A city I often ended up in when traveling throughout Virginia was Staunton. There are many things to do in Staunton VA and it is the perfect base for a lot of cool places in the region.
If you’re traveling to Staunton last minute, you want to ensure you have tours and lodging booked ahead of time! Below are some of our top picks for both to help you plan!
Where to Stay in Staunton:
- The Blackburn Inn (this is my top pick – historic place!)
- Hotel 24 South (located in the city center!)
- Ubon Thai Victorian Inn
- Berkeley House Bed & Breakfast
This guide will showcase some of the best attractions in Staunton, from amazing places to grab a coffee to some of the Virginia city’s best historical sights.
Do you have any tips on what to do in Staunton? Please leave us a comment with your tips and recommendations below!
Best Things to Do in Staunton VA
1. Stop by the Frontier Culture Museum
The Frontier Culture Museum is located in Staunton, Virginia, and is a great place for history lovers who want to know more about Shenandoah Valley, where Staunton is located.
At the museum, one can learn all about the way the people migrated from Old World to America starting in the 1600s and settled in the Shenandoah Valley.
In addition, visitors will be able to see reproduced or original buildings from the era, such as an English farm from the 1600s or a German farm from the 1700s.
It also features an American Exhibit, where one will be able to see a growing variety of buildings from the settlers’ multiple cultural backgrounds. This is one of the most interesting places to visit in Staunton and is a true blast from the past!
You can find the Frontier Culture Museum at 1290 Richmond Ave in Staunton. Click here to view their website.
2. Visit the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library
Did you know that the 28th US President, Woodrow Wilson, was born in Staunton, Virginia?
Learn more about the former president at the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library. The museum offers many programs for people of all ages to enjoy, as well as the opportunity for people to conduct research.
It is also possible to view all the different collections at the museum, the most popular of which is the president’s 1919 Pierce-Arrow Limousine.
Visitors will also be interested in the World War I Trench exhibit, where they get to experience what soldiers went through during the war, see authentic weapons and uniforms, and learn more about the doughboys.
You can find the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library at 20 N Coalter St in Staunton. Click here to view their website.
3. Sip on a Beer at Skipping Rock Beer Co.
Skipping Rock Beer Co. is a wonderful place to stop in for a refreshing Staunton craft beer when you’re visiting the city. As a Virginian, I can proudly boast that we do craft beer WELL and Skipping Rock proves that.
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They have a taproom in Staunton and you’ll find everything on the menu from a NEIPA to a Rye IPA and more. You can fill a growler to sit around and socialize with a pint in your hand.
You can find Skipping Rock Beer Co. at 414 Parkersburg Turnpike in Staunton. Click here to check out their website.
4. Go Fly Fishing in Staunton
If you’re an adventurous soul and want to take to the outdoors, fly fishing is a good place to start!
With Middle River Outfitters, you can head out from anywhere in the Shenandoah Valley (including Staunton, Waynesboro, Lexington, Charlottesville… and beyond!) for a trip into the lush wilderness and the chance to go fly fishing with an expert!
This region of VA is home to several species of fish, and most notably brook, brown, and rainbow trout.
You can customize a trip to the South Fork of the Shenandoah River (that spans over 96 miles) where fly fishing is super popular or somewhere a bit more off the path in the region.
Middle River also organizes trips for catching smallmouth bass in the Shenandoah Valley.
Click here to find out more about fly fishing in Staunton!
5. Check Out the Camera Heritage Museum
Photography lovers unite! Do you want to know more about the history behind your profession? Located in Staunton, Virginia, the Camera Heritage Museum offers visitors the opportunity to check out some of the first cameras ever made.
The vast collection of 6,000 cameras dates back to the 19th century and ranges all the way to the present, giving visitors the chance to see how much technology has evolved.
Aside from the antique cameras themselves, the museum provides a glance at the history behind the cameras and the photographers themselves. It is also possible to purchase limited-edition commemorative coins at the museum.
You can find the Camera Heritage Museum at 1 W Beverley St in Staunton. Click here to check out their website.
6. Try Local Wine at Ox-Eye Vineyards
What could be more exquisite than enjoying some wine tasting on your trip to Staunton, Virginia? At Ox-Eye Vineyards, visitors will be able to taste wine made from grapes grown right in the Shenandoah Valley.
The 100-acre farm was purchased in 1996 by John and Susan Kiers with the intention of growing grapes for wine. The region is one of the best for these grapes because it does not rain often and the region offers deep limestone soil, ideal for the grapes to grow in.
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It is the perfect place to visit during the summer and fall because that is the prime season for the grapes! Be sure to say hi to Coco, the vineyard dog, if you see her running around! This is one of the best wineries near Shenandoah National Park and the area!
You can find Ox-Eye Vineyards at 44 Middlebrook Ave in Staunton. Click here to check out their website.
7. Visit Sunspots Studios Glassblowing
All visitors will have an amazing experience at Sunspots Studios Glassblowing in Staunton.
When you visit the gallery, you will be able to witness glassblowing firsthand, and even have the opportunity to make your own hand-blown glass ornament!
In addition to that, the gallery has a gift shop where visitors will be able to choose between a wide selection of art pieces that are one-of-a-kind.
Some of the pieces available at the gift shop include vases, art, jewelry, other accessories, and bird feeders. It is possible to participate in glassblowing until 4 PM almost every day, but the gallery recommends that you call and confirm beforehand.
You can find Sunspots Studios at 202 S Lewis St in Staunton. Click here to check out their website.
