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Staunton Anniversaries We’re Celebrating this Fall

You don’t need a special day to come to Staunton, but if you like partying, plan a visit this fall. Several of our attractions, stores, and restaurants are marking milestone anniversaries. Read up for more info about their can’t-miss birthday celebrations. The American Shakespeare Center The American Shakespeare Center has been staging world-class Shakespeare for … Continue reading Staunton Anniversaries We’re Celebrating this Fall

You don’t need a special day to come to Staunton, but if you like partying, plan a visit this fall. Several of our attractions, stores, and restaurants are marking milestone anniversaries. Read up for more info about their can’t-miss birthday celebrations.

The American Shakespeare Center

The American Shakespeare Center has been staging world-class Shakespeare for three decades. This year’s performances are extra special as its 30th Anniversary Artistic Year features fall performances of As You Like It, Richard III, George Etherege’s The Man of Mode, and a world-premier adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma by Emma Whipday. Check the schedule for performances that include free pre-show lectures. Plan to buy your tickets for the 30th Anniversary Gala on September 22, which will include a special performance, a celebration, dinner, and dancing.

Frontier Culture Museum

For 30 years, the Frontier Culture Museum has kept the past alive by providing hands-on experiences and telling the stories of the various people who migrated to the Shenandoah Valley during Colonial times. For the month of September enjoy admission prices circa 1988. You’ll be able to visit the Museum for the price you would have paid during its inaugural year: $3 for adults and children ages 6-17 are just $1 (5 and under are free). Come see living history, but also join as the museum marks its milestone birthday with an End-of-Summer Concert on September 2. The concert will feature the locally grown band E3 (formerly “Everything”), famous for their song “Hootch.” Food and beer will be available for purchase.

Other festivities include the Annual Pass Holder Pancake Breakfast on September 22 followed by a book signing of The Log Cabin – An American Icon by author Allison Hoagland and a performance by professed Southern Gothic, alt-country blues singer/songwriter Amythyst Kiah.

Barren Ridge Vineyards

2018 marks ten years for Barren Ridge Vineyards. Head out to the winery on September 30 for the Harvest Festival Party, where you’ll enjoy live music, giveaways, food trucks, and, of course, award-winning wine, and some of the best scenery in Augusta county!

Two of our downtown favorites also have a lot to celebrate this fall. Baja Bean has been serving tasty Southern California-style Mexican for 20 years, and Made; By the People, For the People has been featuring local and handmade products for five years. Check out web pages and social media for specials.

Queen City Mischief and Magic

Calling all wizards and magic lovers! September 28-30 marks the third annual Queen City Mischief and Magic, a weekend when Staunton transforms into a fantasy village. Business names change, the culture changes, and food and drinks change. Use a Mischief Map to unlock the secrets of Staunton’s charmed downtown. Experiment with potions and enjoy wizard … Continue reading Queen City Mischief and Magic

Calling all wizards and magic lovers! September 28-30 marks the third annual Queen City Mischief and Magic, a weekend when Staunton transforms into a fantasy village. Business names change, the culture changes, and food and drinks change. Use a Mischief Map to unlock the secrets of Staunton’s charmed downtown. Experiment with potions and enjoy wizard refreshments. Try your hand at wild-beast taming or wizard dueling. This entertaining and family-friendly festival is not to be missed!

Queen City Mischief & Magic is a homegrown fan event created for our local community to celebrate and grow our appreciation for the Harry Potter books and film series. Warner Bros. Entertainment and J.K. Rowling are not responsible for or affiliated with this event.

Festival Must-Dos

The list of activities and businesses continues to grow. Get your daily update at Queen City Mischief & Magic website. Here is a sampling of the weekend’s magical fun:

- Get the weekend started by cheering your favorite team at the Quidditch Games on Friday. Matches will be held at 6 and 7 p.m. The championship game begins at 8 p.m.
- Find your way to The Flaming Arena behind Suntrust Bank Friday and Saturday night. The Queen City Fire Circus will be performing free shows. 7:30 and 9 p.m. Friday and 8 p.m. Saturday.
- Love to run? Head over to the Frontier Culture Museum for the Firebolt 5K (8 a.m. Saturday morning). Quaff a speed potion and sprint for a PR or don your costume and take advantage of the selfie stops along the way.
- Meet your favorite fantasy characters as you stroll through town enjoying the festival. Rumor has it that this year mermaids might splash you!
- See more costumed characters arrive by train at 10 a.m. Saturday! You never know who you might see.
- Selfie spots will abound at the festival. Plan to pose with Norberta the Dragon or a unicorn. Check out the dragon and fairy thrones at the Magic Paintbrush Gallery (Co-Art Gallery) and the selfie spots and activities in Nonprofit Alley. Remember to tag your photos with #LoveStaunton and #qcmm18.

