Amazing Things to Do in Staunton VA: 265 Landmarks, Zero Crowds, Unforgettable Weekend

I have driven every inch of Virginia’s back roads over three decades of travel writing. I’ve stood on the rim of the Blue Ridge, eaten oysters in the Northern Neck, and watched the sun rise over Chincoteague. But Staunton, Virginia caught me off guard.

I didn’t expect world-class theater in a town of 25,000 people. I didn’t expect six historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places. And I definitely didn’t expect the food scene.

Most travelers blow past Staunton on Interstate 81, pointing their GPS toward Shenandoah National Park. That’s a mistake and honestly, a gift for those of us who have discovered what Staunton actually is: one of the most culturally rich, walkable, and authentically charming small cities in the entire American East.

This guide covers everything you need for a perfect trip, the best things to do in Staunton VA, where to eat, where to stay, and how to build the ideal weekend itinerary whether you’re driving from Washington D.C., Richmond, or Charlottesville.

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What Is Staunton VA Known For?

Quick answer: Staunton VA is best known for the world's only recreation of Shakespeare's original Blackfriars Playhouse, the birthplace of President Woodrow Wilson, six National Register historic districts, and some of the finest farm-to-table dining in the Shenandoah Valley, all in a walkable, crowd-free small city.

Staunton (pronounced “Stanton” yes, the locals will gently correct you) earned the nickname “Queen City of the Shenandoah” for good reason. The city’s planners made a remarkable decision decades ago: they preserved the Victorian storefronts, kept power lines buried out of sight in historic districts, and resisted the chain-store sprawl that swallowed neighbouring towns. Walk down Beverley Street today and you feel time-shifted in the best possible way.

In 2002, Staunton became the first city in Virginia to receive the Great American Main Street Award, recognizing it as one of the ten most unique small cities in America. Travel+Leisure named it one of “America’s Favorite Mountain Towns.” Budget Travel declared it one of the coolest small towns in the country.

Despite all this recognition, the crowds haven’t arrived. The SERPs are thin. The parking is free. That window won’t stay open forever.

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Top 10 Things to Do in Staunton VA

From world-class theater to living history museums to ghost tours that’ll raise the hair on your neck. here are the best things to do in Staunton Virginia.

1. Blackfriars Playhouse. American Shakespeare Center

Nothing in Staunton, nothing in Virginia prepared me for the Blackfriars. This is the world’s only full-scale recreation of Shakespeare’s original indoor theater, a 300-seat Renaissance venue where performances use authentic Elizabethan staging: natural lighting, no sets, and direct audience interaction.

Actors regularly invite visitors to sit on stage during shows. I did it once, half-terrified, and it was one of the best experiences I’ve had in 30 years of travel.

Shows run year-round across multiple productions simultaneously. Building tours run Monday through Saturday at 10am and 2pm. Book tickets early this place sells out.

2. Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Birthplace

The 28th President of the United States was born in this very house on Coalter Street making it Virginia’s first presidential library. The museum is surprisingly engaging: Wilson’s 1919 Pierce-Arrow limousine sits in the carriage house, and the exhibits trace one of the most consequential and controversial presidencies in American history. Plan on 90 minutes minimum.

3. Frontier Culture Museum

This is a living history museum unlike any other in Virginia. The Frontier Culture Museum reconstructs authentic farmsteads from England, Germany, West Africa, and Ireland, then shows exactly how those immigrant cultures blended to create the unique Shenandoah Valley settlement tradition.

Costumed interpreters demonstrate real 18th-century trades. Kids love it. So do history professors.

4. Historic Downtown Staunton & Beverley Street

Staunton has six contiguous historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the Wharf, Beverley, Gospel Hill, Newtown, Stuart Addition, and Villages districts.

Beverley Street is the main artery, lined with locally-owned boutiques, galleries, and restaurants operating out of original Victorian storefronts. Start at Cranberry’s Grocery and Eatery for breakfast and work your way west.

Pop into the Made store on Beverley Street for Virginia-made goods and unusual gifts, one of the best curated shops I've encountered in a small American city.

