Natural Bridge State Park
A limestone arch twenty stories tall that Thomas Jefferson once owned — the collapsed remnant of an ancient cave over Cedar Creek, walked beneath on an easy trail to a waterfall in the Shenandoah Valley.
Virginia
Natural Bridge & Lexington
Natural Bridge and Lexington sit in the southern Shenandoah Valley, where a 215-foot limestone arch once owned by Thomas Jefferson stands beside a historic hotel, and a brick-sidewalk college town holds two campuses, Civil War-era houses and the museum of a Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Add a drive-thru safari, a seven-mile river rail trail, a 1750 grist mill, summer concerts in an old quarry and the Blue Ridge Parkway a short drive east, and the area makes an easy, varied trip for families, couples and history fans. Roanoke and Staunton are close enough for food, breweries and theater.
Don't miss
Natural Bridge State Park
A limestone arch twenty stories tall that Thomas Jefferson once owned — the collapsed remnant of an ancient cave over Cedar Creek, walked beneath on an easy trail to a waterfall in the Shenandoah Valley.
Virginia Safari Park
A 180-acre drive-thru safari a few minutes from the arch, where camels, elk and ostriches wander up to the car window, plus a walk-through village with giraffes, kangaroos and penguins.
VMI Museum and the Post
America's oldest state-supported military college, with a free museum in Jackson Memorial Hall, the cadet parade ground and the barracks arches of the Post.
Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia Self-Guided Audio Tour
A GPS-triggered audio drive along the Virginia stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway, with stories and stop suggestions that fit a day trip from Natural Bridge or Roanoke.
Things to do in Natural Bridge & Lexington
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Virginia Safari Park
A 180-acre drive-thru safari a few minutes from the arch, where camels, elk and ostriches wander up to the car window, plus a walk-through village with giraffes, kangaroos and penguins.
Stonewall Jackson House
The only home Thomas J. Jackson ever owned, a restored 1801 brick townhouse in downtown Lexington where he lived and taught before the Civil War.
University Chapel and Galleries at Washington and Lee
The 1868 chapel at Washington and Lee, formerly called Lee Chapel, with its galleries, the recumbent statue and the crypt where Robert E. Lee is buried.
VMI Museum and the Post
America's oldest state-supported military college, with a free museum in Jackson Memorial Hall, the cadet parade ground and the barracks arches of the Post.
George C. Marshall Museum
A museum on the VMI Post devoted to General George C. Marshall, the VMI graduate behind the Marshall Plan and the 1953 Nobel Peace Prize.
Lexington Carriage Company Horse-Drawn Tour
A narrated horse-drawn carriage ride of about fifty minutes through Lexington's historic streets, a relaxed orientation that passes the Jackson House, Washington and Lee and the cemetery.
Haunting Tales Ghost Tour of Lexington
A candlelit guided walk through Lexington's alleys, churchyards and old streets, trading local legends and history after dark.
Hull's Drive-In Theatre
An authentic 1950s drive-in theater a short drive from Lexington, open from spring into autumn, with a double feature under the stars.
Lime Kiln Theater
An open-air amphitheater in an old limestone quarry west of Lexington, famous for summer bluegrass, folk and world-music concerts under the stars.
Virginia Horse Center
One of the largest equestrian venues in the Mid-Atlantic, just north of Lexington, hosting horse shows, sales and events year-round that visitors can often watch for little or nothing.
Cyrus McCormick Farm and Workshop
The Rockbridge County farm where Cyrus McCormick developed the mechanical reaper in 1831, now a museum, workshop and walking trails near Steeles Tavern.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
$$Natural Bridge Historic Hotel
Natural Bridge, Shenandoah Valley
A columned Colonial Revival hotel across the road from Jefferson's limestone arch — sleep steps from Natural Bridge State Park on a hotel site that has welcomed travelers since the 1830s.
Check rates →Hampton Inn Lexington Historic District
Historic District, Lexington
A dependable Hampton Inn named for Lexington's historic district, a practical base for VMI, Washington and Lee and a day at Natural Bridge.
Check rates →Country Inn and Suites by Radisson Lexington
Lexington
A comfortable chain hotel in Lexington, Virginia with easy road access, spacious rooms and a good value base for the Shenandoah Valley.
Check rates →Comfort Inn Lexington Virginia Horse Center
Near the Virginia Horse Center, Lexington
A practical Comfort Inn near the Virginia Horse Center, handy for horse shows and as an economical base for Lexington and Natural Bridge.
Check rates →Comfort Inn and Suites Raphine Near I-81 and I-64
Raphine, near Lexington
A convenient interstate-side hotel in Raphine, a few minutes north of Lexington, for road-trippers on the Shenandoah Valley route.
Check rates →Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center, Curio Collection by Hilton
Hilltop above Downtown Roanoke
Roanoke's grand Tudor Revival hotel on its hilltop, a historic railroad-era landmark about an hour from Lexington, with city views and classic character.
Check rates →Hotel 24 South Staunton
Downtown Staunton
A downtown Staunton hotel in the historic building long known as the Stonewall Jackson Hotel, close to the Blackfriars Playhouse and the Victorian streets.
Check rates →Hampton Inn Staunton
Staunton
A reliable chain hotel in Staunton with free breakfast, easy parking and quick access to the interstate for a Shenandoah Valley loop.
Check rates →Best Western Staunton Inn
Staunton
A budget-friendly Best Western in Staunton with easy parking, handy for a Shenandoah Valley driving trip and a night at the Blackfriars Playhouse.
Check rates →Natural Bridge & Lexington guides
Natural Bridge and Lexington in Three Days
A three-day plan that pairs the great limestone arch with Lexington's campuses and museums, a safari day and a river or Parkway outing, paced for families and couples.
First-Timer's Guide to Natural Bridge and Lexington
How the area fits together, which sights to prioritize, how long to stay, how to get around and what to know about seasons, crowds and costs.
Best Time to Visit Natural Bridge and Lexington
A season-by-season guide to foliage, flowers, outdoor music, drive-in nights and quiet winter days, with notes on crowds, closures and event weekends.
Where to Stay: Natural Bridge, Lexington, Staunton or Roanoke
Compare bases for a Rockbridge County trip, from the historic hotel beside the arch to Lexington chains, Staunton's theater town and Roanoke's city energy.
Lexington's History: VMI, Washington and Lee, Jackson and Marshall
A guide to the layered stories of Lexington, from two campuses and a Civil War-era townhouse to the Marshall Plan, with tips for visiting thoughtfully.
Day Trips from Natural Bridge: Parkway, Roanoke and Staunton
Three day trips that extend a Rockbridge County stay: a Blue Ridge Parkway drive, a city day in Roanoke and a theater-and-history day in Staunton.
