Scenic Lexington, Buena Vista and Rockbridge County
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Guides / 6 Best Viewpoints
6 Best Viewpoints
<p><strong>Glen Maury Park Double-Decker Pavilion</strong></p><p>You’ll enjoy a gobsmacking view of downtown Buena Vista and the Blue Ridge Mountains from the hilltop Double-Decker Pavilion at Glen Maury Park. With grills and picnic tables, this is also a fine spot for a picnic. There’s a playground too.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Goshen Pass Wayside</strong></p><p>A pull-off beside Route 39 overlooks <a href="https://lexingtonvirginia.com/outdoors/activities/attractions/goshen" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Goshen Pass</a>, where forested mountain slopes frame the Maury River and its rock-strewn path through the county.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Summits of Big and Little House Mountain</strong></p><p>Views from the summits of <a href="https://lexingtonvirginia.com/outdoors/activities/attractions/house-mountain" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Big and Little House Mountain</a> west of Lexington rival those from overlooks along the Blue Ridge Parkway. One key difference? You have to hike to the summits of Big and Little House. The Little House Mountain Trail leads to lofty views of Lexington, the Shenandoah Valley, and the Blue Ridge Mountains while the western overlook atop Big House Mountain takes in North Mountain and the rugged Allegheny Mountains rippling along the Virginia and West Virginia state line.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><strong>W&amp;L Colonnade</strong></p><p>With its striking white columns, historic red brick buildings, and sloping green lawn, the Colonnade at Washington &amp; Lee University is one of the most striking settings in Lexington. Take in the view from the statue of Cyrus McCormick, the inventor of the mechanical reaper and an important benefactor of the school, on the front lawn.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Devils Marbleyard</strong></p><p>A one-mile hike on the&nbsp;Belfast Trail near Natural Bridge Station climbs to <a href="https://lexingtonvirginia.com/articles/devils-marbleyard" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Devils Marbleyard</a>, a jumble of quartzite boulders covering a mountain slope in the James River Face Wilderness. Scramble up the enormous rocks for sweeping views of the boulder field, Arnold Valley, and the forested foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Great Valley Farm Brewery &amp; Winery&nbsp;</strong></p><p>The panoramic view from the picnic area atop this hilltop brewery and winery on Route 11 includes the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and the llamas and camels that inhabit the Virginia Safari Park next door. Bring your binoculars for a closer look. And though the views are free, sipping a cold kolsch from one of Great Valley’s mountain-facing Adirondack chairs inevitably enhances the scene.</p>
Glen Maury Park is Buena Vista’s 315-acre playground, providing wooded trails, an Olympic-sized pool, two campgrounds, as well as several pavilions where residents and tourists alike make the natural choice for enjoying life. Glen Maury Park hosts a variety of events each year – music from old time to classical, beach music to bluegrass, and gospel to rock n’roll. Around town you’ll find eateries and service businesses ready to provide what you need… all close at hand.
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.
Devils Marbleyard is wonderland of quartzite boulders jumbled precariously across the side of a mountain. Turn around as you climb the rocks for a sweeping views of the Arnold Valley far below. The creek-crossing Belfast Trail passes the marbleyard on its three-mile climb to the Appalachian Trail in the James River Face Wilderness. The trailhead is just a few miles from Natural Bridge State Park
Great Valley has gained a solid reputation among locals as the “go to” spot for quality beer and beautiful scenery. The Baileys pride themselves on keeping quality as the number one goal in everything they do from the beer to customer service. As one customer put it “this is beer made by people who love beer.”