Lexington, Virginia, is a great city for families looking for a destination for relaxation and education. Filled with Southern charm and history, Lexington is located in the Shenandoah Valley — a place of natural beauty where you’ll enjoy stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, outdoor recreational activities, and a welcoming community. From its historic sites to a quaint Main Street lined with unique shops and eateries, Lexington is a delightful destination for an enriching and enjoyable family vacation!

Take a Carriage Ride Through Downtown Lexington

One of the best ways to really see the sights is to start your visit with a horse-drawn carriage tour through downtown Lexington. Lexington Carriage Company offers narrated, historic tours Wednesdays through Sundays from April through October, no reservation required. Listen to the clip-clop-clip-clop of the pair of horses as they pull your carriage up and down the streets as you see the iconic shops, universities and landmarks that make Lexington unique.

Each carriage tour takes about 45 minutes, and they are fun for all ages!

Tour Two Historic Universities:
Virginia Military Institute and Washington & Lee University 

Lexington is home to two great historic universities: Virginia Military Institute and Washington & Lee University. Visitors are welcome to tour both, either on self-guided tours or by scheduling a guided tour.

Virginia Military Institute (VMI)

Founded in 1839, VMI is the oldest state-run military college in the United States. On campus is the VMI Museum, where you’ll see a world-class collection of firearms, artifacts that tell the history of the school and its students, and uniforms worn by decorated alumni, including Civil War general Stonewall Jackson. Most Friday afternoons and some Saturday mornings, the Corps of Cadets conducts a 45-minute dress parade, complete with marching, rifle drills and other impressive pageantry.

Washington & Lee University

Washington & Lee was founded in 1749 and named after George Washington and Robert E. Lee. At this liberal arts school, you’ll want to check out the University Chapel & Museum, where you’ll see the 500 seat chapel, the Lee family mausoleum, and Lee’s office when he was president of the university from 1865 to 1870. Also check out the Reeves Museum of Ceramics, which houses the 4th largest collection of ceramics in the U.S.

Marvel at the Beauty of Natural Bridge State Park

Just south of Lexington is Natural Bridge State Park, a stunning natural wonder that draws visitors from all over the world. The park is home to the namesake natural bridge, a 215-foot tall limestone arch that spans 90 feet across Cedar Creek. This geological formation is estimated to be over 500 million years old and is a sight to behold, especially when illuminated during the park’s evening light show.

Start your visit at the Visitor’s Center, where you’ll find a huge gift shop and exhibits and information about the park’s history, geology and ecology. Then, make your way down Cedar Creek Trail, which requires walking down 137 steps. Accommodations can be made for those with strollers or wheelchairs. As you wind your way down the hiking trail, you’ll encounter water falls, forests, caves and more that will immerse you in the park’s natural beauty.

Meet + Greet Animals at Virginia Safari Park

For the animal lovers in the family, you will want to visit Virginia Safari Park, the state’s largest and only drive-thru zoo. On this 180-acre preserve, you can see and feed more than 1,000 free-roaming animals from the comfort of your car, including antelope, bison, camels, elk, llamas, ostriches, zebras and many others. You might even get to see some baby animals!

Afterward, get out and stretch your legs and check out the petting zoo, where you can interact with pot-bellied pigs and goats. The park is open March through December.

Explore a Farm

Within a short drive of Lexington, you’ll find a variety of farms and outdoor places to explore, offering something for everyone!

Tantivity Lavender Farm

More than just a family-owned lavender farm, Tantivity Lavender Farm is where you can explore more than a thousand lavender plants of 20 different varieties. The owners also produce and sell lavender products, dried and fresh wreaths, lavender food (including ice cream!), and if you visit around the end of May to end of June, you might be able to pick your own lavender. Friendly farm animals also live on the farm, and you might be able to meet and greet them! The farm is open May to December.

McCormick Farm

Home of Cyrus McCormick, the inventor of the mechanical grain reaper, McCormick Farm is located in Raphine, a 20-minute drive from Lexington. At this beautiful farm, you can learn about agriculture in the small museum on the grounds, see the old grist mill, walk along a nature trail to see cows in the pasture, and have a picnic in the picnic area. Pets are also welcome!

Ecco Adesso Vineyards

This one is (mostly) for the grown-ups! Just 15 minutes from Lexington, Ecco Adesso Vineyards is family-friendly and dog-friendly place to enjoy a picnic and some wine surrounded by the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains. Along with wine tastings, Ecco Adesso offers their 350 acre farm as a place to explore the vineyards, hiking trails, meadows, orchards, waterfalls and creeks that are on the grounds.

Dine on Delicious Food

Lexington and the surrounding towns have a variety of food options that will satisfy every type of appetite.

One of the most family-friendly restaurants in Lexington is Pure Eats, offering breakfast, burgers and their signature donuts, which they make fresh every day. Hardens, a new restaurant located in downtown Lexington, offers comforting classics like smash burgers, but also inventive dishes with global flavors like Korean rice bowls and ahi tuna toastadas. Globowl Cafe, also downtown, offers an array of health-conscious fare ranging from spring rolls to hearty salads to Buddha bowls. Heliotrope brews small-batch, artisan ales and lagers, and offers a rotating menu of locally sourced dishes, such as wood-fired pizzas and sandwiches. At Devils Backbone Outpost Tap Room & Kitchen, you’ll find family-friendly fare like giant Bavarian pretzels with cheese, fries and chicken thighs, burgers and lots more. Make sure to stop at Sweet Things Ice Cream Shoppe for a scoop of their popular banana ice cream — a local favorite!