Let the kids get creative with a variety of free and inexpensive activities like coffee grind finger painting, tic-tac-toe art games, scavenger hunts, and stations to make wands, neckties, snitches, and spellbooks.
Shmooze with a 20-foot long python! Indulge your inner herpetologist at a reptile show starring an amazing presenter from Reptile World. If you’re into owls, visit the Wine Cellar and learn all about them. You can even buy an owl pellet of your very own!
All these animals making you lonely? Take home a new pet made by a balloon animal artist.
Flaunt your wizard robes as you explore town or strut your stuff in the costume showcase. Top off your magical look with face painting & fairy hair. See the photos from previous years for inspiration.
Learn the tricks of forced-perspective as you watch 3-D chalk artists bring their work to life.
If you’ve been polishing your five-piece endgame, now is the time to try your hand at wizards’ chess.
Solve some fantasy-themed riddles, tour the town, and hunt for prizes with Traipse, a free app for your cell phone. Available in two levels of difficulty. PLUS: check in on Traipse to earn House Points!
Why not learn something while you’re in town? Choose from potions classes, defense against dark arts demos, and spell casting & dance lessons
Plan to take one of the fantasy-based tours at various sites, including a ministry of magic and a wizard’s hut, where you might encounter a ridgeback dragon!
Many businesses will be giving away special wizard cards. Can you be the first to nab them all?
Let the little ones party on their own at the Wizard Play Academy playspace for ages 1-5 at Pufferbellies Toys & Books until 3 p.m. Saturday & Sunday. Enjoy wizard-themed activities including dress ups, potion mixing, and chilling with the magical beasts. Free.
Did you get into wizard school? Grab your acceptance letters and get sorted into a particular house of magic.
Choose your wand. Rather, let a wand choose you! Purchase wooden wands at Pufferbellies Toys & Books or glass wands at Sunspots Studios.
Magical Musical Delights organ concert features favorite tunes from stage and screen, including a suite specially created from the music from the Harry Potter films. Concert time is 3 pm at Trinity Episcopal Church. For the older crowd, enjoy the story of Phantom of the Opera, on the big screen, accompanied on a Taylor and Boody pipe organ by international sonic artist, Peter Krasinski. Concert starts at 7 pm at Trinity Episcopal Church.
Watch the hot glass wizards at Sunspots Studios create flaming goblets and other magic with molten glass, including glowing wands, oracle orbs, owls, pumpkins, & more!
Test your Harry Potter knowledge with Trivia! Head over to the Trivia Lair aka Cranberry’s to participate.
Have your hands in herbology by decorating a pot and growing your own “mandrake” at the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum. We hear you might see Hermione there, too!

The Details

Appropriate for all ages, no admission fee required. Some activities will require a small participation fee.
Times and locations for activities will be available at the official Queen City Mischief & Magic website and will be published in the QCMM Map which will be available electronically and in print in numerous locations throughout the weekend.
There will be FREE shuttles running a constant circuit from both the Mischief lot (old Dice’s Inn parking lot) at 216 Frontier Drive and the Staunton Mall at 90 Lee Jackson Highway. The Magic lot (Federated Auto Parts Warehouse lot) at 851 Statler Blvd — TO — the corner of Market and Beverley Streets in Downtown Staunton.
Staunton will have limited parking downtown. Please refer to this map that shows where vehicular traffic and parking will be restricted.
Keep an eye on the schedule as more activities are added.

Staunton’s Historic Hotels

The Blackburn Inn The Blackburn Inn officially opened its doors this Spring. This 49-room luxury boutique hotel in downtown Staunton, has a storied past dating back to the 1800s. What was once the Main Administration Building for Western State Hospital, The Blackburn Inn was envisioned and influenced by master builder and Thomas Jefferson protégé, Thomas … Continue reading Staunton’s Historic Hotels

The Blackburn Inn

The Blackburn Inn officially opened its doors this Spring. This 49-room luxury boutique hotel in downtown Staunton,
has a storied past dating back to the 1800s. What was once the Main Administration Building for Western State Hospital, The Blackburn Inn was envisioned and influenced by master builder and Thomas Jefferson protégé, Thomas R. Blackburn. This historic building was originally constructed in 1828 and was most likely built by several of Jefferson’s workmen who worked on the then, recently completed University of Virginia.

