The historic brick sidewalks and preserved architecture of downtown Lexington, Virginia are eye candy for anyone looking for a cool fall Main Street stroll, but it’s the charm of the locally owned shops, the big city flavors, the booming art scene, and the stunning mountain backdrop that round out the appeal.
Fanciful Shopping
There’s no dedication to customer service like that from a homegrown, independent business. Lucky for you, that’s all you’ll find in historic downtown Lexington. From chic boutiques and niche hobby stores to rare books and outdoor gear, most visitors find something for themselves as well as a gift or two for another.
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No college town is complete without collegiate apparel and gifts. Alumni and families of Washington and Lee University and Virginia Military Institute flock to downtown businesses for fine threads, artisan-made souvenirs, and excellent food, wine, and beer. Indeed, fall Saturdays are made for football and post-game toasts.
Incredible Flavors
It should not be a surprise that one can find excellent cuisine in a sweet southern town. Consider the farm-to-table movement which brings the yield of local farms to the tables of local restaurants. It’s a labor of love to harvest the food and an additional layer of adoration to prepare it in the best, most flavorful way possible.
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Consider such restaurants in Lexington: Red Hen, Southern Inn, Bistro on Main, Heliotrope Brewery, Haywood’s Piano Bar and Grill, and Pure Eats, for starters. Small plates, comfort food, wood-fired pizzas, grass-fed burgers … there are many palate-pleasers to choose from.
An Abundance of Art
Lexington’s “Gallery Row” is found on Washington Street between Main and Jefferson. There you can pick up a stunning original painting from The Cabell Gallery, stained glass, photography, metalworks, or jewelry from Artists in Cahoots, and beautiful pottery at Earth, Fire, Spirit.
Lovers of the iconic 1800s Lexington brick can find inspired charms, bangles, rings, and earrings by Maureen and Rebecca Worth at Artists in Cahoots. For Lexington brick textiles like tea towels, dog collar bandanas, pillow covers, and throws, inquire about Merryn Williams Designs at Downtown Books.
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Scenic Backroads
Traveling the roads beyond downtown Lexington and into Rockbridge County is a fruitful adventure for fall foliage seekers. Choose any direction and there are mountains, rolling fields, and farms to admire.
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What do you plan to do first upon your arrival to Lexington? Head over to LexingtonVirginia.com to see more that awaits and request additional travel information.