Whether you’re partial to eastern- or Lexington-style barbecue (in our book, there’s room for both!), Lexington is the only town that calls itself “The Barbecue Capital of the World.” And for good reason: Smoked and chopped, this vinegar-and-tomato-based style was perfected by Lexingtonian Sid Weaver to feed friends and farm workers in the early 1900s. And while Lexington may be most famous for its eponymous pork, this Piedmont town brims with enough natural beauty and fun activities to fill a weekend getaway. Landscaped parks and sparkling lakes rim the town, along with trellised vineyards that have perfected the art of celebrating occasions of all sizes. Within Lexington, breweries, restaurants, and markets open their doors for guests to sip and browse. When planning a visit to this Davidson County town, let this be your guide for getting started:
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Speedy’s: From the classic red booths and white linoleum tables at this Lexington staple, feast your eyes and your taste buds. Vintage movie posters alongside classic Pepsi signs adorn the old pine panels. Dig into the basket of crispy hush puppies before your next course: a heaping portion of your choice of barbecue (options include chopped, course chopped, or sliced) served with an equally generous pile of crinkle fries.
All barbecue at Lexington Barbecue comes with the quintessential side of red slaw. photograph by Anna Cook
Lexington Barbecue: Pork shoulders spend close to a day cooking slowly over oak and hickory coals before being chopped and dressed with a tomato-flavored sauce at Lexington’s iconic barbecue destination. Keep it simple with a ‘cue sandwich (red slaw is non-negotiable) or amp it up with a tray and upgrade your fries to onion rings. Polish off your meal with a bowl of peach cobbler.
The Barbecue Center: What started back in 1955 as a small winter barbecue pit to supplement their summer ice cream sales is now the oldest establishment in downtown Lexington still cooking on pits. Barbecue trays come with chopped, sliced, or course-chopped ‘cue, and the sides are tried-and-true mainstays: red slaw, hush puppies, or rolls.
Don’t be stingy! A generous douse of vinegar-based red sauce gives the regional barbecue its iconic flavor. photograph by Jon Eckard
Backcountry Barbeque: You’ll pinpoint notes of vinegar, pepper, and ketchup in the sauce that defines this roughly chopped barbecue smoked over wood coals. They’ve been going at it since 1984, and from the big red barn filled with hickory wood, you can tell this roadside joint is the real deal.
Don’t miss these other local barbecue favorites:
Goose and the Monkey Brewhouse: This celebration of community serves a beverage to suit every taste: local wines, small-batch beer, champagne, and espresso. We recommend trying the coffee-infused beer.
Catch up with friends in the yard at Bull City Ciderworks while sampling a flight of their dry hard ciders. photograph by NC Tripping
Bull City Ciderworks: In this renovated furniture warehouse, choose from 16 ciders on tap or order a craft beer or Cheerwine. The spacious and relaxed atmosphere invites you and your friends to kick back by the outdoor fire pits (dogs are welcome!) or engage in a friendly board-game competition.
Childress Vineyards: Make a day of it at this impressive vineyard, the dream of NASCAR team owner Richard Childress. Familiarize yourself with their wines at a tasting, take a barrel cave production tour, enjoy a beautiful day outside with a view of the rolling vineyards at the Corner Cantina, or make a reservation for a meal at The Bistro.
Get cozy in the tasting room at Childress Vineyards with a glass of petite verdot or sip a crisp glass of Sundance white wine at Native Wines Winery. Photography courtesy of Childress Vineyards, Craig Distl
Native Vines Winery: Winemaker Darlene Gabbard, a member of the largest Indigenous American tribe east of the Mississippi River, proudly represents her Lumbee heritage with a selection of award-winning wines. The vineyards rest on 36 acres of rolling pasture and woodland. After a tasting, take it all in from the outdoor patio and picnic tables.
Weathervane Winery: Experience a sensory immersion at this winery, complete with cabin rentals, events, wine-and-cheese pairings, and tours. They even have their own custom-curated radio station to help kickstart full relaxation mode.
Other local wineries:
Boone’s Cave Park: Rumor has it that when the pioneer Daniel Boone was an infant, his parents holed up in one of the caves at this park before settling across the Yadkin. Today’s explorers can still find those caves on the 110-acre park that bears Boone’s name. They can also find ideal spots for canoeing on the Yadkin, hiking through stunning fauna in the hardwood stands, and camping.
Lace up your hiking shoes and explore the trails that crisscross Boone’s Cave Park or bring a tent and make an overnight of your visit. Photography courtesy of Three Rivers Land Trust
High Rock Lake: North Carolina’s second largest lake (behind Lake Norman), ringed by 365 miles of shoreline, boasts more than 15,000 acres of water surface, perfect for picnicking, boating, and all other water play. Skipjack Harbor and Marina is the place to fuel up your boat, as well as the stop for libations and ice cream. Don’t have a boat but ready to hit the waves? Call ahead to reserve one at Skipjack.
The Ridge Cycle Hub: Serious cyclists and hiker, this one’s for you! Lexington’s exhilarating 10 miles of trails contain drops, climbs, and loops that delight all levels of hikers and mountain bikers. The park also has a child-friendly hiking and biking trail for those who enjoy outdoor fun but like it better when it comes with less work.
No boat, no problem! Practice your wakeboarding moves at Elevated Wake Park. photograph by Jeff Mathis
Elevated Wake Park: This place gives “water park” new meaning. Lexingtonian native Morgan Batchelor founded this hometown park to help everyone enjoy riding on the water. In addition to wakeboarding lessons on the lake, visitors can enjoy the full-sized cable park, where they can get pulled around the lake on a cable; check out the playground that floats in the middle of the lake; or register for the summer day camps where children learn safe ways to have a blast in the water.
Uptown District: Uptown Lexington’s small-town charm underlines more than 190 retail spaces. Here are a few of our favorites.
Satisfy your sweet tooth with old-fashioned candy and confections at The Candy Factory or an sprinkle-topped doughnut at Red Donut Shop. Photography courtesy of Lexington Tourism Authority
Painted Pigs: As you make your way around Lexington, see how many of the 30 Painted Pigs in the city you can spot. From “Pigsaw” to “Girl Snout” to “Swine Lake,” these playful public art pieces dot the town — pick up a Pig Map at the Lexington Visitors Center to find them all.
Set a high score at your choice of game in the bar-meets-arcade Short Circuit. photograph by Craig Distl
Short Circuit: This arcade bar offers 5,000 square feet of play space and has a great patio. Even if you’re not into arcade games, you can relax with a drink while your companions play inside.
RCR Racing Museum: Just outside Lexington in the community of Welcome, North Carolina, the 52-acre attraction reveals how an independent, local team became a NASCAR powerhouse. Tour the museum and be sure to visit the gift shop, which sells anything and everything the motorsports lover in your life could want.
Explore all sides of Lexington’s culture from its motorsports legacy at the RCR Racing Museum to art and furniture at Bob Timberlake Gallery. photograph by Craig Distl, Jon Eckard
Bob Timberlake Gallery: In 1997, internationally acclaimed artist Bob Timberlake opened this gallery where visitors can experience his designs and artwork throughout the sprawling space filled with art, apparel, furniture, and home furnishing accessories.
Evenbrooke Marketplace: Wander around the booths of more than 80 vendors to snag local treasures, vintage furniture, and splendid decor at this 10,000-square-foot artisan co-op.
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This story was published on Feb 19, 2025
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