Things to Do in Lexington
Lexington is one of Columbia’s rapidly growing suburbs, and it’s easy to see why it’s growing at the rate it is. The lake, parks, museums, trails, and sports in Lexington all play a part in attracting both tourists and new residents. If you love the outdoors and you’re looking for a fun place to visit right outside the capital city, Lexington is the perfect spot. Here is our list of some of the best things to do in Lexington.
Head to Lake Murray
Lake Murray is undoubtedly one of the top things to do in Lexington. It is known to be a “boating paradise” for boaters of all kinds. The waters are calm, so if you like canoeing or kayaking. For leisure travelers, Lake Murray is a haven that offers a variety of options for everyday activity. Additionally, the lake hosts nationally sponsored fishing tournaments. Whether you want to compete or just watch, this is fun for the whole family, so don’t miss out on a trip to Lake Murray!
Visit the Lexington County Museum
Image: Lexington County Museum Facebook
The Lexington County Museum has been a part of the city since 1970. It aims to bring visitors through different eras of Lexington—through the colonial times to the Civil War era. The museum itself is a seven-acre area which includes 36 historic buildings. The museum offers tours Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 AM to 4 PM. You can also take a self-guided tour with a brochure and QR codes.
Go to the Market at Icehouse
Image: Market at Icehouse Facebook
Lexington has a farmer’s market called the Market at Icehouse. It is an open-air market that’s open from May to October every year. It is only open on Saturdays from 9 AM to 12 PM. If you’re in town on a Saturday, this is a great spot to stop. Along with fresh, locally grown produce, you’ll find food trucks and vendors where you can purchase homemade crafts. Add this to your itinerary for things to do in Lexington.
Picnic at Virginia Hylton Park
Image: Town of Lexington Website
Virginia Hylton Park is a beautiful park area located right in downtown Lexington. The park is well-maintained and has a picnic area, playground, stage area, places to walk, and gardens. This is the perfect spot for a family picnic. The hours of the park operation are 7 AM to 9 PM, and there’s no entry fee. While you’re there, the kids can enjoy all the space to run and play while coming back to snack. There are also public restrooms in the park. Sit, relax, and see what Lexington has to offer. Virginia Hylton Park is the perfect thing to do for a day!
Hike at Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve
If you’re feeling active and looking for things to do, Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve is a great spot to go. The trail is a little over 2 miles and it’s just outside Lexington. Hiking, walking, nature trips, and birding are all popular at the preserve. It is accessible year-round, and pets are welcome as long as they’re kept on a leash. Make sure you consult a trail map as some hikers get lost. The trail is doable for kids, but don’t bring a stroller and use the bathroom beforehand. Pack water bottles and enjoy!
Take a tour at the Mercer House Estate Winery
Image: Mercer House Estate Website
The Mercer House Estate Winery is a twelve-acre estate and is one of the few organic vineyards in the United States. They oversee the growing of all the products used to make wines. If you’re looking for things to do in Lexington, take a tour at the Mercer House Estate Winery. They grow 50+ varieties of grapes as well as blueberries, peaches, strawberries, figs, pears, kiwis, apples, cherries, nectarines, and pecans. Everything is organic, natural, sustainable, and eco-friendly. This is an awesome spot if you’re a wine lover or if you’re just getting ready for your picnic at Virginia Hylton Park.
Get tickets to a concert at Icehouse Amphitheater
Image: Icehouse Amphitheater Facebook
On a portion of the original land grant, Lexington’s Icehouse Amphitheater resides. The Amphitheater came about as a way to pull together a number of venues in the downtown Lexington areas. Near the Amphitheater is Lexington Square Park, Lexington Municipal Complex, Virginia Hylton Park, and the Palmetto Collegiate Institute. The amphitheater is a 900-seat venue that can host community events as well as concerts. If you’re looking for a nice night out, the Ice House amphitheater is a great option. Visit their website for more information and the calendar of events.
Go to a game at Lexington County Baseball Stadium
Image: Blowfish Baseball Website
If you’re a sports fan, you’ll love the Lexington County Baseball Stadium as one of your activities when you’re in town. The stadium has room for over 3,000 spectators and is an intimate ballpark experience. The Lexington Blowfish are the home team you can cheer for when you go to a game. If you’re interested in buying tickets or learning more about the team, visit their website. Baseball is America’s favorite pastime and there’s no better place to experience it than the South.
Visit Corley Street Park
You can never have enough outdoors. If you can’t tell from this list, Lexington is a great place to get out and get active. Corley Street Park is the perfect way to cool down in the muggy weather of the South if you visit during the summertime. The park is open every day from sunrise to sunset and includes a spray pool, playground, two picnic areas with grills, and restrooms. All areas except the spray pool are open year-round. The spray pool is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Take the kids to run around tire themselves out and cool off. It’s the perfect summer activity.
Enjoy a sunset from the Dreher Shoals Dam
If you’re not as interested in lake activities, but you still want to enjoy the beauty of Lake Murray, take a walk at Dreher Shoals Dam. There is a safe walking path and you’ll be able to get a good view of one of the best spots in Lexington. Do the walk during sunrise or sunset if you want to really see some beauty. The round trip of your walk or run is around 2 miles. You can also combine your trip to Lake Murray and your walk at Dreher Shoals Dam if you’re feeling really ambitious.