5. Virginia Scenic Railway

Board a vintage train from the Staunton Depot and roll through the Blue Ridge foothills on a narrated excursion that rivals any scenic rail experience in the Eastern US. Multiple routes are available depending on the season, fall foliage runs in October are particularly spectacular. Book online; the trains fill up fast.

6. Staunton Music Festival (August)

Every August, the Staunton Music Festival transforms historic downtown venues into intimate performance spaces for world-class chamber, vocal, and symphonic music. A mix of free daytime concerts and ticketed evening performances. Late-night “Nightcap” concerts in unexpected spaces a brewery, a courtyard, a historic library, are a particular highlight.

7. Queen City Mischief & Magic Festival (October)

If you love a certain boy wizard, Staunton’s annual Harry Potter festival is the best excuse to visit in fall. The streets transform into Hogwarts-themed blocks complete with wand dueling, Quidditch, magical creature encounters, and costumed characters. It sells out. Book accommodations months ahead.

8. Gypsy Hill Park

Staunton’s beloved 214-acre urban park features a lake, a restored carousel, tennis courts, and weekend band concerts in a classic Victorian bandstand. It’s the kind of park that makes you want to move to a small town. Free, family-friendly, and genuinely lovely.

9. Staunton Ghost Tour

Between Civil War trauma, 19th-century asylum history, and a downtown full of genuinely creepy architecture, Staunton has enough paranormal material to fill a 90-minute walking tour. And it does. This is not a cheesy tourist trap, the local guides know their history deeply, and the stories they tell about what happened in this valley during and after the war are genuinely haunting.

10. The Shenandoah Spirits Trail

Staunton anchors one of Virginia’s best craft beverage corridors. Redbeard Brewing Company, Ox-Eye Vineyards, and Ciders from Mars are just the beginning. The Shenandoah Spirits Trail connects dozens of wineries, breweries, cideries, and distilleries across the valley, perfect for a self-guided afternoon tasting route.

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Hiking Near Staunton VA

Staunton sits within easy reach of Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge, which means you’re surrounded by some of the finest hiking in the Eastern United States. These are the trails worth your time.

• Saint Mary’s Falls Trail (4.3 miles, out-and-back) One of the most popular hikes in the area. Glistening waterfalls, summer swimming holes, and a trail that never feels crowded despite its reputation. About 1.5 hours each way.
• Turk Mountain Trail (2.4 miles, out-and-back) Right off Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. Sweeping Shenandoah Valley panoramas from the summit. A section of the Appalachian Trail for your logbook.
• Doyles River Falls Trail (3.4 miles, out-and-back) Three separate waterfalls on one challenging trail with 1,184 feet of elevation gain. Pack poles. Worth every step.
• Calf Mountain via Appalachian Trail (3 miles, moderate) Begins in an open meadow off Skyline Drive. Enchanting woodland trail with big mountain views. One of the more peaceful sections of the AT you’ll find near a town.
• Natural Chimneys Park (Augusta County) Seven towering limestone chimneys carved by an ancient sea more than 500 million years ago. Spectacular from a picnic blanket. Camping available on-site.

Gear Note

The Shenandoah Valley trails can be muddy through April. Waterproof boots aren’t optional they’re non-negotiable if you’re visiting before Memorial Day.

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Best Restaurants in Staunton VA

The dining scene in Staunton punches well above its weight. Farm-to-table isn’t a marketing term here — the valley farms are literally minutes away, and chefs take that seriously. Here’s where to eat:

“Maude & the Bear is often cited as one of the finest restaurants in Virginia — and it’s in a town most people drive past without stopping.”

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Staunton VA Weekend Itinerary

Two days is the sweet spot for Staunton. Long enough to feel it properly; short enough that everything stays fresh. Here’s how I’d structure a perfect 48 hours.

Day 1 Culture, History & a Ghost or Two

• Morning: Breakfast at Cranberry’s Grocery & Eatery. Walk Beverley Street and browse the Beverley Historic District. Stop into the Made store.
• Mid-morning: Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Birthplace (90 min). Don’t miss the 1919 Pierce-Arrow in the carriage house.
• Afternoon: Frontier Culture Museum (2 hrs). Time it to catch a live demonstration by the costumed interpreters.
• Pre-dinner: Tasting flight at Redbeard Brewing Company or Ox-Eye Vineyards.
• Dinner: Zynodoa or Chop House Tavern. Book ahead.
• Evening: Staunton Ghost Tour (90 min, 9pm departure most nights in season).

