Scenic Lexington, Buena Vista and Rockbridge County
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Family Activities
Bring your family to Lexington for a vacation that’s sure have them asking to come back year after year. Browse the best family-friendly attractions throughout Lexington, Virginia and Rockbridge County. Please check the individual attraction's Facebook and/or website for COVID-19 hours of operation and procedures.
Ben Salem Wayside
The most popular and prominent waterway in Rockbridge County is the Maury River,
the carver of Goshen Pass, a watersports highway, an outstanding fishery, and a
thriving habitat. Ben Salem Wayside is one of the most popular access points on
the river, and the shallow depths make it a favorite for wading anglers.
Boxerwood Nature Center & Woodland Garden
Boxerwood Education Association operates a community-based, non-profit nature
center in Lexington, Virginia that provides a treasured 15 acre woodland garden,
open to the public, and delivers unique, life-changing environmental educational
programs to people of all ages, including students in the entire local public
school system.
Cabin Spring Farm
The mission of Cabin Spring Farm is to raise healthy fiber animals and create an
enthusiasm for wool products by teaching the process from animal to product. On
our farm, fiber goes from A to Y without leaving the farm. That is Animal to
Yarn. Those who come for an adventure add the Z (zing, and, zest).
Cave Mountain Lake
Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Area is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of
Virginia and welcomes visitors to enjoy the rustic and peaceful getaway. Easy
access from the interstate and close proximity to historic Lexington and Natural
Bridge State Park make Cave Mountain Lake an ideal destination. The seven-acre
lake has a beach and designated swimming area. Campground has reservable and
first-come, first-served sites.
Caverns at Natural Bridge
Natural Bridge Caverns were discovered just before the turn of the 20th century
and opened to the public in 1977. During tours, visitors descend more than 34
stories deep within the Earth to get to the magnificent natural display. While
underground, tourists can explore the caverns and view their many special
features, including cavern structures such as the Colossal Dome room. This room
is an enormous dome-shaped natural feature that was created over thousands of
years. Hours vary seasonally.
Dinosaur Kingdom II
Created by nationally known attraction builder and theme park designer Mark
Cline, whose work has been featured on The Discovery, Travel and Smithsonian
Channels as well as on FOX, TBS and BBC Networks. Enter into a time tunnel and
discover Stonewall Jackson battling a vicious spinosaurus! Get surrounded by
deadly meat eaters! See Abe Lincoln after he’s lassoed a pteranodon chewing up
the Gettysburg address! Witness a stegosaurus being milked! If you like
prehistoric creatures and civil war history, you’ll flip out over Dinosaur
Kingdom II!
Fairwinds Park
Public Park located at Denny Lane and Colonnade Avenue featuring ADA Accessible,
Picnic Tables, Playground, Water Fountain.
George C. Marshall Museum & Library
The National George C. Marshall Museum & Library honors the life and career of
George C. Marshall, whose leadership shaped the world for 50 years. Located on
Virginia Military Institutes Post.
Glen Maury Park
From hiking, biking, and paddling to camping, swimming, and birdwatching, there’s a lot going on at Glen Maury Park, a pretty 315-acre park and campground hugging the Maury River in the forested foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Glen Maury Park Pool
Glen Maury Park’s pool is a modern, Olympic size facility. Small children enjoy
the wading pool with a water-spewing mushroom in the center. The main pool is 3
feet deep with walk-in stairs progressing to 12 feet in the diving area.
Concessions with pizza, hot dogs, snacks, and drinks, plus public restrooms are
located on site. Plenty of parking!
Haunting Tales
Enjoy ghost stories and a candlelight walk that follows in the footsteps of
Generals Lee and Jackson. Meets outside of the Lexington Visitor Center. ONLINE
TICKETING ONLY. May-October. Check website for Halloween schedule.
13 yrs. and up: $15.00
4-12 yrs.: $10.00
3 and under: free
Hopkins Green
Green space with benches and pergola in downtown Lexington at Nelson & Jefferson
Streets.
Hull's Drive In
The nation’s only non-profit, community-owned drive-in theater is celebrating
more than 70 years of movies under the stars in Rockbridge County.
Jackson House Museum
Discover the man who became a legend. The Stonewall Jackson House in historic
downtown Lexington, Virginia is the only home that the famous Confederate
General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson ever owned.
