Hubby and I recently enjoyed a long weekend get-away. First stop was the Rolling Stones concert (#bucketlist) in Raleigh, NC, and then we stayed in historic Staunton, Virginia for two days and did some sightseeing and antiquing. We’ve compiled our top 7 reasons why you need to travel to this wonderful town.
Despite the weather being overcast and drizzly, we still enjoyed our visit. While driving home we kept saying that we wished we had more time to see everything. Here’s our top seven reasons why we know you will love historic Staunton, Virginia as much as we did.
1. Historic Downtown
There wasn’t enough time in our short trip to see everything downtown. Staunton, Virginia is a beautiful historic town dating back to 1747. It has lots of great shopping, restaurants, architecture, and theater. It is the quintessential downtown, USA.
Mary Baldwin College was established in 1840 and it’s campus graces the town.
There are quite a few of beautiful old churches in town, but this is the only one I was able to get a picture of.
2. The Frederick House Bed and Breakfast
With 25 rooms in five historic properties, the Frederick House B&B is more like a small hotel. The owners Joe and Evy made our stay welcoming and special. Evy even made some gluten free toast along with my breakfast!
Yeah so me and my sense of humor. I told Joe the owner that hypothetically speaking,… if the hardwood floors were missing after we left, I had nothing to do with it!!!!! Ok, so I’m not going to steal their hardwood floors, but wowza I wanted to (kidding!). I mean… how insanely gorgeous are these floors? I think I sat there and looked at them for at least 5 minutes. Please tell me I’m not the only person on the planet who is completely obsessed with beautiful and old hardwood floors?!?!?!?!? Solidarity? Anyone?
In historic home charm, they had this amazing crown molding in our room. “Carter, look at that crown molding.” ” I know, sweetie.” “Yeah, but LOOK at it!”
I know my readers, and I know that you would appreciate a picture of this piece. Gorgeous antique!
3. Antique Shopping
Speaking of… if you love all things vintage and antique, this is the place for you. You can spend several days shopping the antique stores downtown, or take a little drive and enjoy all of the antique stores in nearby towns such as Verona or Waynesboro. My favorite store was the Snugbug Mercantile. The items in the store are right in the sweet spot of what I love!
Outside of Staunton there are too many antique stores to count – I think we hit them all!
4. Amazing Architecture and Historic Homes
There are not enough hours of the day to look at all of the historic homes in Staunton. Here are two that tickled my fancy.
5. Shakespeare Theatre
Staunton is home to the American Shakespeare Center and Blackfriar’s Playhouse, which is the world’s only recreation of Shakespeare’s indoor theatre. Hubby and I saw A Midsummer Night’s Dream and laughed and laughed and laughed. The actors are world-class and kept us entertained for three hours straight.
“American Shakespeare Center –May 2015 — This photograph is licensed to American Shakespeare Center for its advertising and marketing purposes. Other uses, or use of this photograph by third parties, without consent of the photographer, are prohibited.”
Patrick Midgley as Demetrius, Stephanie Holladay Earl as Helena, Chris Johnston as Lysander, and Abbi Hawk as Hermia in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. Photo by Michael Bailey. Photo used with permission from the American Shakespeare Center.
6. The Shenandoah Valley
There are so many things to do in the Shenandoah Valley! You can drive the Skyline Drive. You can enjoy wine tasting. You can go hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, and explore the the Natural Bridge and Luray Caverns. Be sure to leave plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and cool finds off the beaten path.
7. History, History, and More History
Monticello – Thomas Jefferson’s home – is only an hour away in Charlottesville. Montpelier – James Madison’s home – is another 30 minutes away. You can explore the New Market battlefield and the Virginia Civil War Trails. The Woodrow Wilson library is downtown.
While our list is complete, there is one final reason to visit historic Staunton, Virginia – the fact that you can’t see everything all in one trip! We can’t wait to go back and are already planning our next visit.
Connect and Share
What about you? What’s your favorite part of the tour?
Love, hugs, and planning our next trip.
Holly
I love traveling & I love going to Virginia. The state is so clean! This is only a few hours from me..Hmmm, I’m thinking weekend trip! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Leslie – Love to have you in our great state any time! Come visit soon! Hugs, Holly
I grew up in Richmond and went to college in the Shenandoah valley. Every time we go back to Virginia to visit, I take time to appreciate what it has to offer. There are so many towns in that state filled with history and gorgeous colonial/victorian architecture. Not to mention the abundance of state parks and beautiful hiking trails. *sigh* I’m getting really nostalgic now. Thanks for sharing some of the details of your stay in Staunton!
Hi Leslie – You are so right, it’s such a beautiful part of Virginia – the “real” Virginia as we call it living in the “unreal” Northern VA! Thanks for sharing your nostalgia! Hugs, Holly
I am going to Richmond soon. Could you suggest historical places to see? Thanks
How beautiful. I grew up in Maryland, and we used to go to Skyline Drive often when I was little. I need to make that trip again.
Hi Lynne – The Skyline Drive is magical – I remember visiting Natural Bridge as a child. So glad we live close enough for some day trips and weekend getaways. Hugs, Holly
You’re so right about the charms of Staunton. And…they make it so easy on tourists- tourist center abuts the Black Friar Theatre & the Stonewall hotel.
Folks, make plans to see this town. Do it when weather is nice so you can follow Holly’s example and walk around to see the many,many lovely houses.
Hi Gail – Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and share! We are so excited to come back and see more! Hugs, Holly
add one more…. The Stonewall Brigade Band, america’s oldest-continuous community concert band.
Hi Bob – We will definitely put this on our list for when we come back in December. Thank you so much for letting us know about the band and look forward to including it in Staunton, Part Two! Cheers, Holly
That is a beautiful place and your pics make me want to visit. Thanks for sharing.
http://csuhpat1.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-niles-essanay-silent-film-museum.html
HI Patrick – Thank you so much for stopping by to say hello and share! Hope to see you again soon. Cheers, Holly