Lexington Travel Guide

  Sign on the street
by grandmaR
  • Sign on the street
      Sign on the street
    by grandmaR
  • Downtown in the REAL Lexington VA
      Downtown in the REAL Lexington VA
    by grandmaR
  • Sign which shows where famous people are buried
      Sign which shows where famous people are...
    by grandmaR
  • White obelisk is VMI Superintendant
      White obelisk is VMI Superintendant
    by grandmaR
  • Looking down the cemetery path to Jackson's statue
      Looking down the cemetery path to...
    by grandmaR

Explore Lexington

Things to Do  

VMI MUSEUM

VMI MUSEUM, Lexington

 mtncorg Says:  Located below the Jackson Memorial Hall, the VMI Museum exhibits deeds of valor that have been performed by the alumni and instructors of the Institute over the years. The museum is free of charge and it is from here that cadet tours begin. Some of the exhibits include the... 

Willson-Walker House

Willson-Walker House, Lexington

 butterflykizzez04 Says:  William Willson, local merchant, postmaster, and treasurer of Washington College, from 1803 until his death in 1840, built the house in 1820. The property consisted of an icehouse; smoke house, stable, and carriage house as well as two other small buildings and a large... 

Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery

Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery, Lexington

 grandmaR Says:  Here in the middle of the real location of Lexington Virginia are the graves of many famous people, in addition to Thomas Jonathan 'Stonewall' Jackson [body minus Arm], including 144 Confederate veterans, and two Virginia governors.Others (in alphabetical order):John White... 

WASHINGTON & LEE - TRAVELLER’S GRAVE

WASHINGTON & LEE - TRAVELLER’S GRAVE, Lexington

 mtncorg Says:  Traveller was the best known of Lee’s wartime horses. After the many journeys they shared during the Civil War, Lee let Traveller roam the college lawns in retirement. The horse only survived Lee by seven months. His bones were on display in the museum until the horse was... 

WASHINGTON & LEE - LEE CHAPEL

WASHINGTON & LEE - LEE CHAPEL, Lexington

 mtncorg Says:  While Washington Hall - built in 1824 - serves as the centerpiece of the university, it is the Lee Chapel - built in 1867 - that tourists will gravitate towards. The chapel served as an assembly hall for the students and was built - by Lee’s request - to seat 600 students.... 

WASHINGTON & LEE UNIVERSITY

WASHINGTON & LEE UNIVERSITY, Lexington

 mtncorg Says:  Originally the school was founded in 1749 as the Liberty Academy, but was renamed after a generous grant was given to the school by one, George Washington. The new name became Washington College. That name change and a statue of the First Father of the Nation, himself,... 

VMI - PARADE GROUND

VMI - PARADE GROUND, Lexington

 mtncorg Says:  The Parade Ground is multifunctional to say the least. Cadet marching formations, engineering survey classes, physical training sessions and sports training are all but some of the events going on in the front yard of the Institute. 

VMI - KEYDET TOURS

VMI - KEYDET TOURS, Lexington

 mtncorg Says:  There is no better way to become better acquainted with the Institute and its customs than by taking one of the tours given twice daily by VMI cadets. You meet up at the VMI Museum desk and then walk together around the grounds gaining new insights from the viewpoint of the... 

Hotels  

Hampton Inn Lexington - Historic District

 2 Reviews and 210 Opinions  We stopped at the Virginia Welcome Center for a map of Virginia, and the lady there told us how to... 

Wingate Inn - Lexington

 160 Opinions

Restaurants  

Willson-Walker House: Don't Miss a Meal at the Willson-Walker House

Willson-Walker House: Don't Miss a Meal at the Willson-Walker House, Lexington

 butterflykizzez04 Says:  My dau., niece and I entered this 1820 elegant home, mainly just to see its beauty. It was a lovely restaurant. You go up the beautiful staircase in the enter to go to the restrooms, I was tempted just to excuse myself to see more of the home..lolWe were seated promptly. The... 

Willson-Walker House: Dining Room of the Willson-Walker House

Willson-Walker House: Dining Room of the Willson-Walker House, Lexington

 butterflykizzez04 Says:  This is the elegant dining area of the Willson-Walker House on Main Street in historic Lexington. The walls are a deep burgundy color and there is beautiful crystal glasses with water containing lemon/lime slices and iced tea with mint julip leaves.. very nice touch. 

