Lexington (Massachusetts)

[1] Boston Massachusetts

Culture and History

The Birthplace of American Liberty, the Lexington Green is where the first shot the American Revolution was fired and the first blood shed. Old cemeteries bear the names and dates of colonial families and many of the colonial houses have been preserved.

• Visitor center, on the town common, or "Battle Green". Daily 9AM-5PM, except Dec-Mar 10AM-4PM.

Travel to Lexington_(Massachusetts), visa requirements

Flights to Lexington_(Massachusetts), airtickets

• Logan International Airport [2] in Boston is the closest major airport, located about 17 miles from Lexington Center, and depending on traffic is around 45 minutes to reach Lexington.
• The Laurence G. Hanscom Field [3], a civil general aviation airport, is located in Bedford, Massachusetts.
• Other regional airports include:

By train

• There are no MBTA Commuter Rail stops within the town of Lexington itself. However, there are stations in several surrounding towns, including Belmont, Waltham, Lincoln, and Woburn.

By car

• Lexington is most accessible by the two highways that run through it, Interstate 95 (Route 128) and Route 2. On Interstate 95, take exit 31 or 32. On Route 2, take exit 53, 54 (westbound only), 55 (eastbound only), or 56. From Boston or Cambridge, if you follow Massachusetts Avenue through Arlington to Lexington you are retracing the route that William Dawes (and to some extent Paul Revere) used to warn the colonists in Lexington of the approaching British troops.

Buses to Lexington_(Massachusetts)

• There are MBTA buses from the Alewife subway station (the end of the line on the Red line) that bring you to the center of town, where 'the Green' is (site of the skirmish between British controlled forces and colonial irregulars). Of these the Hanscom Field bus should also be able to bring you close enough to walk to some of the other Revolutionary War sites on the far side of 95 aka Route 128.
• There is an intra-town bus service, Lexpress, which can be useful in getting to different points in the town. See "Get around".

By bike

• Minuteman Bikeway [4], Massachusetts Av. at Miriam Av. On the trackbed of the railroad. The bikepath starts at the Alewife subway station, near the Arlington/Cambridge border, and roughly parallels Massachusetts Avenue through Arlington and Lexington.

Get around

• Tip: Most of the attractions and dining, shopping and entertainment options are located in or near the town center, so be sure to first visit the center, and then fan out from there.

• The Lexpress, Phone: +1 781-861-1210. [5]. Lexington's in-town public transit service. Three buses run six routes throughout Lexington during the week (except legal holidays) from 6:45AM to 6:25PM in September-June, and 7:00AM to 6:25PM during July and August for a general fare of $1.50.

Lexington_(Massachusetts) attractions and sightseeing

• Minute Man National Historical Park is partly in Lexington. For information see Concord.

• The Battle Green, which includes the famous Minuteman Statue and the nation's oldest war monument. Capt. John Parker, who commanded the Lexington militia. His famous command was, "Stand your ground. Don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here!"

• In close proximity to the Green is the Old Belfry, the Old Depot [6] and the adjacent Depot Square.

• The Old Burying Ground, featuring the oldest gravestones in the town, dating back to the 1690s, and the burial site of Captain John Parker and the British soldier wounded on the British retreat from Concord on April 19, 1775.

• The Lexington Historical Society [7], Phone: +1 781-862-1703, gives guided tours of three houses:

• National Heritage Museum, 33 Marrett Rd., Phone: +1 781-861-6559, [11]. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 12PM-5PM. Sponsored by the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.

• The Lexington Bicentennial Band, [12]; and the Lexington Sinfonietta, [13].

City tours

• Tour

• Pine Meadows Golf Course, 225 Cedar Street, Phone: 781-862-5516, [15]. A 9-hole/35-par municipal course.
• The Lexington Flick, 1794 Massachusetts Ave., Phone: +1 781-861-6161. One of the last remaining small-town cinemas in the area that features indie and foreign films along with the obligatory blockbuster.