8. Drink Coffee at Crucible Coffee Roasters
One of the first things I do when I travel is to track down the best local cafes in a city or town. And, fortunately, Staunton is home to the delicious Crucible Coffee Roasters.
The coffee company was born out of a love for coffee and human connection.
The company is co-founded by Brandon Bishop, a former international businessman and Kean Ivey, his high school friend and military veteran. Both have heaps of experience in coffee from various places around the world.
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They sell their beans to take home and they have a diverse portfolio of single origins and blends ranging from Yirgacheffe to El Regalito from Guatemala. This is the coffee shop in Staunton for those looking for an incredible cup of joe.
You can find Crucible Coffee Roasters at 300 Church Street #201 in Staunton. Click here to check out their website.
9. Relax in Betsy Bell Wilderness Park
With amazing views of the Shenandoah Valley, you’ll regret not having visited Betsy Bell Wilderness Park during your stay in Staunton. So make sure you stop by!
You can check out the views of the Shenandoah Valley all the way to the Blue Ridge Mountains from the observation platform at the park. In addition, you can enjoy a picnic on a warm spring day at one of the park’s many picnic facilities.
Or, you can practice some of your mountain climbing skills there. It is a tough hike, but the views are rewarding, and you will have the opportunity to explore nature and see some deer along the way.
You can find Betsy Bell Wilderness Park at 525 Betsy Bell Rd in Staunton. Click here to check out the park on the city’s website.
10. Check Out St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
For Catholics or those interested in visiting a popular sight in Staunton… stop by the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church as it is one of the most iconic places in Staunton.
Catholicism was not very prominent in Virginia until after the French Revolution, and it increased dramatically when Irish Catholics started immigrating to the region.
The church was founded in 1845 and was named after one of the most prominent saints in the Catholic faith, St. Francis of Assisi. You can admire the church from the inside or from its exterior.
You can find the St. Francis of Assisi Church at 118 N New St in Staunton. Click here to check out their website.
11. Visit Another World at the Grand Caverns
Located in the town of Grottoes, Virginia, these limestone caves cannot be missed on your trip. Grand Caverns America’s oldest show cave and a National Natural Landmark designated by the National Park Service.
Some of the unique features of the cave are the shield formations, flowstone, stalactites, and stalagmites, making it a stunning place to visit especially for people interested in geology.
People can tour the Virginia caverns or participate in any of the activities offered on-site, such as hiking and biking trails, picnic centers, the swimming pool, and mini-golf. It is a great place to visit on a hot summer’s day!
You can find the Grand Caverns at 5 Grand Cavern Rd in Grottoes. Click here to check out their website.
12. Stop by the American Shakespeare Center
The world-famous Shakespeare theater has only been recreated once- and right in the heart of Staunton, Virginia!
The American Shakespeare Center, also known as the Blackfriars Playhouse, entirely focuses on recreating the plays of William Shakespeare.
The theater itself is based on similar ones from the time period. Anyone who loves literature or the works of Shakespeare in particular absolutely needs to check the theater out on a trip to Staunton.
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Performances are hosted all 52 weeks of the year using 2 rotating ensembles and 16 different titles, so there always will be something to see. The program also offers labs for anyone interested in learning more about the plays.
You can find the American Shakespeare Center at 10 S Market St in Staunton. Click here to check out their website.
13. Go Horseback Riding at Star B. Stables
If you love riding horses and exploring new trails, a visit to Star B. Stables in Staunton is a must! Visitors will be able to enjoy a guided horse trail ride for an hour.
The best part is that visitors don’t need to have any experience riding horses. Guides are there to help you along the tour, so if you’ve always wanted to try horseback riding, now is your chance! Rides are offered year-round.
Anyone looking to escape into the countryside over the age of 6 can book a tour with Star B. Stables to take in the beauty of nature on horseback!
You can find Star B Stables at 2926 Barterbrook Rd in Staunton. Click here to check out their Facebook.
14. Admire Folly Mills Falls
One of the coolest hidden gems in Staunton (okay, so locals know about it… but us other Virginians don’t!) is Folly Mills Falls, one of Virginia’s beautiful waterfalls.
You will need to take a short walk to the falls from the parking lot and it can be relatively muddy after the rain, but you can definitely go and witness it any time of the year!
To get there, you will need to turn west onto Cochran’s Mill Road from Rt 11 (south of Staunton). You will see the parking lot on the left just before you cross Folly Mills Creek.
Beware that the rocks near the falls are slippery, so wear proper shoes!
Where to Stay in Staunton
There are many places to stay in Staunton. Here are some of our top hotels, inns, and Airbnbs.
Staunton Hotels & Inns
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Staunton
- The Blackburn Inn and Conference Center
- Hotel 24 South
- Ubon Thai Victorian Inn & Restaurant
- Berkeley House Bed & Breakfast
There are so many cool things to do in Staunton VA that this guide merely touched the surface. You can visit Shenandoah National Park, take a day trip to Waynesboro, or head out on a beautiful hike.
Let us know your favorite places to visit in Staunton in the comments… especially if they were not on this list! Thanks!
I’d like to find places to ballroom dance near Staunton VA on the weekend of 7/9/22.
There’s a thriving art scene in Staunton, led by CoArt Gallery at 22 W. Beverley St. In 2023 they are celebrating 25 years of bringing the work of award winning local and regional artists to Staunton. It is a cooperative gallery run by almost 40 artists creating in a wide variety of styles and media.