Do it for the ‘Gram!
When you’re visiting Johnson City, you’re going to want to remember your time spent having fun in the Texas Hill Country.
We have you covered with some great spots to take fun photos and to capture those special days spent exploring the community. Check out some of our favorite Instagrammable spots around Johnson City.
Then, once you’ve captured your perfect photo, you can share it online with us. Follow Explore JCTX on Instagram and tag us in your pictures. We’ll share the best ones in our stories and more!
The fractalarium at the Science Mill
This picture says a thousand words about science and math and all things STEM. And, on top of that, it’s just mesmerizing to look at.
The fractalarium is a model that’s – surprisingly enough – based on Romanesco broccoli. According to the Science Mill’s educators, “the design creates a complex geometrical shape that looks the same at every scale factor.”
You could spend hours gazing into this crystallized beauty and exploring the beauty and harmony of the patterns. It’s a definite Instagram show stopper and just one of the many favorite photographable spots you’ll find on the grounds of the Science Mill. Some of our other favorite spots include the light loom, the tortoise exhibit and the giant bubble station.
Science Mill; 101 S. Lady Bird Lane, Johnson City, Texas 78636
The living history farm at the Sauer-Beckmann Farm
It’s one thing to read about history. It’s another to experience it.
At the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm at LBJ State Park, park rangers are hard at work. They’re just doing it in historical costumes that give visitors a peek into life on the Texas frontiers.
Park rangers manage the daily chores that would have been common on a farm at the turn of the century, including feeding farm animals, gathering eggs, churning butter, weeding gardens and more.
Great on-site photo opps include pictures with the hard-working park teams, as well as photos and videos with all the animals (horses, cows, hogs, chickens and more) who live on the farm.
Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm; Lyndon B. Johnson State Park HQ; 199 Park Road 52
Stonewall, TX 78671
The strawberry footprints
This one is more of a reel than a photo post, but it’s a lot of fun to capture yourself walking in to Hill Country Ice Cream and following in the strawberry-shaped footprints.
It’s a sweet walk with a fun reward at the end of your path… and by fun reward, we mean you should treat yourself to a cone, a sundae, a shake or a good old-fashioned banana split at the end. Just make sure you grab a photo or two of your tasty treats before you dig in!
Hill Country Ice Cream at The Old Lumber Yard:, 209 E Main St Suite C, Johnson City, TX 78636
The life-size Willie Nelson.
Texas has a special affinity for Willie Nelson, and Johnson City has our own version of Willie that’s a perfect symbol of the spirit of Texas.
You can find the Willie Nelson life-size portrait on the south-facing exterior of Lee Casbeer Fine Art. Be sure to also take time to explore the gallery and to check out the sculptures behind the gallery – there’s a wide range of art available for you to appreciate and enjoy (and Instagram!).
Lee Casbeer Fine Art, 104 N Nugent Ave, Johnson City, TX 78636
The falls at Pedernales Falls State Park
At Pedernales Falls State Park, there’s a beautiful landscape and plenty to explore whether you want to hike in the hills or splash in the water.
The falls are a gentle cascade of water and drop 50 feet in elevation over a distance of 3,000 feet. There are plenty of beautiful spots near the river and among the ancient limestone.
In addition, you can spend the day exploring and capturing photos in nature. The park is home to a variety of birds and animals, as well as many native plant species. It’s a great place to capture photos that will allow you to reminisce on the beauty of nature in the Texas Hill Country.
Pedernales Falls State Park, 2585 Park Rd 6026, Johnson City, TX 78636
The Terra Trails Winery Mural Wall
Terra Trails may be a newcomer to town but they’ve already created some great aesthetic vibes in their space.
We love how photos turn out in front of their sunset-inspired mural wall, and think you could grab some great pictures here that will have your whole group glowing. And, you can also enjoy delicious Texas-focused, Texas-grown wines while you’re enjoying time at the winery!
