Scenic Lexington, Buena Vista and Rockbridge County
A Day on the North Rockbridge Trail
Farm Visits, Historic Mills, Wine Tasting, and Great Food
<p>Country roads ribbon past red barns, weathered silos, photogenic cows, and the occasional alpaca on the North Rockbridge Trail, which crisscrosses Rockbridge County 15 miles north of Lexington. The Allegheny Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains frame this bucolic scene, the southern gateway to the Shenandoah Valley.</p><p><br></p><p>More than 30 farms, wineries, museums, country stores, and restaurants dot the trail, and it’s easy to spend a day exploring the region’s riches. Most farms welcome guests from spring through late fall while restaurants are open year-round. Check opening hours before setting out. You can pick up a trail map at the <a href="https://lexingtonvirginia.com/contact" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lexington & Rockbridge Area Visitor Center</a> or check the <a href=" https://www.facebook.com/northrockbridgetrail" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">North Rockbridge Trail Facebook page</a>.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Morning</strong></p><p><br></p><p>The bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit at <strong>Dottie’s Country Store</strong> in Fairfield gets the day started oh-so-right. After breakfast, browse antiques at <strong>3 Seasons Antiques</strong> or pick up quilting fabrics and supplies at the <strong>Quiltery</strong>. If it’s Saturday, and one of the twice monthly Bread Days at <strong>Seasons’ Yield Farms</strong>, park in the field then step inside the rustically chic barn, where fresh loaves, chocolate croissants, and coffee drinks await.</p><p><br></p><p>Can’t-miss stops after breakfast include the <strong>Lavender Fields at Tantivy Farm</strong>, which has a gift shop and hiking trails, and <strong>The Herbery</strong>, a family-owned greenhouse. Swing south to Rockbridge Baths for a walk across the <strong>swinging bridge</strong> beside Hwy 39. On the way to <strong>Mountain View Farm Greenhouses</strong>, geocachers should pull over for a clever cache along the <a href="https://lexingtonvirginia.com/directory/attractions/gems-of-rockbridge-geocaching-trail" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gems of Rockbridge Trai</a>l.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Noon</strong></p><p><br></p><p>Before lunch, drive through historic Brownsburg. The rotating exhibits at the <strong>Brownsburg Museum</strong> spotlight interesting aspects of local history and small town life. From here, stop by <strong>Wade’s MiIl</strong>, an operational 18th-century grist mill, to purchase stone-ground grains.</p><p><br></p><p>Continue east through Raphine, stopping for a steakburger at <strong>Quaker Steak and Lube</strong> at White’s Travel Center or BBQ at <strong>Smiley’s</strong>. For local scenery, drive east toward the Blue Ridge and cozy <strong>Gertie’s</strong> – it’s the spot for lunch and local news in Vesuvius. Don’t miss the desserts!</p><p><br></p><p>After lunch, geocachers can look for another two Gems of Rockbridge caches while history buffs can explore the grounds and historic grist mill of the <strong>Cyrus McCormick Farm</strong>, where the mechanical reaper was invented.</p><p><br></p><p>Next up? Farm-hopping. Alpaca products are sold at <strong>Maple Grove Alpaca Farm Store</strong> and <strong>Ridge Valley Alpacas</strong>. The farm stores at Verdant Acres and Mountain View sell fresh bounty from their fields and livestock. Stop by <strong>RedWing Farm Apples</strong> for apples.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Evening</strong></p><p><br></p><p>Farmland and mountains are the backdrop at four North Rockbridge vineyards – <strong>Ecco Adesso</strong>, <strong>Jump Mountain</strong>, <strong>Lexington Valley</strong>, and <strong>Rockbridge Vineyard & Brewery</strong> – which are welcoming places to taste wine as the afternoon winds down. Rockbridge Vineyard also sells its own craft beer.</p><p><br></p><p>For dinner, settle in for fine dining at <strong>Osceola Mill </strong>in Vesuvius or dig into pizza at <strong>Frank’s</strong> in Fairfield. For overnight options in North Rockbridge, consider B&B rooms at <strong>Fox Hill</strong> or Osceola Mill or inn rooms at <strong>Steeles Tavern Manor </strong>or <strong>Sugar Tree Inn</strong>. You can rent a historic 19th-century school teacher's cabin at Wade's Mill or sleep in a stylish modern apartment above the wood-fired bakery at Seasons’ Yield.</p>
Country store with a deli and grill serving breakfast and lunch. Daily lunch menus are posted on Facebook in the morning.
Open March through December, 3 Seasons Antiques gives you 10 rooms full of antiques and vintage items, local artwork, gifts, and decorating items in an old fashioned friendly atmosphere. We also offer assistance with Special Event planning and decorating! Hope to see you soon!!
A quilt shop with a variety of cottons that include reproduction, 30's, and batik fabrics; patterns; tools; and notions used for quilting. Quilting services also available
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.
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.
Seasons’ Yield Farm WE’RE A FAMILY OWNED Bakery & Farm in the Heart of the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. We offer organic, wood-fired, wild-leavened sourdough breads and pastries twice a month throughout the year. Place an order and pick up your bread at the farm. Our mission is to connect our community with nourishing products, wonderful people, and the crafts of talented local artisans. Check our online calendar for the next on-site bread day (10am-2pm).
