Lexington & Rockbridge County: All That & More!

Late Summer 2008
by Susan Erwin

Lexington & Rockbridge County Tourism Information

When visiting Lexington and vicinity the first place to stop is the Lexington Visitor Center. It's right downtown, with plenty of parking, and friendly folks to help you out. You can also take a horse-drawn carriage tour of the historic downtown area—hop on board right outside the Visitor Center.

Next door to the Visitor Center is the Stonewall Jackson House. If you are a Civil War buff, you may be there a while. From there it's only a few short blocks from Washington & Lee University. Robert E. Lee was president of the college after the Civil War and is buried with his family at Lee Chapel and Museum. Virginia Military Institute is right next door. Cadets give walking tours of the Post, starting at the George C. Marshall Museum.

Allow ample time for browsing (and buying!) in Lexington's many downtown boutiques and galleries. You'll be pleasantly surprised at the selection and quality of merchandise available.

You'll find concerts and performances scheduled throughout the summer at Lime Kiln Theater and at the Liberty Hall Ruins, where Fridays Alive will have you clapping and toe-tapping on five seasonal Friday evenings.

August 23 is the annual Rockbridge Community Festival in Lexington, where the downtown streets are closed to traffic and bursting with arts and crafts vendors, political supporters, and crowds of locals and tourists, making the most of an end-of-summer weekend.

For scenery, nothing can match a drive to Goshen Pass, an awesome three-mile long mountain gorge formed by the Maury River. There are several pull-offs where you can get out, admire the views, picnic, hike, and even go for swim. If your head is full of the hustle and bustle of every day life this is a great place to clear out the cobwebs and unwind. To get there, take Rt. 39 west from Lexington (just north of the US11, I-64, Exit 55 interchange).

As you head back toward civilization, stop off at the Virginia Horse Center. It's on your right, just on the outskirts of Lexington, as you're heading east on Rt. 39. This is the top equine facility on the East Coast and well worth a visit.

The EconoLodge, on US11 north, just a short drive from the Horse Center, offers a great night's lodging at economy prices. With newly-renovated rooms that belie the chain's name, it's an excellent choice. (The motel welcomes pets, too!)

Wander north on US11 to the Lee Hi Travel Plaza. You'll find a 'can't miss' meal here at Berky's Restaurant any time of day—or night! Seriously, this place is open 24 hours a day. Berky's has buffets and food bars that are out of this world—and they’re all-you-can-eat, too.

There's another small city in Rockbridge County that you really ought to visit. It's Buena Vista (pronounced 'byoon-uh vist-uh'). It is tucked into the edge of the mountains and is only a few miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Get there via US60 east from Lexington.

Visit Glen Maury Park, which has a campground, pool, playgrounds, ballfields, and a public golf course, the Vista Links. If you need some exercise, take the river walk south from the park—it's a pleasant, scenic stroll. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy it at the top of the park's hill—follow the signs to the double-decker pavilion and find the perfect spot to relax.

Following US501 south from Buena Vista to Rt. 130, youll soon reach the town of Natural Bridge, where you'll find one of nature's true wonders, The Natural Bridge. This 215-foot tall, 90-foot wide rock bridge was once owned by Thomas Jefferson, who described it as the most beautiful place in the world. It's hard to argue with our third President. (Just for the record, our first President was here, too. While George Washington did not sleep here, he did carve his initials on the bridge.) When you stand under the arch and look up, and then down at the river passing below, it's impossible not to experience a sense of awe and wonder at the power of water, working patiently over hundreds of millions of years to carve its path through solid rock.

You reach the bridge by descending the 137 steps along Cascade Creek and Falls to Cedar Creek Gorge, then following Cedar Creek Trail, as it levels out and winds its way under the towering arch. Alternatively, skip the steps and take the bus from the parking lot! Farther along the trail, listen for the sound of the Lost River. At the end of the trail, the beautiful Lace Falls awaits you, a luminous cascade of water tumbling 50 feet over rocks and pools to the creek below.

Stop by the Monocan Indian Village Living History Exhibit and learn how this Native American tribe lived 300 years ago. You can watch (and maybe even help) the interpreters build canoes, tan hides, weave mats and ropes, build shelters, make tools, and gather and prepare food.

Your amazing experience doesn’t end when the sun sets. Come back in the evening for the spectacular Drama of Creation sound and light show held right under the bridge.

While at the Natural Bridge complex, visit the Natural Bridge Wax Museum. Downstairs, tour the Wax Museum Factory to get an insider's look at how the wax figures are made.

Don't miss the Toy Museum at Natural Bridge, with the world's largest collection of toys, games, and dolls from 1740 through the 20th century. The Toy Museum now boasts the world's largest permanently-installed multi-gauge toy train layout, with more than 36,500 scale miles of track and seven independently operating railroads. Really!

The Natural Bridge Hotel is a good place to stay the night. It's an outstanding hotel that offers great accommodations. The food in the Colonial Dining Room is excellent. If you are there on the weekend be sure to make reservations for their scrumptious buffet.

Just down the road from the bridge is the Natural Bridge Zoo, open every day 9–6. From the huge, rare white tiger to bears, cougars, camels, and talking parrots, this zoo offers a great experience for the entire family. Have your picture taken with baby bears and tigers! On the weekend you can even ride an elephant here.

Four miles north of the Natural Bridge lies another wonder... Virginia Safari Park. This 180-acre wild animal park is the only drive-through animal park in the state. There are three miles of winding safari roads to drive in your own vehicle or explore on a guided safari wagon ride. You'll encounter friendly bison, antelope, llamas, elk, zebras, camels, ostriches, and other critters anxious to take a snack from your feed bucket. Virginia Safari Park has expanded its walkabout Safari Village, featuring monkeys, giant tortoises (and more!) and a large petting area. You’ll love the new Tiger Territory, the Kangaroo Walkabout and Lorikeet Landing. It's definitely not your ordinary day trip!

Article text ©2008, Shenandoah Specialty Publishing, LLC.
May be printed for personal use only.

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