Guests and visitors at The Blackburn Inn are greeted with stately columns, wide corridors and hallway arches, vaulted ceilings, and an original wood staircase allowing guests to access the rooftop atrium offering breathtaking 360-degree views of downtown Staunton. The Inn honors the age and elegance of the building with other notable design elements to include original heart pine floors that flow throughout the hotel, classic molding around the doorways, an antique style drafting table that serves as the reception desk, and artwork from local and regional artisans showcasing Staunton’s emerging arts scene.

The Blackburn Inn features seasonal events on the lawn and throughout the hotel for both locals and visitors to enjoy as well as locally-sourced food and beverage at The Inn’s bistro and bar, Second Draft.

“First Fall” Promotion:

15% off if booked 14 days in advance
10% off if booked within 14 days
Includes $15 daily Food and Beverage credit (only if booked on hotel website)
Book Dates: Now – Nov 30
Travel Dates: Sep 01 – Nov 30
BOOK NOW

The Stonewall Jackson Hotel

The Stonewall Jackson originally opened in 1924, served as the premier gathering place for Shenandoah Valley society and a welcoming place for visitors to the Queen City. Designed by renowned American architect H.L. Stevens in the Colonial Revival style, the hotel’s grand lobby evokes a sense of Southern spirit and hospitality with its terrazzo floors, glass display cases, chandeliers and wall sconces. The Colonnade Ballroom features graceful 15-foot arched windows, refurbished floors, light fixtures, moldings and detailed decorative ironwork; all of which has been painstakingly restored after the hotel fell into disrepair.

The Stonewall Jackson Hotel faced hard times during the 1960s and onward, as Staunton’s once vibrant downtown gave way to commerce and growth in fast-developing suburban and rural areas — a typical sign of the times. In 1968, the Persinger family purchased the hotel and reopened it as an assisted living facility with the owners hoping to one day restore the hotel to its original grandeur. In 2004, the Stonewall Jackson began a $21.1 million renovation and expansion was and re-opened as a full service luxury hotel and meeting facility in October 2005. In 2018, the Stonewall Jackson Hotel underwent a $2 million refresh and just recently, unveiled the property’s stylish renovation.

“Sweater Weather” Promotion

Save 30% off our “Best Available Rate” for selected dates in October
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More than a Movement: Staunton’s Farm to Table Restaurants

Staunton’s restaurant scene is lively and is often profiled on the pages of national magazines, not only for its chefs but also for its farmers. Amazingly, Staunton is currently home to three former chefs from the world-famous The Inn at Little Washington, all looking to make their mark on Staunton’s exploding culinary scene. The Shack | … Continue reading More than a Movement: Staunton’s Farm to Table Restaurants

Staunton’s restaurant scene is lively and is often profiled on the pages of national magazines, not only for its chefs but also for its farmers. Amazingly, Staunton is currently home to three former chefs from the world-famous The Inn at Little Washington, all looking to make their mark on Staunton’s exploding culinary scene.

The Shack | 105 S Coalter St.

Chef Ian Boden’s, The Shack, was recently named “One of The South’s Best New Restaurants” by Southern Living magazine – and it has also graced the pages of a wide array of top-tier publications, from Esquire magazine to the Wall Street Journal. Boden brings a fresh new menu every day of the week based on whatever is fresh from local producers. The Shack is a busy place and reservations are recommended if you can’t get there early. The 26-seat restaurant recently underwent a renovation and having the deck enables more people to enjoy the incredible dishes Chef Boden is slingin’. Popular snacks for your five o’clock wind-down have included pimento cheese with benne biscuit crackers, and Sewansecott oysters on the half shell.

Zynodoa | 115 E Beverley St

Other restaurants and eateries winning praise from across the country range include the upscale southern-cuisine of Zynodoa. This gem has risen to the top because of the constantly changing menu. Their seasonally-driven menu is crafted with quality ingredients primarily sourced from the Shenandoah Valley and Piedmont regions. Start your evening with a handcrafted cocktail or a glass of wine and and an order of the restaurant’s signature cornbread. Recently featured in the Los Angeles Times, the brûléed cast iron cornbread is served “piping hot,” with whipped honey butter and local Concord grape jam.

Nu-Beginning Farm Store | 221 N Lewis Street

The Store is a down-to-earth grocery store and local café using ingredients sourced directly from their farm, Nu-Beginnings. Local producers are also listed on the chalkboard so that visitors know exactly where their meal is sourced. And don’t be fooled by the name or the façade. Nu-Beginning Farm Store (The Store) is a café locals and visitors love. Serving up three farm-to-table meals a day along with an assortment of scratch-made goodies like pound cake, scones, coconut macaroons and gluten free cheesecakes. While you wait for your meal, peruse the grocery area packed with jams, jellies, pickles and local spirits.

