Location: Lexington
Top Things to do in Lexington
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Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Lexington, Virginia (VA)
Lexington, Virginia, is a college town rich with history, charm and natural wonders. Surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Shenandoah Valley, its bustling downtown offers unique restaurants, artisan shops and galleries. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy mountain vistas on a walk along the Woods Creek trail or on a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. History buffs can follow the Civil War and visit the final resting places of iconic figures like Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson.
Restaurants in Lexington
1. Virginia Military Institute
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 461 reviews
Reviewed By SusanRoAne - San Francisco, United States
We visited VMI whose son is a cadet. We coincidentally met and spoke with both General Peay, the Superintendent as well as second in command. My host, Patrick Morin, was well-informed about practices, policies and history of VMI. We were able to spend time with his son and roommates in the PX and that was unusual. We visited the Jackson Memorial Hall and Museum, Saw the Stonewall Jackson House, The chapel, Barracks (though we had to stand outside, and the spectacular George C Marshall Museum. We watched the RATS walk the yellow line and cadets on their way to classes. VMI is our history and worth a visit.
2. Hull's Drive-In
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 100 reviews
3. Lexington Carriage Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 241 reviews
Historical Tours and Charter Horse-drawn Carriages for Weddings, Festivals and All Special Occasions! Since 1985, Lexington Carriage Company (LCC) has offered an intriguing way for visitors to discover the rich history of Lexington. Slowed to the pace and rhythm of hoofbeats, our carriages travel through Lexington's unique historic residential and business districts while professional tour guides point out places of interest along the way. LCC is also delighted to provide carriage services for weddings and other special occasions! Our wedding service will make your day a “Cinderella story” event when a white convertible carriage pulled by a team of matched horses arrives to take you to your wedding, or to whisk you away for a romantic newlywed ride together, before taking you to your reception. Tours begin across the street from the Lexington Visitor Center--open Thursday-Sunday from 11am-4pm; Private tour rentals available every day.
4. Stonewall Jackson Grave
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 241 reviews
Reviewed By NRAGR
Stonewall Jackson's memorial is in the middle of this historic cemetery. While there, I watched a man suck on lemon slices and throw them into the gravesite area. There were other lemons and lemon slices lying there already in tribute to Jackson. There is a nice map as you walk into the cemetery that explains other plots of interest as well.
5. Stonewall Jackson House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 385 reviews
Experience family life on the eve of the American Civil War as you explore the finely preserved home and gardens of the man who became Stonewall Jackson.
Reviewed By missyanderton - Chesapeake, United States
Family of 6 decided to take a tour last minute and we were lucky enough to get right in as one was about to start. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and the tour was the perfect amount of time to keep us all interested. There was also a little something to keep the kids busy during the tour. We all enjoyed it.
6. Lee Chapel and Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 537 reviews
Reviewed By snowtraveler49 - Memphis, United States
back in the late 1980s/early 1990s, I had visited w/my mother & sister; this was my husband's 1st visit; I am distantly related to Robt E Lee & I met my husband when he was in Kappa Alpha (KA) Fraternity & I was a Little Sister @ a college in TN; KA was founded @ W&L, & Robt E Lee/Civil War figure largely into the traditions of the fraternity; the W&L campus is lovely (especially on a cloudy damp day w/fabulous fall color) & the Lee Chapel, though not overall grand, is striking when you enter & see the Recumbent Lee situated in the anteroom behind the platform/podium down front; our guide, Marie Shiraki, was SO knowledgeable & enthusiastic; we enjoyed the tour & also visiting w/her afterwards; the museum downstairs near the gift shop & actual Lee family crypt are interesting, & of course Lee's horse Traveler's grave site outside is a must glance; while anyone would surely be welcome, I doubt it would appeal to children unless they were old enough to have studied American/VA history pertaining to Washington & Lee/Civil War
7. Cyrus McCormick Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By karrrenbee - Fredericksburg, United States
We stopped here on a weekday morning because it looked interesting and was on our way home. There was one other family there when we arrived, and they were gone before we were done with our self-guided tour, so it was nice and quiet. It's a very low-key exhibit with a handful of buildings included, including a blacksmith shop, a grist mill and a water wheel, and a building that houses a small display with a model of the original reaper and some small model reapers, etc. The buildings are all kept up very nicely, with repairs done in an historically accurate fashion, and the surrounding area is pretty. There's a small picnic area near the pond that's on the grounds, which would be a very pleasant place to eat lunch. (The bathrooms next to the picnic area apparently close in the winter, though.) I'd definitely recommend this site. It was a relaxing stop with enough items of interest for everyone in our family, from our six-year-old to the adults. Even the kids who weren't as interested in the history of the Virginia reaper enjoyed crossing the bridges and looking at the water wheel. The tour is free and there's a small donation box in one of the buildings (mentioned only because I wish I had known that so I could have brought cash). It was chilly so we didn't go down the trail that's across the way, so I can't speak to that aspect of this site, but next time we're in the area I'd like to stop again and check it out.
