Scenic Lexington, Buena Vista and Rockbridge County
One Day in Lexington
History, Culture & Small Town Charm
<p><strong>Morning</strong></p><p><br></p><p>Kick off your visit with donuts at <strong>Pure Eats, </strong>bagels at <strong>Legendary Eats</strong>, or croissants at <strong>Seasons’ Yield at Haywood’s </strong>downtown. Pure Eats and Legendary Eats serve breakfast sandwiches too. From here, walk to the <a href="https://lexingtonvirginia.com/contact" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lexington & Rockbridge Area Visitor Center</a> for a walking tour map. The folks here can also tell you what events are going on around town.</p><p><br></p><p>The self-guided walking tour passes historic buildings and noteworthy homes downtown then crosses the campuses of <strong>Washington & Lee University (W&L)</strong> and the <strong>Virginia Military Institute (VMI)</strong>. The Museums at W&L include the University Chapel & Galleries, the Reeves Museum of Ceramics, and the Watson Galleries. VMI is home to the VMI Museum. Guided tours of the VMI post kick off at noon in Jackson Memorial Hall.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Noon</strong></p><p><br></p><p>Walk back to downtown for lunch at one of the many restaurants along Main Street and its offshoots. Step up to the counter to order sandwiches at <strong>Blue Sky</strong> and <strong>Sweet Treats</strong> or a healthy bowl at <strong>Globowl</strong>. Red-brick sidewalks link galleries, boutiques, and gift shops along Main Street, Washington Street, and Nelson Street. Specialty shops sell everything from gourmet chocolates to pet supplies to jewelry – and book lovers have three different bookstores to explore.</p><p><br></p><p>If the kids aren't into browsing, drop them off for a few games of pinball at <strong>Tommy's Arcade</strong>. <strong>Pronto</strong> and <strong>Lexington Coffee Shop</strong> are local favorites for coffee drinks. For views and afternoon libations, head south on Route 11 for cider and the labyrinth at <strong>Halcyon Days Cider Co</strong> or wine and craft beer at <strong>Great Valley Farm Brewery & Winery</strong> – you might see a llama or camel strolling the grounds of the <strong>Virginia Safari Park </strong>next door! Stop by <strong>Layne's Country Store</strong> for country ham and local jams and jellies on your Route 11 trip.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Evening</strong></p><p>For dinner, dine in white-linen style at one of Lexington’s top chef-driven restaurants. Menus change weekly at the cozy <strong>Red Hen</strong> while fancy fried chicken wins raves at <strong>Southern Inn</strong>. You might enjoy piano tunes with your steak while dining at <strong>Haywoods</strong>, and shrimp and grits are a highlight at <strong>Bistro on Main</strong>. After-dinner entertainment might include live music at <strong>Brew Ridge Taps</strong> or <strong>The Palms</strong>, a movie at <strong>Hull's Drive-In</strong>, or a nightcap at <strong>Taps</strong>.</p>
Morning
Pure Eats Pure Eats is dedicated to providing the highest quality, locally sourced food in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. We feature fresh, house-made doughnuts every morning, locally roasted coffee, breakfast sandwiches, salads and wraps, rich Homestead Creamery milk shakes, and a selection of great local craft beer and cider. Our legendary burgers, for example, start with the best ground beef in the world, which happens to come from our Rockbridge County neighbors, the Potter family of Buffalo Creek Beef and Donald's Meats.
Pure Eats is dedicated to providing the highest quality, locally sourced food in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. We feature fresh, house-made doughnuts every morning, locally roasted coffee, breakfast sandwiches, salads and wraps, rich Homestead Creamery milk shakes, and a selection of great local craft beer and cider. Our legendary burgers, for example, start with the best ground beef in the world, which happens to come from our Rockbridge County neighbors, the Potter family of Buffalo Creek Beef and Donald's Meats.
Family-owned and operated restaurant in downtown Lexington specializing in New York style bagels as well as breakfast and lunch sandwiches – all named after mythical creatures.
Our offerings include an espresso bar, bread and pastries, and a variety of toasts, salads, and sandwiches.
Museums at Washington & Lee University: Watson Galleries & Japanese Tea Room The Watson contains a permanent display of Chinese and Japanese ceramics and two changing exhibit galleries that showcase rotating selections from the fine arts and ceramics collections. In addition, the Watson houses Senshin'an (洗心庵 or "Clearing-the-Mind Abode"), an authentic Japanese Tea Room that is open for viewing, as well as public tea demonstrations throughout the year.
