Things to See and Do As the Leaves Change in Staunton

How is this already the last week of September? Most days might still feel like summer, but changes in the weather and the color palette are coming soon. Want to enjoy the final greens of summer, the early autumnal hues, and all the Staunton-area seasonal celebrations? Check out these things to see and do as the leaves change in Staunton.

Shop + Dine Out 

Autumn might be the best time to connect with friends and have a conversation over a leisurely meal downtown. Enjoy Staunton’s best seasonal flavors, the cooler autumn air, and Stauton’s sense of community. Best of all, you won’t have to clean up the dirty dishes! Shop & Dine Out in Downtown and Beyond continues through the end of October. 

In addition to those restaurants setting up tables on Beverley Street, many other Staunton spots have seasonal open-air spaces.

• Byers Street Bistro, Ramulose Ridge Vineyards, and Ox Eye Vineyards Tasting Room have patio space in the Wharf.
• Nearby, Crucible Coffee Roasters and Latin Soul are located near Lewis Creek and Landes Park.
• Head north from Beverley Street to dine at Pizza Luca, Chicano Boy Taco, and Gloria’s Pupusaria

Live Music Outdoors

Summertime outdoor concerts at Gypsy Hill Park bandstand ended before Labor Day, but you still have a few chances to catch al fresco music.

• The Staunton Farmers’ Market showcases the colors of seasonal fruits, vegetables, and plants and lets visitors connect with local farmers and producers. Local musicians provide entertainment each week.
• The Arcadia Project’s series “Arcadia Presents” hosts free live music and performances each Saturday through October 18 as part of Staunton’s Shop and Dine Out Downtown program.

• Enjoy delicious craft beer and food truck fabulousness while you listen to music at Redbeard Brewing Company’s Groovin’ in the Garden series: Valerie McQueen (October 11) and Sun-Dried Opossum (October 25). 
• Queen City Brewing, Ciders from Mars, and Marino’s Lunch are good places for sips and outdoor sounds.

Seasonal Festivals

This weekend, retire your summer wardrobe for the official colors of your Hogwarts house at the Queen City Mischief and Magic Festival. Wizards and muggles alike fill Staunton’s streets for the 10th annual weekend-long, one-of-a-kind festival celebrating all things magical and mystical. 

Other festivals celebrating this fleeting season:

• Enjoy Oktoberfest at Stable Craft Brewing & Cidery with beer, German-inspired food, silly competitions, and live music. Nickel Plate Brass Band (October 11) and Miles Hoyle (October 18).
• Oktoberfest at The Alpine Goat Brewery (now – October 12) features beer, German-themed food, music, and fun.
• Waynesboro’s 54th annual Fall Foliage Art Show (October 11-12): Downtown Waynesboro will host artists and their works in various media as well as live music, gourmet food trucks, craft wine and beer, and activities for kids. 
• Staunton Pride returns to Gypsy Hill Park on October 11. Everybody is welcome!

• The annual Fall Festival at Massanutten (October 11) will have wine, beer, cider, kids’ activities, and live music. Best of all, you can take a chairlift ride to watch the leaves change over the mountain.
• Wade’s Mill’s 29th Annual Apple Butter Festival (October 18): Highlights include music, local food and drink, and handcrafted work by talented artisans.
• Celebrate Hispanic culture at Staunton Festival Hispano (October 25) with food, vendors, music, margaritas, fun for kids, and dancing. 

Pumpkin Picking

Get your wholesome fall photos and seasonal decor at these local farms and orchards.

• Middle River Farm has more than 30 types of pumpkins and gourds growing over 13 acres. We guarantee you won’t be able to pick just one, which is great because this farm offers a wagon deal: $40 for as many as you can fit in a wagon (and drag to your car).
• Troyer Family Farm has mixed fields of pick-your-own pumpkins through October. You’ll find a variety of pumpkins and gourds in many sizes. After you pick your pumpkins, see if you can find your way out of the 10-acre corn maze!
• Mulberry Hills Pumpkin Patch has pre-picked and pick-your-own pumpkins, other autumnal decorations, hayrides, a corn maze, and farm animals to pet.
• Harvest pumpkins and enjoy seasonal games, crafts, and treats at Back Home on the Farm.
• Pick your own apples at Carter Mountain Orchard then stick around to admire the show-stopper of a view and a plate of apple cider donuts.
• You have until the first frost to pick your own beautiful bouquets at Harmony Harvest Farm, which grows more than 400 varieties of flowers in its fields and greenhouses.

Fall Outdoors as the Leaves Change

The Shenandoah Valley never disappoints when it comes to fall color, but you’ll have to wait a few weeks before the big finale. Leaves near Staunton usually peak in mid-October. In the meantime, get out there and enjoy the cooler weather and the last greens of summer.

• Hikers love the looping trails in Montgomery Hall Park for the peaceful solitude they provide despite being in city limits. And Betsy Bell Wilderness Area, another quiet hiking spot within Staunton City limits, offers views of Staunton from two different overlooks. Get your heart pumping with a climb from Staunton’s Wharf historic district over Sears Hill Bridge to Woodrow Park where you can see the city (and the leaves changing) from above. 

• You have until the final weekend in October to pile aboard the Gypsy Hill Express mini-train as it loops its track, crossing bridges, and chugging through tunnels.
• Back by popular demand, the powerful and beloved 611 will once again lead a limited series of special fall foliage excursions, operating as the Shenandoah Valley Limited. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience the thrills, sights, and sounds of a railroading icon in action.
• It’s fall migration season! Join a Saturday bird walk with the Augusta Bird Club to discover new bird species and a community of active nature lovers. Or visit the Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch (through November 30) to help count raptors and gain a panoramic view from Afton Mountain.
• Shenandoah National Park is a goldmine for hikes and overlooks showcasing rich autumn colors. Calvary and Chimney Rock has two impressive overlooks and large, interesting rock formations. Blackrock Summit is a short hike to a massive boulder field with views for miles.

• Hikes in George Washington and Jefferson National Forest offer fine opportunities to view those magical shades, especially from places with great viewpoints like Humpback Rocks, Crabtree Falls, and the Confederate Breastworks at Ft. Edward Johnson. If you’re looking for a serious challenge and top-of-the-word views, put Elliot Knob on your fall bucket list.

This time between seasons when the leaves change doesn’t last long, so make the most of it in Staunton.