Overview
Staunton is a city in the Shenandoah Valley in the US state of Virginia. Although small, it is very distinct from neighboring cities such as Harrisonburg, Roanoke, and Waynesboro, in part due to the city government's emphasis on tourism and the very distinct downtown district.
9 sights · 5 things to do · 7 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 7 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Staunton
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library
Has a floor on trench warfare in World War I, and biographical information, family possessions, and historical background on Wilson's presidency.
Frontier Culture Museum
The museum has 4 historic farms and costumed interpreters that tell stories and answer questions along with showing skills of that time.
Downtown
It has a unique character and unique shops and restaurants.
American Shakespeare Center Blackfriars Playhouse
An exact replica of Shakespeare's Blackfriars Theatre with performances of several of Shakespeare's plays every season. Tickets start at $38 with fees (2026), but W & Th shows offer half-price day-of tickets if space…
Gypsy Hill Park
Featuring an annual Jazz in the Park festival.
Trinity Episcopal Church
The current church was built in 1855. In addition to its striking architecture, it is noteworthy for an impressive collection of stained glass windows, including 12 by Tiffany Studios.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Sep. Summer highs reach about 70°F; winter lows dip to about 14°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Snowshoe)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SHD Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport, Weyers Cave — 12 mi away. Directions
- CHO Charlottesville Albemarle Airport, Charlottesville — 34 mi away. Directions
- IAD Washington Dulles International Airport, Dulles — 103 mi away (major hub). Directions
Staunton sits at the intersection of I-81 and I-64 in the Shenandoah Valley. The downtown section can be intimidating to tourist drivers, but is quite easy to walk. There are several public parking lots near the main attractions. Check the city's website for parking information on which lots are open or not, paid or free - as of July 2026, a long-term construction project to alleviate flooding in the Wharf area impacts some lots but means others no longer require a fee.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Downtown, Camera Heritage Museum
- Lunch Zynodoa
- Afternoon Watch the glassblowers at Sunspot Studios, Take a Walking Tour
- Dinner Wright's Dairy Rite
- Evening Queen City Brewing
Day 2
- Morning Frontier Culture Museum, American Shakespeare Center Blackfriars Playhouse, Landes Park
- Lunch Hot Wok
- Afternoon Virginia Scenic Railway, Praise in the Park
- Dinner Depot Grille
- Evening Ciders from Mars
Day 3
- Morning Gypsy Hill Park, Trinity Episcopal Church
- Lunch Pampered Palate
- Afternoon Antique Fire Engine Museum, Sears Hill Bridge
- Dinner Shenandoah Pizza
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Tourist information
- Visit Staunton website
Get in
By car
Staunton sits at the intersection of I-81 and I-64 in the Shenandoah Valley. The downtown section can be intimidating to tourist drivers, but is quite easy to walk. There are several public parking lots near the main attractions. Check the city's website for parking information on which lots are open or not, paid or free - as of July 2026, a long-term construction project to alleviate flooding in the Wharf area impacts some lots but means others no longer require a fee.
By train
- Route stopping in Staunton:
- Cardinal operating three trips weekly between Chicago and New York City with stops in Dyer, Rensselaer, Lafayette, Crawfordsville, Indianapolis, Connersville, Cincinnati, Ashland, Huntington, Charleston, Hinton, White Sulphur Springs, Staunton, Charlottesville, Culpeper, Manassas, Alexandria, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Newark.
By plane
Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD) in Weyers Cave and the Charlottesville Airport (CHO) are both within an hour's drive.
Get around
The town is small enough that if you stay downtown, you can walk anywhere you would like to go. There is also a trolley/bus service provided by the city for $0.25 per ride.
See
See American Shakespeare Center Blackfriars Playhouse
An exact replica of Shakespeare's Blackfriars Theatre with performances of several of Shakespeare's plays every season. Tickets start at $38 with fees (2026), but W & Th shows offer half-price day-of tickets if space is available - ask at the box office.
- DeJarnette Sanitarium Formerly a sanitarium for the wealthy, then a center for mentally disturbed minors, this now-abandoned building is prominently visible from Richmond Avenue and Frontier Drive.