Jellystone Park™ at Natural Bridge
Jellystone Park in Natural Bridge Station, Virginia, sits on the James River,
nestled in the Virginia’s awesome Shenandoah Valley between the Blue Ridge
Mountains and Interstate 81. We look forward to greeting you as you and your
loved ones enjoy a clean, safe, and fun camping experience!
Jordan's Point Park
Jordan's Point, once the industrial and transportation hub in Lexington, serves
as a park featuring ADA Accessible, Canoe Launch, Electricity, Grill, Pavilion,
Picnic Tables, Restrooms, Soccer Field, Walking Trail.
Kids Playce
Kids Playce was built in only 5 days, totally by volunteers from the
Lexington-Rockbridge Communty. It remains a symbol of Community for all. Located
at the corner of Wallace & Taylor Streets. Features include Parking, Picnic
Tables, Playground, Water Fountain.
Lake Robertson Recreation Park
A 75-acre recreational park (with ~500 acres maintained by the Department of
Game and Inland Fisheries for hunting) featuring a 26-acre lake, boat rentals,
tennis court, hiking trails, swimming pool, picnic pavilion, bath house and
more. 53 total tent and full hook-up sites. The pool is open daily from late May
through mid-August, then open weekends through early September (pool adult/child
$3.50/2.50). Fourteen miles west of Lexington.
Lavender fields @ Tantivy Farm
Our beautiful lavender fields and farm are nestled in the scenic oasis of
Fairfield, Virginia. With a breathtaking view of the mountains surrounding our
farm, you will soon forget the noise of the outside world. Take a walk
throughout the grounds and enjoy the calming sounds of our hidden waterfall, and
the soothing music of nature. Visit with our friendly farm animals, stop by our
sweet lavender shop, and fall in love with our "Little Piece of Heaven.” Open
seasonally.
Lexington Carriage Company
Established in 1985, the Carriage Company's initial purpose was to support the
Historic Downtown District of the city by giving narrated tours through the
business district, the adjacent college campuses, and a portion of the historic
residential area. Still today, we provide daily historic narrated tours of
Lexington--weather permitting--from April 1- October 31.
Lime Kiln Bridge Park
Lime Kiln Road at Woods Creek Park featuring ADA Accessible, Grill, Picnic
Tables, Playground
McCormick Farm
Home of Cyrus McCormick, inventor of the mechanical grain reaper. Beautiful
grounds, small museum, grist mill, nature trail and picnic area. Groups Welcome,
Pets Welcome.
Miller's House Museum
The Miller’s House Museum is dedicated to interpreting the industrial &
transportation history of the Lexington area by celebrating the roads, rivers
and rails that served a now extinct industrial complex on Jordan’s Point north
of the city. The Miller’s House, built in the early 1800s, is the only remaining
structure at this once vibrant area developed by John Jordan, who operated a
furnace, a forge and the covered toll bridge that spanned the North (Maury)
River. Admission is free.
Monacan Walking Trail
After founding the first North American colony, Capt. John Smith ventured into
Monacan country, where he met one of the area's most powerful tribes. Learn
about the people he encountered at the Monacan Indian Village at Natural Bridge
State Park. Here you can learn about day-to-day life in a traditional Native
American Woodland culture by talking with Interpreters about shelter
construction, hide tanning, mat and rope weaving, tool-making, gardening,
harvesting, preparing meals, making pots, bowls and baskets.
University Chapel & Galleries
A National Historic Landmark, the Chapel opened in 1868 during Robert E. Lee’s
tenure as 11th president of then Washington College. Non-denominational and
unconsecrated, the Chapel housed an auditorium, administrative offices, a YMCA,
and a library. In 1928, a museum was installed in the basement. Today, that
museum includes an exhibition on the history of the university, a changing
exhibition gallery, and a museum shop. Visitors also see Lee’s 1870 president’s
office and Edward Valentine’s Recumbent Lee statue.
Natural Bridge / Lexington KOA Holiday
Deep in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, at the intersection of history,
culture and natural beauty, you'll find the Natural Bridge KOA. Nestled between
the Blue Ridge and AlleghenyMountain ranges and surrounded by over 58,000 acres
of National Forest, we have anything your adventurous heart desires. The
magnitude and beauty of the Natural Bridge State Park, one of the Seven Natural
Wonders of the World, compels many visitors to come to the area. Surveyed by a
young George Washington and once owned by Thomas Jefferson, the Bridge provides
a historic, picturesque and natural experience. Opens March 1, 2022.
