The video above takes you on a tour through Johnson City, Texas — a small Hill Country town of about 2,000 people that sits roughly 50 miles west of Austin and 60 miles north of San Antonio. It's the kind of place you might pass through on the way to Fredericksburg without realizing how much is actually there. David Bridwell stopped in to play a gig at Proof and Cooper and spent time walking the historic downtown, checking out the LBJ connections, and scoping out the local food and music scene.
What to See and Do in Johnson City
Johnson City calls itself the heart of the Texas Hill Country, and there's a decent case for that. The town is home to the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, where you can visit LBJ's boyhood home, his ranch, and the gravesite where both Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson are buried. The area around the park has some nice walking paths with a bit of nature to take in. Downtown, the Historic Square Memorial Park features a solid courthouse building surrounded by the kind of storefronts you'd expect in a small Hill Country town — antique shops, a bed and breakfast, and a generally quiet, relaxed atmosphere. Pedernales Falls State Park is also right nearby for anyone looking for more serious outdoor time. And if you're driving the 290 corridor between Johnson City and Fredericksburg, you'll run into a long stretch of wineries — the town considers itself the headwaters of the Texas Hill Country Wine Trail. Johnson City is also known for its Christmas light displays during the holiday season, which draw visitors from across the region.
Where Can You Find Live Music in Johnson City, Texas?
For a town this small, there are a few legitimate spots to catch live music. Here's what's around:
- Proof and Cooper — A cozy restaurant in the downtown area where David Bridwell performed during this visit. It's an intimate room where you're playing for locals who all know each other.
- Pecan Street Brewing — One of the more popular spots in town, known for craft beer and regular live music bookings.
- Ream Right Brewing Company — Another local brewery that features live music on occasion.
- Fatboy Burgers — A casual burger spot that also brings in live music from time to time.
Everything listed here is within walking distance of each other in the downtown area, which makes it easy to grab food, hit a brewery, and catch some music all in one trip.
Food and the Overall Vibe
For food, El Ranchero Mexican Restaurant is a solid option in town. The overall feel of Johnson City is quiet and unhurried — it's the kind of place where you can walk the whole downtown in fifteen minutes but still find enough to fill an afternoon. There's real history here with the LBJ connections, good beer at a couple of breweries, and enough live music to make a stop worthwhile if you're touring through the Hill Country. It's not trying to be Fredericksburg or Austin. It's just doing its own thing, and that's what makes it worth the visit.