Lexington (North Carolina)

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.

• Lexington tourism website

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).

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

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.

Lexington has limited bus service around town and to Thomasville.

• 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. (updated Nov 2015)

• 35.824038-80.2532921 Lexington Barbecue Festival, Main Street (Uptown Lexington). 8:30AM–6PM. An annual festival held each October that features singing, contests, and of course, barbecue.  (updated Nov 2015)

• 35.82434-80.252711 The Candy Factory, 15 North Main Street, ☏ +1 336-249-6770. Mon–Thu 10AM–5:30PM, Fri 10AM–7:30PM, Sat 10AM–4PM.  

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.

• 35.82422-80.252791 Main Street Pizza & Deli, 13 North Main Street, ☏ +1 336-249-2233. Mon 10:30AM–2PM, Tue–Thu 10:30AM–7PM, Fri 10:30AM–8PM.  
• 35.819-80.24842 Fancy Pastry Shop, 407 East Center Street, ☏ +1 336-248-2279. Mon–Sat 8AM–6PM.  
• 35.827-80.25033 Char's Hamburgers, 400 North Main Street, ☏ +1 336-248-2026, charshamburgers.shop@gmail.com.  (updated Feb 2026)
• 35.8315-80.244184 Barbecue Center, 900 North Main Street, ☏ +1 336-248-4633. Mon-Sat 11AM-9PM.  (updated Feb 2026)
• 35.824385-80.2526385 Shoto Japanese Steakhouse & Seafood, 17 N Main St (+1 336 238-5733). Mon–Thu 11AM–9PM, Fri Sat 11AM–10PM.  (updated Feb 2026)

• 35.8239-80.25281 Perfect Blend, 1 North Main Street, ☏ +1 336-243-7206. Mon–Fri 7AM–7PM, Sat 8AM–4PM.  

• 35.7841-80.25081 Quality Inn, 101 Plaza Pkwy (I-85 Exit 91), ☏ +1 743-734-9831. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM.  (updated Feb 2026)
• 33.95648-81.230642 Days Inn By Wyndham Lexington/Columbia, 1015 South Lake Drive, ☏ +1 803-356-6533. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM.  (updated Feb 2026)

The center of Downtown Lexington provides free Wi-fi.

Greensboro ← Thomasville ←	N  S	→ Salisbury → Charlotte
Greensboro ← Thomasville ←	N  S	→ Salisbury → Charlotte
Asheville ← Salisbury ←	W  E	→ Thomasville → Greensboro
Bluefield ← Winston-Salem ←	N  S	→ Salisbury → Florence
Hendersonville ← Statesville ←	W  E	→ Asheboro → Raleigh