There’s a certain magic to Lexington, Virginia and its many things to do. Imagine a place where “Southern hospitality” isn’t just a saying. It’s the kind of town where you smile and say hello to everyone you pass on the street, where a casual chat with the table next to you over dinner feels as natural as the clink of silverware.
All of this unfolds against a backdrop of vintage shop signs, brick facades, and leafy streets that give Lexington a distinctly British charm—only with the Blue Ridge Mountains as its skyline.
Whether you’re here for the small-town warmth, the outdoor adventures, or the perfect mix of both, these Lexington, VA things to do have a way of drawing you in and longing to extend your stay.
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Where is Lexington, Virginia?
Lexington is located at the bottom of the Shenandoah Valley in Rockbridge County. The town has a population of just under 8,000 residents yet it’s flanked with restaurants, breweries, bakeries, and everything you want from a town that gives off that Gilmore Girls small-town charm.
Lexington is about an hour north of Roanoke and three hours from Washington DC. Given its location and proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lexington has become a popular destination for weekend getaways in Virginia.
Lexington, VA Things to Do (In Town)
I’m going to break down this compilation of things to do in Lexington by dividing up activities, places to eat, and where to go for drinks and coffee. Then, I’ll include my recommendations on things to do near Lexington in the Shenandoah Valley. Ok, let’s get into all the details of this must-visit historic town.
Explore Main Street
First things first, get your bearings by walking up and down Main Street. This is where many of the best things to do in Lexington are located, so you’ll quickly be able to familiarize yourself with the town.
Main Street is also very charming, dotted with cute boutique shops, old brick sidewalks, British-style storefronts, and historic churches. Enjoy getting to know the town, and feel free to pop in wherever interests you.
Some downtown shops that grabbed my attention include:
- House Mountain Yarn Co
- Gourmet Market
- Downtown Books
- Clover Boutique
Lexington Clock
One of the best viewpoints in Lexington sits right beside the Lexington Clock, in front of the white-washed brick building now home to United Way Rockbridge.
From here, you can see a lot of the town’s historic character. Think large brick houses, weathered red-brick sidewalks, and colonial façades that look much the same as they did centuries ago.
I recommend pausing for a moment to snap a photo with the clock, then follow the short path next door to Oak Grove Cemetery, where Lexington’s history goes a little deeper.
Oak Grove Cemetery
Perched at the edge of Main Street, Oak Grove Cemetery is a serene place to wander and take in more of Lexington’s history. You’ll find hundreds of historic tombstones here as well as a statue—and the final resting place—of General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.
Apparently, his grave is often adorned with small flags, flowers, and lemons—a reminder of his love for them. We didn’t see any lemons but we did see flowers and flags.
But beyond the history, Oak Grove offers a surprisingly scenic view into Lexington’s past. From the graves, you can glimpse both stately and humble historic homes that flank the cemetery’s edges—white-columned porches, brick facades, and shuttered windows that seem to have changed little over the centuries.
You can visit the cemetery from dawn to dusk. We even strolled through well after 9 p.m. and were able to wander freely.
Enjoy a solo walk or hop on a ghost tour for one of the best Lexington, VA things to do.
Heliotrope Brewery- Devils Backbone Brewing Company
Lexington, VA Breweries
For such a small town, Lexington has its fair share of breweries and taprooms. We stopped by all of them during our weekend away, so let’s talk about them.
Brew Ridge Taps is a cool spot if you want a large selection of craft beer, both in cans and on tap. They often have live music and serve an eclectic made-from-scratch menu featuring wafflewiches (yes, it’s a thing apparently), pizza, nachos, and other bar5 bites. Regional wine is also available!
Heliotrope Brewery was my favorite of the three options in Lexington. It has a laidback yet chic vibe with woodfired pizza, gorgeous hummus and labneh starters, and phenomenal craft beer. Their menu is always rotating, in terms of what’s on draft and what wines are available.
My boyfriend enjoyed their 17 November Czech dark lager and I preferred Foubisters Flash Gaff which is a smooth Scottish 80 Shilling beer. Nonetheless, I mostly sipped on the Great Valley Gruner Veltliner, a dry white wine from a vineyard included in this guide to Lexington things to do!
