Holiday Daytrip: Shop and Dine in Lexington and Rockbridge County

An easy one hour drive from Roanoke, Charlottesville, Lynchburg and Lewisburg, WV or a short, scenic drive from Richmond, Washington, DC and Northern Virginia delivers holiday shoppers to the perfect day trip destination in Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County!

'Tis the season to shop the sweetest downtowns all dressed in the spirit of the season! Immaculate window displays, wreathed lamp posts, wonderful scents, and a crisp nip to your nose are greetings as you browse over 60 indie-owned shops and restaurants in downtown Lexington.

Recharge with a great meal, local spirits, and meaningful time with friends and family. Complete your visit with a walk across the beautiful campuses of Washington and Lee University and Virginia Military Institute, and perhaps pop into one of the museums.

There is always FREE parking at the Lexington Visitor Center located at 106 E. Washington Street. Pick up a Historic Lexington Walking Tour Map to learn about downtown history and architecture while strolling the brick-lined sidewalks.

ALSO SEE: Thanksgiving and Celebrating the Holidays.

Downtown Lexington

For the hands-on recipient on your gift list, make a beeline for Make It Sew or House Mountain Yarn Co., both offering all of the needful things a seamstress, quilter, or knitter could want.

Those who are more hands-in will undoubtedly love what awaits at Ladles & Linens, Lexington's kitchen shoppe! Shenandoah Attic & Victorian Parlour and Lexington Mercantile also offer kitchen accoutrement, sauces, jellies, jams, oils, seasonings, and much more.

Beautiful handmade jewelry, fine art, wood turnings, and pottery can be found all over Lexington at places like Artists in Cahoots, Earth, Fire & Spirit Pottery, Cabell Gallery, and Nelson Fine Art Gallery.

For rare or out of print finds for your favorite bookworm, head to The Bookery. New releases and children's books can be found at Downtown Books. Game time is family time, and Lexington has a brand new store specializing in just that! Just Games is your go-to for board games and more!

The hard-to-shop-for lady in your life likely doesn't want the run-of-the-mill brand names on her labels. Well, you're in the right place to surprise her with boutique apparel and shoe finds! From Pappagallo and Clover to Pumpkinseeds, your choices are plentiful and various.

Both men and women will appreciate a gift from Alvin-Dennis, purveyor of brands like The North Face, Simply Southern, Vineyard Vines, Hunter, Sperry, and all things Washington and Lee and Virginia Military Institute.

At Walkabout Outfitter, you'll secure excellent outdoor apparel, shoes, hats, coats, and accessories for your outdoor-loving friends and family, and their pets, too!

In other outdoors news, Lex Running Shop is the local authority on all things running, and as such, should be your go-to for apparel and shoes specific to that activity.

Baubles, gems, and beautifully glistening gifts can be found at Hess & Co., Hamric & Sheridan, and even Celtic Tides, our favorite jewelry and Celtic stores.

History can find a place in the home of a loved one. Choose a book, souvenir, or gift from one of our museum shops, like the VMI Museum, Jackson House Museum, or University Chapel and Galleries. Special holiday gift opportunities may be available; be sure to take a glance.

The Village of Fairfield

Warm and toasty gifts await at The Quiltery. Choose from an array of fabrics, kits, notions, and of course, finished quilts.

Antiquers will want to swing through 3 Seasons Antiques & Unique Treasures. You never know when a long-sought something will turn up right before your eyes.