We love living in Virginia. You may recall from our personal story that we lived at a beach in North Carolina for awhile, but Virginia speaks to our hearts in a way the beach didn’t. We’ve explored a lot of fun towns in Virginia and they’ve surprised and delighted us (Abingdon and Smith Mountain Lake in particular come to mind). Staunton, Virginia is another hidden Virginia gem that I am excited to share with you.
How to Spend a Weekend in Staunton, Virginia
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See at show at the American Shakespeare Theater
Seeing a Shakespeare show live makes the bard’s art palpable and vibrant. Shakespeare can be hard to read on page, but seeing it performed is easy and fun.
In Staunton, they are not only performing exquisite Shakespeare (the comedies and the tragedies) but they are doing so in a replica of the original Globe theater. It is such an interesting experience and worth the time.
One tip: pay for the good seats. I didn’t know any better and got cheaper seats since I assumed it wouldn’t matter, but we had extremely limited viewing. We could only see about half of the stage and staff wouldn’t let us move, either, despite the theater being mostly empty during a Saturday matinee.
See shows, times, and buy tickets at American Shakespeare Center’s website.
Visit the Frontier Culture Museum
The premise of the Frontier Culture Museum seems strange at first glance. “The mission of the Frontier Culture Museum is to increase public knowledge of the formation of a distinctive American folk culture from a blending of European, African, and indigenous peoples.” Across big fields in Staunton,VA are homes and cottages from various countries and eras.
But this is loads of fun to visit. Kids of all ages enjoy it (and if “farmhouse” is your interior design style, it’s a particularly inspiring trip).
We spent just a few hours here, but the Frontier Culture Museum offers events and programming throughout the year.
Check out the Frontier Culture Museum website.
Get delicious (and cheap) tacos
It isn’t fine dining, but the best food in Staunton is Chicano Boy Taco. It is located in a small storefront a bit off of main street. It is unassuming and completely affordable, yet it is delicious. A friend has been raving about this spot for years. and she’s not wrong. We love eating here.
Chicano Boy Taco is located at 240 N Central Suite 6 in Staunton.
Eat Gelato
What is located right on the “main” street of Staunton, in the downtown area, is gelato.
The shop is named The Split Banana but isn’t about ice cream – or bananas. The gelato is classic and smooth, with beautiful combinations and colors. We sat outside on a sunny day and it felt a little like a European country.
The Split Banana is located at 7 W Beverly Street in Stauton, a few steps away from the Blackfriar’s Shakespeare Theater.
Catch the Harry Potter Festival
The Queen City Mischief & Magic Festival happens once a year, usually in September, and is a delight for Harry Potter fans. The entire town joins in the festivities and Staunton is truly transformed. There are snake and reptile shows, glass blowing demonstrations, house sortings, “wizards chess” matches, and more. The train station is converted into Platform 9 3/4. Throughout the downtown area actors who look and act exactly like Harry Potter characters stroll and pose for photos. And it is all free to attend!
If you get a chance, make time for the Queen City Mischief & Magic Festival for a fun family outing.
Bonus: Drive to see the Natural Chimneys
Just at a 30 minute drive from downtown Staunton are the Natural Chimneys. The park is owned and operated by Augusta County and the campsite is very popular. In the summer, music festivals happen on the platform underneath the towering chimneys.
Per the Augusta County website:
“The seven Natural Chimneys tower as much as 120 feet above the pastoral terrain of the Shenandoah Valley, offering onlookers a sight unrivaled in majesty.”
And they are, indeed, unrivaled.
The Natural Chimneys are impressive rock formations that are fun to see. There isn’t any notable hiking here, but packing a picnic and sitting under the towers is a great experience.
Staunton, Virginia is such a lovely, unique surprise. Who knew that in an unassuming town at the intersection of I-64 and I-81 exists this historic, dynamic community of good food, creative street festivals, and one-of-a-kind ways to interact with history.
If you get a chance, spend some time in Staunton. Pop into little shops downton and eat some tacos; see an old Shakespeare play then enjoy some gelato.
You can’t go wrong.