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Lexington, Virginia: Where Fun and Adventure Collide – The Best Places to Visit and Things to Do!

Take the children to the Virginia Safari Park first, because you feed the animals from the car. Then the Lexington Carriage Company, for the sound of the horses. Boxerwood Nature Center runs 15 acres with hands-on exhibits all through it. Kids Playce is indoors. The universities and the museums will still be standing when they are older, and this town is small enough to walk in one go.

Welcome to Lexington, Virginia. This city is known for its history, the country around it and the culture in it. History follower, outdoor type, somebody who eats seriously, or somebody who shops, Lexington covers all four. In this article we run you through the things to do and places to visit in Lexington, Virginia.

Lexington carries a history going back to the 18th century. The city took a central part in the Civil War and was home to several figures on the record, Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson among them. You can work the city’s history at landmarks such as the Stonewall Jackson House, the Lee Chapel and Museum, and the Virginia Military Institute Museum. Lexington also holds two long-established universities, Virginia Military Institute and Washington and Lee University, both of which earn the walk.

If you follow the outdoors, Lexington runs plenty. You can hike, fish, kayak or rock climb in the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains. You can also take a drive along the Virginia Byway or visit the Natural Bridge State Park. Lexington also holds several parks and gardens, the Boxerwood Nature Center and Woodland Garden among them, which work for a slow walk.

Key Takeaways

• Lexington, Virginia has a rich history and is home to several historical landmarks and prestigious universities.
• Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, fishing, kayaking, and rock climbing in the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains or visit the Natural Bridge State Park.
• Lexington also offers plenty of culinary delights, arts and culture, family fun, and shopping spots for everyone to enjoy.

History of Lexington, Virginia

Lexington, Virginia is a small town with a long history behind it. You cannot talk about Lexington without it. From Native American tribes through to European settlers, this town has held all of it.

The town was founded in 1778 and named after the Battle of Lexington in Massachusetts. The town took a real part in the American Revolutionary War, and George Washington came through in 1790. Yes, that George Washington. The one on the dollar bill.

And there is more. Lexington is the final resting place of Robert E. Lee, the Confederate general who led the Army of Northern Virginia during the American Civil War. You can visit his burial site at the Lee Chapel and Museum.

On the Civil War, Lexington was also the home of Stonewall Jackson, another Confederate general. You can visit his home, the Stonewall Jackson House, which is now a museum.

But it is not all the Civil War. Lexington also holds Washington and Lee University, founded in 1749 and named after George Washington and Robert E. Lee. The same Robert E. Lee who is buried here. It is a small town.

And Thomas Jefferson called Lexington a “nook of the universe” when he came through in 1818. So it has been holding people for a while.

And the Native American tribes who held this land first. The town sits in the Shenandoah Valley, which was once home to the Shawnee and Cherokee tribes.

Lexington, Virginia carries a long and varied history waiting to be worked. From the landmarks to the names on them, this town runs it all. So get out there and start on it.

Exploring the Universities

Lexington holds two long-established universities, Washington and Lee University and Virginia Military Institute (VMI). Prospective student or simply somebody walking through, these campuses run plenty worth seeing.

Washington and Lee University

Washington and Lee University is a private liberal arts university founded in 1749. The campus holds up, with historic buildings and the Blue Ridge Mountains standing behind it. But the part people go for is the University Chapel. This building was finished in 1880 and runs stained glass windows and serious woodwork. It earns the stop for anybody on campus.

If you follow history, visit Lee Chapel and Museum. This is the burial site of Robert E. Lee, the Confederate general. The museum runs exhibits on Lee and on the university’s history, and the chapel itself is a strong example of Gothic Revival architecture.

Virginia Military Institute

VMI is a public military college founded in 1839. The campus holds historic buildings and a large parade ground. But the part people go for is the George C. Marshall Museum and Library. Marshall was a VMI graduate and a highly decorated general in World War II. The museum runs exhibits on Marshall’s life and career, as well as on VMI’s history and military heritage.

If you follow military history, visit the Virginia Military Institute Museum. This museum runs exhibits on VMI’s part in the Civil War and in other conflicts. It sets out the history of the institution properly.

So history, architecture, or simply a walk across two campuses, Washington and Lee University and Virginia Military Institute both earn it. You will not be disappointed.

Outdoor Adventures

If you want time outdoors in Lexington, Virginia, this is the place. With the Blue Ridge Mountains, Natural Bridge State Park, the Shenandoah Valley, the Chessie Nature Trail and the Boxerwood Nature Center & Woodland Garden, there is more here than a weekend will hold.

