Lexington, North Carolina

Owned by the famous NASCAR entrepreneur Richard Childress, Childress Vineyards is one of the biggest wineries in the beautiful Yadkin Valley, and it boasts a state-of-the-art winery building modeled after a Tuscan villa. Their award-winning portfolio includes everything from classic reds and whites to sparkling wines and dessert wines, and some of the wines are made entirely with grapes grown in the winery's own 72-acre vineyard. Tours and tastings are offered all throughout the year, and visitors can often enjoy live music performances during the spring and fall. There's also an on-site bistro, which is open seven days a week.

1000 Childress Vineyards Rd, Lexington, NC 27295, Phone: 336-236-9463

Named in honor of Daniel Boone, an iconic American pioneer who moved to the area in 1751, Boone's Cave Park is a peaceful 120-acre property on the banks of the Yadkin River. Amenities in the park are limited, but there are six miles of well-maintained hiking trails, and visitors are welcome to picnic and fish in the river. Brave visitors who don't mind crawling on their hands and knees can also explore the park's 140-foot-long cave, which is believed to have been Boone's hideout. If you'd like to spend the night, several primitive campsites are available to visitors by reservation.

3552 Boones Cave Rd, Lexington, NC 27295, Phone: 336-752-2322

If you are traveling with kids

Tranquility and adventure converge at High Rock Lake, North Carolina’s second-largest lake. The lake, which was built in 1929, is impressive with a total size of 15,180 acres and a shoreline that is 365 miles long. All of this makes it perfect for individuals who are looking to enjoy an active and outdoor lifestyle whether for a few days or a few weeks. Participate in year-round water-based recreational activities like jet skiing, kayaking, canoeing, or even fishing. Meanwhile, those who want to enjoy hiking, nature tours, or bird watching, can make their way to the nearby Eagle Point Nature Preserve which features great trails to explore. Also, nearby High Rock Lake is the Dan Nicholas Park, which gives the lake’s visitors access to cool experiences like a gem mine and campgrounds. Phone: 704-637-5526

Located in a rest area just off the I-85, the North Carolina Vietnam Veterans Memorial was erected to commemorate the brave soldiers who were lost in the Vietnam War. A walkway leads from the parking lot to the monument, which is made entirely out of North Carolina red brick, and a plaque on the wall names each and every one of the more than 1,600 North Carolinians who lost their life in the war. The monument is also surrounded with beautiful evergreen trees that were planted in memory of all the Americans who lost their lives in the conflict.

I-85 Mile Marker 100, Lexington, NC

Lexington is fondly referred to as the "Barbecue Capital of the World", so it's no surprise that the annual Barbecue Festival is one of the city's most popular events. It has been taking place every October since 1984, and although it started out as a relatively humble affair with only a few vendors, it has grown into an enormous celebration that sprawls across ten downtown blocks. Dozens of local restaurants and out-of-state vendors set up food stalls, but there are plenty of other attractions as well, including live music, a lumberjack competition, and family-friendly carnival rides.

100 Smokehouse Ln, Lexington, NC 27295, Phone: 336-249-9814

If you are planning a date

Part of the Richard Childress Racing campus, the RCR Museum & Gift Shop offers a behind-the-scenes look at the history of some of the most famous teams and drivers in NASCAR history. The museum exhibits cover topics like Richard Childress’ early days as a NASCAR driver and the fame achieved by Dale Earnhardt and his No. 3 team, and the educational displays are supplemented by an incredible collection of cars that includes the Daytona 500 winning car driven by Dale Earnhardt. Visitors are welcome Tuesday through Saturday, and tickets must be purchased to enter the museum.

236 Industrial Dr, Lexington, NC 27295, Phone: 336-731-3389

Specializing in Old World style estate-bottled wines, Junius Lindsay Vineyard is a boutique winery with a beautiful open-air tasting room. They proudly produce all their wine using grapes grown in their own vineyard, all of which come from varietals native to France's Rhone Valley. All tastings include a souvenir wine glass to keep, and visitors are welcome to bring their own food if they'd like to have a picnic on the winery grounds.

385 Dr Zimmerman Rd, Lexington, NC 27295, Phone: 336-764-4050

Housed inside a beautiful Greek Revival building that was built in 1858 to serve as the city's courthouse, the Davidson County Historical Museum has a wonderful collection of exhibits designed to educate visitors about the heritage of Davidson County. Most of the exhibits are arranged around different themes, and one of the major highlights is a historical courtroom that looks just as it would have in the 19th century. There's also a room dedicated simply to displaying the most curious items from the museum's collection of historic objects. The museum is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, and there is no admission fee.

2 S Main St, Lexington, NC 27292, Phone: 336-242-2035

Where to Eat

As the oldest barbecue joint in town that still cooks its meat over pits, the Barbecue Center Inc is an ideal place to get a taste of authentic Lexington barbecue. Both sliced and chopped barbecue is available, and they separate the light meat from the dark so customers can order exactly what they like. If you want to end your meal with something sweet, there's also an extensive menu of decadent dipped ice cream cones, sundaes, and homemade pie.

900 N Main St, Lexington, NC 27292, Phone: 336-248-4633

Another of Lexington's most beloved barbecue joints, Speedy BBQ Incorporated is a family-owned restaurant known for their generous portions and their mouthwatering barbecue sauce. The menu includes a large variety of barbecue plates and sandwiches, and you can choose from classic sides like hushpuppies, coleslaw, and baked beans. Convenient curbside pickup is always available during opening hours, and if you're planning a cookout, the restaurant can provide an entire pork shoulder and some delicious sides.

1317 Winston Rd, Lexington, NC 27295, Phone: 336-248-2092