Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Lexington, MA

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In the early hours of April 19, 1775, Paul Revere arrived in Lexington during his significant Midnight Ride to inform local militias and revolutionaries, John Hancock and Samuel Adams, about the advancing British troops aiming to seize Colonial powder and cannons in Concord.

On that morning, the first armed confrontation of the American Revolutionary War occurred on Lexington’s town green, now commemorated as a monument to the pivotal events that shaped American history.

Modern-day Lexington is rich with this historical significance, and at various sites throughout the town, visitors can trace the events leading up to the battle, track the movements of the British regulars, and see where Hancock and Adams took refuge before their evacuation.

1. Lexington Battle Green

This triangular area, appointed by the town in the early 18th century as a common and militia training ground, was the site where the armed struggle for American independence began.

On April 19, 1775, the Battle of Lexington was a brief skirmish between the British and Minutemen, enduring slightly over half an hour, with no formal orders to fire issued by either combatant.

Following an unpremeditated exchange of gunfire, British forces advanced, fatally wounding several militia members with bayonets.

The outcome resulted in eight Lexington men dead and ten wounded, with Minutemen leader Captain John Parker, already suffering from tuberculosis, succumbing to his illness months later.

Today, Lexington Battle Green is recognized as the Birthplace of American Liberty and hosts an authentic reenactment annually on the third Monday of April in honor of Patriots’ Day.

2. Buckman Tavern

Adjacent to the green is the tavern where approximately 77 Minutemen gathered early on April 19, 1775, awaiting the British regulars.

Bucking Tavern dates back to the very dawn of the 18th century and served as a stop for drovers and a congregation point for militia members during training exercises on the green.

The interior has undergone minimal changes since it operated as the headquarters for the Minutemen during the final hours before their engagement with British forces.

Upstairs hosts rotating exhibitions regarding the first battle of the American Revolution, and the front door retains a hole believed to have been inflicted by a British musket.

Nearby stands the Lexington Minutemen Memorial, erected in 1949, listing the names of Minutemen fallen on the green during the battle.

3. Hancock-Clarke House

The first signer of the Declaration of Independence, John Hancock (1736-1793), was raised in this Early Georgian house constructed in 1738.

Hancock and Samuel Adams were staying here on the night of April 18, 1775, when awakened by Paul Revere following his arduous ride, resulting in their hasty departure from the town to evade capture by British forces.

The Hancock-Clarke House is the only remaining building directly connected to John Hancock, maintained by the Lexington Historical Society since 1896.

Visitors can explore period furnishings, artwork, and notable artifacts such as William Diamond’s drum, drummer of Captain John Parker’s Company, and the pistols of British Major John Pitcairn, a key officer in the Battles of Lexington and Concord.

4. Munroe Tavern

To understand the British perspective on the Battle of Lexington, a visit to Munroe Tavern (c. 1690) is worthwhile. This establishment served as the headquarters and field hospital for British Brigadier General Earl Percy (1742-1817) and his 1,000 reinforcements on the afternoon of April 19, 1775.

George Washington dined at Munroe Tavern during his visit to the battle site in 1789.

Exhibitions exploring the British experience in the early days of the American Revolution occupy the first floor, while the upstairs showcases the table and chair used by Washington during his visit, along with a collection of documents from that trip.

5. Minuteman Statue

Situated proudly at the southeast corner of the Battle Green is the Lexington Minuteman Statue (1900), created by sculptor Henry Hudson Kitson (1863-1947).

Initially depicting a generic minuteman, the monument has become associated with Captain John Parker, leader of the Lexington Militia.

Local residents served as models for Kitson’s work. The orientation of the statue is significant, as it faces the direction of the British advance, having been unveiled on April 19, 1900, precisely 125 years after the Battle of Lexington.

6. Lexington Centre

Intersected by Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington features a vibrant downtown area that flourished in the mid-19th century following the advent of the railroad (now the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway).

Lexington Centre is compact, abundant with green spaces, and filled with a variety of stores and restaurants, all within a short distance from the town’s historical treasures.

Culinary options abound, featuring Indian, Japanese, deli specialties, Italian, Thai, frozen yogurt, ice cream, contemporary American, and pizza.

Besides dining options, a small array of local stores coexists with the Lexington Venue, a cozy theater specializing in independent and foreign films.

7. Minuteman Commuter Bikeway

An integral component of Lexington’s streetscape for over 30 years, the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway approximately traces the route of Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride in April 1775.

This path evolved from two railroads: the Lexington and West Cambridge Railroad (1846) to the east, and the Middlesex Central Railroad (1873) to the west.

Developed in stages during the 1990s, the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway is an attraction in its own right, stretching for 10 miles from Bedford to Cambridge, where it connects with four additional bike paths.

