Davidson County: History, Wine and Unique Experiences
Accommodation in Davidson County
In Davidson County, historic sites meet winemaking traditions and unusual insights into American auto racing history. In Lexington, the route leads from the Davidson County Historical Museum in the old courthouse to the Yadkin Valley wine country; Thomasville has its own highlights, with murals, short historical walking tours and a long-running festival. These different themes give your trip planning a clear direction.
History and Auto Racing in Lexington
The Davidson County Historical Museum is housed in the Old Davidson County Courthouse, completed in 1858 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum showcases material culture spanning 12,000 years of history. For families, this offers a tangible way to connect with different eras: instead of viewing history only as a series of dates, you can explore objects from across a long span of time.
The Richard Childress Racing Museum tells a very different story. It traces the journey of an independent one-car team as it grew into one of the most successful organizations in NASCAR. It is housed in a 47,000-square-foot former race shop that was home to Earnhardt’s No. 3 team for many years. The collection includes No. 3 Goodwrench Chevrolets, including the winning car from the 1998 Daytona 500 and the winning car from the 1995 Brickyard 400. The museum houses the largest collection of these cars.
The Wil-Cox Bridge also tells a story of the past: the historic bridge was built in 1924 and is part of Yadkin River Park. Those interested in architecture and regional history can add this site to their travel plans.
Wine Country and Lexington Traditions
Lexington is the southern gateway to the Yadkin Valley wine country. At Childress Vineyards, a 45-minute guided tour includes the landscaped grounds and event spaces, along with a complimentary wine pour. In the Barrel Cave, wines are sampled with tapas. These experiences offer a different focus from the museums and may influence which activities you choose to make central to your stay.
Another tradition is the Lexington Barbecue Festival. It takes place annually on one of the last two Saturdays in October. The festival is held in Uptown Lexington, where a nine-block stretch of Main Street is closed to traffic. If you’re interested in the festival, factor the dates into your travel plans. The festival’s distinctive atmosphere offers a clear contrast to a visit focused mainly on cultural sites or wine.
Thomasville: Art, Historic Sites and Short Walking Tours
The Thomasville Mural Walk is a public art initiative. A series of murals celebrates the city’s history, culture and community spirit. Thomasville also has three self-guided historical walking tours. Each is less than a mile round trip, offering a practical option for anyone who wants to combine historical discoveries with a manageable walk.
Thomasville’s three recognized American Civil War sites include City Cemetery, the Visitors Center and the area near the pedestrian underpass; information panels are located at each site. Confederate and Union soldiers are buried side by side at City Cemetery. The City Cemetery Museum is open only by prior appointment, so don’t plan this as a spontaneous museum stop.
The Everybody’s Day Festival is also part of the city’s character: it takes place every year on the last Saturday in September and is more than 100 years old. Those who want to plan their trip around the festival can make it a different focus for their stay than the self-guided walking tours or the Mural Walk.
Market, Lake and More Activities
The Thomasville Farmers Market is producer-only. Certified producers from Davidson County and from Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Montgomery, Randolph and Rowan Counties are eligible to participate. Visitors can shop directly from producers, without intermediaries. The market is an opportunity to make shopping part of your stay and get to know local producers.
High Rock Lake and the recreational options in Thomasville cater to other interests. High Rock Lake is the second-largest lake in North Carolina, covering 15,180 acres. In Thomasville, the Thomasville Aquatics Center has a lap pool, a leisure pool and a splash area. The municipally operated Winding Creek is an 18-hole golf course with a par-72 layout. The High Point-Thomasville HiToms play their home games at Historic Finch Field, built in Thomasville in 1935.
The Blue Walk is also described as especially suitable for families, people with mobility impairments and those with strollers. Choose your vacation rental based on the experiences that matter to your travel group: Lexington combines museum visits with wine country and festival traditions, while Thomasville offers historical walking tours, public art and other recreational options.
Explore Places in Davidson County
For more travel inspiration in Davidson County, you can also explore Lexington and Thomasville.
For the broader travel overview: North Carolina.
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