16 Best Things To Do In Staunton, Virginia

Staunton (pronounced Stan-ten) is a vibrant small town with a well-preserved historic district—actually, six historic districts—that features beautifully restored buildings and an abundance of Victorian-style architecture. While Staunton is not typically known as a college town, it is home to Mary Baldwin University, which has about 2,000 students. 

The walkable historic downtown area boasts plenty of curious and eclectic boutiques and cafes. However, there’s so much more, including a quirky camera museum and the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, which is one of 15 presidential libraries across the country. There’s something to do here all year-round, from outdoor recreation to Christmas festivities. Here’s what to do when you’re ready to explore Staunton, Virginia. 

What to Do

Ride the Rails

Nestled in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Staunton is immersed in natural beauty, which can be fully appreciated from within a 1940s era rail car on the Virginia Scenic Railway. Four days a week, three-hour sightseeing train rides chug east and west from the historic train depot in Staunton, affording short-line passengers breathtaking views across farmland and verdant forests. 

virginiascenicrailway.com, 12 Middlebrook Avenue, Staunton, VA 24401

Learn About Woodrow Wilson

From the train depot, it’s a short walk to mainstay attractions, like the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum. On display are historic photographs and artifacts, even the Pierce-Arrow limousine that awaited Wilson on his arrival in New York after negotiating the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. Visitors can also explore the home where our 28th president was born.

woodrowwilson.org, 20 North Coalter Street, Staunton, VA 24401

Get a Snapshot of Photography History

At the Camera Heritage Museum, the largest camera museum open to the public, visitors can ogle more than 7,000 cameras, which showcase photography technologies that span more than 150 years. Also on display are more than 2,000 vintage photographs of Staunton and Augusta County. 

cameraheritagemuseum.org, 1 West Beverley Street, Staunton, VA 24401

Enjoy Local Theater

Arts and culture thrives at the American Shakespeare Center and the Blackfriars Playhouse, a re-creation of Shakespeare’s indoor theatre, and one that’s widely considered one of the world’s most historically significant theatres. Throughout the year, Shakespeare’s most famous works are performed on stage, from Hamlet to Much Ado About Nothing. The playhouse also stages seasonal works, like A Christmas Carol. 

americanshakespearecenter.com, 10 South Market Street, Staunton, VA 24401

Learn Virginia History

On the edge of Staunton, the Frontier Culture Museum is billed as the largest open-air living history museum in the Shenandoah Valley. Roaming costumed interpreters educate visitors on the evolution and journeys of those who came to settle and live in Virginia, including Native American tribes, European immigrants, and enslaved Africans. 

frontiermuseum.org, 1290 Richmond Avenue, Staunton, VA 24401

Listen to Live Music

In late-summer, Staunton is alive with the sounds of classical music thanks to the annual Staunton Music Festival, which showcases more than 80 renowned and emerging musical artists across over 30 events. As a bonus, most performances are free to the public. Several live music venues, including Gypsy Hill Park and Tempest Bar & Lounge, also regularly feature bands and musicians. 

stauntonmusicfestival.org/summer 

ci.staunton.va.us/departments/parks-recreation-/parks/gypsy-hill-park, 600 Churchville Avenue, Staunton, VA 24401

facebook.com/TempestBarandLounge, 27 West Beverley Street, Staunton, VA 24401

Shop Local Boutiques

For shops and boutiques, you’ll find plenty of options, particularly on Beverley Street, the main street in Staunton. Stop in Billy Opal for apparel and accessories, Burrow & Vine for live plants and home décor, as well as Pufferbellies for a thoughtfully curated selection of children’s toys, games, and puzzles. 

billyopal.com, 16 South New Street, Staunton, VA 24401

burrowandvine.com, 10 East Beverley Street, Staunton, VA 24401

pufferbelliestoys.com, 15 West Johnson Street, Staunton, VA 24401

Shop for Vintage

Vintage shops thrive here. Juniper Lane specializes in vintage and second-hand clothing, as well as vintage bridal clothing and accessories from the 1950s to 2000s. Shop Eclectic Retro for vintage decor, furniture, clothing, and accessories.