Both of the previous recommendations are in the downtown hub. However, there is another one off Lee Highway called Devils Backbone Brewing Company – Outpost. This brewery has several locations in Virginia, but this is the only one in Lexington.
The Blue Ridge Mountain views are phenomenal from the back deck, and the brewery has a good selection of craft beer. You can find anything from stouts to sours. My boyfriend preferred the Vienna lager and I sipped on the sour they had on tap. Food is also available, but I haven’t tried anything from their menu.
Roadmap CoffeeWorks
For some of the best coffee in the region, you cannot skip out on visiting Roadmap CoffeeWorks. Coffee is an art at this spot, where they roast their own beans in house and take delicate care to ensure every cup of coffee is excellent.
I suggest ordering a cappuccino. It’s perfectly crafted in an 8oz cup with a double shot and beautifully creamy milk.
You can purchase their beans, buy some coffee supplies, and enjoy watching the roasting process while in the tasting room.
It’s located outside of downtown on Lee Highway, just past Devils Backbone Brewing Company.
Dining in Lexington
I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of restaurants in Lexington. From vegan spots like Globowl to swanky dining at Hardens, there’s a little something for everyone in this historic town.
Heliotrope: Delicious brick oven pizza, $10 margherita pizza on Mondays, and high quality appetizers like hummus and labneh
NapaThai: Large, laidback Thai restaurant with a generous menu, great prices, and some delicious curries
Blue Sky Bakery: Our favorite breakfast spot! Great breakfast bagels, pastries, and weekly menu options
Pronto Caffé & Gelateria: Nice coffee and one of the best croissants I’ve ever had in the United States! I highly recommend it if you’re a croissant or pain au chocolat lover.
Globowl: Healthy, causal eats with vegan/vegetarian options
Hardens: Elevated gastropub part with bar and cozy seating
Haywood’s Piano Bar & Grill: More upscale dining, part of The Georges Hotel
Things to Do Near Lexington, VA (Shenandoah Valley Day Trips)
During my trip to the Shenandoah Valley, I spent 3 days in Lexington and used it as my base for sightseeing in the area.
So, use this section to help plan your weekend in Lexington and get to know the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains.
Great Valley Farm Brewery & Winery
Spectacular views and all around good vibes, Great Valley is a must-visit just 15 minutes from downtown Lexington, VA.
We stopped here after visiting Natural Bridge State Park as they are just next to each other and it was a treat — and a perfect introduction to the charm of the Shenandoah Valley’s vineyard scene.
It’s the perfect stop for couples with different beverage tastes. They craft both beer and wine at Great Valley!
I loved the sour beer they had on tap. However, I later had their Gruner Veltliner wine at Heliotrope, and it was some of the best wine I’ve had recently.
Natural Bridge State Park
Just a quick 15-minute drive south of downtown Lexington, Natural Bridge State Park is one of Virginia’s must-see natural wonders. The centerpiece is the 215-foot limestone arch, once owned by Thomas Jefferson and long celebrated as one of the nation’s most iconic geological formations.
Entrance to the park is $9 for adults and $6 for children (ages 6–12), which includes access to the Cedar Creek Trail and the rest of the park. Parking is free.
This main trail is an easy, family-friendly path that winds along Cedar Creek and takes you right under the arch before continuing past a series of other highlights like flowing streams and Lace Falls at the end of the trail.
It’s an easy half-day trip from Lexington that combines history, scenery, and a nice day in nature—perfect whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with family.
Bonus points if you visit Great Valley afterwards!
Ecco Adesso Vineyards
Set on 350 acres of rolling countryside, with 20 acres of vines, Ecco Adesso Vineyards is a rustic meets upscale spot just outside Lexington. The vineyard offers sweeping views and plenty of ways to enjoy them. There are Adirondack chairs, picnic tables and the option to build a picnic basket inside, and cozy spaces inside the tasting room with floor-length windows.
The wine list highlights locally produced varieties like their Old World and New World Cabernet Francs and Chardonnays, along with selections from their sister vineyard, Williamsburg Winery, and even a few wines from their partners in Italy like Sassaia.
Wine Flight: They have different wine flights. We did the Old World / New World pairing, which was 4 2oz pour $25. While the pours are on the small side (especially for the price), it’s a nice way to compare their styles.
By the Glass: At $12 to $15 a glass, this might be the better value if you already know what you like.
