Mark’s Road Trip Ideas for 2026 – Johnson City

The last time I did one of these, you may remember that it was with the idea of going to Gruene. This time around, I'm considering another location in the Texas Hill Country. I'm thinking Johnson City. Johnson City is a smaller town, but there's no shortage of things to do around there.

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Spend Time Outdoors

If I had to - absolutely HAD TO - live somewhere outside of Deep East Texas, it would be the Hill Country. I think the Texas Hill Country has some of the most gorgeous views in the world. That's why it just makes sense to spend time outdoors while you're there. That's actually the biggest reason why I'd go.

Johnson City is home to Pedernales Falls State Park. It's got options for hiking, spending time in the Pedernales River, picnicking, and more. It's definitely a choice for the outdoors-type folks.

There's also the Exotic Resort Zoo. You can get out, see animals of all different kinds - seriously ALL different kinds. And, if you're really an exotic animal enthusiast, you can rent a cabin and stay on the same property!

READ MORE: Mark's Road Trip Ideas for 2026 - Gruene

There Are Indoor Options, If That's Your Thing

If you're not really an outdoor person, there are options for you too. There's the Science Mill, for the STEM fans out there. It's basically one big hands-on science fair, except it's year-round. This place has all kinds of moving parts to it. It's really more geared towards students, so if you've got a family it might be a better experience, but they are open to all ages.

Maybe wine tasting is more your speed. There's no shortage of wineries in the area. A few are within Johnson City, and there are lots of others just a short drive away (breweries, too!).

Just a Short Drive to Even More

Maybe you've got several days of vacation to spend here, and you don't want to spend them all in JC. Well, it's only about a 30 minute drive to Fredericksburg, and just over an hour to get into the heart of either Austin or San Antonio. So, you have some big city options as well.

These are just a couple of ideas for you. I have always enjoyed my time in and around Johnson City. Your experience would be different from mine, I'm sure. But, I can say with confidence, Johnson City is always on my road trip list.