Blue Ridge Mountains

The Blue Ridge Mountains earn the trip when you are in Lexington. With the country opening out and hiking trails at every level, the day will hold. And you can say you have seen one of the seven natural wonders of the modern world.

Natural Bridge State Park

Just outside Lexington, Natural Bridge State Park works for a full day. Take a hike out to the natural feature the park is named for, or work the other hiking trails and outdoor activities there.

Shenandoah Valley

The Shenandoah Valley is the other outdoor run near Lexington. With scenic drives, hiking trails and plenty of ground to work, you will not run out of things to do.

Chessie Nature Trail

If you want something slower outdoors, check out the Chessie Nature Trail. This 7.2-mile trail works for biking, walking or running, and the country opens out on both sides the whole way along.

Boxerwood Nature Center & Woodland Garden

For time outdoors with something to learn in it, visit the Boxerwood Nature Center & Woodland Garden. This 15-acre nature preserve runs a range of educational programs and exhibits, as well as gardens and hiking trails.

Whatever kind of day outdoors you are after, Lexington, Virginia runs it. So grab your boots, pack a picnic, and get out into it.

Historical Landmarks

If you follow history, Lexington, Virginia holds several landmarks worth working. Here are the ones not to miss:

Lee Chapel

First on the list is the Lee Chapel, on the Washington and Lee University campus. This chapel is known as the final resting place of General Robert E. Lee, who served as president of the university after the Civil War. The chapel also runs stained glass windows and a museum setting out Lee’s life and what came after it.

Jackson House

Another landmark to see in Lexington is the Jackson House. This house was once the home of Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson and is now a museum setting out his life and military career. You see artifacts and personal items belonging to Jackson, and you work what he meant to the Civil War.

Oak Grove Cemetery

Oak Grove Cemetery is worth the visit. It is the final resting place of many people on the record, Confederate soldiers, Virginia governors, and a few U.S. senators among them. You will also find the mausoleum of General Stonewall Jackson. There is a log cabin there that belonged to his uncle.

Miller’s House Museum

The Miller’s House Museum is another landmark worth the visit. This house was built in the early 1800s and was once the home of Cyrus McCormick, who invented the mechanical reaper. The museum sets out McCormick’s life and inventions, as well as the history of agriculture in the Shenandoah Valley.

Cyrus McCormick Farm Museum

And the Cyrus McCormick Farm Museum. This museum sits on the site of McCormick’s family farm and runs exhibits on his life and inventions, as well as the history of farming in the area. You see a working blacksmith shop, a reconstructed barn, and a replica of McCormick’s workshop.

So there you have it, a few of the strongest historical landmarks in Lexington, Virginia. History follower or simply after something to do, these will hold you.

Walking the town costs nothing and it is small enough to do in an afternoon. The Chessie Nature Trail is 7.2 miles and free. You pay at the Virginia Safari Park, at Boxerwood and at the carriage company, and the safari park is the one the children will remember. The museums are cheap and the universities are open.

Culinary Delights

Looking for good food and drink in Lexington, Virginia? These three are where to go.

Southern Inn Restaurant

If you want classic Southern cooking, the Southern Inn Restaurant is the answer. This small spot serves traditional dishes such as fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and biscuits and gravy. And save room for dessert, because their bourbon pecan pie is the one to order.

Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company

If you would rather have a cold beer, Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company is where to go. This taproom runs a broad selection of Devil’s Backbone beer, as well as other craft beers from around the region. And if you are hungry, their pub fare will do the job.

Cocoa Mill Chocolate Company

Got a sweet tooth? Do not miss Cocoa Mill Chocolate Company. This local chocolate shop runs handmade truffles, caramels and other things worth carrying out. And if you are up for it, try their spicy chocolate, which does something you will not expect.

So comfort food, craft beer or something sweet, Lexington runs all three.

Arts and Culture

On arts and culture, Lexington, Virginia runs plenty. From galleries to museums to live performance, you will find what you came for.

Lime Kiln Theater

If you follow live performance, do not miss the Lime Kiln Theater. This outdoor theater sits in a natural amphitheater and hosts a range of performances through the year. From concerts to plays to dance, everybody is covered. Bring a picnic and take the show under the sky.

Cabell Gallery of Virginia Art

If you want a more traditional art experience, check out the Cabell Gallery of Virginia Art. This gallery runs work by local artists as well as nationally recognised ones. You will find a range of styles and mediums, from oil paintings to watercolors to sculptures. The gallery also runs framing if you want to display work of your own.

