A Day in Lexington: A Growing Community of Families

Founded in 1812, Lexington has long been known as “A Growing Community of Families.” It is a great place to raise a family, with the Lexington Local School District rated highly year after year and the village ranked among the safest communities in the country for its size. What began as a bedroom community has grown over time with the addition of businesses both large and small. Located just off Interstate 71, Lexington continues to grow as more commuters from Columbus are drawn to the area’s affordability and quality of life.

To Do

If you want to experience the heart of Lexington, plan your visit around the annual Blueberry Festival. Each year, the community gathers at Lexington Community Park for parades, pageants, blueberry-themed foods, craft vendors, live music, and more.

For more blueberry fun, take a short drive to The Blueberry Patch, Ohio’s largest blueberry farm. Pick your own berries, browse the gift shop, enjoy fresh blueberry donuts, and relax with a glass of their wine at 1285 Winery.

Located in the rolling hills just outside the village, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course has helped put Lexington on the map. This permanent road course hosts a full schedule of racing events each season, including IndyCar, NASCAR Xfinity Series, and AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. It is not uncommon to spot drivers around town during race weekends. Visitors can also get behind the wheel themselves through The Mid-Ohio School, which offers defensive driving, performance driving, and motorcycle instruction for all skill levels.

Get moving on the B&O Bike Trail, an 18.4-mile paved trail that runs from Mansfield to Butler and passes through Lexington. Here you will find the only full-service bike shop on the trail, Y-Not Cycling and Fitness, offering rentals, repairs, and group rides. Local shops and restaurants are located within riding distance of the trail. Nearby, the Clearfork Reservoir and Trails provide more than 1,000 acres of outdoor recreation, including boating, fishing, hiking, camping, and picnicking.

As a growing, family-focused community, Lexington offers plenty of options for family fun. Lex Lanes is a 32-lane bowling center and the only one of its kind in the county, featuring automatic scoring, bumpers, and cosmic bowling. When the weather is nice, head to one of the village’s parks. Bicentennial Park and Lexington Community Park both offer playgrounds and open space, and the Plymouth Street location also includes a skateboard park.

Just a short drive from Lexington, the Ohio Bird Sanctuary offers an engaging outdoor experience for all ages. Visitors can explore scenic walking trails, step inside the Avian Encounters enclosed bird exhibit, view native birds up close in the songbird aviary, and attend live bird of prey programs. The treehouse classroom adds an interactive element for younger visitors, making it both educational and memorable.

To Eat

Start your day with a classic breakfast at Paul Revere’s Restaurant, a longtime local favorite. For lunch or dinner, The Local at 97 offers a casual spot for food and drinks right next to Lex Lanes.

At 1285 Winery at The Blueberry Patch, you will find a beautiful timber-framed setting along with wood-fired pizzas, made-to-order pasta, and house wines, including their signature blueberry wine. During the summer, guests can enjoy live music on the patio and dine by the outdoor fireplace amongst the blueberry fields.

For something different, Tito’s Cantina and Grill serves a unique mix of Mexican and Korean-inspired dishes, along with margaritas, wings, and more.

Cap off your visit with a stop at JB’s Drive-In. Located near the high school tennis courts, this longtime favorite is known for hand-dipped ice cream, shakes, malts, and slushes. You will also find classic drive-in staples like burgers, sandwiches, coneys, and fries.