Twenty-two years ago, Lexington artist Margaret Sink painted a life-size, fiberglass pig with a summer scene — flowers against a white wooden fence on a backdrop of blue sky.
Pigket Fence was her response to Uptown Lexington, Inc.’s call for artists to contribute decorated pigs that would be auctioned for a fundraiser. Today, 30 or so of these ornamented pigs live inside and outside of businesses, drawing foot traffic to downtown Lexington.
Strolling along the town’s sidewalks in search of these whimsical pigs is one of many ways to get outside here. With pursuits that get your heart pumping — mountain biking, kayaking, hiking — and more relaxing endeavors, you’re within easy access to adventures that suit a range of interests. Read on for our top picks of outdoor activities in North Carolina’s barbecue capital.
Kayak along the Yadkin River and you’ll immerse yourself in the natural setting. Look closely to spot a heron, silent and still as his eyes search for the next meal. Gliding along, you could encounter deer munching on undergrowth in shady forests and turtles basking on sun-warmed rocks. The water’s level and flow vary, but when it’s calm, the smooth surface reflects trees draped over the riverbanks.
Join an organized paddle with Yadkin Riverkeeper, which works to protect and enhance the river. The organization is a wealth of information about river conditions, and its group paddle trips provide a great way to familiarize yourself with the Yadkin. For a self-guided trip, check their website for maps of the Yadkin River State Trail, including kayak launches and helpful tips for navigating the river.
Past the York Hill Boat Access at Yadkin River Park, the river becomes High Rock Lake, a hotspot for water sports including stand-up paddleboarding, boating, and kayaking. Reserve your choice of vessel from Skipjack Harbor and Marina, which rents kayaks, pontoon boats, and more. You can also rent kayaks and explore the shores of Lake Thom-A-Lex, a smaller body of water just northeast of Lexington.
Looking to combine your water play with a little aerial activity? Check out the wakeboard course at Elevated Wake Park. Photography courtesy of Elevated Wake Park
Elevated Wake Park takes water fun up a notch. The only full-size park of its kind in the state, it’s the place to learn to wakeboard — where participants stand with both feet on a board while holding onto a cable that pulls them around the lake. With enough practice, wakeboarders jump, spin, and complete other tricks off of floating ramp-like obstacles along the water course.
At Elevated’s inflated Aqua Park, a floating circuit designed for energetic play, guests can climb to the top of the slide and swoosh into the water with a splash. Staying cool while launching yourself into the lake and spinning with friends on the merry-go-round-like float is a crowd-pleasing way to beat summer heat.
Prefer terrestrial fun over water? Varying levels of cyclists can traverse the trails at The Ridge Cycle Hub. Photography courtesy of Lexington Parks and Recreation
For heightened thrills, speed through the singletrack course at The Ridge Cycle Hub. This 10-mile circuit draws intermediate to advanced cyclists, testing their skills with drops and climbs through wooded terrain.
If you decide to take your bike for a spin, you’ll zoom over multiple bridges, skirting City Lake during your ride. Often praised for its well-maintained trails with good drainage, banked turns, and flowy design, the park also has a wider path, suitable for children and hikers to follow.
Find shade at Boone’s Cave Park — and pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in one of the two caves. Photography courtesy of Three Rivers Land Trust
According to local lore, Daniel Boone and his family spent a year near Boone’s Cave Park after his father, Squire Boone, moved the crew to North Carolina in 1750. The Boones were just one of the families drawn to the Yadkin Valley’s fertile land.
Today, you can spend an afternoon hiking seven-plus miles of trails through these hilly woodlands. Along the park’s trails, hikers find treasures like two shallow caves, a 169-foot-tall Eastern Cottonwood tree, native wildflowers, and an old stone foundation and chimney — the last remains of a log cabin built in the 1940s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
The park’s 18-hole disc golf course, playground, kayak and canoe launch, riverside fishing spots, and primitive campsites add to the fun and let you extend the afternoon trip into an overnight.
Be on the lookout for Lexington’s famed painted pigs, like Miss Puffy the Peppermint Pig. Photography courtesy of Lexington Tourism Authority
No trip to town is complete without a plate or sandwich piled high with Lexington barbecue. photograph by Jon Eckard
To turn a walk around Lexington into a playful “pig hunt,” stop by the Visitor Center for a Pigs in the City map. Inside the center, you’ll spot three of the beloved piggies — Sight Seeing Sow, Sharped Dressed Ham, and Elvis Porksley, decked out in shades and signature jumpsuit.
These mascots pay tribute to Lexington’s eponymous style of barbecue: Made with whole pork shoulders and smoked over hickory or oak coals, this savory dish has earned the town “barbecue capital” status.
Map in hand, you and your travel companions can search the streets for the colorfully adorned porcine pals, many of which lie within walking distance from the Visitor Center. Check off your finds as you go and take photos to document your progress.
Follow a tasting at Childress Vineyards with a leisurely lunch paired with a glass of your favorite wine. Photography courtesy of Childress Vineyards
Unwind with a glass of Curran Alexander Vineyards’ rosé wine, made from the cabernet sauvignon grapes grown on-site. Photography courtesy of Curran Alexander Vineyards
The bucolic countryside surrounding Lexington grows many crops, including grape vines, so why not unwind after a hard day of play at one of the area’s vineyards? Hot summers and Piedmont soil add to the flavors of wine made from grapes grown in this southern end of the Yadkin Valley American Viticultural Area.
Along the gravel driveway of Junius Lindsay Vineyard, grapevines twine around trellises. At the drive’s end, a lovely tasting room invites you in to sip French-style wines. From this intimate, open-air space surrounded by grapevines and farmland to the sprawling Childress Vineyards, with its ornate stone entrance, full-service bistro, and production tours, the area’s varied options allow for unique wines and experiences. You could even reserve the historic C.A. Snider home at Curran Alexander Vineyards and rest your head mere steps from the newly expanded tasting room.
Gather with friends (dogs, included!) at the Bull City Ciderworks’ covered porch. Photography courtesy of NC Tripping
You’ll find more outdoor gathering spots tucked in the warehouses just beyond downtown Lexington. The sizeable, covered porch and grassy courtyard outside Bull City Ciderworks is the perfect spot to sip and Oyah orange-and-hibiscus cider under a dusky sky.
At Goose and the Monkey Brewhouse, a brewery owned and operated by Lexington natives Ashlee and Brent Moore, grab a pint of award-winning Lexington Lake Lager and find a table on the patio. The brewhouse welcomes children and pets, so bring the kids and your pooch to take in the local scene. “We wanted it to be a place where every age could go and hang out and talk,” Ashlee says.
Sip a Mad Monkey Blood Orange Sour at Goose and the Monkey and select a four-pack to take home. Photography courtesy of Goose and the Monkey Brewhouse
With food trucks, a full coffee bar featuring coffee roasted on-site, and a brick oven pizza shop, you can stop by for an afternoon pick-me-up and stay for a meal. “People comment that it has such a happy, friendly vibe. That’s what we wanted,” Ashlee says. “We try to love on our community and be the local watering hole.”
Ready to experience this community yourself? Whether you gather with friends at Goose and the Monkey Brewhouse, search for painted pigs dotting the streets of Uptown, or take a guided paddle trip in the Yadkin River, you’ll find Lexington’s distinct personality and beautiful Piedmont setting front and center. Click here to start planning your trip.
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