A Winter Getaway in Staunton’s Wonderland

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Has the cold weather given you the winter blues? It’s time to plan a weekend getaway in Staunton. You’ll find culture, adventure, relaxation, and more in Staunton’s friendly, walkable downtown and nearby areas.

Where to stay

Our favorite cozy nests are all in Staunton’s historic downtown.

• Not only does The Blackburn Inn accommodate you with beautiful and comfortable rooms, it also boasts an on-site bistro and a full-service spa.
• The Historic Berkeley Place is a luxury boutique inn just steps from shopping and dining. The recently renovated inn features seven suites that look like the rooms you save on Pinterest.
• It’s a big year for Hotel 24 South! This elegant Staunton landmark turns 100 in 2024. But don’t worry: along with extensive history and historical details, the hotel has been updated for modern comfort. Check the website for special midweek deals.

Where to eat

We promise you won’t go hungry in Staunton.

• Start your day with a cup of joe and a pastry or other treat from Magdalena Bake or Crucible Coffee Roasters. 

• If you have time to linger over your meal, sit down at Cosette Café, which serves international-inspired breakfasts and lunches, emphasizing fresh, local ingredients.

• Enjoy a healthy lunch and a smoothie at Cranberry’s Grocery and Eatery, or head to Gloria’s Pupuseria for a Salvadoran pupusa. Wright’s Dairy Rite is a blast-from-the-past diner experience, complete with neon and kids’ meals served in classic cars.

• Sweet Addie’s is a good stop for a unique lunch: a delicious Belgian waffle loaded with your choice of sweet or savory toppings.

• Share a range of Spanish tapas and other Mediterranean food at Aioli Restaurant
• BLU Point Seafood Co. serves a fine selection of fresh seafood as well as a raw bar. BLU Point’s sister restaurant, Zynodoa, specializes in “inspired Southern cuisine” and focuses on local ingredients. Both restaurants have full bars.

What to do during the day

Here are some of our favorite winter activities in Staunton.

• Stroll Staunton’s walkable downtown, home to many independent shops, galleries, and restaurants. Find your favorite new flavors at Staunton Olive Oil Company or peruse the shelves Staunton Books for hard-to-find used books. Billy Opal and CFO Trading Company offer fine clothing and accessories. Find unique gifts at Words Matter, Foxtails, or Made; By the People, for the People. Outdoors enthusiasts will like all the hiking, camping and paddling gear and advice they get at Wilderness Adventure. 
• Learn about local varietals and more while tasting wine. Ox-Eye Vineyards offers tastings of their estate-grown wines as well as build-your-own charcuterie boards. Accordia Natural Wine Bar & Bistro pairs delicious wines with food. The Green Room serves craft beer, wine, and snacks like cheese plates. Yelping Dog Wine sells delicious wines from near and far, and Star Party Winery’s new tasting room is located in downtown Staunton and is open by appointment. 

• Tour the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum to see the house where the president was born. You’ll also see his beloved Pierce-Arrow limousine and artifacts from life in Wilson’s time.
• The Frontier Culture Museum is open all year long, even when there’s snow on the ground. Enjoy an invigorating stroll around the open-air museum, ducking into inside exhibits when you want to warm up and learn some history.

• Pop into Sunspots Studios to shop unique Staunton art glass souvenirs and watch the fascinating process of blowing objects from molten glass.
• Want to see more amazing glass? Trinity Episcopal Church lets you take a self-guided tour of more than a dozen original Tiffany windows adorning the space.

What to Do at Night

Daylight is limited in the winter. Fortunately, Staunton has lots going on when the sun goes down.

• Watching a play at Blackfriars Playhouse is an unforgettable experience, designed to feel like an evening at Shakespeare’s original indoor theater. See a stellar cast bring the bard’s work to life, tour the theater, and even learn about the production in Q and A sessions. This season’s offerings are Julius Caesar, Pride and Prejudice, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

• Attend the Full Moon Masquerade on February 24 at The Blackburn Inn and Conference Center. Fundraising proceeds from this masked ball will support the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum. Wear your best cocktail attire and enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, an open bar, and a live auction.
• Staunton’s dance club, The Tempest hosts live music, DJ dance parties, and other exciting entertainment. Also check out the Staunton on Tap for info about other venues holding events like trivia, live music, and karaoke.
• Not only is Grand Caverns really cool to tour, but it’s now offering a new, exclusive concert series, Subterranean Sound Events at Grand Caverns. From February 3 – March 23, you can see your favorite local bands performing underground! This unique experience also features local wine and beer.
• Get puzzling at Staunton’s Crack the Code Escape Room. Groups of six or fewer use their wits to sleuth out clues and escape the room in under an hour.

How to Explore

Venture into the surrounding countryside to discover even more.

• See the Valley from the top of the world as you drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway or Skyline Drive. Stop to hike or just to admire the view from one of many scenic pull-offs. These roads are open weather permitting, so check the websites first.

• Winter is the perfect time to take a scenic train excursion through Augusta County with the Virginia Scenic Railway. Rides are three hours long, include meal service, and depart from Staunton’s historic train station.
• Sightsee underground while hiking the Blue Ridge Tunnel trail, which delves under Afton Mountain. The former railroad tunnel is so long that you can barely see daylight at the other end. Make sure you carry a strong flashlight.

• Belly up to the bar at Redbeard Brewing Co. to taste some of the best craft beer around. While you’re there, grab a Shenandoah Valley Beerwerks passport and challenge yourself to get it stamped at 8 breweries to earn a free t-shirt. The 17 Beerwerks breweries are located in Rockingham, Augusta, and Rockbridge Counties, making Staunton an ideal jumping-off point. 

Start planning your weekend retreat in Staunton today!