Lexington, Virginia

Nestled in the inspiring natural beauty of the Shenandoah Valley of west-central Virginia, Lexington (population 7,000) is a quaint, quiet burg steeped in history and tradition. Settled in 1777, it is home to the prestigious Virginia Military Institute (VMI), established in 1839, and to the highly regarded liberal arts college of Washington and Lee, established in 1749. The entire downtown is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, and General Robert E. Lee and General "Stonewall" Jackson are buried here. Although Lexington is a bit isolated geographically, Civil War buffs and other tourists wander into town, and the two colleges give it vitality not always present in small southern communities.