Living history in Lexington

GETTING THERE
From LAX, nonstop service to Washington-Dulles is offered on United and American, and connecting service (change of planes) is available on American, Delta, US Airways, Northwest, Continental and United. Restricted round-trip fares begin at $198. Lexington is about 175 miles from Dulles. From the airport, take Virginia Route 28 south to Interstate 66 west. Connect to I-81 south.

WHERE TO STAY
Fort Lewis Lodge, HCR 3, Box 21A, Millboro, VA 24460; (540) 925-2314, fax (540) 925-2352, www.fortlewislodge.com. My wife, Sandy, and I usually stay about 40 miles west of Lexington at this deluxe 17-room lodge, a 3,200-acre retreat of fields and forests ringed by high green ridges. Many guests fish the lovely Cowpasture River; I revel in its swimming hole. With buffet breakfast and dinner, a room for two is $165; a luxury cabin (our preference), $210.

Alexander Withrow Inn, 3 W. Washington St., Lexington, VA 24450; (877) 463-2044, fax (540) 463-7262, www.lexingtonhistoricinns.com. Stay (as some of the actors in “Gods and Generals” did) in the historic district at the seven-room, all-suite hotel. Suites for two from $165.

McCampbell Inn, 11 North Main St.; same phone and Web site as the Withrow. A sister property of the Withrow, with 14 rooms and two suites. Doubles begin at $105.

WHERE TO EAT
Willson-Walker House Restaurant, 30 N. Main St., Lexington; (540) 463-3020, www.willsonwalker.com. The contemporary American menu has a Southern flavor. Potato-crusted trout, a favorite, is $17.95.

Blue Heron Cafe, 4 E. Washington St., Lexington; (540) 463-2800. Vegetarian cuisine, good for a quick lunch ($5-$7 per person).

TO LEARN MORE
Historic Lexington Visitor Center, 106 E. Washington St., Lexington, VA 24450; (540) 463-3777, www.lexingtonvirginia.com.

Virginia Tourism Corp., 901 E. Byrd St., Richmond, VA 23219; (800) 932-5827 or (804) 786-4484, fax (804) 786-1919, www.virginia.org.