property.

Finishing my wine, I asked Hillabrant where to grab a bite, and she recommended Proof & Cooper at The Old Lumber Yard. It was a quick walk over and I was seated in an open dining room adorned with stag heads, Edison bulbs, and plenty of bare-wood furniture.

I asked for the tallest thing on the menu, which ended up being the smoked club sandwich. It’s hard to beat interlocking layers of smoked turkey and buttered Texas toast. The menu is pretty straightforward, classic country cuisine with a few hip twists.

Somehow, I couldn’t refuse dessert and ended up inhaling a turtle brownie with two scoops of vanilla ice cream. This was another tough pairing to beat, a one-two combo of molten chocolate and cold creamy vanilla.

This is Proof & Cooper’s second location, the first being in Dripping Springs. I had actually heard of it before by way of its annual pig wrestling competition that features would-be swine wranglers attempting to put a T-shirt on a rowdy hog.

With Tuesday afternoon coming to a close, I made my way back to the car. This was not my first time in Johnson City. I’ve grabbed a coffee at Black Spur and sipped it in the sculpture garden, and I’ve had a flight of craft beer at Reck ‘Em Right Brewing Company while a three-piece string band plucked old cowboy songs.

Johnson City might have the most packed into it of any Hill Country getaway. Make sure you visit on a weekend and see for yourself.

Proof & Cooper at The Lumberyard209 E. Main St., Johnson CityClassic country cuisine in a simple, rugged space. Grab drinks or grub, see live music, and maybe even wrestle a pig.

Pecan Street Brewing106 E. Pecan Drive, Johnson CityA large, popular spot for brews and homemade Southern dishes.

Reck ‘Em Right Brewing Co.102 S. Avenue G, Johnson CityA tucked-away spot for barbecue, craft beers, and live music.

Bryans on 290300 E. Main St., Johnson CityAn upscale American bistro that recommends reservations before your visit.

Ronnie’s Barbecue211 U.S. 281 South, Johnson CityClassic Hill Country barbecue and a Johnson City institution.

Farmhouse Vineyards Tasting Room402 E. Main St., Johnson CityAn inviting tasting room with great outdoor seating and monthly wine club parties.

Alex Anthony Vineyards Tasting Room213 N. Nugent Ave., Johnson CityThe Johnson City outpost for Alex Anthony Vineyards, which is in Brownfield. A friendly spot for sipping and socializing.

Black Spur Coffee Shop100 W. Main St., Johnson CityA small coffee shop built into an art gallery and sculpture garden right on Main Street in Johnson City.

Fat Boy Burgers104 U.S. 281, Johnson CityHeralded as one of the best burger joints in the Hill Country.

Lady Bird Lane Cafe101 S. Lady Bird Lane, Johnson CityA health-conscious cafe inside the Science Mill.

Dumpling Diva108 W. Main St., Johnson CityHomemade Chinese dumplings in a small, cozy storefront downtown.

Nice N Easy106 N. Nugent Ave., Johnson CityA speakeasy on the square to relax and enjoy smooth spirits.

Tapz 32105 U.S. 281, Johnson CityA beer garden in the heart of town for locals and tourists alike.

Johnson City Coffee Co.108 W. Main St., Johnson CityA cool coffee spot that teams up with the Texas Vintage Motorcycle Museum on the weekends.

Olive and Oak302 E. Main St., Johnson CityA boutique with chic Western wear.

The Haloed Hippie107 Nugent Ave., Johnson CityA salon and fashion boutique with city and country styles.

Vintage 205205 E. Main St., Johnson CityAn antique and vintage emporium with a selection of handpicked fashion and decor.

High Cotton Goods205 E. Main St., Johnson CityA whimsical boutique filled with the heart and soul of a small-town family.

This is by no means a comprehensive list. Locals, let visitors know your favorite places to shop, dine, and drink in the comments section below.

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A presidential hometown of renowned history, dramatic natural beauty, time-honored traditions, and creative innovations. The headwaters of the Texas Hill Country Wine Trail, Johnson City has few stoplights… but a lot of charm. Located just an hour outside of Austin, it’s the perfect place for a quick getaway.