Mike Lund Food and Lundch |835 Spring Hill Road

Serving ‘Lundch,’ weekdays only, the cozy storefront is just minutes from Beverley Street and is not to be missed. The ingenuity and think-outside-the-boxedness of Chef Mike Lund of Mike Lund Food & LunDch is evident in the ever-changing, flavorful menu. You never know what incredible dish he will whip up, like maybe giant fennel-spiced garbanzo balls with spaghetti squash covered in herb marinara and shaved parmesan? Offering veggie and glueten-free options and weekly specials with an emphasis on local, fresh ingredients. The restaurant also hosts Friday Nite Light Bites the first Friday of every month and other special events so check out the website before visiting.

Take a Drive: Stunning Scenic Byways

Staunton is not only a portal to Skyline Drive, the iconic 105-mile thoroughfare bisecting Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park, but it also sits at the northern cusp of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Check out these two scenic drives, arguably some of the best thoroughfares on the east coast for leaf-peeping: skyline drive Flanked by the 200,000 … Continue reading Take a Drive: Stunning Scenic Byways

Staunton is not only a portal to Skyline Drive, the iconic 105-mile thoroughfare bisecting Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park, but it also sits at the northern cusp of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Check out these two scenic drives, arguably some of the best thoroughfares on the east coast for leaf-peeping:

skyline drive

Flanked by the 200,000 acres of the Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive is laden with 69 different scenic overlooks along the 105-mile long public road. For ambitious leaf-peepers, allow 3 to 4 hours to drive the entire Skyline Drive which doesn’t include stops. Hop on the scenic byway via the Rockfish Gap entrance just 20 minutes from Staunton. Popular overlooks closest to the Southern entrance are Big Run Overlook (milepost 81.2) and Crimora Lake Overlook (milepost 92.6). The valley of Big Run is one of the park’s most scenic and opens into the depths of the park’s largest stream. Crimora Lake Overlook sits at 2,985 feet where you can see the strewn rock slopes of Rocks Mountain.

Try a leg-stretcher and see the fall colors up-close. From Skyline Drive try Blackrock Summit (milepost 4.8), a geological wonder that’s an easy 1-mile loop. Although not the highest peak in the South District, this is probably the easiest to get to with rewarding views. From the summit of boulder-strewn Blackrock enjoy views that extend for miles in multiple directions. Another short and sweet hike is the Frazier Discovery Trail (milepost 79.5). This area used to be the Frazier’s farm and you can still see evidence of their past in the apple trees that still dot the mountain.

Mid-October is generally when the fall color is at its most intense, but for planning purposes, check out Shenandoah National Park’s weekly fall report for peak leaf conditions.

blue ridge parkway

In Rockfish Gap, 20 miles from Staunton, Skyline Drive also merges into the southbound Blue Ridge Parkway, the iconic byway running 469-miles from the Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. While there are a staggering 280 viewpoints, some of the most spectacular sites along the entire parkway are in the northernmost section—just minutes from Staunton. First, the Humpback Rocks Recreation Area offers access to a range of hiking trails, with options for quick leg-stretchers or extensive loops. The massive 3,080-foot rock formation known as Humpback Rocks is also touted as one of the parkway’s premier vistas—and one of the most popular.

Just after Humpback Rocks is another treasure: The Sherando Lake Recreation Area is one of the byway’s most inviting detours. The 25-acre, spring-fed lake is edged by hiking trails, leafy campsites, and a sandy swimming beach. Slightly further south, the parkway also offers access to the one of the most stunning waterfalls in the east—and the highest in the Virginia Blue Ridge—Crabtree Falls. Two trailheads just a few miles from the parkway offer hikers intimate access to the cascades plunging 1,800-foot course to the Tye River.

Staunton’s Global Cuisine

Staunton might be a sleepy little town in the Valley, but it’s well known for its Victorian architecture, Shakespeare theater, and sprawl of microbreweries. It hasn’t been snoozing in the global cuisine department, either. Come to Staunton hungry and prepare to eat your way around the world! You won’t even need to catch a plane. … Continue reading Staunton’s Global Cuisine

Staunton might be a sleepy little town in the Valley, but it’s well known for its Victorian architecture, Shakespeare theater, and sprawl of microbreweries. It hasn’t been snoozing in the global cuisine department, either. Come to Staunton hungry and prepare to eat your way around the world! You won’t even need to catch a plane.

Chicano Boy

Since 2015, jefe Justin Hershey has been serving up handmade tacos and enormous mission-style burritos at Chicano Boy Taco, a Mexican-American taquería inspired by Hershey’s heritage and dedicated to flavor. This bustling joint has some of the best tortillas you’ve ever eaten, and it has helped define Staunton’s food identity. Order from the simple menu (burrito, taco, or burrito bowl plus your choice of fillings and salsa) at the counter and then choose a seat inside or on the patio. You can order a Mexican beer or a “cheap beer” and eat here for lunch or dinner. It’s located just a short walk from downtown Beverley Street and it offers ample parking.

