Buena Vista: Hotels for Nature and History

For a trip to Buena Vista, both the attractions at Glen Maury Park and the town’s history can serve as points of reference. The park is located on the Maury River and surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. If you’re looking for a hotel in Buena Vista, you can plan your trip around whether outdoor activities, historical topics, or an event date should be the main focus.

Outdoors on the Maury River

Glen Maury Park offers more than eight miles of hiking and biking trails. From there, you have direct access to the Maury River for fishing, boating, and water sports. Kayaks, inner tubes, and bicycles are available to rent. When planning, you can weigh trails on foot or by bike against activities on the water and organize your time around your own interests.

The Chessie Nature Trail, also known as the Chessie Trail, runs seven miles parallel to the Maury River from East Lexington to Buena Vista. A simple question can help you choose between the two options: Are you looking for hiking and biking trails in the park, or are you interested in the river route between the two places named? The Chessie Trail differs from the park’s trails in both length and route.

The Glen Maury Park Pool is an Olympic-size swimming facility. If swimming is important to your stay, check current operating information in advance; operating details may change seasonally.

Buena Vista’s Buildings and History

The Buena Vista Downtown Historic District was established in 1889 at the meeting point of two railroad lines. The Old Courthouse was built in 1890 as the headquarters of the land company that developed Buena Vista. It was built in the Second Empire style, with a mansard roof and tower. Its former function and these architectural features offer different points of entry for exploring the town’s history.

Another historic landmark is Paxton House in Glen Maury Park. Elisha Paxton had it built as a residence between 1828 and 1831. In comparison, the Old Courthouse dates to 1890 and was associated with the land company that developed Buena Vista. The dates place the residence earlier in time; at the same time, they represent two buildings with different functions: a residence and a headquarters.

Planning for Recurring Events

Event dates can also determine when you travel. The Maury River Fiddlers Convention takes place on the second weekend in June at Glen Maury Park. Mountain Day is an annual street festival in Buena Vista, held on the second Saturday in October and focused on lost arts. The dates offer different points of reference for your planning: a festival in June or a street festival in October. If either event is a deciding factor for your trip, check the specific event date in advance.

Trip Planning Information

Travelers passing through can get travel tips for local, lesser-known destinations at the Buena Vista Visitors Center. This can provide additional guidance if you’re looking for other topics to explore during your stay. To choose a hotel, you can first decide which of the activities, historical topics, or events mentioned are most important to you, then organize your search around that focus.

Discover more destinations: Raphine, Natural Bridge.

View the broader travel overview: Rockbridge County.