Day 2 Theater, Trails & The Shenandoah Valley

• Morning: Early start for the Saint Mary’s Falls Trail or Turk Mountain Trail. Back in Staunton by noon.
• Lunch: Gloria’s Pupuseria (Salvadoran, fresh, fast, and excellent) or Reunion Bakery.
• Afternoon: 2pm building tour at the American Shakespeare Center Blackfriars Playhouse.
• Late afternoon: Gypsy Hill Park walk or Virginia Scenic Railway excursion (seasonal).
• Evening: 7pm Blackfriars performance. Accept the offer to sit on stage. Do not overthink it.

Driving distances to Staunton VA: Washington D.C. → 2.5 hours · Richmond → 1 hr 40 min · Charlottesville → 45 min · Roanoke → 1 hr 15 min

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Where to Stay in Staunton VA

Staunton has nearly 1,500 rooms across hotels, inns, guesthouses, and B&Bs. Downtown options are the obvious choice — everything is walkable, and you’ll want to wander at night without driving.

• Blackburn Inn & Conference Center The most atmospheric option in town. Converted from a 19th-century institution (yes, including a former asylum, hence the ghost tour’s emphasis). Original pine wood floors, classical moldings, red bricks from the 1820s. Around $100/night. Walking distance to all historic districts.
• Hotel 24 South Built in 1924, this is Staunton’s only historic hotel in downtown proper. Steps from the American Shakespeare Center, boutiques, and restaurants. The 1924 Lounge serves craft cocktails in a setting that feels genuinely elegant rather than curated.
• Frederick House Hotel A collection of five historic townhouses converted into a charming inn, on Beverley Street. As central as it gets. Highly rated for personal service.
• Budget options The Tru by Hilton and Holiday Inn Express are solid chain options just outside the historic district with free parking — perfect if you’re arriving by car and want something predictable.

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How to Get to Staunton VA

Staunton sits at the junction of Interstate 81 and Interstate 64 — one of the most accessible small cities in Virginia if you’re driving.

By car: The easiest option. Free parking is available throughout downtown and all historic districts. Most visitors arrive via I-81 South from Harrisonburg or I-64 West from Charlottesville.

By train: Amtrak’s Cardinal route stops directly in Staunton, running between New York City, Washington D.C., and Chicago. The catch: it only runs three days a week. Plan around the schedule.

By bus: The Virginia Breeze intercity bus runs daily from Blacksburg to Washington D.C.’s Union Station, with a stop in Staunton. An underrated option for car-free travelers from Northern Virginia.

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Best Time to Visit Staunton Virginia

Every season in the Shenandoah Valley has something going for it. Here’s the honest breakdown:

My personal recommendation: late September to mid-October. The foliage on Skyline Drive is extraordinary, hotel prices haven’t yet spiked for peak fall, and the Queen City Mischief & Magic Festival adds a layer of magic to what is already a deeply atmospheric town.

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Final Thoughts: Is Staunton VA Worth Visiting?

After 30 years of travel writing, I’ve learned to trust the towns that don’t advertise themselves. Staunton, Virginia doesn’t need to. It has a Shakespeare theater that outperforms anything you’d expect from a city ten times its size. It has restaurants that belong in James Beard conversations. It has six National Register historic districts that feel genuinely lived-in rather than museum-ified. And it has access to Shenandoah hiking that will reset your entire nervous system after a week of city life.

The most honest answer to “is Staunton VA worth visiting?” is this: it is worth going out of your way for. Not just off the interstate. Out of your way.

The crowd hasn’t found it yet. Go now.

FAQs About Things to Do in Staunton VA

Plan Your Staunton VA Trip

Book early for Blackfriars performances and fall festival weekends. Use the links below to start planning.

Book BlackfriarsVisit Staunton CVBWilson LibraryFrontier Museum