Ubon Thai

You’re guaranteed to get hungry hiking Staunton’s hills and historic districts, so make plans to dine at Ubon Thai, which is housed in a beautiful example of Staunton’s Victorian architecture. This restaurant serves made-from-scratch authentic Thai cooking from a chef who got her start selling street food. Owner, Ubon Herlong, is extremely friendly and invested in your experience at her restaurant. Feast on pad thai, panang curry, chef’s specials like crispy duck, and desserts like sticky rice with mango and coconut for lunch or dinner. After your meal, you can explore the grounds and see the herb gardens that provide seasonings for the dishes. If you’re in town for a few days, consider staying overnight at the inn.

Gloria’s Pupuseria

Gloria’s Pupuseria has expanded from a farmers’ market and food truck favorite to include a cozy restaurant that emphasizes traditional Salvadoran cuisine and locally sourced ingredients. Tucked into a storefront, this eatery produces pupusas that are out of this world. Pupusas might look like plain tortillas, but they are actually dough, meat, and cheese treats that pack serious flavor. Try them stuffed with fillings like chicken, blended pork, vegetables and cheese. You can also enjoy tamales steamed in plantain leaves, fried plantains, or Salvadoran enchiladas. Refresh yourself with an ensalada, which is mango and pineapple juice served with fresh diced fruit. Save room for flan or tres leches for dessert.

Snapdragon Pho

Want a meal that’s nourishing and fun to eat? How about one that’s close to everything and open late so you can stop in after a show? Snapdragon Pho is a locally-owned Vietnamese noodle shop serving authentic pho, which is a popular street food in Vietnam. Pho is slow-simmered beef or vegetable broth poured steaming hot over meat, noodles, and vegetables to make a soup. Customers order at the counter for quick service and then season the soup to their personal tastes with an assortment of garnishes like bean sprouts, peppers, and lime. Snapdragon Pho also serves rice noodle salads and spring rolls. And if you were wondering, the restaurant’s webpage points out that you pronounce pho like “fun” without the “n.”

Taste of India

Right in the heart of downtown Staunton, Taste of India is convenient for people exploring the city or looking for a restaurant within walking distance of the Blackfriars or the Visulite. The enticing scents and friendly service of this delightful restaurant will draw you in from the sidewalk. Taste of India serves an extensive lunch buffet and dinner at reasonable prices. Try the deliciously tender spiced chicken tikka masala or the lamb vindaloo. A wide selection of meat-free dishes like Aloo Gobi Vegan and Saag Paneer will please vegetarians. Make sure you accompany your main course with an appetizer like vegetable samosas and garlic or peshawari naan. You can get a good selection of Indian beers, wine, and yogurt lassi drinks.

ANNE HATHAWAY COTTAGE TEA ROOM

Enjoy a traditional tea at the Anne Hathaway Cottage Tea Room. This delightful tea room is housed in a Tudor home and boasts a thatched roof and beautiful gardens. Try their Victorian High Tea which includes hand-made scones, tea sandwiches, and shortbread all served with imported jams, clotted cream and of course, tea! Spend the afternoon catching up with friends and enjoying this beautifully decorated tea room. Be sure and peruse their collection of fine china, jams, and tea along with other goods for purchase. Reservations recommended.

48-Hour Family Getaway in Staunton

Going to be in town for two days with your family? There’s tons to do in Staunton, and 48 hours should give you time to experience the must-do spots as well as squeeze in some lesser-known adventures. Here’s an itinerary for a family getaway packed with Staunton’s best. Day 1: Explore the Farmers’ Market Jump … Continue reading 48-Hour Family Getaway in Staunton

Going to be in town for two days with your family? There’s tons to do in Staunton, and 48 hours should give you time to experience the must-do spots as well as squeeze in some lesser-known adventures. Here’s an itinerary for a family getaway packed with Staunton’s best.

Day 1:

Explore the Farmers’ Market

Jump right into your Staunton visit by exploring the Saturday morning Staunton Farmer’s Market. Listen to live music, talk to local farmers and taste seasonal fresh fruit and a variety of baked goods. This is a great way to catch a snack, buy gifts for peeps back home, and connect with Staunton’s bustling community.

