# Lexington Historic Downtown

> Lexington was founded in 1778 in the Shenandoah Valley and sits at about 320 m (1,060 ft) above sea level.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/places/lexington-va-historic-downtown/

A college town in the Shenandoah Valley with brick sidewalks, bookshops and two historic campuses on its edge. Spend an hour on Main Street, then walk to the Virginia Military Institute parade ground.

Lexington was founded in 1778 in the Shenandoah Valley and sits at about 320 m (1,060 ft) above sea level. Two colleges shape the town: Washington and Lee University and the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), founded in 1839 and regarded as the oldest state-supported military college in the United States. The town centre is a historic district, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1972, with nineteenth-century buildings, including Greek Revival architecture. Sights include the Stonewall Jackson House, the only home Jackson ever owned, and Lee Chapel on the Washington and Lee campus, where Robert E. Lee is buried.

The downtown is easy to explore on foot. Allow two to three hours for Main Street, the university buildings and a look at the VMI grounds, and more if you visit museums. Lexington lies right on Interstates 64 and 81, which makes it a convenient stop on a drive through Virginia.

- **Nearest town:** Lexington, VA
- **Category:** History & culture
- **GPS:** 37.7840, -79.4428

## Good to know

**Best time to go:** The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## Sources

- [Lexington, Virginia – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexington,_Virginia)
- [Lexington Historic District – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexington_Historic_District_(Lexington,_Virginia))
- [Virginia Military Institute – Geschichte](https://www.vmi.edu/about/history/)

## Nearby

- [Natural Bridge State Park](https://camping-spirit.com/places/natural-bridge/) – 12 mi
- [Peaks of Otter](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b20-peaks-of-otter/) – 25 mi
- [Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b20-poplar-forest/) – 32 mi
- [Staunton Historic Downtown](https://camping-spirit.com/places/staunton-downtown/) – 32 mi

## FAQs

### Where is Lexington Historic Downtown?

Lexington Historic Downtown is in Lexington, VA, at GPS 37.7840, -79.4428. It is about 30 mi from Lynchburg.

### Can you camp near Lexington Historic Downtown?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is South Campground, about 2 mi away; within 25 mi there are 35 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

### What is there to see near Lexington Historic Downtown?

Places worth a stop nearby: Natural Bridge State Park (12 mi), Peaks of Otter (25 mi), Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest (32 mi) and Staunton Historic Downtown (32 mi).

### When is the best time to visit Lexington Historic Downtown?

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)