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

A Weekend in Lexington & Rockbridge County

🚶 Walk + drive28 stops · 6 parts
Start the guideTimes are approximate
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Friday · Noon

Pull into the visitor center in downtown Lexington for a walking tour map and an update about what’s going on around town. From here, there are numerous lunch options. Spend your first afternoon exploring downtown on a self-guided walking tour. An easy stroll passes historic homes and businesses in and around downtown. Pop into local shops while you wander. For a longer walk, follow the map across W&L and VMI. Check out the Public Art guide for a list of statues and monuments. Downtown galleries open their doors the first Friday of the month from 5-7pm for the First Friday Art Walk. Pop in for special exhibits and good cheer.

  1. 1
    Legendary EatsDining · 110 W Washington St

    For a filling meal, step up to the counter at Legendary Eats and order one of their hefty sandwiches, which are named for legendary monsters.

  2. 🚶 about 1 min walk
  3. 2
    Sweet TreatsDining · 19 W Washington St

    Sandwiches come with a side of sunshine at Sweet Treats, which has a deck out back.

  4. 🚶 about 2 min walk
  5. 3
    Choose one

    For table service and a varied menu, settle in at The Palms or Macado’s. The Palms, a long-time favorite of W&L and VMI alums, is another hotspot.

  6. 🚶 about 16 min walk
  7. 4
    Washington and Lee UniversityAttractions · 204 W Washington St

    Washington & Lee University (W&L) and Virginia Military Institute (VMI) are also here.

  8. 🚶 about 14 min walk
  9. 5
    Virginia Military InstituteAttractions · 319 Letcher Ave
  10. 🚶 about 8 min walk
  11. 6
    Jackson House MuseumMuseum · 8 E Washington St

    Other tour options include a Black History walking tour or a tour of the Jackson House Museum, where General Stonewall Jackson once lived.

Friday · Evening

In the summer and fall, join Mark Cline’s Haunting Tales ghost tour to learn about the city’s past – and its spookiest residents.

  1. 🚶 about 1 min walk
  2. 7
    Choose one

    Continue the good cheer at Taps, a festive pub and cocktail bar inside The Georges boutique inn, or walk to Heliotrope for one of their innovative craft beers. The lobby lounge at Taps, Lexington’s favorite cocktail bar, doubles as Lexington’s living room on Saturday nights.

  3. 🚶 about 1 min walk
  4. 8
    ZunzunDining · 11 E Washington St

    For dinner, savor locally sourced entrees and impeccable service at ZunZun, or stick to the beer and pizza at Heliotrope.

  5. 🚶 about 1 min walk
  6. 9
    Haywood's RestaurantDining · 2 N Main St

    Piano music accompanies the delicious elevated fare at Haywoods, located on the first floor of one of the oldest buildings in town.

  7. 🚗 about 13 min drive
  8. 10
    Hull's Drive InAttractions · 2367 N Lee Hwy

    In warmer months you can catch the double-feature at Hull’s Drive-In.

  9. 🚗 about 43 min drive
  10. 11
    Natural Bridge State ParkOutdoors · 6477 S Lee Hwy

    Check the calendar at Natural Bridge State Park for monthly stargazing events. The namesake attraction in Natural Bridge State Park, the 215ft-high limestone arch has drawn admirers for centuries.

Saturday · Morning

If you’re staying in a hotel near Route 11 and I-81, kick off the day with a coffee at Roadmap Coffeeworks on Route 11 on your way into town. Saturday mornings are a great time to enjoy the county’s many outdoor adventures. Check the Buy a Picnic Lunch guide for a full list of picnic options. For an easy and scenic stroll with a bit of history, take a walk on the Chessie Trail beside the Maury River. Mules once used this former towpath to pull flat-bottom boats, called bateaux, up the river. The seven-mile trail ends on the outskirts of Buena Vista. Hikers looking for a workout and payoff views should tackle the House Mountain trail. Take your pick of peaks to climb – Big House or Little House – or tackle them both for one long day! On a warm day, consider a paddle or float on the Maury or James River. Twin River Outfitters rent kayaks, canoes, and inner tubes and run river shuttles.