Terra Trails Winery, 602 US-281, Johnson City, TX 78636
The Texas Vintage Motorcycle Museum
The Texas Vintage Motorcycle Museum houses a large collection of bikes from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. The museum contains beautiful bikes from a variety of different brands, as well as
There are bikes outside that are perfect for snapping photos, including a Barbie-themed option for the younger kids. Inside, there are beautiful, meticulously maintained bikes that are perfect for getting group shots.
While the owner said he created the museum partially as a “respite to guys” accompanying their wives on Hill Country antiquing weekends, it’s also a great place for kids to explore and for people of all ages to get a great picture on a beautiful vintage bike.
Texas Vintage Motorcycle Museum, 100 N. Nugent Ave., Johnson City, Texas. 78636
The Johnson City mural
Our biggest homage to our beautiful small town is our Johnson City mural.
Snap a photo of you and your friends making your own mark and getting a glimpse of all the cool things that make Johnson City a unique place to visit – including our Longhorn cattle, wildflowers, our state parks and more.
This mural is located across from the post office on the corner of Highway 290 and Avenue G.
The Tipsy Trailer at Farmhouse Vineyards Marketplace
There’s just something so quaint and charming about an Airstream. It’s even more fun when you get to visit the Airstream and explore new and delicious wines at the same time. At Farmhouse Vineyards Marketplace, the Tipsy Trailer is the part of the backdrop of a perfect, leisurely afternoon or evening wine tasting.
You can also get Insta-worthy shots of your food and beverage choices as you enjoy a glass of wine from Farmhouse Vineyards or one of their charmingly crafted charcuterie boards.
And as one more added bonus, you can get some gorgeous outdoor pictures under their red scalloped umbrellas while you and your friends sip, chat and laugh together.
Farmhouse Vineyards Marketplace: 402 East Main Street, Johnson City, TX 78636
Lights Spectacular
You’re a true Texan if you’ve ever captured a photo or video of yourself and your friends/loved ones basking in the glow of Lights Spectacular, our extraordinary Johnson City holiday light display.
With more than two million twinkling lights, the downtown area of Johnson City is aglow all during the holiday season. It’s a must-have spot for candid family photos, and you may even be lucky enough to spot a marriage proposals under the twinkling lights.
Making the drive to Johnson City for lights spectacular is a rite of passage for Texans who love the Hill Country, and it’s even better when you make a full weekend of it, so you can get plenty of Instagrammable photos and try some of our delicious local restaurants.
Even though it’s a seasonal activity, Lights Spectacular is always on our must-do for when you’re exploring Johnson City during the winter holidays.
Downtown Johnson City from November 29, 2025 – January 4, 2026
The “Howdy Y’all” sign
Local co-op Grace and Gratitude has a perfect spot set up for photo ops. Their “Howdy Y’all” sign is accompanied by chairs and a table, so you can pose with a friend and show off your small-town charm.
We love this spot as a place to capture a photo with friends during a girls’ getaway weekend, or as a fun place to get photos with your kids on a family weekend. It’s tucked away just behind the Old Lumberyard, so it’s an easy little walk for a cute photo!
Grace and Gratitude: 204 E Pecan Dr, Johnson City, TX 78636
The Fat Boy Burgers mural
The Fat Boy Burgers mural is another local homage to motorcycles. The mural includes a life-size Harley-Davidson on an orange background and was painted by local Johnson City artist Kat McCool.
In addition to the mural, there are plenty of pretty spots for photos under the live oak trees in Fatz Garden. It’s a lovely shady spot to enjoy an afternoon of eating delicious burgers and home cooking, visiting with friends, and just basking in the pleasant Hill Country atmosphere.
Fat Boy Burgers: 104 US-281, Johnson City, TX 78636
Visiting new places is about living in the moment. At the same time, it’s nice to capture some photos that remind you how much fun the moment was.
While you’re out exploring Johnson City, snap some photos at our favorite Instagrammable spots, then hop on to social media to share them with us. You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and show us everything you loved about visiting our little town!