Here are five places we recommend for your getaway to Johnson City

Johnson City Coffee Co. 200 North Ave GBut first, coffee. Johnson City Coffee Co. is a hidden gem. The contemporary farmhouse design of the building will have you wanting to relax and snap picture at the same time. With a large local selection of coffee and baked goods, this should everyones first stop!

Echo100 N Nugent AveEcho is the culmination of two lives of international travel and design, combined with a passion for art, antiques and everything unusual. With a focus on mid-century modern, and hosting the work of over 30 artists, you’ll find a visit to this “non-gallery” art gallery fascinating.

Exotic Resort Zoo 235 Zoo Trail That’s right there’s an exotic zoo in Johnson City that’s also a resort! The resort is still open at this time, for more details on that click here. The zoo its self is operating strictly as a drive-through at this time. It makes you feel more like you’re on a safari rather than just an hour outside of Austin.

Bryans on 290 300 East Main StreetIf you’re looking for fine dining, look no further. This five star quality restaurant is located in the middle of Main Street. With it’s American bistro fare & notable wines presented in a cozy and charming atmosphere, this recommend this as your dinner stop before heading back to Austin.

Pecan Street Brewing 106 East Pecan DrivePecan Street Brewing is a great way to end a day in Johnson City. They feature fresh hand-crafted cocktails, brewed on-site craft beer and Texas Wines. The beers they brew are paired with their menu of brick-oven pizzas, fresh salads, burgers and unique southern dishes, like their classic Sweet Pecan Chicken. All set to a relaxing and friendly environment. Be sure to stop by and experience it for yourself.

Want to find more Texas town squares to visit? Check out all of our faves here.

Featured photo courtesy of Johnson City

Even the Christmas light displays are bigger in Texas. From Grapevine to San Antonio, these are some of our favorite Christmas light displays sparkling throughout Texas.

The song says “the stars at night are big and bright (clap, clap, clap, clap), deep in the heart of Texas,” but dazzling Christmas light displays across the state have us wanting to change those lyrics up a bit. Known for doing things bigger—and sometimes better—Texans definitely make no exception when it comes to Christmas light displays. From showy private neighborhood displays to city displays and even an incredible zoo display, here are some of our favorite Christmas lights across Texas.

01 of 09

Gaylord Texan's Lone Star Christmas

Grapevine, Texas

As the official Christmas Capital of Texas, you can be sure that Grapevine has plenty of holiday cheer. At the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, Christmas festivities are taken to the next level. The Shine Light Show in the atrium features thousands of lights synchronized to holiday music and light curtains sparkle around the large Christmas tree. There’s also Merry and Light, where immersive light elements and massive, lighted decor provide photo ops. Lots of other Christmas happenings take place at the Gaylord as well, including ICE!, an ice sculpture wonderland made from 2 million pounds of colorful ice with a different festive theme each year; the Christmas Village with snow tubing, ice skating, a Christmas carousel, and shopping; and the Gingerbread Decorating Center.

02 of 09

Austin Trail of Lights

Austin, Texas

Austin’s Zilker Park comes alive during the holiday season with the Austin Trail of Lights, a Christmas favorite since 1965. Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to the Trail of Lights every year to see more than 2 million lights twinkling through the park, plus 90 lighted holiday trees and more than 70 holiday displays and lighted tunnels. The Trail of Lights is one of the three largest events in the city and receives national attention year after year. The walking trail is 1.25 miles long and includes Candy Cane Lane, where you’ll find food, restrooms, the ZIP Lounge, and a place to write letters to Santa. In the heart of the trail is the North Pole, where Santa’s House and Workshop delight the young and young at heart.

03 of 09

Vitruvian Lights

Addison, Texas

During the holiday season, Vitruvian Park is transformed into a holly-jolly scene for Vitruvian Lights. Millions of dazzling lights are wrapped around more than 550 trees throughout the park’s 19 acres and walkway, and colors are reflected up from the spring-fed creek, creating a postcard-worthy landscape. You can drive or walk through the park to see the light displays every evening through the holiday season through January 1.

