<p>There's a lot to see and do in Rockbridge County, which is anchored by downtown Lexington and its vibrant collection of historic homes, art galleries, farm-to-table restaurants, and up-to-the-minute boutiques. Washington &amp; Lee University (W&amp;L) and Virginia Military Institute (VMI) are also here. The county itself is home to hiking trails, welcoming farms, top-notch wineries and breweries, and miles of bucolic hills backdropped by gorgeous mountains. To experience the best the county has to offer during a weekend visit, check out the itinerary below.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Friday&nbsp;</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Noon</strong></p><p>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. For a filling meal, step up to the counter at <strong>Legendary Eats</strong> and order one of their hefty sandwiches, which are named for legendary monsters. Sandwiches come with a side of sunshine at <strong>Sweet Treats</strong>, which has a deck out back. For table service and a varied menu, settle in at <strong>The Palms</strong> or <strong>Macado’s</strong>.</p><p><br></p><p>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 <strong>W&amp;L </strong>and <strong>VMI</strong>. Check out the <a href="https://explore.lexingtonvirginia.com/guides/public-art-in-rockbridge-county" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Public Art guide</a> for a list of statues and monuments.</p><p><br></p><p>Other tour options include a Black History walking tour or a tour of the <strong>Jackson House Museum</strong>, where General Stonewall Jackson once lived.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Evening</strong></p><p>Continue the good cheer at <strong>Taps</strong>, a festive pub and cocktail bar inside <strong>The Georges</strong> boutique inn, or walk to <strong>Heliotrope</strong> for one of their innovative craft beers.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>For dinner, savor locally sourced entrees and impeccable service at <strong>Red Hen</strong>, or bump elbows with locals over hearty comfort food served with white-linen style at <strong>Southern Inn</strong>. Piano music accompanies the delicious elevated fare at <strong>Haywoods</strong>, located on the first floor of one of the oldest buildings in town.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>In the summer and fall, join Mark Cline’s <strong>Haunting Tales</strong> ghost tour to learn about the city’s past – and its spookiest residents. In warmer months you can catch the double-feature at <strong>Hull’s Drive-In</strong>. Check the calendar at <strong>Natural Bridge State Park</strong> for monthly stargazing events.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Saturday</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Morning</strong></p><p>If you’re staying in a hotel near Route 11 and I-81, kick off the day with a coffee at <strong>Roadmap Coffeeworks </strong>on Route 11 on your way into town. Downtown, you can get your java fix and a pastry at <strong>Lexington Coffee Shop</strong> or <strong>Pronto Caffe &amp; Gelateria</strong>.</p><p><br></p><p>Saturday mornings are a great time to enjoy the county’s many outdoor adventures. Buy sandwiches for a picnic at Pronto or <strong>Blue Sky Bakery</strong>. Check the <a href="https://explore.lexingtonvirginia.com/guides/buy-a-picnic-lunch" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Buy a Picnic Lunch guide</a> for a full list of picnic options.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>For an easy and scenic stroll with a bit of history, take a walk on the <strong>Chessie Trail</strong> beside the Maury River. Mules once used this former towpath to pull flat-bottom boats, called bateaux, up the river.&nbsp;The seven-mile trail ends on the outskirts of Buena Vista. Hikers looking for a workout and payoff views should tackle the <strong>House Mountain trail</strong>. Take your pick of peaks to climb – Big House or Little House – or tackle them both for one long day!&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>On a warm day, consider a paddle or float on the Maury or James River. <strong>Wilderness Canoe</strong> and Twin River Outfitters rent kayaks, canoes, and inner tubes and run river shuttles.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Noon</strong></p><p>If you didn’t pack a picnic, pop into <strong>Natty B’s Cafe</strong> or the <strong>Pink Cadillac</strong> in southern Rockbridge County for lunch. You’ll find plenty of options in downtown Lexington, including <strong>Pure Eats</strong> for locally sourced burgers and <strong>Globowl Cafe </strong>for healthy bowls.</p><p><br></p><p>For a scenic drive and easy exploring, spend the afternoon visiting farms and historic sights on the North Rockbridge Trail. Highlights include the <strong>Lavender Fields at Tantivy Farms</strong>, the <strong>Brownsburg Museum</strong>, <strong>Wade’s Mill</strong>, and <strong>McCormick Farm</strong>. Pull over for wine tasting and mountain views at <strong>Ecco Adesso</strong>, <strong>Jump Mountain</strong>, <strong>Lexington Valley</strong>, and <strong>Rockbridge Vineyard &amp; Brewery</strong>. Check out the <a href="https://explore.lexingtonvirginia.com/guides/a-day-on-the-north-rockbridge-trail" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">North Rockbridge Trail guide</a> for a complete list of stops.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Evening</strong></p><p>Drive back to downtown Lexington for a casual dinner. Wafflewiches – which are sandwiches inside waffles – are on the menu at <strong>Brew Ridge Taps</strong>. Here you’ll find craft beers and a cider flowing from 18 taps, and there’s live music most Saturday nights. The lobby lounge at Taps, Lexington’s favorite cocktail bar, doubles as Lexington’s living room on Saturday nights. The Palms, a long-time favorite of W&amp;L and VMI alums, is another hotspot. Locals fill <strong>Niko’s Grille</strong> for Greek and American dishes.&nbsp;</p><p>If you’ve got kids and teens in tow, send them to <strong>Tommy’s Arcade</strong> for new and classic arcade games. <strong>R/C State Cinema</strong> across the street shows three current movies weekly.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Sunday</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Morning</strong></p><p>For breakfast, settle in at<strong> Sunrise Diner </strong>just east of downtown. It opens at 7am. For a list of local brunch options, check out the <a href="https://explore.lexingtonvirginia.com/guide/lexington-buena-vista-and-rockbridge-county/110/Sunday%20Brunch%20Spots" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sunday Brunch Spots guide</a>.&nbsp;Close out your weekend with a short drive to an inspiring outdoor attraction: Natural Bridge. The namesake attraction in Natural Bridge State Park, the 215ft-high limestone arch has drawn admirers for centuries. The Cedar Creek Trail unfurls beneath the bridge and ends at a waterfall.&nbsp;</p>