Location: Staunton
Top Things to do in Staunton
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Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Staunton, Virginia (VA)
The city planners in Staunton, Virginia, were very careful to preserve the town's heritage, keeping power lines and cell towers out of view in the historic districts, allowing nothing to interrupt the charm of local restaurants and shops operating out of original Victorian storefronts. Staunton is also the home to the Frontier Culture Museum, The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and the American Shakespeare Center, staging plays at the world's only replica of the Blackfriars Playhouse.
Restaurants in Staunton
1. American Shakespeare Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 894 reviews
The Blackfriars Playhouse is the world's only re-creation of Shakespeare's indoor theatre. "Stunning", says Frommer's. Located in historic downtown Staunton, VA, this 300-seat Renaissance theatre offers productions of Shakespeare and classic plays year round that the Washington Post says are "shamelessly entertaining" and the Boston Globe says are "phenomenal...bursting with energy”.
Reviewed By Love_Renoir - Virginia Beach, United States
We attended the closing night of Twelfth Night and it was just wonderful. My whole family was entertained. The cast performed impeccably and it felt so good to be in a theater again! The theater is very serious about health and safety during this pandemic. Masks, stringent social distancing between seats, hand sanitizing stations-- they didn't miss a beat. The venue is clean and airy, yet cozy, thanks to the wood paneling and warm lighting. Additionally, they unexpectedly upgraded our seats and that was such a treat (not a bad seat in the house, though, so no worries of not being able to see or hear no matter where you sit). I can't wait to go back!
2. Star B Stables
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By 287sadafj
We were first time riders and the experience at star B stables was amazing. The guide was very nice and explained everything well. The horses were calm and very sweet. If you’re looking for a day out with family or friends, this is a great horseback riding place around. The pricing is very reasonable. I felt very safe in my experience and we all had a great time. Please give them a try. We’ll definitely be back soon!!
3. Trinity Episcopal Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 113 reviews
Reviewed By 571lend - Staunton, United States
Don't miss this classic church with stained glass by Tiffany. The current building is the third Trinity Church. The original building was the only place the Virginia Legislature ever met other than Richmond. Mr. Jefferson brought the Legislature to Staunton during the Revolutionary war. If you are in town on Sunday feel free to attend services and enjoy an impressive organ and Choir.
4. Woodrow Wilson Birthplace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 247 reviews
Reviewed By MissMem - Memphis, United States
Our visit to learn about Woodrow Wilson took us to Staunton VA. Both the birthplace and Presidential Library and Museum are near each other, but one or the other was closed due to Covid. We toured a fascinating facility and learned much about Woodrow Wilson and his presidency. Included information addressed the Suffragettes movement, WWI, his personal life and his presidency at Princeton University among other things. It was time well spent.
5. Visulite Cinema
6. Frontier Culture Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 689 reviews
The Frontier Culture Museum is an outdoor living history museum that tells the story of the thousands of people who migrated to colonial America and of the life they created here for themselves and their descendants. The Museum shows how a new and unique culture evolved in early America from its roots in the Old World. Living History interpreters work in original and reconstructed buildings from Europe, Africa, and America to illustrate how diverse people and cultures blended together into a new American way of life. The Museum operates on about 200 acres with 11 major exhibits divided into 2 sections: The Old World, and America. The Old World exhibits show rural life and culture in four homelands of early migrants to the American colonies. The American exhibits show the life these colonists, slaves, and their descendants created in the colonial back-country, how this life changed over more than a century, and how life in the United States today is shaped by its frontier past.
Reviewed By nfireman - Washington DC, United States
We were visiting Charlottesville for the first time and a coworker recommended this museum. So glad we made the trip, as the golf cart tour was awesome and we went to visit the cute little town of Staunton afterwards. We enjoyed learning the history and seeing the different homesteads--I got some ideas for hobbies I'm going to take up! We learned about slavery in this part of U.S. during the colonial time period, but only because we asked questions about it. I would recommend having that information as a regular part of the tour, as it was a terrible truth of the time. I'd love to come back when everything is in full swing here! Thanks to our great tour guides.
7. Sunspots Studios
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 260 reviews
Watch Art Happen at Sunspots Studios! See live glass blowing demonstrations daily until 4pm. Our gallery/gift shop is filled with colorful hand-blown glass made in our studios. Vases, bird feeders, oil candles, drinking glasses, ornaments and more glitter in our gallery. Blow your own ornament with the assistance of one of our glass blowers. We also carry local and American artisan-made jewelry and accessories, including Alex and Ani jewelry. Don't miss Virginia's most unique shopping experience.
8. Gypsy Hill Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 204 reviews
Reviewed By JenniferB144 - Arlington, United States
What a delightful four mile loop for the community to walk, jog, skate, or bike around! It included a large duck pond with two swans, ball parks, public restrooms, playgrounds, etc. All the local businesses and organizations had put up a Christmas time display, which lit up at night. It was clean and an obviously valued place by the local community.
9. Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 448 reviews
Reviewed By RLWOrangePark - Ponte Vedra Beach, United States
It was not until we started to explore day-trips outside of Charlottesville VA that we realized that President Wilson's Presidential Library was located in Staunton VA. This is about 40 miles west of Charlottesville via I-64. The extensive museum and library exhibits explore the life and times of Woodrow Wilson, his youth, his early career as a lawyer and law professor, President of Princeton University, Governor of New Jersey and President of the United States. It also explores the period of suffrage and prohibition, the declaration of war against Germany, World War I, his negotiations during the treaty of Versailles, his quest to establish the League of Nation (United Nations) and his winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Two very interesting exhibits are the President’s restored 1919 Pierce-Arrow limousine and the World War I trench exhibit complete with lights and sound to experience what life was like for soldiers as they engaged in battle. There is also an exhibit on the Gatlin Brothers who are also from the town of Staunton. Surrounding the museum and library is an attractive boxwood garden. As this library pre-dates the National Presidential Libraries Act, it is not part of the Federal National Archives Presidential Library System and as such does not receive any federal funding. But they have done an excellent job and the museum and library are well worth a visit. Next to the museum is President Wilson's birthplace, a beautiful pre-Civil War manse (a house provided by the Presbyterian Church to his minister father). The self-guided tour of the museum and its 7 galleries costs $15 for adults, $14 for seniors (60 and above) and active duty military and $8 for children ages 6 to 15. Hours of operation vary per season but are normally 9 AM to 5 PM, and 12 noon to 5 PM on Sunday.
10. R.R. Smith Center for History & Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By abbyb2016 - London, United Kingdom
This is a nice visit for art lovers and art fearers alike. It's not the NY Met, overwhelming and intimidating. It's a beautiful, small, well-located, and free museum in the center of Staunton. Yet, it has accessible and changing historical exhibits -- when we visited there was an early American silver exhibit along with historical wine-growing maps of France -- and also features local artists.You'll be in and out within less than an hour. Go!
