Staunton
Around Staunton
Photo: ~delta · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Virginia · 128k people
Staunton
Locals say Shenandoah Valley · “The Valley”, “Queen City”
Staunton · Stuarts Draft
A valley of history, apples, and mountain air.
Blue Ridge blueValley green
Welcome to the heart of the Shenandoah Valley! Whether you're here for the mountain views or the small-town charm, you'll find plenty to love. Grab a biscuit and settle in.
Clubs for Staunton
No clubs for Staunton yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Staunton. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
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Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Staunton. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Historic downtown Staunton Victorian architecture and independent shops
- Blue Ridge Parkway Mountain views and overlooks
- Shenandoah National Park Hiking and wildlife along the Blue Ridge
- Frontier Culture Museum Living history of early American settlers
- Virginia Museum of Natural History Fossils and regional natural history
- Blackfriars Playhouse Home of the American Shakespeare Center
- Outdoors Hike the Appalachian Trail
- Outdoors Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway
- With kids Visit the Frontier Culture Museum
- With kids Explore the Virginia Museum of Natural History
- Evenings Catch a show at Blackfriars Playhouse
- Evenings Enjoy live music at downtown Staunton bars
- Locals love Apple orchards
- Locals love Farmers markets
Through the year
- Queen City Mischief and Magic September Street magic and wizardry festival
- Staunton Music Festival August Classical concerts in historic venues
- Waynesboro Fall Foliage Festival October Celebrates autumn with parades and crafts
- Augusta County Fair August County fair with rides and livestock
- Virginia Fly Fishing Festival March Outdoor gear and demos
Four distinct seasons with mild springs and autumns, warm summers, and cold winters with occasional snow. Best times to be out are spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall
Talk like a local
- “Stan-ton”
- Correct local pronunciation of Staunton
- “Waynes-burro”
- Local pronunciation of Waynesboro
- “The Valley”
- Shorthand for the Shenandoah Valley
Getaways
- Harrisonburg College town with a vibrant farmers market
- Charlottesville Historic Monticello and UVA campus
- Lynchburg Historic districts and riverfront
- Elkins Mountain scenery and railroad heritage
Local flavour
Teams
- Staunton Braves Valley Baseball League
- Waynesboro Generals Valley Baseball League
Eat and drink
- Apple cider From the region's many orchards
- Apple butter A staple of the Shenandoah Valley
- Country ham biscuits A Virginia tradition
- Valley barbecue Vinegar-based pulled pork, a local style
Where people go
- Apple orchards The valley is dotted with pick-your-own farms
- Historic downtown Staunton Victorian architecture and the American Shakespeare Center
- Blue Ridge Parkway Scenic overlooks and hiking
- Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive and waterfalls
- Frontier Culture Museum
- Virginia Museum of Natural History Local fossils and geology
Heritage and traditions
Staunton and Waynesboro are proud of their rich Shenandoah Valley heritage, from the historic streets of Staunton to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and their deep roots in agriculture, music, and the arts.
This time of year in Staunton
- Apple butter stirs Fall Fall community events where families cook apple butter outdoors in copper kettles.
- Waynesboro Oktoberfest October A German heritage celebration with beer, brats, and music.
Say it like a local: “Corner store” — A term for a small convenience store.
Festivals
- Red Wing Roots Music Festival June A roots music festival at Natural Chimneys Park in Mount Solon, featuring local and national acts.
- Staunton International Festival September Celebrates the area's diverse heritage with food, music, and crafts.
- Shenandoah Valley Wine and Food Festival June Held at the Frontier Culture Museum, featuring local wineries and food vendors.
- Waynesboro Oktoberfest October A German heritage celebration with beer, brats, and music.
- Natural Chimneys Jousting Tournament August The oldest continuous sporting event in the United States, held at Natural Chimneys Park.
Landmarks with a story
- Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum The birthplace and museum of the 28th president, in Staunton.
- Mary Baldwin University Founded in 1842, its historic campus includes Victorian and Georgian buildings.
- Trinity Episcopal Church A historic church in Staunton with beautiful stained glass and a long community history.
- Staunton National Cemetery A Civil War–era national cemetery with Union and Confederate graves.
- Augusta County Courthouse The historic courthouse in Staunton, rebuilt in the 19th century, anchors the downtown.
Food traditions
- Community apple butter stirs In fall, families gather to make apple butter in large copper kettles, a tradition from German settlers.
- Whoopie pies at bake sales Mennonite communities bring these chocolate-and-cream treats to church and community events.
- Country ham biscuits A staple at gatherings, featuring salty cured ham on a soft biscuit.
- Valley barbecue A local style with a vinegar-based sauce, often served at fundraisers and picnics.
- Shenandoah Valley wine The region's vineyards produce crisp whites and reds, enjoyed at local wineries and festivals.
Music and arts
- Bluegrass and old-time music The valley is a hub for Appalachian string bands, with local jams and festivals.
- American Shakespeare Center The Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton produces Shakespeare in a replica of the original indoor theatre.
- P. Buckley Moss Museum A museum in Waynesboro dedicated to the folk-art style of P. Buckley Moss.
- Staunton Music Festival A classical music festival held in historic venues throughout the city.
A little history
- 1747 Staunton founded
- 1856 Birth of Woodrow Wilson
- 1839 Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind established
- 1865 Battle of Waynesboro
- 19th century Staunton–Parkersburg Turnpike opened
Rivalries
- Staunton Braves vs. Waynesboro Generals Valley Baseball League showdown
- Staunton vs. Waynesboro Friendly city rivalry for best downtown
- Game day Staunton Braves and Waynesboro Generals
- Game day Natural Chimneys Jousting Tournament
- Outdoors Hike the Appalachian Trail
- Outdoors Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway
- With kids Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library
- With kids P. Buckley Moss Museum
Locals speak with a mild Southern accent with Appalachian influences. 'Y'all' and 'fixin' to' are common. Staunton is pronounced 'STAN-tən' (like Stanton), and the region is often called 'the Valley'.
Only here
- The Blackfriars Playhouse is the only replica of Shakespeare's indoor theatre in the world.
- Natural Chimneys Park hosts the oldest continuous sporting event in the US – the jousting tournament.
- Grand Caverns features rare 'shield' formations found in only a few caves worldwide.
- The Frontier Culture Museum offers living history of four different immigrant cultures on one site.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce Staunton as 'STAN-tən' – it rhymes with 'Stanton'.
- Expect four distinct seasons; summers are warm, winters can bring snow and ice.
- I-81 can be busy with truck traffic; allow extra time during rush hours.
- Try apple butter and country ham biscuits at a local farm stand or café.
- Explore downtown Staunton's walkable streets, independent shops, and restaurants.
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Part of Harrisonburg area
Nearby
Every areaHarrisonburgVirginiaThe heart of the Shenandoah ValleyLexingtonVirginiaWhere mountain ridges cradle a storied valley.CharlottesvilleVirginiaA small city with a big spirit, nestled in the Blue Ridge.LurayVirginiaMountain quiet, cavern deep, valley warm.LynchburgVirginiaA hilltop haven where the Blue Ridge meets the James.Alleghany HighlandsVirginiaMountain air, small-town heart.ElkinsWest VirginiaWhere the mountains whisperLake of the WoodsVirginiaWhere the Blue Ridge meets the Piedmont, and the pace is easy.
Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.