Lexington, Buena Vista & Rockbridge CountyLexington, Buena Vista & Rockbridge County
‹ Lexington, Buena Vista & Rockbridge County

One Day in Lexington

History, Culture & Small Town Charm

🚶 Walk + drive15 stops · 4 parts
Start the guideTimes are approximate
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Morning

From here, walk to the Lexington & Rockbridge Area Visitor Center for a walking tour map. The folks here can also tell you about events around town. The self-guided walking tour passes historic buildings and noteworthy homes downtown before crossing the campuses of Washington & Lee University (W&L) and the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). Guided tours of the VMI post kick off at noon in Jackson Memorial Hall.

  1. 1
    Choose one

    Kick off your visit with donuts at Pure Eats, bagels at Legendary Eats, or croissants at Seasons’ Cafe downtown. Pure Eats and Legendary Eats serve breakfast sandwiches, too.

  2. 2
    Museums at Washington & Lee University: Watson Galleries & Japanese Tea RoomMuseum · Lexington
  3. 3
    University Chapel & GalleriesMuseum · 100 N Jefferson St

    The Museums at W&L include the University Chapel & Galleries, the Reeves Museum of Ceramics, and the Watson Galleries.

  4. 🚶 about 10 min walk
  5. 4
    VMI MuseumMuseum · 415 Letcher Ave #2109

    VMI is home to the VMI Museum.

  6. 5
    Museums at Washington & Lee University: Reeves Museum of CeramicsMuseum · 204 W Washington St

Noon

Walk back to downtown for lunch at one of the many restaurants along Main Street and its offshoots. Red-brick sidewalks link galleries, boutiques, and gift shops along Main Street, Washington Street, and Nelson Street. Specialty shops sell everything from gourmet chocolates to pet supplies to jewelry – and book lovers have three different bookstores to explore.

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    Blue SkyDining · 125 W Nelson St

    Step up to the counter to order sandwiches at Blue Sky and Sweet Treats or a healthy bowl at Globowl.

  2. 🚶 about 3 min walk
  3. 7
    Sweet TreatsDining · 19 W Washington St
  4. 🚶 about 2 min walk
  5. 8
    Rogue ArcadeAttractions · 5 W Nelson St

    If the kids aren't into browsing, drop them off for a few games of pinball at Rogue Arcade.

  6. 🚶 about 1 min walk
  7. 9
    Pronto Caffé & GelateriaDining · 26 S Main St

    Pronto is a local hot spot for coffee.

Afternoon · Route 11

  1. 🚗 about 21 min drive
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    Choose one

    For views and afternoon libations, head south on Route 11 for cider and the apple tree labyrinth at Halcyon Days Cider Co. or wine and craft beer at Great Valley Farm Brewery & Winery – you might see a llama or camel strolling the grounds of the Virginia Safari Park next door!

  3. 🚗 about 5 min drive
  4. 11
    Virginia Safari ParkAttractions · 229 Safari Ln
  5. 🚗 about 9 min drive
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    Layne's Country StoreShopping · 9 Reservation Loop

    Stop by Layne's Country Store for country ham and local jams and jellies on your Route 11 trip.

Evening

For dinner, dine in white-linen style at one of Lexington’s top chef-driven restaurants.

  1. 🚗 about 18 min drive
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    ZunzunDining · 11 E Washington St

    Menus change weekly at the cozy ZunZun while piano tunes are served with your steak at Haywoods.

  3. 🚶 about 1 min walk
  4. 14
    Haywood's RestaurantDining · 2 N Main St
  5. 🚶 about 3 min walk
  6. 15
    Choose one

    After-dinner entertainment might include live music at Brew Ridge Taps or The Palms, a movie at Hull's Drive-In, or a nightcap at Taps.