Reeves Museum of Ceramics

For something different, head to the Reeves Museum of Ceramics. This museum runs a collection of over 4,000 pieces of ceramics, American and European pottery, porcelain and stoneware among them. You work the history of ceramics and see pieces that hold up on their own.

Watson Galleries

Another gallery to check is the Watson Galleries. This gallery runs work by local and regional artists, with contemporary work at the centre of it. You will find paintings, sculptures and mixed media that will get you going.

Live performance, traditional art, or something further off the line, Lexington runs it. And pick up a book by a local author to carry home with you.

Family Fun

Looking for family time in Lexington, Virginia? This is the place. Here are the spots to take the children.

Lexington Carriage Company

Take a run back in time on a horse-drawn carriage tour of historic Lexington with the Lexington Carriage Company. Your kids will take to the sound of the hooves and to the country going past. And you work the history of the town from a driver who knows it.

Boxerwood Nature Center and Woodland Gardens

Get outdoors at the Boxerwood Nature Center and Woodland Gardens. Your kids will take to the trails and to the plants and animals on them. And there are plenty of hands-on exhibits and activities to hold them.

Virginia Safari Park

Take the wilder option at the Virginia Safari Park. Your kids will feed the animals from your own car, which is the part they will tell people about. And there is a petting zoo and a playground on top of it.

Kids Playce

Looking for something indoors? Check out Kids Playce, an indoor play area built for children. Your little ones will climb, slide and work the play structures. And there are plenty of toys and games to hold them.

There is plenty more to do near Lexington, VA, but these are the ones we go back to. Get out there and start on them.

Shopping Spots

Looking to shop in Lexington? This town runs a range of shopping that covers what you need. Here are the places we go to:

Center of Gravity

If you want gifts or home decor you will not get elsewhere, Center of Gravity is the place. This store runs a strong selection of handmade jewelry, wall art and vintage furniture. You can lose hours working through their collection. And the staff will help you find whatever you are after.

The Bookery

For anybody who reads, The Bookery earns the stop. This bookstore runs a strong selection of new and used books, as well as a reading corner where you can sit down with one. They also run a good selection of stationery and gifts for readers. You will lose track of the afternoon in there.

On clothing and jewelry, there are plenty of options in Lexington. From current boutiques to vintage shops, you will find something that suits how you dress. So go ahead and shop.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most delicious restaurant in Lexington, VA?

That is a hard one, because there are so many strong restaurants in Lexington, VA. If you want Southern comfort food, try the Southern Inn Restaurant. They run dishes that will do the job.

Are there any waterfalls near Lexington that are worth visiting?

Yes. If you are up for a drive, check out Crabtree Falls. It sits about an hour from Lexington, but it earns the trip. The falls hold you, and there are strong hiking trails in the area as well.

What are some kid-friendly activities in Lexington, VA?

If you are travelling with kids, there is plenty to hold them in Lexington, VA. Check out the Virginia Safari Park, where you drive through and see animals from around the world. The Natural Bridge Zoo is the other option, and it runs a petting zoo area where kids get close to the animals.

What are the top museums to visit in Lexington, VA?

If you follow history, check out the Stonewall Jackson House or the Lee Chapel and Museum. Both work for the Civil War and the history of the area. And if you follow art, check out the Washington and Lee University Art Gallery.

What are some fun day trips to take from Lexington, VA?

If you want a day out of town, there are plenty of options. Check out the Natural Bridge, only about 15 minutes from Lexington. The Blue Ridge Parkway is the other one, and you can stop at overlooks and hiking trails the whole way along it.

Is Lexington, VA a walkable town?

Yes. Lexington is a small town, so you can walk it and see the lot. There are plenty of shops, restaurants and historical sites within walking distance of each other. Wear comfortable shoes.

Frequently asked questions about Lexington, Virginia

What exactly happens at the Virginia Safari Park near Lexington, then, really now, these days?

You drive right through the whole of it and feed the animals straight from your own car window. There is a petting zoo and a playground on it as well as all of that. The Natural Bridge Zoo is the other one nearby with a petting area on it too these days. Children.

How long exactly is the Chessie Nature Trail out at Lexington, then, really now?

About 7.2 miles of it, and it works for the biking, the walking or the running out there. The country opens out on both sides of you the whole of the way along there too. Boxerwood Nature Center runs 15 acres with the trails and the gardens on it as well. Both free.

What exactly is at the Cyrus McCormick Farm Museum near Lexington, then, really now?

The site of McCormick’s own family farm, with exhibits on the whole of his own inventions there. He invented the mechanical reaper, which changed the farming right across the whole valley. There is a working blacksmith shop and a reconstructed barn on the ground out there as well. Workshop.

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