WE’RE A FAMILY OWNED Bakery & Farm in the Heart of the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. We offer organic, wood-fired, wild-leavened sourdough breads and pastries twice a month throughout the year. Place an order and pick up your bread at the farm. Our mission is to connect our community with nourishing products, wonderful people, and the crafts of talented local artisans. Check our online calendar for the next on-site bread day (10am-2pm).
We are a family-owned and operated greenhouse in Rockbridge County, Virginia. Offerings include:-Herbs-Salvias-Pelargoniums-Seasonal vegetable plants-Herb Blends
Welcome to Mountain View Farm Greenhouses! We're a family-owned operation providing indoor plants and a variety of greenhouse foliage. We've proudly served Virginia and West Virginia since 1972.
Brownsburg Museum Big things come in small packages. We take that to heart at the Brownsburg Museum. So why not take a little side trip to visit this historic village and community-run museum the Lexington News-Gazette deemed, “first class.” Call Julie Fox at 774-279-9742 for an appointment to visit. Admission is free.
Big things come in small packages. We take that to heart at the Brownsburg Museum. So why not take a little side trip to visit this historic village and community-run museum the Lexington News-Gazette deemed, “first class.”
Call Julie Fox at 774-279-9742 for an appointment to visit. Admission is free.
Wade's Mill (formerly the Kennedy-Wade Mill) Founded in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley in 1750, Wade’s Mill is Virginia’s oldest continuously operating commercial grist mill. Today we proudly continue the small and simple Wade’s Mill tradition, with one miller stone-grinding premium grains fresh to order. Our whole grain products are 100% natural, no additives, preservatives or bleaches. Just genuine, stone-ground goodness in every bag. Come to historic Wade’s Mill to create your own modern small and simple, fresh and “free from” stone-ground grains tradition.
Founded in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley in 1750, Wade’s Mill is Virginia’s oldest continuously operating commercial grist mill.
Today we proudly continue the small and simple Wade’s Mill tradition, with one miller stone-grinding premium grains fresh to order.
Our whole grain products are 100% natural, no additives, preservatives or bleaches. Just genuine, stone-ground goodness in every bag.
Come to historic Wade’s Mill to create your own modern small and simple, fresh and “free from” stone-ground grains tradition.
Motor-themed restaurant serving burgers, wings, and beer In Raphine.
With 7 mouth-watering restaurants, a superb deli, a charming convenience store and this town's hottest coffee shop, we'll have you wondering why you don't come here for every meal.
Home of the best dang BBQ and sports bar in Virginia.
Located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Gertie's offers you a spot to eat, drink, and check out the talents of local artists and vendors!
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.
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.
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.
Mountain View Farm Products Llc
This welcoming farm, winery, and vineyard sits just north of Lexington in the Shenandoah Valley. Check the calendar for oyster roasts, paint nights, and live music. On-site accommodations too, with more than 300 acres to hike and explore.
Jump Mountain Vineyard is a family-owned farm winery. Our goal is to produce carefully crafted, European-style wine with a distinctly local character from grapes grown and processed on the property.
Rockbridge Vineyard & Brewery On-site we have 24 different wines available for sale plus six beers on tap at our new small-batch brewery and tap room. We also have a gift shop and several types of cheeses, crackers, and salami for sale. The cheeses include fresh Chevré, cheddar cheese balls, and local cheese form Mt. View Farm.
On-site we have 24 different wines available for sale plus six beers on tap at our new small-batch brewery and tap room. We also have a gift shop and several types of cheeses, crackers, and salami for sale. The cheeses include fresh Chevré, cheddar cheese balls, and local cheese form Mt. View Farm.
For a romantic getaway, dine at our acclaimed restaurant and spend the night at our bed & breakfast or in our cabins.
The popular Frank's Pizza in Lexington has branched out to serve our neighbors in Fairfield. You'll find our same great menu available without making the trip into town. Dine-in or take-out.
Steeles Tavern Manor Tucked into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, Steeles Tavern Manor is a Shenandoah Valley bed and breakfast and cabin rental. We invite you to our property located on 50 picturesque acres in a peaceful country setting with a spring-fed pond, walking grounds, meandering creek, in-ground swimming pool, and beautiful views. The property is ideally situated between the country’s “Best Small Towns” of Staunton and Lexington, and guests can visit many attractions within twenty to thirty miles of us. Steeles Tavern Manor is in the middle of it all!
Tucked into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, Steeles Tavern Manor is a Shenandoah Valley bed and breakfast and cabin rental. We invite you to our property located on 50 picturesque acres in a peaceful country setting with a spring-fed pond, walking grounds, meandering creek, in-ground swimming pool, and beautiful views. The property is ideally situated between the country’s “Best Small Towns” of Staunton and Lexington, and guests can visit many attractions within twenty to thirty miles of us. Steeles Tavern Manor is in the middle of it all!
Welcome to Sugar Tree Inn, our family-run bed and breakfast situated in the heart of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah Valley area. Our mountain lodge accommodations will give you and your loved ones the rest and relaxation you seek.