  1. 🚗 about 33 min drive
  2. 12
    Choose one

    Downtown, you can get your java fix and a pastry at Seasons' Cafe or Pronto Caffe & Gelateria. Buy sandwiches for a picnic at Pronto or Blue Sky Bakery.

  3. 🚗 about 31 min drive
  4. 13
    Natural Bridge General Store & NattyBCafeDining · 593 Wert Faulkner Hwy

Saturday · Noon

For a scenic drive and easy exploring, spend the afternoon visiting farms and historic sights on the North Rockbridge Trail. Check out the North Rockbridge Trail guide for a complete list of stops.

  1. 🚗 about 10 min drive
  2. 14
    The Pink Cadillac DinerDining · 4347 S Lee Hwy

    If you didn’t pack a picnic, pop into Natty B Cafe or the Pink Cadillac in southern Rockbridge County for lunch.

  3. 🚗 about 23 min drive
  4. 15
    Pure EatsDining · 107 N Main St

    You’ll find plenty of options in downtown Lexington, including Pure Eats for locally sourced burgers and Globowl Cafe for healthy bowls.

  5. 🚗 about 23 min drive
  6. 16
    Lavender fields @ Tantivy FarmShopping · 1350 Decatur Rd

    Highlights include the Lavender Fields at Tantivy Farms, the Brownsburg Museum, Wade’s Mill, and McCormick Farm.

  7. 🚗 about 11 min drive
  8. 17
    Brownsburg MuseumMuseum · 2716 Brownsburg Turnpike
  9. 🚗 about 8 min drive
  10. 18
    Wade's Mill (formerly the Kennedy-Wade Mill)Shopping · 55 Kennedy Wades Mill Loop
  11. 🚗 about 12 min drive
  12. 19
    McCormick FarmMuseum · 128 Cyrus McCormick Cir
  13. 🚗 about 23 min drive
  14. 20
    Ecco Adesso VineyardsDining · 340 Ecco Adesso Ln

    Pull over for wine tasting and mountain views at Ecco Adesso, Jump Mountain, Lexington Valley, and Rockbridge Vineyard & Brewery.

  15. 🚗 about 22 min drive
  16. 21
    Jump Mountain VineyardDining · 1493 Walkers Creek Rd
  17. 🚗 about 15 min drive
  18. 22
    Lexington Valley VineyardDining · 80 Norton Way
  19. 🚗 about 30 min drive
  20. 23
    Rockbridge Vineyard & BreweryDining · 35 Hillview Rd

Saturday · Evening

Drive back to downtown Lexington for a casual dinner. R/C State Cinema across the street shows three current movies weekly.

  1. 🚗 about 41 min drive
  2. 24
    Brew Ridge TapsDining · 11 E Nelson St #2524

    Wafflewiches – which are sandwiches inside waffles – are on the menu at Brew Ridge Taps. Here you’ll find craft beers and a cider flowing from 18 taps, and there’s live music most Saturday nights.

  3. 🚶 about 3 min walk
  4. 25
    Niko's GrilleDining · 167 S Main St

    Locals fill Niko’s Grille for Greek and American dishes.

  5. 🚶 about 3 min walk
  6. 26
    Rogue ArcadeAttractions · 5 W Nelson St

    If you’ve got kids and teens in tow, send them to Rogue Arcade for new and classic arcade games.

  7. 🚶 about 1 min walk
  8. 27
    R/C State Cinema 3Attractions · 12 W Nelson St

Sunday · Morning

For a list of local brunch options, check out the Sunday Brunch Spots guide. Close out your weekend with a short drive to an inspiring outdoor attraction: Natural Bridge. The Cedar Creek Trail unfurls beneath the bridge and ends at a waterfall.

  1. 🚶 about 11 min walk
  2. 28
    Sunrise DinerDining · 465 E Nelson St

    For breakfast, settle in at Sunrise Diner just east of downtown. It opens at 7am.