Staunton (Virginia) – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (2024)

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.

Get in[edit]

By car[edit]

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.

By train[edit]

See also: Rail travel in the United States

• 1 Staunton station, 1 Middlebrook Ave (In downtown). (updated Mar 2021)
  • Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates trains throughout the United States of America. (updated Dec 2020) 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[edit]

Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD^IATA) in Weyers Cave and the Charlottesville Airport (CHO^IATA) are both within an hour's drive.

Get around[edit]

The town is small enough that if you stay downtown, you can walk anywhere you would like to go. There is also a free trolley service provided by the city.

See[edit]

• Downtown. It has a unique character and unique shops and restaurants. (updated Jul 2016)
• American Shakespeare Center Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 South Market Street. An exact replica of Shakespeare's Blackfriars Theatre with performances of several of Shakespeare's plays every season.
• Gypsy Hill Park. Featuring an annual Jazz in the Park festival.
• 1 Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, 20 N Coalter St, ☏ +1 540-885-0897. Has a floor on trench warfare in World War I, and biographical information, family possessions, and historical background on Wilson's presidency.
• 2 Frontier Culture Museum, 1290 Richmond Ave, ☏ +1 540-332-7850, visitor.center@frontiermuseum.org. The museum has 4 historic farms and costumed interpreters that tell stories and answer questions along with showing skills of that time. (updated Dec 2021)
• 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.

Do[edit]

Annual events[edit]

• Praise in the Park, Gypsy Hill Park (at the Gazebo). July 10-August 28: Tu 7-9PM. Christian concert series.
• Victorian Festival, a celebration of Victorian history in the downtown. Takes place in the last full weekend of April.

Buy[edit]

Eat[edit]

• 1 Depot Grille, 42 Middlebrook Ave, ☏ +1 540-885-7332, depotgrille@verizon.net. 11AM-10PM. $10. (updated Aug 2017)
• 2 Hot Wok, 90 Lee Jackson highway (Inside the Staunton Mall), ☏ +1 540-887-2020. Counter-serve options in Staunton Mall supplying familiar Chinese entrees, plus daily specials. (updated Aug 2020)
• L'Italia.
• Mrs. Rowe's.
• ^{[dead link]} Mulligan's Pub & Eatery, 152 Fairway Lane, ☏ +1 540-248-6020. The pub’s menu features platters, sandwiches and finger foods. Wednesdays through Saturday, Mulligan’s features nightlife for those 21 or older.
• Pampered Palate.
• Shenandoah Pizza.
• ^{[formerly dead link]} Sorrel's, 24 S. Market Street, ☏ +1 540 885-4848. Sorrels, named after Jackson’s trusty horse, specializes in delicious appetizers,tasty grilled paninis, seasonal specialties and comfort foods from our new menu including the House Lasagna.
• Staunton Grocery.
• Texas Steakhouse.
• 3 Wright's Dairy Rite, 346 Greenville Ave, ☏ +1 540-886-0435. A classic 1950s-era diner. (updated Aug 2017)
• 4 Zynodoa, 115 E Beverly St, ☏ +1 540-885-7775. Fine contemporary dining from locally sourced ingredients. Interesting co*cktails and a wide range of food. (updated Aug 2017)

Drink[edit]

• 1 Queen City Brewing, 834 Springhill Rd, ☏ +1 540-213-8014. 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. (updated Aug 2017)

Sleep[edit]

• 1 Comfort Inn, 1302 Richmond Ave (on Interstate 81), ☏ +1 480-568-6951. (updated Aug 2017)
• 2 Econo Lodge East, 1031 Richmond Ave (I-81 exit 222), ☏ +1 540 885-5158. (updated Aug 2017)
• 3 Frederick House, 28 North New Street, ☏ +1 540 885-4220, toll-free: +1-800-334-5575. A bed-and-breakfast. (updated Aug 2017)
• 4 Holiday Inn Staunton Conference Center, 152 Fairway Lane (I-81 exit 225), ☏ +1 540 248-6020. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon.
• 5 Batten Green Venue & Lodging, 1329 Commerce Road, ☏ +1 434-218-2553, toll-free: +1-877-809-1146. Quaint inn.
• 6 avid hotel Staunton, 62 Sangers Ln (I-81 exit 222), ☏ +1 540-712-3939.
• 7 Sleep Inn, 222 Jefferson Highway (off Interstate 81), ☏ +1 540 887-6500. (updated Aug 2017)
• 8 Hotel 24 South (formerly Stonewall Jackson Hotel), 24 S Market Street, ☏ +1 540 885-4848, toll-free: +1-866-880-0024. A grand old hotel, restored in 2005.

Go next[edit]

• "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 2021. The Blue Ridge Parkway is free. Great scenic overlooks and stopping points for small historical recreations or hikes.

Routes through Staunton

Charleston ← White Sulphur Springs ←	WE	→ Charlottesville → Washington, D.C.
Charleston ← White Sulphur Springs ←	WE	→ Waynesboro → Charlottesville
Hagerstown ← New Market ←	NS	→ Roanoke → Wytheville
Fairmont ← Elkins ←	WE	→ Waynesboro → Charlottesville

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