The trail offers access to bus and subway routes, the opportunity to explore downtown areas, visit attractions, or simply journey through the landscape that witnessed the dawn of the American Revolution 250 years ago.

8. Cary Hall

One of the notable landmarks in Lexington Centre is this elegant auditorium, constructed in 1928 in the Colonial Revival style.

Cary Hall has provided a venue for live music performances year-round for nearly a century and serves as the home of the Lexington Symphony, which regularly performs here.

No seat in the hall offers a poor view, and in addition to the symphony’s season, a schedule brimming with performances by smaller ensembles and soloists, primarily featuring classical and jazz music, is available.

The building also accommodates the more intimate Estabrook Hall for smaller performances.

9. Minuteman National Historical Park

Partly located in Lexington and Concord, the Minuteman National Historical Park encompasses the Battle Green and preserves several battle sites from the opening confrontations of the American Revolution.

Beginning at Concord’s North Bridge, where “the shot heard round the world” was fired, visitors can move eastward toward Lexington through a captivating Colonial landscape along the five-mile Battle Road.

The route includes numerous opportunities for detours, such as the 18th-century Hartwell Tavern, which now operates as a living history center staffed by costumed park rangers.

The park also features a literary connection at The Wayside, which hosted novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) for part of the 1850s.

10. Lexington Depot

The headquarters for the Lexington Historical Society is located within Lexington’s historic train station, inaugurated on the Lexington and West Cambridge Railroad in 1846.

The current architecture, characterized by a cupola, round arch windows, and an expansive porch, results from a Colonial Revival renovation completed in the early 1920s.

This station was operational until the 1970s, and besides housing the society’s offices, it now serves as a venue for temporary exhibits and events. At the time this list was compiled, the building was undergoing renovations to establish a new gallery space.

11. Lexington Visitors Center

Located on the grounds of Buckman Tavern, this facility provides orientation for visitors exploring Lexington. Inside, a detailed diorama of the Battle of Lexington is showcased, along with information about local sights and attractions, as well as unique gift items.

The Lexington Visitors Center serves as the departure point for the Liberty Ride Trolley Tour, which covers significant highlights along the historical Battle Road in Lexington and Concord, with a guide in period costume narrating the events of April 19, 1775 as participants travel.

This location also serves as the starting point for guided walking tours around the Lexington Battle Green.

12. Scottish Rite Masonic Museum

Established in 1813, Lexington serves as the headquarters for the Scottish Rite’s Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, overseeing bodies across 15 states in the Northeast and Midwest.

The museum was founded in 1975 and, alongside the headquarters, transitioned to a new building on-site in 2013.

Within its galleries, filled with historical photography and memorabilia, visitors can explore diverse exhibits showcasing freemasonry and fraternalism within the context of American history.

Particular emphasis is placed on the narrative of the Scottish Rite, illustrating the contributions of various presidents who were also freemasons, from George Washington to Gerald Ford.

13. Lexington Belfry

On the south side of the Battle Green, a pathway leads up to a reconstruction of Lexington’s belfry, which originally existed at this location from 1762 to 1768.

The bell served multiple purposes, including signifying the end of the day at 9:00 PM, tolling for local deaths, and warning residents of imminent danger.

The structure was relocated several times and was positioned on the Battle Green on April 19, 1775, when it was utilized to summon local militia members between 1:00 AM and 2:00 AM.

The current site is marked by a boulder, while the existing structure, enclosed by a fence, was erected in 1910 atop Belfry Hill after a prior belfry was destroyed by fire. If you are in Lexington on Patriots’ Day, you will hear the bell toll at 5:30 AM.

14. The Old Burying Ground

For a glimpse into Lexington’s early history, the town’s oldest cemetery lies just northwest of the Battle Green, established in 1690 and serving as Lexington’s sole burial ground until 1831.

The Minutemen who fell on the Battle Green were initially interred here, with their remains relocated to the green in 1835. Among the graves rest notable early settlers, as well as soldiers from the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.

Notable is the solitary stone marking the grave of a British soldier who was injured during the Battle on the Green and passed away at Buckman Tavern days later.

15. Wilson Farm

This farm has remained within the same family since its establishment in Lexington in 1884 by Irish immigrants.

Wilson Farm has prioritized environmental conservation throughout its history on these 33 acres and its additional property in Litchfield, New Hampshire.

The farm stand in Lexington opened shortly after WWII, evolving into a vital shopping destination in the town.

Visitors can select from over 120 varieties of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, most of which are harvested shortly before becoming available on the shelves.

Additionally, there is an award-winning bakery, a selection of fine local specialty foods, a cheese shop, a variety of prepared meals, and fresh-cut flowers.