8. George C. Marshall Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 147 reviews
The independent Marshall Foundation perpetuates Marshall's legacy through scholarship, leadership and statesmanship programs and facilities (including a museum and research library) that offer a wide range of resources and materials for use by the general public, amateur historians, scholars and students of all ages.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
The George C. Marshall Museum and Library on the campus of Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia, honors the legacy of a man who was the first five-star general and Army Chief of Staff during World War II, Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense following the war and the only person to hold all three high offices. Open to the public five days a week, it displays exhibits of Marshall's life and work in the entry hall and two adjacent galleries, one focused on his military career and the other on his achievements following the war. Visitors will see the medallion and certificate of his 1953 Nobel Peace Prize, awarded after he founded the Marshall Plan in 1947 that made a economic and political commitment to post-war European recovery. The library and museum cover his career as a military officer and public servant from 1900 to 1959, when he retired from public service. British prime minister Winston Churchill called Marshall the "architect of victory" of World War II. The impressive complex contains a library, archive, museum and administrative offices of the Marshall Foundation, which opened in 1964 at VMI, Marshall's alma mater. It is a depository for more than 23,000 manuscripts, two million documents, hundreds of maps, thousands of photographs, 700 posters, reels of film and over 200 oral histories. Visitors are encouraged to watch a film of Marshall's career and a map that details all aspects and important engagements of World War II. Marshall died in 1959 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
9. Washington and Lee University
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 228 reviews
Established in 1749, Washington and Lee University is the ninth-oldest college in the United States.
Reviewed By MargoMcFarland
Even though our daughter graduated from here in 2012, we come to this beautiful small town nestled in the Blue Ridge mountains every chance we get, and always take the time to visit campus. It was a lovely summer afternoon today and walking the campus was the perfect way to spend it. It is everything a small university should be - easily walkable, tree lined, perfectly laid out, thoughtfully designed. And everyone wore a mask! Not typically something that would normally be important, but in these times you can’t be too careful and it was nice to see the students being mature and responsible.
10. Virginia Horse Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 83 reviews
The Virginia Horse Center is a 600 acre state-of-the-art environment for horse shows and other livestock events. The Virginia Horse Center has twelve show rings, including the 150' x 300' indoor Waldron Arena in the Howard P. Anderson Coliseum. There is a five mile cross country course, and such amenities as a campground, a restaurant and catering service with banquet facilities and a gift shop.
Reviewed By Dutch45
This was our first dirt bike racing event. Our 13-year-old great grandson who has been racing for 3 years participated in the BMX event along with many others ranging in age from 2 to 81! We were amazed that the dirt from the central floor area of the 4000-seat Coliseum was used to create a race course with hilly straightaways and 3 steeply banked curves. It was fascinating to watch many levels of competition. This seemed to be a wholesome family experience for the national three-day event! I would not have expected an event like this to be held at a horse center, but it worked out fine!
