Lexington (Massachusetts)

Lexington is a northwestern suburb of Boston in Massachusetts. The Lexington Green is where the first shot of the American Revolution was fired and the first blood shed, and is known as "the Birthplace of American Liberty". It has several sites that are important in American history.

Understand

Old cemeteries bear the names and dates of colonial families and many of the colonial houses have been preserved.

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

Get in

By plane
  • Logan International Airport in Boston is the closest major airport, about 17 miles from Lexington Center, and depending on traffic is around 45 minutes' drive from Lexington.
  • The Laurence G. Hanscom Field, a civil general aviation airport, is in Bedford, Massachusetts.
  • Other regional airports include:
  • Worcester Regional Airport, Worcester, Massachusetts
  • T. F. Green Airport, Warwick, Rhode Island
  • Manchester Airport, Manchester, New Hampshire

By train
  • There are no MBTA Commuter Rail stops in Lexington. However, there are stations in several surrounding towns, including Belmont, Waltham, Lincoln, Winchester, 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.

By bus
  • MBTA bus #62 and #76 provide service to Lexington. They run 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 76 - 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, 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
  • Most of the attractions and dining, shopping and entertainment options are in or near the town center, so be sure to first visit the center, and then fan out from there.
  • Lexpress Bus, ☏ +1-781-861-1210, . 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 7AM to 6:25PM during July and August. $2.00. 
  • Liberty Ride is a seasonal trolley between Lexington and Concord that serves many of the tourist attractions.

See
  • 🌍 Minute Man National Historical Park. is partly in Lexington. For information see Concord. 
  • 🌍 The Battle Green. 
  • In close proximity to the Green is the Old Belfry, the Old Depot 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, ☏ +1 781 862-1703. Gives guided tours of three houses: 
  • 🌍 The Buckman Tavern, 1 Bedford Street. Daily 10AM-4PM, mid Apr-Oct. Built around 1710, is the only building still on the Green that was there during the Battle of Lexington. The Minutemen gathered here to await word of British troop movements, and they brought their wounded here after the conflict. 
  • 🌍 Hancock-Clarke House, 36 Hancock Street, ☏ +1 781-861-0928. Daily May-Oct. This is where Samuel Adams and John Hancock were staying when Paul Revere arrived. They fled to nearby Woburn. The 1698 house, furnished in colonial style, contains Lexington Historical Society's museum. (updated Apr 2021)
  • 🌍 Munroe Tavern, 1332 Massachusetts Avenue. Daily May-Oct. Taken by the British to use as a headquarters and hospital this 1690 building has period furniture. Gardens are historically accurate. 
  • 🌍 Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library (formerly National Heritage Museum), 33 Marrett Rd, ☏ +1 781 861-6559. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Sponsored by the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. 
  • The Lexington Bicentennial Band, ; and the Lexington Sinfonietta, .

Do
  • Tour
  • Battle Green Guides, Phone: +1 339-223-5623. Tours available from spring through fall to give visitors a free walking tour of the historic Lexington Battle Green and Old Burying Ground by enthusiastic tour guides dressed in colonial attire. Arranged tours available but requires a call beforehand.
  • Liberty Ride, Phone: +1 781 862-0500, ext. 702, , a 90-minute tour along the historic Battle Road with a costumed guide who recounts the exciting events of April 19, 1775 and the literary legacy that defined American identity and culture. Operates from October 15 to May 27 and has departures at 10:30AM, noon, 1:30PM, and 3PM. Tickets $20 for adults, $10 for students (5-17). Free for children under 5.
  • Hiking Across Lexington: The town offers well-maintained pathways for those looking to explore its natural wonders. With 14 routes available, there are over 43 miles of trails to wander. Consider downloading the "across Lexington" app, available both Android and iOS. If you prefer a physical map, here is a pdf link : https://www.lexingtonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4664/2022-ACROSS-Lexington-Map-PDF-includes-Route-P-?bidId=
  • 🌍 Pine Meadows Golf Course, 225 Cedar Street, ☏ +1 781 862-5516. A 9-hole/35-par municipal course. 
  • 🌍 The Lexington Venue, 1794 Massachusetts Ave, ☏ +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. 

Buy

Eat

Specialty


  • 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.

Drink

Lexington is living up to its Puritan roots in the nightlife category. There are no dedicated bars to speak of, although many restaurants serve alcohol.

  • 🌍 Ride Studio Cafe, 1720 Massachusetts Ave, ☏ +1 339 970-0187. Cyclist-focused coffee shop and bike repair spot near the Minuteman Bike Trail. Ride has a selection of locally roasted coffees and well made espresso drinks. There is also a small menu of locally sourced food and if you happen to have bike trouble, they can probably fix it for you. (updated Aug 2015)
  • 🌍 Peet's Coffee & Tea, 1749 Mass Ave, ☏ +1 781 357-2090, . Coffee, tea, pastry. 

Sleep

Go next

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

Routes through Lexington
Peabody ← Burlington ←  N  S  → Waltham → Weston
Concord ← Lincoln ←  W  E  → Arlington/Belmont → Boston


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