Launch your mountain adventures in Lexington, a historic town with a lively social scene. Home to Washington and Lee University and Virginia Military Institute, the colleges keep the town’s small businesses thriving. Founded in the 18th century, Lexington has resisted modern development, and 18 properties are listed by the National Register of Historic Places. Among these landmarks are contemporary hotels, boutiques, and restaurants buoyed by the colleges’ youthful energy. Lexington checks all the boxes for culture enthusiasts seeking a mountain getaway.
This story is part of our Blue Ridge Mountain Getaways cover story. We’ve created itineraries for the best places to eat, shop, stay, and play at each stop along the 450-mile-plus expanse of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Drive Time: Approximately 2.5 hours
What to Do
Lexington lies within Rockbridge County and is bordered by the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains. Cutting through the region is the picturesque Maury River, a haven for kayakers and anglers.
Visitors can stop in the Lexington Visitors Center to gather information, then stroll the 2-mile Woods Creek Trail to visit the Washington and Lee University campus. Minutes from the National Historic District is Boxerwood Nature Center & Woodland Garden, a hidden gem with whimsical gardens and a PlayTrail designed for small children.
For those who enjoy retail therapy, the galleries on Washington Street sell beautiful pieces made by Shenandoah Valley artists. Inspired by the region’s flora and fauna, ceramicists showcase their one-of-a-kind treasures at Earth, Fire & Spirit Pottery. You’ll find multimedia artists interpreting the natural world at Artists in Cahoots. Vintage hunters and collectors should visit Duke’s Antique Center. Co-eds and their moms adore the trendy fashion brands at Clover Boutique.
After a busy day of exploring, travelers can relax in Lexington’s bars and restaurants. Taps, in The Georges Hotel, is the place for live music and trivia nights, and the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, Haywood’s, draws a crowd for jazz and fancy cocktails. The Gin Hotel’s Juniper Lounge is a fun vantage point for people watching.
Farms and orchards surrounding Lexington provide fresh ingredients to local beverage makers. Heliotrope Brewery sources Virginia-grown barley and produce to make small-batch brews and sourdough pizza. Great Valley Farm Brewery & Winery offers wine and beer with patio seating overlooking its vineyard. Halcyon Days Cider Company grows heirloom apples to make a variety of ciders.
Where to Stay
Rarely will you find a more enchanting hotel than The Georges. The boutique property has four historic buildings, including The Livery on Main Street, formerly a horse stable and stagecoach depot. The 33 guest rooms are luxurious with bespoke furnishings and include a complimentary made-to-order breakfast. The Inn at Forest Oaks is a restored mansion on a sprawling mountain estate about 15 minutes from Lexington. You’ll feel like a member of the Virginia gentry, while at the same time enjoying modern amenities and feasting on housemade treats from The Forest Oaks Bakery, located in the Inn’s carriage house.
Where to Dine
For a small town, Lexington delivers a culinary bounty, with options ranging from fine dining at ZunZun to a classy gastropub called Hardens. Find delicious breakfast and lunch options at Annie’s @ Haywood’s, featuring specialty teas and salads, and at Legendary Eats, serving authentic New York bagels. After a hike, you can fuel up on Taqueria Jalisco’s hearty portions of coastal Mexican fare. The family-run bakery at Seasons Yield Farm is celebrated for its wood-fired sourdough breads and pastries.
Tips for Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway
We asked for helpful advice from Lisa Bottomley, executive director of the Blue Ridge Parkway Association. She advises travelers plan ahead before setting out and have plenty of fuel, food, and water. Because there is limited cell service, Bottomley suggests drivers download a GPS map or the Blue Ridge Parkway Travel Planner app. You can also pick up a map at one of the parkway’s 15 visitor centers. Expect occasional road construction and detours. Traffic often slows from drivers stopping or exiting at the overlooks, especially during the fall.
Day Trips from Lexington
Natural Bridge
After parking at Natural Bridge State Park, visitors walk a stairway of 137 steps to see what Thomas Jefferson called “the most sublime of nature’s works.” He liked the landscape here so much, he bought it. Now, it’s part of the Virginia state park system. A 200-foot limestone arch, North America’s largest, is a breathtaking sight. The structure stands above a shaded gorge carved out by Cedar Creek. Visitors can follow the riverside trail to a small cave, an underground river, and cascading waterfalls. Natural Bridge is an International Dark Sky Park and offers stargazing with ranger-led after-dark hikes, lantern tours, and illumination shows, all part of visiting this otherworldly site. There’s a Children’s Discovery Area and 10 miles of moderately difficult hiking trails. Fall events include a leaf-peeping hayride and night hikes. Admission is $6 to $9, plus $5 for parking.
Peaks of Otter
Named for three mountains standing tall above Abbot Lake, Peaks of Otter is a historic resort and recreation destination. The name refers to the three summits: Sharp Top (3,862 feet), Flat Top (3,994 feet), and Harkening Hill (3,372 feet). The area was a Native American hunting ground until the arrival of the Europeans in the 1700s. The first inn on the property was built in 1834, and nearly a century later, it continues to draw travelers seeking reprieve from the hustle and bustle. The Peaks of Otter area offers fishing, camping, and a restaurant, but hiking Sharp Top or Flat Top Mountain is the point for most travelers. The pet-friendly rooms at Peaks of Otter Lodge have tranquil views of the lake, making it a great choice for travelers with furry companions.
George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests boast pristine landscapes encompassing 1.8 million acres of old-growth forests, waterfalls, rocky ridges, and habitats for native plants and wildlife. Lexington is an excellent jumping-off point to explore this wilderness by foot, bike, or car. A popular hike is to Crabtree Falls to see a series of five cascades measuring 1,200 feet total. It’s the highest vertical-drop cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River. If you enjoy rock scrambles, attempt a boulder climb to the top of Devil’s Marbleyard. Cyclists can ride the scenic, 7-mile Chessie Nature Trail beside the banks of the Maury River (be mindful of walkers who also use the trail). Whether you’re traversing the Appalachian Trail or stopping at overlooks along the roadway, this national forest rewards visitors with views to remember.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
