Virginia Horse Center

Lexington

Lexington Virginia & VHC

VISITOR'S ATTRACTIONS IN LEXINGTON AND THE HISTORIC ROCKBRIDGE AREA

The Legacv Cup will be taking place in Lexington, VA, an area known for its history and (appropriately) its "legacy" to important times in the history or our country. In the yesteryears historic Lexington welcomed Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. Today visitors are greeted to a part of Virginia that has become known for the arts, for natural beauty, for history and for its restored streets and buildings. The Rockbridge County Area is a perfect example of what this area has to offer. Here you can drive along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, admiring beautiful views of the southern Appalachian Mountains and Valleys. The Blue Ridge Parkway runs along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains for 470 miles. It is accessible from Rt. 501 East from Buena Vista over the mountain at the James River gorge to the parkway at Otter Creek.

Start your tour at the Lexington Visitor's Center, which serves as the front door to the community. It offers a warm welcome to the area. The Staff at the Center are knowledgeable about Lexington and Rockbridge County's attractions, recreation, accommodations and the history of the area. Located in downtown Lexington, the fascinating architecture as well as the surrounding residential district has been carefully restored. Visit their unique gift shops, fresh-made chocolates, fresh-roasted coffee and works by local artisans. You can pick up brochures at the Centerfor information relating to any of the following:

In 1774 Thomas Jefferson purchased Natural Bridge, a natural, 23 story high phenomenon (one of the seven natural wonders of the world) from King George III. As a young man George Washington surveyed the Bridge and carved his initials on it. The Natural Bridge of Virginia refers to both the stone bridge over Cedar Creek and the resort hotel and other attractions located at the bridge. Rockbridge County derives its name from the formation. You can experience the underground world of Natural Bridge Caverns and see weird and beautiful stone formations built up over thousands of years. The Natural Bridge Hotel is famous for its southern hospitality and its food. Their Wax Museum brings to life over 125 figures from Virginia and America's past and present.

The Virginia Horse Center (VHC), located on Route 39 West in Lexington, is one of the finest equine complexes in the United States, and offers a comprehensive facility to serve equine competition, education, marketing, travel and recreational interests for the world of horses and the people who breed, love and enjoy them. The VHC is a reflection of the many different kinds of horsemanship, and includes all breeds and disciplines. The Center offers a beautiful 400 acre site for sales, 4-H Judging, Grand Prix Show Jumping, Reining, Dressage, Breed, Eventing, Cutting, Polo, Trail Riding, Hunter/Jumpers, Driving and Pony Club events.

Twenty minutes north of downtown Lexington is the farm and workshop of Cyrus McCormick, where he invented the mechanized reaper that sparked the industrial revolution and changed the world forever. Visitors are welcome to tour the blacksmith shop, gristmill, museum and scenic site at the McCormick Farm.

Virginia Safari Park is a drive-thru zoo located on 1180 acres of hills and valleys, pasture and woods, where hundreds of exotic animals from all over the world roam free while you remain in your car. Wagon rides and a petting zoo area are also available.

Lexington is a quaint, historic, college town in the southern end of the Shenandoah Valley. The 19th century college town is home to Virginia Military Institute and Washington & Lee University. The Virginia Military Institute is the nation's oldest state-supported military college, producing leaders for all walks of life. The VMI post, rich in American history, is open year round to the public. While school is in session, cadet guides are available at Lejeune Hall for walking tours of the post. Visitors are welcome to see a review parade by the Corps of Cadets.

Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson and Robert E. Lee made Lexington their home, and both are buried here. Opened to the public, tours are offered.

Goshen Pass is 12 miles north of Lexington on Route 39. Visitors enter a great mountain gorge; three miles of rushing, boulder-strewn river with rhododendron, mountain laurel, ferns, magnificent pines and hemlocks, maples and dogwoods lining the stream and climbing the steep slopes of the surrounding mountains. Aside from its natural beauty, the pass offers recreational activities such as swimming, tubing, canoeing, fishing, hiking and picnicking.

In addition to history, Rockbridge County offers such cultural activities as wine festivals, theater and garden tours including a variety of activities for outdoor enthusiasts from hiking, canoeing and cycling to fishing and horseback riding. Tour the countryside with the scenic beauty of the
Natural Bridge, House Mountain and Goshen Pass which are unmatched anywhere in Virginia.

A renewed interest in heritage and preservation brings people to see the historical sites, preserved buildings and natural beauty. Vacationers will find themselves enchanted by Lexington's historic downtown district, partake of cultural events at Lenfest Center, Theater at Lime Kiln, and the George C. Marshall Museum at VMI. Spend hours or days at the Virginia Horse Center where equestrian events take place year round.

Where Memories Are Made…Rockbridge County and Historic Lexington, Virginia. For more information call the AHJF office at 508-835-8813. For hotel reservations call 800-919-9675. For local area information call the Chamber of Commerce at 540-463-5375 or the Lexington Visitor Center at 540-463-3777.