Lexington Named to Smithsonian Magazine's List of "The 20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2013"

List recognizes small towns with populations of less than 15,000 that are big on culture

LEXINGTON, VA (March 27, 2013) - It is possible to find big things in small places and that includes a town founded in 1777. Lexington, Va., located at the intersection of historic U.S. Route 11 and U.S. Route 60 as well as Interstates 64 and 81, has been named to Smithsonian magazine's list of "The 20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2013."

The list of small towns is featured in the April 2013 issue of Smithsonian, a monthly magazine that chronicles the arts, history, sciences and popular culture and enjoys a readership of 6.5 million.

"Everyone loves the small town feel which Lexington exudes and, at the same time, it is busting at the seams with culture and history," said Jean Clark, Director of Tourism for the Lexington & Rockbridge Area Tourism. "The recognition by the magazine is extremely fitting for Lexington, and we look forward to welcoming visitors and showing them what the small town is all about."

According to the magazine, for the second year running, it sought a statistical answer to the question "What makes a small town big on culture?" by asking the geographic information company Esri to search its databases for small towns and cities this time, with populations of less than 15,000 that have exceptional concentrations of museums, art galleries, orchestras, theaters, historic sites and other cultural blessings.

The magazine's article on Lexington recognizes the Blue Ridge Parkway, Clark's Ole Time Music Center, the campus of Washington and Lee University, the Victorian Lee Chapel, the Stonewall Jackson House and the post of the Virginia Military Institute. With strong connections to Civil War history, Lexington attracts visitors from around the country. Lexington also features attractive shops and businesses that cater to a unique mixture of local, tourist, and collegiate clientele.

Lexington was listed as one of the 2009 Coolest Small Towns in America by Budget Travel. In addition, the small town has been named to several lists for great retirement, including a list by Forbes magazine.