Enjoy some art and parks

A glass-blowing demonstration at Sunspots Studios will thrill all ages. Using extreme heat, artisans blow and shape molten glass into globes and art pieces. You’ll want to study this process or even try “Blowing Your Own Ornament” (alongside a trained artist, of course). Next, stretch your legs by walking past the train depot and summoning your inner billy goat gruff by climbing up over the historic and recently restored Sears Hill footbridge to Woodrow Park. Bring your camera: the quiet park offers shade, seating, and a postcard-perfect view of the city.

Lunch break

Close by, The Depot Grille is a good, family-friendly way to catch a bite. The restaurant serves up delicious American fare and includes a menu for kids. Still hungry? With just a short walk, you can get your hands on a sweet treat from Paris Cake Company.

Shopping with the locals

Check out the shopping on or near Beverley Street, which USA Today calls one of the “most charming main streets” in America. Family favorites include treasure hunting at Staunton Antiques Center, 17 East Beverley Antiques, and Black Swan Books and Music, or hobby shopping at Staunton Trains and Hobbies, the Hobby Surplus Outlet, and The Dragon’s Hoard. And don’t miss Pufferbellies, the largest independently owned toy store in the Valley, which has a hands-on policy and something to fascinate the kid in all of us.

Ride the Trolley

A good way to see more of Staunton in a relaxing way is to ride the 25-cent green trolley as it loops through town. Enjoy admiring the Victorian architecture and plan to hop on and off at area attractions like the Jumbo Museum, where you can visit the oldest motorized fire engine in Virginia, and Gypsy Hill Park to feed the ducks, play on the playground, and ride the Gypsy Express Mini-Train. Catch the trolley again for your trip back downtown. If you still have energy to burn on the way, get off and wander historic Thornrose Cemetery for views and history.

Evening Refreshments

Have a pre-dinner beverage at Redbeard Brewing Company. The barrel-aged beer here was recently praised in a story by the Washington Post. Children are welcome in the beer garden out back. Next, take a short walk to Shenandoah Pizza for a gourmet pie celebrating local ingredients and lore. Oh, and plan to have more beer from their extensive tap list.

Still not ready to turn in?

If your family doesn’t have an early bedtime and you’re looking for more evening adventure, put your wits together to solve one of the active puzzles at Crack the Code Escape Room. You’ll have an hour to solve multiple puzzles and escape one of the themed rooms.

Day 2:

Start the Day at Kathy’s

You have a busy day ahead of you, so make sure you take the time for a hearty breakfast. Voted best breakfast spot in the Valley in 2013, Kathy’s Restaurant heaps on the goodness with traditional breakfast fare served all day. Feast on omelettes, pancakes, and corned beef hash.

Museum morning and Lunch under the trees

Next, step back in time at the Frontier Culture Museum, which invites visitors to explore the lives of the Shenandoah Valleys pioneers from the 1600s through the mid 1800s. Wear comfortable shoes to walk between to working farms where costumed interpreters answer your questions and demonstrate daily activities. Little folk will love the animals, and you can rent a wagon if your kids can’t handle lots of walking. Pack a picnic and plan to enjoy lunch at the covered pavilion or under a tree.

Afternoon Fun

For your afternoon’s entertainment and a taste of the county, check the schedule at Augusta Expo where there’s always something going on. Events include the Augusta County Fair, monster truck rallies, Bigfoot conventions, antique and yard sales, dog shows, and more. Alternately, slow it down and lounge in Montgomery Hall Park for the afternoon. This 148-acre treasure has plenty of room to relax. It also features trails, Frisbee golf, a public swimming pool, and three playgrounds, including Nature Ridge, Staunton’s new natural playground.

What’s for Dinner?

If your family enjoys Tex Mex, plan to have dinner at the Baja Bean. The menu has loads of options including choices for the younger set and an impressive tap list. This day won’t be complete without a frozen gelato from The Split Banana. Indulge yourself with one (or more) of the 18 fresh-made flavors.

Watch a show

Staunton is home to the American Shakespeare Center and the Blackfriars Playhouse, the world’s only re-creation of Shakespeare’s indoor theater, so it would be a shame to go home without experiencing it. However, if your kids are a little young for the Bard, you might find an age-appropriate movie at the Visulite or Legacy Theaters.

The Staunton Ice Cream Scoop

July is ice cream month and Staunton is chock full of fantastic places to celebrate and sooth your sweet tooth. Whether you like soft-serve, gelato, classic malts, or traditional cones, here’s the scoop on Staunton-area frozen treat sweet spots. Wright’s Dairy Rite Wright’s Dairy Rite has been a Staunton mainstay since 1952, and you can … Continue reading The Staunton Ice Cream Scoop

July is ice cream month and Staunton is chock full of fantastic places to celebrate and sooth your sweet tooth. Whether you like soft-serve, gelato, classic malts, or traditional cones, here’s the scoop on Staunton-area frozen treat sweet spots.