The Watson contains a permanent display of Chinese and Japanese ceramics and two changing exhibit galleries that showcase rotating selections from the fine arts and ceramics collections. In addition, the Watson houses Senshin'an (洗心庵 or "Clearing-the-Mind Abode"), an authentic Japanese Tea Room that is open for viewing, as well as public tea demonstrations throughout the year.
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.
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.
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.
Museums at Washington & Lee University: Reeves Museum of Ceramics Founded in 1967 with a gift of ceramics from alumnus Euchlin Reeves and his wife, the painter Louise Herreshoff, the Reeves Collection contains ceramics made in Asia, Europe, and the Americas between 1500 and today.These fragile yet durable objects tell stories of design, technology, and trade, and illustrate how people drank, dined and decorated their homes over the past five centuries.
Founded in 1967 with a gift of ceramics from alumnus Euchlin Reeves and his wife, the painter Louise Herreshoff, the Reeves Collection contains ceramics made in Asia, Europe, and the Americas between 1500 and today.These fragile yet durable objects tell stories of design, technology, and trade, and illustrate how people drank, dined and decorated their homes over the past five centuries.
Noon
Fresh food and friendly service. Sandwiches on fresh-baked breads, salads, soups and desserts. Eat-in or take-out.
Sweet Treats Bakery, offering breakfast and lunch service, is also the place for wedding and specialty cakes in historic downtown.
Globowl Cafe offers delicious home cooked world cuisine. Our food is primarily vegetarian and vegan, with a focus on organic and clean ingredients for a healthy lifestyle.
Tommy's Arcade is a community space where anyone can come to play classic arcade games and pinball. We also offer a couch-and-TV setup with multiple consoles available, and a library of games to go with them. We have more arcade cabinets on the way, too!
Italian Caffe & Gelateria offering LavAzza coffee, espresso drinks, frappes, homemade gelato, pastries, sandwiches, salads & soup.
Gourmet coffee shop and cafe serving specialty espresso drinks, coffee, bubble tea, smoothies and a variety of baked goods and bagels.
Halcyon Days Cider Co + Orchard Labyrinth Halcyon Days Cider Company is a hands-on, family-owned and operated small farm and cidery. After being carried away from the area by the hustle and bustle of professional life, we’ve returned to our roots and love of farming. We’ve blended our deep respect of traditional methods with newly refined techniques to create our small batch cider production. As our name suggests, our aim is to return to a simpler time infused with calm and happiness. We hope Halcyon Days Cider Company becomes your oasis in a fast-paced world – a place to relax, recharge, and remember the joy of savoring the moment.
Halcyon Days Cider Company is a hands-on, family-owned and operated small farm and cidery. After being carried away from the area by the hustle and bustle of professional life, we’ve returned to our roots and love of farming. We’ve blended our deep respect of traditional methods with newly refined techniques to create our small batch cider production. As our name suggests, our aim is to return to a simpler time infused with calm and happiness. We hope Halcyon Days Cider Company becomes your oasis in a fast-paced world – a place to relax, recharge, and remember the joy of savoring the moment.
Great Valley Farm Brewery and Winery 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.”
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.”
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!
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!
We are a country store established in 1954. We offer country hams, side meat, hoop cheese, jams, jelly, preserves, and souvenirs.
Evening
Cozy destination serving a daily menu of farm-to-table New American cuisine in rustic-chic quarters.
With its welcoming piano bar and patio, Haywood's provides lively entertainment. Down-to-earth dishes – both small plates and large – feature locally grown, seasonal ingredients.
Upscale casual dining! Southern cuisine and intimate atmosphere. Serving fresh, local products when available. Sunday brunch. Full bar. Catering available.
Brew Ridge Taps is home of the Wafflewich and many microbrews. Bring in your own growler and have it filled with your favorite microbrew. – $10 Wafflewich special on Wednesdays Check the Facebook page for the most recent deals.
Homemade soups -- fresh salads -- house cut steaks -- seafood -- poultry -- pasta -- great burgers and sandwiches. Sunday brunch. Full bar.
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.
TAPS is our lobby lounge serving upscale pub fare. Menu includes craft beer, creative cocktails, salads, sandwiches, and snacks made with many of our favorite ingredients from farms throughout the Shenandoah Valley. Delivery available after 5pm.