Shopping, Lexington_(Massachusetts) souvenirs

• Muse's Window, 1656 Massachusetts Av., Phone: +1 781-274-6873. Crafts.
• Depot Square Gallery, 1837 Massachusetts Ave., Phone: +1 781-863-1597, [16].
• Jasmine Sola, 1751 Massachusetts Avenue, Phone: +1 781-861-1957. Hip womens' clothing.

Good restaurants and cheap meals

• Alexander's Pizza, 180 Bedford Street, Phone: +1 781-862-3312. A quick and unpretentious Greek pizza shop.
• Bertucci's Brick Oven Pizzeria, 1777 Massachusetts Av., Phone: +1 781-860-9000, Email: bert069@bertuccis.com, [17].
• Dabin, 10 Muzzey Street, Phone: +1 781-860-0171. Authentic Japanese and Korean cuisine.
• Kushboo, 1709 Massachusetts Av., Phone: +1 781-863-2900. Indian.
• Lemon Grass, 1710 Massachusetts Av., Phone: +1 781-862-3530. Thai cuisine
• Lexx, 1666 Mass. Av., Phone: +1 781-674-2990, Email: dnr198@comcast.net, [18].
• Mario's Italian Restaurant, 1733 Mass Av., 781-861-1182. Reasonably priced Italian restaurant.
• Max Stein's American, 94 Hartwell Av., Phone: +1 781-402-0033, Email: rbrackett@maxsteins.com, [19]. Fine Dining.
• Not Your Average Joe's, 1727 Mass Av., Phone: +1 781-674-2828. Creative casual cuisine.
• Upper Crust, 41 Waltham Street, Phone: +1 781-274-0089, Email: info@uppercrustlexington.com, [20]. Upscale pizza.
• Via Lago, 1845 Massachusetts Ave., Phone: +1 781-861-6174, Email: mrosman@vialagocatering.com, [21]. All-day café.
• Vinny T's of Boston, 20 Waltham St., Phone: +1 781-860-5200, Email: lexington@vinnytestas.com, [22]. Plenty of Italian food.
• Yangtze River Restaurant, 21 Depot Sq., Phone: +1 781-861-6030, [23]. Chinese.

Specialty

• La Riviera, 182 Bedford Street, Phone: +1 781-861-2030, [24]. Freshly baked French pastries.
• Rancatore's Ice Cream, 1752 Mass Av., Phone: +1 781-862-5090, Email: rancicecream@rcn.com. Home made ice cream and sauces. Shades of vanilla and chocolate.
• Peet's Coffee & Tea, 1749 Mass Av., Phone: +1 781-357-2090, Email: peets502@peets.com, [25]. Coffee, tea, pastry.

• Note: There are no fast-food chain restaurants in Lexington, so be prepared to stay a bit if you go out to eat, although there are Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts, along with a couple quick-fix cafés and the like.

Lexington_(Massachusetts) nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.

Hotels, youth hostels, lodging

• Battle Green Inn, 1720 Massachusetts Av., Phone: +1 781-274-0930, [26].
• Desiderata Bed & Breakfast, 189 Wood Street, Phone: +1 781-862-2824, [27]. 3 rooms.
• Fireside Bed and Breakfast, 24 Eldred St., Phone: +1 781-862-2053, Fax: +1 781-861-7706, [28]. 3 rooms. $85-$150.
• Greentrees Bed & Breakfast, 40 Sherburne Road, Phone: +1 781-861-8433. 2 rooms, $70 to $109.
• Morgan's Rest Bed and Breakfast, 205 Follen Road, Phone: +1 781-652-8018, Fax: +1 781-240-4761, [29]. 3 rooms. $95-$125.
• Pacem Bed & Breakfast, 62 Sherburne Road, Phone: +1 781-862-3337, Email: bottino@att.net. 3 rooms.
• Quality Inn and Suites, 440 Bedford St., Phone: +1 781-861-0850, [30].
• Sheraton Lexington Inn, 727 Marrett Road, Phone: +1 781-862-8700, [31].

Get out

For more history it's neighboring Concord or Boston. North Shore towns have the closest beaches. The White Mountains are great for hiking, fall foliage viewing or skiing.

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