Wright’s Dairy Rite

Wright’s Dairy Rite has been a Staunton mainstay since 1952, and you can still park your car in the glow of the retro neon sign and get curbside service. Originally serving only frozen custard, this slice of classic Americana expanded to include a full menu, but frozen treats remain a solid reason to visit. The menu offers flurries, splits, milkshakes, malts, and drink freezes to cool you off on the hottest days. For a true sugar rush, try a Wright’s Wheelie. This treat incorporates a warm donut loaded with ice cream, whipped cream, and a topping. If you’d like a helping of nostalgia with that, visit during one of the Cruise-In antique car rallies Wrights hosts twice a year.

Klines

Klines Dairy Bar has been serving ice cream since 1943 from its original Harrisonburg location. The Staunton site opened in 1997 and makes fresh ice cream each morning using the same “continuous freeze” production method. This creates a soft dessert that is packed with goodness instead of air. Chocolate and vanilla are always available, and each location produces a weekly special flavor (or two). Enjoy a rotation of can’t-miss options like banana and cake batter or local favorites like razberry and lemon gingersnap in cones, cups, shakes, and sundaes. Pick up a printed flavor card to keep in your car (or just drive by and check the signs). Klines in Staunton also offers Hog Wild BBQ, so you can eat sweet or Carolina-style barbecue and burgers before dessert.

The Split Banana

Ever wonder how gelato differs from ice cream? Gelato contains more milk and less cream, making it lower in fat. But it’s also dense and creamy because it contains less air. And let’s talk taste: gelato lends itself to intense flavors and is served slightly warmer, so those flavors pop. Experience this for yourself at the The Split Banana, an adorable gelato and sorbet shop decorated with a traditional ice cream counter, a piano you’re invited to play, and old-timey black, white and green tile. The Split Banana serves 18 delectable and fresh-made flavors each day. Enjoy traditional flavors or more innovative and adventurous options like banana stracciatella, sticky rice, and peanut butter and jelly. The Split Banana earned a TripAdvisor’s 2011 U.S-wide top ten ice cream/gelato spot. It is also a Virginia Living Magazine’s 2012 Best of Virginia pick. A favorite of locals and tourists alike, this shop stays open late, so stop in after dinner, a movie, or a play.

Mt.Crawford Creamery

You might be lucky enough to catch the Smiley’s Ice Cream truck at a local event, but if your craving for cones, shakes or sundaes must be fulfilled, it’s worth a drive to the Mt. Crawford Creamery to visit the new brick and mortar shop. Smiley’s Ice Cream specializes in “porch ice cream,” which is slowly churned to eliminate much of the air added to commercial ice creams. Check out regular flavors like coconut almond chocolate chunk and pina colada sorbet as well as weekly specials. The ice cream contains milk and cream produced onsite. Grab a gallon of milk and visit with the cows while you’re there! You can even order larger batches of ice cream online and pick them up at your convenience.

Plunge into Summer: 6 Staunton-Area Swimming Holes

It’s time to escape your stale air conditioning and take a break from the local pool this summer! If you want to beat the heat in a spot that’s a little more offbeat, try one of these pristine swimming holes, all within a short drive of Staunton. Sherando Lake OK, so the “Jewel of the … Continue reading Plunge into Summer: 6 Staunton-Area Swimming Holes

It’s time to escape your stale air conditioning and take a break from the local pool this summer! If you want to beat the heat in a spot that’s a little more offbeat, try one of these pristine swimming holes, all within a short drive of Staunton.

Sherando Lake

OK, so the “Jewel of the Blue Ridge” isn’t exactly private, but 25-acre Sherando Lake is worth the trip for the large sandy beach and gradual deepening of the deliciously cool spring-fed water. Lounge while your kids splash and play in the sand, or man up and swim out to the island. There’s also access to camping, hiking, boating, fishing, showers, and picnic facilities. The recreation area was built in 1933 by the Civil Conservation Corps. Day access fee applies.

Todd Lake

Head northwest of Staunton for a fun day at 7.5-acre Todd Lake. There will be too many people around to skinny dip, but it’s still a great place for a family swim, picnic, or camping weekend. The lake and the Todd Lake dam were built in 1963 as a flood control dam. Today, this spot features a sandy beach, bathhouse, picnic facilities, playground, kid-friendly hiking trails, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, boating (non-motor), bird-watching and camping. Day access fee applies.

Goshen Pass

Where’s your special swimming hole in Goshen Pass? Swim, tube, kayak, fish, lounge, picnic, and scramble over the rocks along this three-mile mountain gorge carved by the Maury River. You can choose to embrace the bustle and family atmosphere near the gravel beach at the picnic facilities, or escape the crowds and find your own private rocky island.

