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Venture Out: To Minute Man NHP [VIDEO]

There's lots to see right here in Historic Lexington, where the Battle Green serves as a jump-off point to destinations like Minute Man National Historical Park and the National Heritage Museum.

Without leaving Leaving, you can enjoy many historical tourist attractions often taken for granted because they're right here in your backyard. For starters, there's the Battle Green, a popular first stop for folks heading to Minute Man National Historical Park or the National Heritage Museum. OK, to experience all of Minute Man you'd technically have to leave town as the park's network of trails and attractions is sprawled across Lexington, Lincoln and Concord. But there are options, like biking along the Battle Road or hopping on the Liberty Ride, which will help you navigate and enjoy the park.

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Patch Passport

Dining Around the World

Did you know your town offers places to sample all the tastes of the world? The Saturday Patch Passport is a complete list of places to eat in your town organized by international flavor.

Do you want to get out of the kitchen, but are bored of the same old places you always go to? Want some fresh ideas for tasty meals? Then the Patch Passport can help. We have assembled a list of local places with international flavors. Try one out and let us know what you think. Bon Appetit! Italian: Mario's Italian Restaurant Buca di Beppo Bertucci's Mexican: Ixtapa Mexican Restaurant Margarita's Asian Yangtze River Restaurant Daikanyama Japanese Cuisine Lemon Grass Thai Cuisine Sizzling House of Kabab Three Gorges Dabin Restaurant Ruyi Restaurant Rice Cube Thai Kitchen Indian Royal India Bistro Khushboo Fine Indian Cuisine Bollywood Cafe American Lexx Restaurant Nourish Waxy O'ConnorsVia Lago Pizza/Sandwiches/Takeout Tutto Italiano Prime…

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Discover Treasures at the Visitors Center

The Friday Patch Passport shows you where you can find trinkets in your town. Get out and explore the unique local shops and all they have to offer.

Yes, Crafty Yankee and Valentine's have stellar selections of jewelry, gifts and other tchotchkes, but when it comes to Lex-centric trinkets, the Visitors Center is the destination of choice. From Lexington shot glasses and postcards to wooden muskets and plastic soldiers, the Visitors Center has everything a tourist could want – plus historical books and pamphlets that appeal to long-time residents, as well. It also offers maps and information about Boston-area tourist attractions and has abundant bathrooms, snacks and water for folks popping in from the Minuteman Bikeway.

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Patch Passport

A Little Bit of Paradise at Bella Santé

The Thursday Patch Passport shows you a Little Bit of Paradise. This is a local place where you can feel like you are a million miles away from the daily stress of life, without having to go far from home. Come along and relax...

Bella Santé is among the region's most recognizable spa brands, but it all began here in Lexington and locals are still enjoying an array of treatments that has earned more than a dozen Best of Boston awards. “We have a lot of loyal Lexington clients who come in for all different types of services,” said Jessica O’Brien, the spa director at the Bedford Street location. Bella Santé is a full service day spa with three locations — in Lexington, on Newbury Street and in Wellesley — that strives to create an environment “of pure relaxation,” according to O’Brien. The “spa treatment” starts with the teas, cucumber and lemon water, fruit and spa chow available to guests as they await their actual treatments, which run the gamut from pomegranate …

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Audra Myerberg

10:34 am on Thursday, July 28, 2011

Love, love, love Bella Sante. Their facials are amazing as are their massages. I live just down the street so I can walk there! Highly recommend them.   more ›

Patch Passport

Travel Back in Time to Munroe Tavern

Travel Back in Time with the Wednesday Patch Passport, to discover the history and roots of Lexington.

Lexington is famous for being home to the first shot of the American Revolution, but it’s beginnings date back more than 100 years prior to April 19, 1775.  First settled as a part of Cambridge in the mid-1600s, the town we know today as Lexington was incorporated as Cambridge Farms in 1691 and then became its own separate town in 1713.  But what put this former farming community on the map—and keeps it there still today—is its place at start of American Revolution. Many structures remain from that important period in the history of the town and country, including the Buckman Tavern, Hancock-Clarke House and Munroe Tavern, all of which the Lexington Historical Society operates as museums. Though they’re all steeped in Revolutionary history…

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Patch Passport

Kid-Friendly Fun: Candy Castle and Center Complex

Take advantage of time with your kids and get out and enjoy these hot spots. Your Patch Passport gives you options for great local spots for kid-friendly fun.

When looking for kid-friendly fun, Lexington has a lot of options. Two of our favorites happen to be quintessentially kiddie spots: A candy store and a playground. Center Recreation Complex It’s clichéd to say there’s something for everyone, but that’s an apt description when talking about the Center Recreation Complex being a kid-friendly place. From the pools to the playground to the skate park, children of all ages, interests and maturity levels should be able to find something keep themselves entertained. Add in the tennis and basketball courts, playing fields and ice cream and hot dog trucks, and complex becomes less of a pool and playground and more of a daylong destination. If there’s a problem for parents, it’s probably the …

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Patch Passport

Hidden Gem: Old Belfry

Discover a Hidden Gem in Lexington that you may have driven by and never known it existed. Or maybe you have not visited this interesting spot in years. So take a little trip with Patch…we’ll show you the way.

It’s hard to imagine something historic as the Old Belfry could be hidden right in Lexington Center, but it’s true. Thousands each week walk, bike and drive past the unassuming wooden sign on Massachusetts Avenue that announces the Old Belfry is located just up the hill. While the belfry, a rebuilt version of the one that contained the bell that rang out on April 19, 1775, is largely overlooked by locals, it is fairly popular among tourists – especially European visitors who come equipped with backpacks, sturdy sneakers and plans to hike to Concord, said Mary Jo Bohart, director of Lexington’s Chamber of Commerce. One of the reasons for that dichotomy could be the belfry’s location. In order to see it, one must leave the town’s main drag …

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Shop, Eat and Think Local: Let’s Build a Patch Passport to Lexington

Patch will help you become a tourist in your own town.

What do you love best about Lexington? Share your ideas with Lexington Patch as we build a guide to some of the most interesting and fun things to do in town. For one week, starting Monday July 25, we’ll feature stories, photos, and videos showing off the best of Lexington. Tell us what you love about the town and we’ll include it as part of this project.  You can email us or leave a suggestion in the comment section below. Be sure to check out our Facebook page too for updates and discussions. What Do You Know? Do you know of any hidden gems? What about some fun kid activities or an interesting historical site? Is there a good day spa in town that helps you get away from it all? And what about ethnic restaurants that whisk you away to a …

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Audra Myerberg

5:02 pm on Monday, July 11, 2011

Love, love, love Bella Sante. They make everything better.   more ›