The Counter Culture Cafe/Healthy Foods Coop: The best and only Vegetarian Vegan place around!

The Counter Culture Cafe/Healthy Foods Coop: The best and only Vegetarian Vegan place around!, Lexington

 Lavendergrits Says:  Being vegetarian you can usually find something to eat but you can't always find a vegetarian kitchen and a chef with a commitment to vegetarian/vegan cooking. Lunch is served daily from 11-2 . The service is fast and the choices are terrific. The Cafe is conveniently... 

Local Customs  

SPORTS AT VMI

SPORTS AT VMI, Lexington

 mtncorg Says:  Sports are an important facet at all military academies with the emphasis on both individual preparation and teamwork. Participation on some level - intramural or intercollegiate - is mandatory. Football is the ‘king’ of the intercollegiate sports and the stadium is found on... 

VMI FACULTY

VMI FACULTY, Lexington

 mtncorg Says:  While VMI’s most famous instructor was Stonewall Jackson, it is obvious to me, as a result of my visit to VMI, that their long history of brilliant and motivated faculty goes on. “Evidence?” you ask. This car parked in the instructor area marked to allegiances to both VMI... 

SALUTING GENERAL JACKSON

SALUTING GENERAL JACKSON, Lexington

 mtncorg Says:  Military institutes thrive on traditions and customs. One of the many here at VMI is that you, as a cadet, when you emerge from the front of the Barracks, you salute the statue of General Jackson. Above the archway, inscribed above you are Jackson’s words, “You may be... 

Tourist Traps  

DO NOT GOTO THE NATURAL BRIDGE

DO NOT GOTO THE NATURAL BRIDGE, Lexington

 bigseaton Says:  The natural bridge is just a few minutes away from Lexington, but IT IS NOT WORTH THE MONEY...have a look at pictures of it online. Tickets are insanely expensive and there is nothing to see. Have a free walk down main street instead. 

Off The Beaten Path  

JACKSON MEMORIAL CEMETERY - GENERAL FRANCIS SMITH

JACKSON MEMORIAL CEMETERY - GENERAL FRANCIS SMITH, Lexington

 mtncorg Says:  Francis H. Smith was one of the founders of and the first superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute. He built the school and then ‘rebuilt’ it after the end of the Civil War, during which time the school had been burnt by raiding Federal troops. He survived his... 

JACKSON MEMORIAL CEMETERY - GEN. ELISHA PAXTON

JACKSON MEMORIAL CEMETERY - GEN. ELISHA PAXTON, Lexington

 mtncorg Says:  Elisha 'Bull' Paxton was a lawyer who had received his training at Harvard. He had served on Stonewall Jackson’s staff until he was promoted to general and thereafter given command of the Stonewall Brigade. He was shot down at Chancellorsville, one day after Stonewall... 

JACKSON MEMORIAL CEMETERY - PENDLETON FAMILY

JACKSON MEMORIAL CEMETERY - PENDLETON FAMILY, Lexington

 mtncorg Says:  William Nelson Pendleton was the Episcopal clergyman for Lexington for some 28 years. He also served as Robert Lee’s Chief of Artillery, a position which he was not well suited for. He was present with Lee at the end at Appomattox and would preside at Lee’s funeral, some... 

JACKSON MEMORIAL CEMETERY - JUNKINS FAMILY

JACKSON MEMORIAL CEMETERY - JUNKINS FAMILY, Lexington

 mtncorg Says:  Ellinor Junkins was the 29 year old daughter of the president of the Washington College that Thomas Jackson fell in love with and married in 1853. Their happiness was shortlived, however, as Ellinor died the next year giving birth to a stillborn boy. Jackson took their... 

STONEWALL JACKSON MEMORIAL CEMETERY - STONEWALL

STONEWALL JACKSON MEMORIAL CEMETERY - STONEWALL, Lexington

 mtncorg Says:  South of downtown Lexington, on the east side of Main Street, is the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery where along with Stonewall Jackson and his family, two Virginia governors and over 100 Confederate veterans are buried. The Statue of Jackson was done by Edward... 

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Map of Lexington