We began at the visitor center where we enjoyed the movie on the life and person of Lady Bird Johnson, as well as perusing the exhibitions and gift shop at the centre. This was followed by a 20 minute guided tour of boyhood home with a ranger, which was interesting and informative about life in this area 100 years ago. We then took a 10 minute walk to the Settlement - the farm and home of LBJ's grandparents - to view the old cottages, farm buildings etc. In February, this made for a very pleasant stroll. There are excellent facilities at this center - toilets, drinking fountains and car parking. A visit here is as much an introduction to day to day life in this area a century ago as it is to the man who would become 36th President of the United States.
If you are making your way out to the ranch, go ahead and take an hour and stop at the boyhood home. They do tours on the half hour and there is a small museum that you can go through while you wait. The home is original and there are many of the original furnishings, but some have been lost to time. It still gives you insight into what his life was like growing up and where he grew up. It was an interesting stop and I am glad that I did stop on my way to the ranch.
It's nice to see this juxtaposed with the Ranch. This was the small house, from the youth of LBJ. If you visit the ranch you can see the birth house and the ranch (where he died) this house is the middle part of the story. It's where LBJ came of age and gained a lot of the confidence and knowledge of politics. It's right in Johnson City and worth the stop if you're out in the Hill Country. It's a free tour and ranger led.
When Lyndon Johnson was a boy homes were small and this home is worth a visit if you are also going to see the Johnson ranch. We were the only people here so we got a private tour and the guide was excellent; he really knew his LBJ history. We had just come from the ranch so it was interesting to be able to see the beginning of President Johnson's history.
We had a great "private" morning tour since we were the only people there. The tour guide gave us an insightful look at LBJ's life as a child and young man. We started here and then continued on to the LBJ ranch. Be sure to walk the settlement trail to see the old homestead and farm.
Visiting the Lyndon Baines Johnson boyhood home and the nearby LBJ Ranch is a must for anyone interested in history. Located just over an hour west of Austin in the hill country of Texas, the home and ranch are operated by the National Park Service. The ranch, also known as the Texas White House during LBJ's five years as president, is a beautiful place, spacious and attractively decorated by Lady Bird. All of the original furnishings are in place, including the many dozens of telephones and television sets Johnson used. Visitors can view a film about LBJ, take a guided tour of the ranch and boyhood home, and view many other exhibits related to Johnson's long political career. The ranch itself, located on the Pedernales River, is still operating, and there is a guided drive where you'll see a number of sites, including the burial grounds of the extended Johnson family, including LBJ and Lady Bird. All well worth a visit.
Nice visitor center with helpful volunteers. The park ranger who conducted the tour of the boyhood home itself was friendly and knowledgeable and informed about his subject, Lyndon Baines Johnson. He made the visit worthwhile. You've got to visit if you have any appreciation for LBJ.
A just opened hybrid restaurant in downtown Johnson City, TX. Part outdoor and part indoor with food truck and live music. So adorbs- it primes you up for the TX Hill Country experience! Go for the fried green tomatoes. I gave it a 4 rating because I wanted a cold beer and they don't sell it. Hopefully soon...
It was very informative to see where President Johnson was born. We had an excellent tour guide that was dedicated to his job.
Tour of LBJ's boyhood home was excellent, emphasizing lessons he learned that would make him the man and president that he became. Always impressed by staff at National Historical Sites.