facebook.com/EclecticRetroGoods, 6 Byers Street, Staunton, VA 24401

juniperlaneva.com, 29 East Beverley Street, Staunton, VA 24401

Make Your Own Art

Make time for Sunspots Studios, a glassblowing studio where visitors can catch a live demonstration and choose some beautiful glass to take home, such as ornaments, vases, hummingbird feeders, and jewelry. Guests can reserve a time to make their own art too and choose to make a traditional, glow-in-the-dark, or pumpkin ornament.

sunspots.com, 202 South Lewis Street, Staunton, VA 24401

Where to Eat

Sip Cider and Wine

Cider from Mars, a hip award-winning cidery, wins rave reviews for its cider flights and hand-crafted cider cocktails. Another in-town favorite is Yelping Dog Wine, a wine bar and bottle shop with craveable eats, like grilled cheese sandwiches and all kinds of cheese plates. Cheese lovers can also fill up on artisan cheese from Ballerino Creamery, found at the Staunton Farmers Market and Indoor Winter Market. 

cidersfrommars.com, 121 South Lewis Street, Staunton, VA, 24401

yelpingdogwine.com, 9 East Beverley Street, Staunton, VA 24401

ballerinocreamery.com, Wharf Parking Lot, 2 West Johnson Street, Staunton, VA 24401

Bite Into a Burger

Staunton offers an exciting diversity of wine bars, coffee shops, taco shacks, and tasting rooms, but don't miss their elevated burger joints. At Remedy Burger, deliciously cheeky burgers satisfy anyone and everyone in your crew, like the signature Remedy Burger, with double smashed patties, and the Broccoli Burger, a uniquely veggie twist on typical burger fare.

For classic, old-school fare, Wright’s Dairy-Rite is a win. They’ve been slinging burgers and fries since 1952. They’ve got curb service, too. Just pull up, order at the vintage metal box, and wait for your food to come to you. Save room for Wright’s Wheelie, a hot glazed donut topped with a jumbo scoop of vanilla ice cream.

remedyburger.com, 12 East Beverley Street, Staunton, VA 24401

dairy-rite.com, 346 Greenville Avenue, Staunton, VA 24401

Savor Salvadoran Fare

Meantime, Gloria’s Pupuseria serves up mouthwatering Salvadoran-style food, including several varieties of pupusas, pasteles, and tamales filled with chicken and potatoes. Owner Gloria Gerber learned to make the dishes while helping in her mother’s pupuseria in El Salvador.

gloriaspupuseria.com, 331 North Central Avenue, Staunton, VA 24401

Satisfy Sweet Cravings

 For more sweetness, head to Sweet Addie’s Waffle Shop for dessert-style liege waffles that can be adorned with such toppings as crushed Oreos, mini marshmallows, cannoli cream, and chocolate chips. They’ve got a savory menu too, ingeniously pairing fluffy waffles with fried chicken, gravy, and country ham, even white cheddar mac & cheese. Delicious.

sweetaddiesstaunton.com, 132 West Beverley Street, Staunton, VA 24401

Where to Stay

Sleep in Luxury

When you want to stay the night or the weekend in Staunton, you’ve got choices. The Historic Berkeley Place, which dates to 1896, is an elegant boutique inn that’s steeped in history. This one-time mansion has changed hands over the years, and most recently was sold and renovated in July 2022 into a luxury self-checkout boutique with private suites, beautiful gardens, and a welcoming porch. 

historicberkeleyplace.com, 303 Berkeley Place, Staunton, VA 24401

Stay in a Former Warehouse

Meantime, Gibson’s Warehouse is a boutique property with a history of its own, and one that dates to the early 1900s when this inn got its start as a warehouse with a brick façade. Industrial-chic guest rooms feature exposed brick walls, pendant light fixtures, and sliding barn doors.

gibsonswarehouse.com, 19-21 Middlebrook Avenue, Staunton, VA 24401

Book a Room Downtown

Hotel 24 South is another stay to love with character and historic charm, but also luxe pillow top mattresses, an indoor pool, and a casual dining area called the 1924 Lounge. This historic hotel was built in 1924 and restored in 2005, preserving many original details.

hotel24south.com, 24 South Market Street, Staunton, VA 24401