Natural Bridge State Park
Natural Bridge State Park, dedicated on September 24, 2016, is home to the
215-foot tall Natural Bridge, a limestone gorge carved out by Cedar Creek. The
park is more than just the bridge, however. Beautiful forests and rolling
meadows showcase the area’s karst terrain. Surrounding mountains and the James
River valley display nature’s splendor. The park was named an International Dark
Sky Park in 2021, which means stargazing here is top-notch. Check the park
calendar for stargazing events. Natural Bridge was listed on the National
Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Landmark in 1988.
Natural Bridge Zoo
The Natural Bridge Zoo Park is and always has been privately owned and has never
accepted any sort of federal, state, or local funding. The Natural Bridge Zoo
opened its doors to the general public in 1972 and has been growing ever since.
The main purpose for Natural Bridge Zoo has always been the propagation and
rearing of threatened or endangered species. We try to offer students and the
general public the opportunity to learn about the living animals, birds, and
reptiles that share the earth with us.
R/C State Cinema 3
R/C State Cinema 3 in beautiful downtown Lexington is a first-run movie theatre
with three auditoriums offering luxury recliner seats, huge wall-to-wall
screens, and Dolby surround sound for a truly impeccable moviegoing experience.
Plus, your favorite movie snacks — freshly popped popcorn, fountain drinks,
ICEEs, candy and more!
Richardson Park
Neighborhood park featuring Pavilion, Playground, Restrooms, Water Fountain.
Ridge Valley Alpacas, LLC
RIDGE VALLEY ALPACAS, LLC welcomes you to visit our farm in the southern
Shenandoah Valley. The farm is located on a hillside between the Blue Ridge and
the Allegheny mountains, 2 1/2 miles West off exit 200 on Interstate 81/64. We
are centrally located about an hour from Roanoke, Charlottesville and
Harrisonburg, Virginia. At an altitude of almost 1,900 feet, we have beautiful
views of the surrounding mountains and the rolling valleys. Visit the Abellapaca
Boutique from 1-4pm Thu-Sun, or by appt. Email or call to arrange a farm tour.
Rockbridge Aquatics Center
Affectionately known as "The Bubble," the Friends of Rockbridge Swimming
Community Pool is a year 'round pool and home to local swim teams.
Taylor Street Park
Neighborhood park featuring ADA Accessible, Picnic Tables, Playground.
Virginia Horse Center
Virginia’s premier equestrian event facility featuring horse shows of all
disciplines and for all breeds of horses. Open to the public. Most events free
of charge!
The public can access hiking and horseback riding trails that lead to the Maury
River behind the Horse Center. Visitors may also walk the Concourse inside
Anderson Coliseum. The center also has a campground.
Virginia Military Institute
Founded in 1839, Virginia Military Institute (VMI) is the oldest state-supported
military college in the United States. Throughout its storied history, VMI has
produced leaders and individuals whose daily lives reflect the integrity,
fairness, and appreciation for the value of hard work that is instilled at the
Institute. For the individual who wants an undergraduate experience more
complete and transformative than an ordinary college or university can provide
and more versatile in its applications than a military service academy affords,
VMI offers a superb education.
Virginia Safari Park
Located in scenic Natural Bridge, Virginia the 180-acre park is home to over
1,000 exotic animals from 6 continents. Drive along 3 miles of road in the
beautiful Shenandoah Valley. With the Blue Ridge Mountains as your backdrop,
animals of all sizes, shapes and colors approach your vehicle in search of a
tasty bucket of feed. In addition to driving the Safari Drive-Thru, you can
stroll the pathways in the Safari Village where you will find a wide variety of
exhibits everyone can enjoy!
VMI Museum
Museum dedicated to the history and heritage of VMI and notable alumni. For a
cadet-guided tour of the historic VMI Post, gather in the lobby of the Museum
(2nd floor, Memorial Hall) at 12 noon. Tours currently offered Mon-Fri.
Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, is a nationally ranked,
small, private, liberal arts university nestled in the mountains of western
Virginia. As one of the oldest schools in the nation, we believe in the
education of the whole person, and value students who are intellectually
curious, eager to engage with their communities, inclined to critical thinking
and prepared to lead lives of consequence.
Woods Creek Park
Neighborhood park located at Woods Creek near Highland Road, behind Waddell
Elementary featuring , ADA Accessible, Walking Trail, Water Fountain