Location: Lexington
Top Things to do in Lexington
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Top 9 Things to do Good for Big Groups 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. 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.
4. 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
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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!
8. Visitor Center of Lexington
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 101 reviews
Reviewed By 435ashlyw
Very helpful staff that went out of the way to help and suggest things to see and do. Sad some people of Lexingrton don't appreciate there towns history.
9. Chessie Nature Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By marysZ3555GY - Canton, United States
We entered the Chessie trail from Buena Vista and rode up to Lexington. The View was spectacular and the trail was well cats. We even enjoyed some encounters with cows and butterflies. We found a great place to go down to the water to swim as it follows the Maury River. In Lexington we found a fantastic restaurant to go to that is only a half mile up the road from the trail the name of the restaurant is Muchacho Alegre. The food was fabulous! The service was great! We had a dog with us, but could not bring the dog into the patio area. They were okay with my friend Jenny just tying her to the post and keeping the dog outside the patio area. I highly recommend this restaurant and the bike trail