See Landes Park
This small park (approx. 1 acre) nestled between roads, train tracks, and the creek is easy to miss. It's noteworthy, however, for the photogenic stone arches that form part of the railway bridge over the southern half of the park.
Do
Do Watch the glassblowers at Sunspot Studios
Watch the glassblowers at work for free, or pay to make your own ornament with them. There's also an attached gallery with a wide range of blown glass objects for sale.
Do Virginia Scenic Railway
Take a three-hour scenic tour on a restored historic train. Departures from Staunton head west in the morning, east in the afternoon. You can also catch themed train rides: murder mystery, sip&savor, etc. Prices vary. Reserve your tickets in advance - there are no walkup sales.
Do Sears Hill Bridge
This bridge over the train tracks by the Amtrak Station was built to link the Sears Hill neighborhood with downtown. Today it provides a great view of downtown's architecture and geography. Enjoy the view right from the bridge, or head just a short distance up the hill for an overlook complete with information boards explaining which buildings are which.
Do Take a Walking Tour
Ask at the Staunton Visitor Center (35 S New St). Most days there are free general tours or architecture tours, typically leaving mid-morning. Sometimes there are also special themed tours (fees vary). If you miss the guided tours, the visitor center also has maps of self-guided tours through several of the historic downtown neighborhoods, with detailed information on the notable homes and architecture.
Annual events
- Victorian Festival, a celebration of Victorian history in the downtown. Takes place in the last full weekend of April.
Buy
Downtown is filled with small, independent shops with cute and quirky offerings.
Eat
Eat Hot Wok
Counter-serve options in Staunton Mall supplying familiar Chinese entrees, plus daily specials.
Eat Wright's Dairy Rite
A classic 1950s-era drive-in diner. Eat inside at one of the retro tables, or go for the classic drive-in experience to order from and get food delivered to your car.
Eat Zynodoa
Fine contemporary dining from locally sourced ingredients. Interesting cocktails and a wide range of food.
Eat Kline's Dairy Bar
They offer burgers, hot dogs, and barbeque, but really... the frozen custard is where it's at! Classic flavors like Chocolate and Vanilla line up on the menu with rotating specialties like Cotton Candy or Strawberry Shortcake. Scoops, sundaes, and shakes are on offer, and the portions are both generous and delicious.
Drink
Drink Queen City Brewing
A unique storefront which carries on a fine Southern tradition: making your own alcohol. Patrons can use the facility to create their own beer or wine, which are aged at the facility until ready to be picked up. For those not so DIY-inclined, Queen City Brewery also offers their own specialty beers and lagers, fruit wines, and non-alcoholic soda pops. Friday nights are "Brewgrass Fridays", and local bluegrass bands play while the storefront offers free samples. No cover.
Drink Ciders from Mars
Grab a glass, a flight, or a take-home bottle of craft-brewed alcoholic cider. Usually 6+ flavors on tap, specializing in dry and off-dry ciders fermented from local VA apples. In summertime, the cider slushie is a great treat! (Note: Address correct as of July 2026, but they're hoping to relocate their taproom elsewhere in Staunton by the end of the year.)
Sleep
Go next
- "Monticello", home of Thomas Jefferson, is in Charlottesville a 45-minute drive away.
- "Grand Caverns" is a large show cave with spectacular shield formations and reflecting pools. 20-25 minutes to the northeast of downtown.
- The Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah Valley National Park's Skyline Drive are nearby. The park costs $30 per car in 2026. The Blue Ridge Parkway is free. Great scenic overlooks and stopping points for small historical recreations or hikes.
Nearby
Stuarts Draft
City / town · 7 listings · 9 mi away
Waynesboro
City / town · 10 listings · 11 mi away
Bridgewater
City / town · 2 listings · 17 mi away
Harrisonburg
City / town · 17 listings · 23 mi away
Charlottesville
City / town · 104 listings · 33 mi away
Franklin
City / town · 1 listings · 37 mi away
Warm Springs
City / town · 4 listings · 38 mi away
Amherst
City / town · 2 listings · 39 mi away
My experience
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