04 of 09

Houston Zoo Lights

Houston, Texas

A favorite Christmas experience in Houston, Houston Zoo Lights is a great way to spend an evening with friends and family. The Zoo grounds are transformed into a holiday wonderland, where animal-themed lanterns and illuminated flower displays come to life underneath towering oak trees wrapped in lights. There’s also a 33-foot-tall, color-changing tree, a Coca-Cola Bear display in the Flamingo Terrace, and Santa’s Workshop, where kids can grab a photo with the Man in Red. New this year is the photo-op area with ski lift chairs set in a snowy scene, a lighted tunnel, and an interactive dance floor. The Houston Zoo is also trying to save wild animals by taking in old and broken holiday string lights for recycling. Since 2016, more than 26,400 pounds of lights have been recycled by the Zoo.

05 of 09

San Antonio River Walk

San Antonio, Texas

A visit to San Antonio’s River Walk is a must when in the area, as the tree canopy looming over the San Antonio River coupled with waterfront restaurants, shopping, and boats full of visitors gliding through the city is a site in itself. At Christmastime though, the River Walk is illuminated with more than 100,000 lights draping down from the bald cypress trees lining the River Walk. Storefronts and bridges are also covered in Christmas lights, making a walk or boat ride through the area pure magic.

06 of 09

Lights Spectacular

Johnson City, Texas

The town of Johnson City, Texas might be small, but its annual Lights Spectacular light display is so big that NASA has reported seeing it from the International Space Station. For more than 30 years, Lights Spectacular has wowed crowds with Christmas cheer. More than 1.3 million bulbs illuminate the Pedernales Electric Cooperative campus, with lights draping the entire building and twinkling in the surrounding trees. It is advised to arrive before sundown to secure parking, but there’s lots to do with surrounding restaurants, distilleries, breweries, and wineries while you wait for the lights.

07 of 09

Santa’s Ranch

New Braunfels, Texas

In the Texas Hill Country, Santa’s Ranch is a drive-through light display that’s perfect for the whole family. More than 1.5 million, custom-made lights illuminate the ranch, with displays of Rudolph, Frosty, the North Pole, gingerbread houses, and more included throughout. Holiday treats such as roasted pecans, kettle corn, and hot chocolate are available at the concession stand, as are souvenirs such as hoodies and mugs.

08 of 09

Lightscape Fort Worth

Fort Worth, Texas

Set within the 120-acre Fort Worth Botanic Garden, Lightscape is a stunning, one-mile walking trail featuring not only bright light displays, but sound too. Walk beneath suspended strands of lights and through lighted tunnels with the garden. Don’t miss the waving, lighted bluebonnet display, fire garden, singing trees, artistic installations, and even treetop sculptures. Visitors are welcome to roast marshmallows over a fire and sip hot chocolate and seasonal beverages from stations along the trail.

09 of 09

Highland Park

Dallas, Texas

Everything is bigger in Texas, including the gorgeous mansions that encapsulate Dallas’ Highland Park neighborhood. Residents pull out all the stops during the holidays, decorating their fabulous homes with elaborate light and lawn displays. And while these are private homes, visitors are welcome every year to experience the magic. Brazos Carriage and Whitehaven Carriages both offer horse-drawn carriage rides through the neighborhood if you don’t want to take your own car. Christmas music is provided, but guests are welcome to bring drinks and snacks.

Here’s one way to break the tedium of staying close to home in these pandemic days: get in the car and take a ride into the nearby Texas Hill Country, where scenic views and winding roads are just the tonic to get your motor running while also social distancing.

Here are three more suggested routes, this time along U.S. 281 north of San Antonio. We recommend several attractions along each drive and, with advice from our Taste Team, someplace to stop and eat up along the way.

Be warned, many of these places aren’t open all the time, so call before you go. The roads are calling.

Leave the San Marcos suburbs behind and find yourself among the gently rolling scrubland and meadows that make the Hill Country so scenic. Take it slow, enjoy the views.

Don’t miss

Wimberley Glassworks: 6469 RR 12, San Marcos, 512-393-3316, wgw.com. Art studio sells colorful, hand-created vases, sculptures, platters and other glassware. And you can watch it all being made during live glass-blowing demonstrations from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays.

Devil’s Backbone Overlook: On RM 32, Canyon Lake. This overlook is perhaps the best publicly accessible spot to view the Devil’s Backbone, a rugged limestone ridge running through the Texas Hill Country. Don’t forget to pack your wide-angle camera lens.

