Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park Visitor Center and Park Headquarters — Attraction in Johnson City

Our family stayed in the Hill Country for Spring Break, and one of our day trips was to learn about LBJ, our 36th President of the United States, by going first to his boyhood home in Johnson City and then going to the LBJ Ranch.

It's helpful to start one's trip first at the LBJ National Historical Park Visitor Center in Johnson City, view its exhibits and introductory movie upon request that summarize the President's humble beginnings and rise into politics, first as US Representative and then Senator, Senate Majority Leader, Vice President, and President of the United States. The exhibits and movie tell about his "Great Society" domestic accomplishments on civil rights, health care, and welfare as well as his presidency tainted by race riots and poor public opinion on escalating American involvement in the Vietnam War. We timed our morning visit with the ranger talk at the boyhood home.

Afterwards, go to the LBJ Ranch in Stonewall by first going to the LBJ State Park and Historic Site Visitor Center to pick up a free driving permit and self-guided tour map of the ranch run by the National Park Service. Driving around the ranch, one gets to see LBJ's famous Hereford cattle roaming the grounds and baby calf in the show barn. Final stop is the Airport Hanger Visitor Center, where one gets to view the Lockheed Jetstar Air Force One-Half, LBJ's car collection, and grounds of the Texas White House. We timed our afternoon visit with the ranger talk at the Texas White House.

Even though LBJ's boyhood home and Texas White House are closed under renovation, we had a great time learning from the ranger talks and were able to walk around surrounding grounds. Virtual tours are also available online and in the Johnson City...

Terrific National Park Service staff helped us organize a visit for a lively group of Cub Scouts. The site is organized and offers curated display covering the key historical events around LBJs time in office plus a look back at his roots and place in Texas at the time.of his youth. The 1 mile walk through the family farm is interesting and in an open level area so little runners are still on view. The visitor center has clean restrooms and a gift shop. The second side of the park is the presidential home about 11 miles down the road. Visitors drive through some pastureland to get to the main house...and the rest was "another house" to my 10 year old but a stop by the barn and the airplane interested him Be sure to ask at the desk for materials for kids, they gave us a seek and find a and maze workbook which helped pur kiddo engage with...

Decided to make a pit stop here as I've been wanting to check it out. There's shaded parking by the visitors center. They have handicapped parking as well. Before you enter, there are two informational stands about Johnson City and his legacy. There's lots of trees and shade outside, along with several park benches. Inside, there's a log for visitors and several auditory informative areas to listen to Johnson info. There's even an old Model T Ford!! The staff is helpful. There's a small gift shop also. You can watch several short films too. This is not the only location of information! His childhood home is around the corner. You can take about a 14 mi drive also to get to the old, working family ranch. It is...