Sights and Scenes of Staunton
Staunton offers the perfect blend of scenic beauty, world-class theater, and small-town charm - all within walking distance of our historic downtown hotel. Whether you're drawn to mountain vistas, Shakespearean drama, or the vibrant local food scene, this itinerary will help you experience the best of our beloved city.
Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, enjoying a cultural getaway, or simply seeking a weekend away from routine, Staunton offers an enriching experience that lingers long after you've returned home. We look forward to welcoming you and helping you discover all that our mountain city has to offer.
Morning
Start your Staunton adventure with a journey through the Shenandoah Valley aboard the Virginia Scenic Railway. Departing from downtown, these vintage train excursions wind through rolling farmland and offer stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The morning departure times allow you to settle in with a cup of coffee as the countryside unfolds outside your window. The railway offers various themed rides throughout the year, from spring wildflower tours to fall foliage specials, so check their schedule when planning your visit. Most excursions last about two hours, returning you to downtown by late morning.
Insider Tip: Book our Virginia Scenic Railway Offer for a discount on your room, must purchase your VSR tickets separately.
Alternative Morning Option: If you prefer to explore at your own pace, consider a morning drive along Skyline Drive in nearby Shenandoah National Park (approximately 30 minutes from downtown Staunton). The early hours offer the best chance to spot wildlife and enjoy the overlooks before crowds arrive. The northern entrance at Front Royal provides easy access to some of the most photographed vistas in Virginia.
Mid-Day
After your morning adventure, spend the late morning and early afternoon exploring Staunton's walkable downtown. Our historic district features dozens of independent shops housed in beautifully preserved Victorian-era buildings.
The beauty of downtown Staunton is that these shops are clustered within just a few blocks, making it easy to duck into our hotel to drop off purchases or refresh before your afternoon plans. In the summer, downtown Staunton provides a beautiful spot to walk around, as Staunton closes the roads and open to walkers only, complete with open-air dining.
Read more below to learn about shopping highlights and leisurely lunch spots.
Shopping:
- The Shenandoah Valley Art Center features handcrafted jewelry and mountain-inspired paintings by regional artists.
- By & By offers curated vintage clothing, antiques, and unique home goods.
- The Book Barn delights readers with used and rare books, plus a local history section.
Lunch:
- Zynodoa elevates Southern cuisine with locally sourced ingredients—try their legendary pimento cheese and fried green tomatoes.
- The Shack serves elevated comfort food including exceptional burgers and poutine on their outdoor patio.
- Byers Street Bistro offers fresh, from-scratch sandwiches, soups, and salads in a cozy cafe setting.
Evening
As evening approaches, make your way to the Blackfriars Playhouse, home of the American Shakespeare Center. Located just steps from the hotel, this remarkable theater is the world's only recreation of Shakespeare's original indoor theater.
The ASC doesn't simply perform Shakespeare - they reimagine how we experience it. Performances use the staging conditions of Shakespeare's time: universal lighting (the audience remains lit throughout), minimal sets, live music, and energetic actor-audience interaction. You might find yourself called upon to hold a prop, respond to a player, or participate in a scene. It's theater as Shakespeare's audiences would have known it - immediate, intimate, and thrilling.
The ASC's season typically includes Shakespeare classics alongside works by his contemporaries and modern plays performed in the Renaissance style. Whether you're watching Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing, or a lesser-known gem like The Duchess of Malfi, the company's talented actors bring these stories to vivid life.
Insider Tip: Arrive 15-20 minutes early. The pre-show atmosphere is part of the experience, with musicians performing period music and actors often mingling in the lobby. The theater's intimate size (only 300 seats) means there truly isn't a bad view, though sitting in the galleries offers the most authentic Shakespearean experience.
Most performances begin at 7:30 or 8:00 PM and run approximately 2 to 2.5 hours with one intermission.
Nightcap
Night quite tired yet? Extend the evening with a nightcap at one of downtown's welcoming establishments.
- The Split Banana Co. often hosts evening events and offers wine and beer alongside their excellent coffee.
- Clockwork is Staunton's dedicated cocktail bar, offering craft cocktails in a speakeasy-inspired atmosphere. Their bartenders are creative, happy to craft something tailored to your preferences.
- Redbeard Brewing Company provides a relaxed pub atmosphere with locally brewed beers and often features live music on weekends.
For a quieter end to the evening, simply stroll the beautifully preserved streets back to the hotel. Downtown Staunton transforms after dark, with historic streetlamps casting a warm glow on Victorian facades.