Lexington, North Carolina travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Lexington, North Carolina, is the self-proclaimed "Barbecue Capital of the World". Besides its famous barbecue, celebrated at the annual Lexington Barbecue Festival in October, Lexington is also distinctive for all the statues of pigs it has downtown.

1 sights · 1 things to do · 5 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Lexington

Pigs in the City

A public arts initiative that placed numerous fiberglass pigs in various locations in Lexington. Some tourists get a checklist and visit each and every pig, checking them off the list.

Lexington Barbecue Festival

An annual festival held each October that features singing, contests, and of course, barbecue.

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 32°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Aug and Mar. (climate data from nearby Piedmont)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
GSO Piedmont Triad International Airport, Greensboro — 27 mi away (major hub). Directions
USA Concord-Padgett Regional Airport, Concord — 39 mi away. Directions

Lexington is directly connected by highway with Greensboro (Interstate 85), High Point (US 29), Thomasville (Interstate 85), Winston-Salem (US 52 / Interstate 285), Raleigh (US 64), and Charlotte (Interstate 85).

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 1-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning Lexington Barbecue Festival
Lunch Main Street Pizza & Deli
Afternoon Pigs in the City
Dinner Shoto Japanese Steakhouse & Seafood
Evening Perfect Blend

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

Lexington is famous for its barbecue, which is typically made from pork shoulder. It hosts an annual barbecue festival in October. The 2019 festival takes place on October 26.

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Photos

Map

Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

Understand

Lexington tourism website

Get in

By car

By bus

PART Route 9 provides bus service from Thomasville and High Point, with connections from other cities in the Piedmont Triad.

By train

For the most part, train service to Lexington is no more. But once a year, Amtrak's Carolinian and Piedmont make a special stop here for the Lexington Barbecue Festival.

Get around

By bus

Lexington has limited bus service around town and to Thomasville.

See

See Pigs in the City

A public arts initiative that placed numerous fiberglass pigs in various locations in Lexington. Some tourists get a checklist and visit each and every pig, checking them off the list.

⚠ Last checked Nov 2015 — confirm before you go

Maps

Do

Do Lexington Barbecue Festival

An annual festival held each October that features singing, contests, and of course, barbecue.

📍 Main StreetUptown Lexington🕒 8:30AM–6PM⚠ Last checked Nov 2015 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

Buy

Shop The Candy Factory

📍 15 North Main Street🕒 Mon–Thu 10AM–5:30PM, Fri 10AM–7:30PM, Sat 10AM–4PM☎ +1 336-249-6770

Maps Website

Eat

Lexington is famous for its barbecue, which is typically made from pork shoulder. It hosts an annual barbecue festival in October. The 2019 festival takes place on October 26.