St. Mary’s Falls

If you want to swim under a waterfall, St. Mary’s Falls should be your next destination. Enjoy a four-mile out-and-back hike and earn the exhilarating payoff of the icy mountain pool and scenic waterfall. The trail to the swimming hole may be washed out in places and includes multiple water crossings.

White Rock Falls

The White Rock Falls hike is a 4.5-mile loop hike accessed from the Blue Ridge Parkway. For a shorter down-to-the-falls-and-back-up option along a fresh mountain stream, start at the Slacks Overlook at MP 20 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There’s not a deep swimming hole here, but the 40-foot falls are beautiful. The bottom offers a refreshing area to wade and snack.

RipRap Hollow

Want some privacy as you take your dip? Try the 50-foot-wide swimming hole on Riprap Trail. Access this deep, spring-fed beauty by hiking down from the Skyline Drive (Shenandoah National Park fees apply) or up from Rt. 612. Make a day of it by taking on the entire 9.5-mile circuit hike, which includes Riprap Trail and Wildcat Ridge Trail. Many consider this hike of the best loops in the southern end of Shenandoah National Park.

When swimming in natural pools, remember to wear water shoes and sunscreen. Also keep an eye out for slippery rocks, poison ivy, glass and reptiles.

Public Pools

And finally, if you want a quick dip without the hike or the natural elements, Staunton has two great community pools ideal for all ages and abilities. Daily fees apply.

Gypsy Hill Park Pool: 600 Churchville Ave.

Montgomery Hall Park Pool: 1000 Montgomery Ave.

Fourth of July Happenings

Full of fireworks and fanfare, head to Staunton for a truly unique Fourth of July. Happy Birthday America Tuesday, July 3 starting at 6:30 pm Wednesday, July 4 starting at 7:30 am Gypsy Hill Park Celebrate America’s Birthday with two-days of festivities! This family-friendly party kicks off on July 3rd with an opening ceremony and … Continue reading Fourth of July Happenings

Full of fireworks and fanfare, head to Staunton for a truly unique Fourth of July.

Happy Birthday America

Tuesday, July 3 starting at 6:30 pm
Wednesday, July 4 starting at 7:30 am
Gypsy Hill Park

Celebrate America’s Birthday with two-days of festivities! This family-friendly party kicks off on July 3rd with an opening ceremony and an evening of entertainment. The party continues on July 4th with the Firecracker 5K (7:30 am), followed by the Happy Birthday America Parade (10 am) and the Official Welcome and Posting of the Colors (12 pm) along with activities, performances, and concessions for all ages. The headline performance by homegrown, country group, Wilson Fairchild—sons of Harold and Don Reid of the Statler Brothers—starts at 8 pm. The evening ends in grand fashion with fireworks. This event is FREE and open to the public. See the complete schedule.

The Children’s Art Network is selling the Official Happy Birthday America t-shirts and ball caps as a fundraiser: Let’s “Paint the Park” and “Flood the Field.” These items are currently on sale at Ltd7 in Staunton and Kimco in Fishersville for $20. They may be purchased on July 3rd and 4th at Gypsy Hill Park near the entrance of the John Moxie Stadium.

Independence Day Celebration

Wednesday, July 4 from 9 am-5 pm
Frontier Culture Museum

Experience the Fourth of July with hands-on activities and presentations at Virginia’s living history museum. Historic celebrations include the reading of The Declaration of Independence, sack races, pie eating contests, woodworking and cooking demonstrations and much more. Entrance to the museum is Pay What You Will. See the complete schedule.

Looking for a low-key, yet festive way to celebrate our Nation’s Independence? Check out these family-friendly options:

bbq on the lawn

Wednesday, July 4 from 5 pm-9 pm
The Blackburn Inn

Celebrate the Fourth of July with a BBQ at the The Blackburn Inn. Enjoy the beautiful grounds of the newly renovated Blackburn Inn with delicious burgers, a beer garden, and special lawn games for all to enjoy.

Pets are welcome on a leash in the beer garden – so bring your furry friends along.
*This event is weather permitting.*

10th annual pork and cork

Wednesday, July 4 starting at 6:30 pm
Barren Ridge Vineyards

Enjoy a beautiful sunset while you sip wine at Barren Ridge Vineyard’s 10th Annual Pork and Cork. This relaxed evening includes local musicians Who Shot John and an extensive barbecue feast catered by Hogback Mtn. BBQ. End the evening with fireworks! Wine is available for purchase but tickets are required for this event. *Due to fireworks, dogs are not allowed to attend this event.*