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LEXINGTON — Lexington, Virginia might be less famous than Lexington, Kentucky, but it has a quaint historic charm that makes it a hidden gem. Stop by this delightful Appalachian town while driving across the country or for a day trip from nearby Charlottesville or Washington D.C.
Although accessible by car, once you arrive, park your vehicle and forget about it for the day. On foot, you will discover the delight of this city founded in the 18th century full of interesting streets, beautiful neighborhoods and Civil War history.
Civil War monuments and grave sites
Begin your tour by walking the streets filled with historic homes on the west side of town and continue walking to the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery. Besides multiple Civil War graves, in the middle is the large graveside monument to the Confederate General Jackson. You can picture Neil Gaiman’s “The Graveyard Book” being filmed here.
Coffee shops
After the cemetery, duck into the Lexington Coffee Shop. You can order a hot chocolate made with milk from a local dairy and admire the wall of coffee mugs locals keep on-hand at the store. If you sit near the front of the shop, you can admire the tin ceilings or the antique stockroom door as you head to the more cozy back area.
The bookstores
This is a college town so be on the lookout for multiple bookstores and the local library, but the best is The Bookery. The books are literally packed in the room from floor to ceiling. Locals make sure to stop by to buy their copy of the Wall Street Journal or the New York Times before walking back home. Be sure to check out the table near the front door – every book your friends or book club is reading is available. Travel farther back to get lost in the stacks and find a hidden treasure.
Washington & Lee University and Virginia Military Institute
Even though the city has only 7,000 residents, it has two universities. Washington & Lee University has handsome grounds. Walk around campus and enjoy the red brick buildings with white accents, old trees and well- kept lawns. Next door is the illustrious “West Point of the South”: Virginia Military Institute. The school has notable alumni in General Patton and General Marshall and previous faculty including “Stonewall” Jackson.
Museums
Check out the three separate museums and make sure to get a guided tour by one of the cadets that happen at noon.
Walking back to the center of town, stop by Lee Chapel. See the statue of Robert E. Lee and view the crypt where his family is buried. Leave a coin or apple on Traveller’s (Lee’s horse) grave for good luck on your ride home.
Brigham Wilson works for the Air Force in Washington DC. Email him at brighamtree@gmail.com.