Grand Caverns
Several caverns dot the Shenandoah Valley. Luray Caverns is the most touristy, and that’s precisely why I didn’t visit that one. Instead, I was drawn to Grand Caverns in Grottoes, Virginia.
If you’re also looking for an underground adventure, drive about 45 minutes northeast of Lexington to Grand Caverns, the oldest continually operating show cave in the United States.
Tours run every hour, and tickets are $30 per person. If you stop at any rest spots during your drive to the Shenandoah Valley, pick up a brochure for Grand Caverns and you’ll get $2 off each ticket in your group.
The guided walking tours take you through vast chambers filled with dramatic stalactites, stalagmites, and shield formations. Our guide Anna was fantastic—well-spoken, personable, and full of quirky fun facts that really brought the history and geology of the caverns to life.
Walking through the “grand rooms” of the cave feels almost otherworldly—like I’m in a fantasy novel—and makes for a great mix of education and exploration. Personally, it’s one of the best Shenandoah Valley attractions.
By the way, since Grand Caverns is just outside of Waynesboro, it’s easy to pair your visit with a stop in town for lunch afterwards. Which brings me to my next point…
Waynesboro
The caverns got my stomach gurgling, so we headed to Waynesboro for lunch. Waynesboro is a charming town with an historic feel and a stunning backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We didn’t spend a lot of time there, but it’s the perfect stop for lunch or coffee after Grand Caverns.
For lunch, stop in at Delly Up, a local favorite. The menu is packed with hearty sandwiches and hoagies, and they also offer a great lineup of craft beer on tap plus plenty of drinks to grab from the cooler. They even had one of my all-time-favorite beers I found in Ghent, Belgium!
Overall, the restaurant is casual, filling, and the perfect place to refuel after exploring the caverns or wandering the town.
There are several coffee options in Waynesboro as well like Happ Coffee and The French Press.
Crabtree Falls
One of the best afternoon hikes from Lexington, VA is Crabtree Falls. It’s about 45 minutes away, and the drive itself is part of the adventure as you wind through the Blue Ridge Mountains with gorgeous scenery throughout.
The falls are often celebrated for being the tallest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River, and once you’re there, it’s easy to see why. The main trail to the top is 1.7 miles out and back (3.4 miles round-trip), rated moderate with a steady climb but nothing too technical. Along the way, you’ll pass a series of overlooks where you can stop, catch your breath, and take in different views of the falls as they tumble down the rock face.
If you want a longer trek, you can continue on the Crabtree Falls Trail, which is a total of 2.9 miles. This section links up to the Appalachian Trail, giving you access to Spy Rock, another favorite hike in the Shenandoah Valley with sweeping summit views.
Parking at the trailhead does come with a small fee—$3 per vehicle. I’d bring some cash because at this time in August 2025, we simply filed out a small sheet with our license plate number and attached the $3 to it and dropped it all into a secure box.
Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail
A quirky and fun stop in the area is the Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail. We started from the east trailhead, and it was such a cool (literally!) and slightly eerie experience walking through the old train tunnel. The air inside is damp and humid, and once you’re about halfway through, there’s zero visibility without a flashlight—so definitely bring one along. The darkness makes it feel a little spooky, but in the best way.
As you make your way through, you’ll spot a small waterfall inside the tunnel itself, and when it’s been raining recently, there’s another one right outside the entrance.
Best of all? The trail is free to visit, making it an easy, budget-friendly and memorable stop if you’re exploring around the Shenandoah Valley.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Finally, one of the things that make these best things to do in Lexington, VA so special is the proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains. You can take advantage of views at many of the locations mentioned above. However, if you want to get more personal, drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, just 20 minutes east of Lexington.
There are so many places to stop off and catch a vast valley view flanked with rolling hills and mountains. We stopped several times throughout our 3 days in Lexington, but one of our favorite lookouts was the Afton Mountain Scenic Viewpoint. It’s just around the corner from the Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail and offers sweeping views.
Conclusion – Lexington, VA Things to Do
Thanks for reading this guide to the Shenandoah Valley! Lexington is such a charming small town, and it made for the perfect base during our 3-day trip.
If you’re looking more historic towns to visit in Virginia, check out my guide to Abingdon, Virginia!
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