Old Baldy Park: 33 LaToya Circle, Wimberley, 512-660-9111, cityofwimberley.com. After being in the car for more than 30 miles, how does stretching your legs sound? The hike up Old Baldy is only 0.2 miles long, but it’s steep — we’re talking 218 stone steps steep. Still, the 360-degree view from the top is worth the effort.

Where to go for a bite: Devil’s Backbone Tavern, 4041 FM 32, Fischer, 830-964-2544, devilsbackbonetavern.com. With an ancient, wildly decorated VW Bug out front, this ’30s-era honky-tonk is hard to miss. Stop by for a cold one, just to say you did.

On ExpressNews.com: 3 scenic drives through Texas Hill Country from Interstate 10 in San Antonio area

The U.S. 281 and 290 stretches of this loop are pretty much highway speed, but the RR 1320/Round Mountain-Sandy Road portion takes you through some pretty country and lets you meander at your own pace. Enjoy the scrubby scenery as the road dipsy-doodles through several low water crossings over the Pedernales River and several of its tributaries.

And while most of the major wineries along U.S. 290 are located further west, closer to Fredericksburg, you can finish your tour by parking your car and safely strolling among the many satellite tasting rooms peppered throughout Johnson City.

Don’t miss

Boyhood Home of LBJ: 200 E. Elm St., Johnson City, 830-868-7128, nps.gov/lyjo/planyourvisit/visitboyhoodhome.htm. The modest home where the future 36th U.S. president lived from age 5 through high school is a time capsule of what life in rural Texas was like a century ago — complete with outhouse.

Exotic Resort Zoo: 235 Zoo Trail, Johnson City, 830-868-4357, zooexotics.com. You’re already in the car, why not take a drive-thru safari through this 137-acre zoo and see some exotic animals? Tickets, available in advance online, are recommended for weekend visits.

Where to go for a bite: Bryans on 290, 300 E. Main St., Johnson City, 830-868-2424, bryanson290.com. This is where you want to go when you want to go for some fancy bistro cooking, a decent wine list and zero pretense.

On ExpressNews.com: 3 scenic drives in the Medina Lake area

Skirting Lake LBJ, crossing the Colorado River and ending at Buchanan Lake, this route also takes you through several small towns and large quarry operations, such as Granite Mountain, which supplied the pink stone used to build the Texas State Capitol in Austin.

Don’t miss

Lookout Mountain Overlook: On RR 1431, Kingsland. This blink-and-you’ll-miss-it turnoff will give you a raptor’s-eye view of Lake LBJ and the houses perched along the water’s edge far below. Worth it for a quick photo stop and to stretch your legs.

Black Rock Park: 3400 Texas 261, Buchanan Dam, 512-369-4774, lcra.org/parks/black-rock-park. On the shore of Buchanan Lake, this Lower Colorado River Authority park features swimming, kayaking, fishing and a shaded miniature golf course. You could even spend the night in one of 18 pastel-colored lakeside cabins that sleep up to five for $65 to $75 per night.

Fall Creek Vineyards & Winery: 1820 County Road 222, Tow, 325-379-5361, fcv.com. One of the Hill Country’s founding vintners, Fall Creek makes wine from 100 percent Texas-grown grapes. The tasting room is open with $20 flights and small eats, too.

Where to go for a bite: Blue Bonnet Cafe, 211 U.S. 281, Marble Falls, 830-693-2344, bluebonnetcafe.net. Eat up prior to your drive with some comfort food, followed by a slice of one of the undisputed stars of this popular dining spot: the pies. Available in skyscraper-height meringues, rich creams and an orchard’s worth of fruit: apple, cherry, peach, pecan, banana and coconut. Which one’ll ya have, hon?

Richard A. Marini is a features writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. To read more from Richard, become a subscriber. [email protected] | Twitter: @RichardMarini

Oct 20, 2020|Updated Oct 25, 2020 4:58 p.m.

Reporter/Editor | San Antonio Express-News

Richard A. Marini is a features reporter for the San Antonio Express-News where he’s previously been an editor and columnist. The Association of Food Journalists once awarded him Best Food Columnist. He has freelanced for American Archaeology, Cooking Light and many other publications. Reader's Digest once sent him to Alaska for a week. He came back. Email Richard at [email protected].