With fall colors nearing their peak it is time to plan your leaf peeping trip to the Shenandoah Valley.
And, llama tell you, if you you’re looking for something a completely different… and a little on the wild side… include a stop at the Virginia Safari Park nestled in beautiful Natural Bridge, a stone’s throw from Lexington. This 180 acre park is home to over 1,000 endangered animals. Roaming free you’ll see antelope, bison, elk, ostriches, Scottish Highland cattle and the star of the show, at least in our view, is a very cute llama with a very crooked smile.
A three mile gravel road winds through the park so that you can stop and feed the animals from a bucket of specially formulated grain purchased at check in. Or, get your steps in and walk the park, feeding heads of Romaine to a big ol’ giraffe. If you want to get really, really up close and personal, you can also purchase animal encounters with a Southern White Rhino, African penguins and sloths. Check the Virginia Safari Park’s website for specific times for each encounter and reserve your spot.
In addition to family fun, wildlife conservation and education are two important missions of Virginia Safari Park. The park participates in breeding programs in order to propagate endangered species and offers educational programs for kids and teachers. The park also gifts grant monies to wildlife conservation organizations every year. A trip to the Virginia Safari park is an awesome time! But, go soon. Not only are the leaves lovely now but the park closes for the season December 1, 2024.
Once you’ve got your llama on, its time for pizza and our favorite place in S.W Virginia is 15 miles down the road in Lexington: Heliotrope. And score, it also is a fantastic majority women owned craft brewery.
Heliotrope Brewery is on historic South Main Street and is filled with local art work, community tables that foster conversations and is dog friendly. Heliotrope’s kitchen churns out delicious food made from fresh local ingredients. If you are a pizza traditionalist, go with the Carnivore but if you are feeling adventurous, try the Pig and Goat or even their Oktoberfest Pizza with Helles beer cheese, bacon, caramelized onions and mozzarella. The menu changes weekly, so heck, when you go you’ll likely have a whole new menu to explore. Their beer is fantastic too. Heliotrope Brewery is a member of the Craft Maltmaster’s Guid and most of their grain comes from Charlottesville and is supplemented by other small maltmasters in the area.
There are tons of lodging options in cute little Lexington. From B&Bs to inns to chain hotels, there is something for everyone and every price point. Historic homes, expansive country houses with a view of mountains, even an old mill. Check out the lodging directory on Lexingon’s tourism webpage.
The next morning wake up early, grab a coffee at Roadmap Coffee Works, and stroll Lexington’s cute downtown, named Virginia’s most charming downtown by by LoveExploring.com.
Then, as you head back to the 757, take a detour to Natural Bridge State Park for a short hike and one more look at those sweeping Valley views. Or, make your home partially along the Blue Ridge Parkway with a stop at Chimney Rock Overlook in Rockbridge County.
It is on these meandering highways and byways that you’ll see the heart of rural Virginia and find treats like cider donuts, caramel apples, pies and tarts at roadside stands and cafes.
Ah, Lexington… A weekend in Southwest Virginia is just what you need to to relax, recharge and explore. And, take it from us, once you visit, llama wanna go back!