Here’s How to Celebrate Turkey Day and Beyond in Staunton 

Are you dreading all the preparation and cleanup you incur hosting a Thanksgiving event at your house? Are you looking for something to do in Staunton besides watching football or shopping? Here’s how to go out for dinner, pick up takeout, or enjoy an alternate activity altogether on Thanksgiving this year.

Sit Down

• Winner of a Best in Virginia Award, Kathy’s Restaurant has been a Staunton institution since 1986. Kathy’s will be open all day on Thanksgiving and, from 11 am – 3 pm, you can order from a special Thanksgiving menu that includes roast turkey, baked honey ham, and fried oysters in addition to their regular menu of hometown favorites. And if you’d rather have the famous pancakes, you’re in luck – breakfast will be served all day.
• The Clocktower is taking reservations for Thanksgiving Day, where they’ll be serving tasty American food and drinks from 11 am – 8 pm.
• Cracker Barrel is open regular business hours Thanksgiving Day and will be serving a traditional Thanksgiving meal beginning at 11 am.
• Hometown Grill and Buffet will be open on Thanksgiving, serving a special version of its tasty, home-style buffet.
• Looking for a non-traditional Thanksgiving menu; Taste of India has you covered. They will be open on Thanksgiving as well.
• Unfortunately, the Thanksgiving buffet at Hotel 24 South is sold for 2023, but if you want but want to avoid recipe planning, hours in the kitchen, and dishpan hands, head over to the Magnolia South Breakfast Restaurant for a breakfast buffet the next morning.

Order Ahead

• Seed to Tail Kitchen is dedicated to making your Thanksgiving meal prep as easy as possible! Between now and November 17th, you can order from the a la carte menu is any amount or combination your gathering requires. Choose mains like turkey or roast pork loin and mix and match sides like stuffing, mashed sweet potatoes, butternut squash soup, dinner rolls, apple pie, and much more. All food will be precooked with simple re-heat instructions. You can even have them fill your own dishes when you pick up the food.
• Preorder your empanadas, cakes, and Thanksgiving pies from Magdalena Bake through November 19th. No matter how big the meal, your guests will save room for pecan pie, pumpkin cheesecake, or tres leche!

• Put the finishing touches on your meal at home with one (or several) of Mrs. Rowe‘s delicious pies.
• Big Red Barbecue is here to make you some delicious Thanksgiving Day food for you! Check out their menu and get in your order now!
• Serve a hot Thanksgiving dinner with none of the prep with Cracker Barrel’s help. Heat n’ Serve Feast and Family Dinners to-go offer mouth-watering meals designed to feed a variety of gathering sizes. You can also pick and choose sides from the a la carte menu. 

Seasonal Sips

• Baja Bean Co. is holding a Thanksgiving Eve party on November 22nd, and serving Thanksgiving cocktails on November 23rd from 9 pm – 2 am. Interested in Tex-Mex instead of turkey? Have Baja cater your big dinner with taco and fajita bars and pitchers of margaritas. 
• Sip the season at Byers Street Bistro with a pumpkin spice espresso martini made with vanilla vodka and pumpkin spice cream or try one of their other fall-inspired cocktails or mocktails. There’s a new dinner lineup, too, full of comforting tastes like home-style meatloaf and butternut squash ravioli.
• Get started celebrating early at Tempest Bar & Lounge’s “DRUNKSGIVING” event. Doors open at 8 pm, music plays from 9 pm – midnight, and there’s a $10 cover. 
• Grab a bite to eat and the cocktail of the month at BLU Point Seafood. November’s offering is a rum and banana mix with Rum or Reason, Flor de Cana, Creme de Banane, Averna, housemade banana simple syrup and lemon. 
• Take part in a Special Thanksgiving Tasting of wine, cider and beer on November 19th from 12-6 pm at Accordia.

Decorate the Table

• Don’t forget to stop at the Staunton Farmers’ Market in the Wharf parking lot for the final regular market of the season. Get ingredients for your dishes and decorations for the table.  

• Create something beautiful for your table at the Frontier Culture Museum’s Thanksgiving Cornucopia Flower Arrangement Workshop (November 19th, 12 – 3 pm). The workshop will take place in the 1820s American house, and you’ll learn about native flowers and life on the frontier. The museum stays open every day of the year, and Thanksgiving is no exception. Walk off your turkey with a tour and learn about how meals were prepared in the pre-supermarket, pre-microwave, pre-dishwasher past.

• Another way to decorate your table is to attend Harmony Harvest Farm’s Thanksgiving Centerpiece Arrangement Workshop. Expert florists will provide the supplies and the instructional know-how. The workshop is open to all would-be floral arrangers, no matter their skill level. November 21st, 3 pm.

Other Fun

• Burn those Thanksgiving calories, make a dent in your holiday shopping, and support locally-owned businesses at the same time. Skip the Black Friday lines and instead shop downtown Staunton on Small Business Saturday. You’ll find all sorts of unique products and wonderful customer service. Our downtown shops burst with great deals and holiday cheer and some merchants may offer discounts and refreshments.
  • Frontline Model Kits will be offering a drawing to win a $50 Store gift certificate, Springbok Puzzles will be 15% off the sticker price and more!
  • Get ready for the cooler weather by getting 20-50% off select coats, boots, and sweaters at Design @ Nine Women’s Boutique.
  • Need to grab new outdoor gear to get active again in 2024; Sole Focus Running will be open on Small Business Saturday with hours 10 am-4 pm and offering 20% off Store-wide Sale (excluding clearance items).
  • After all that food, put your mind to work at Crack the Code where all games are 20% off.

• See some art and select unique gifts at Staunton Augusta Art Center’s Arts for Gifts. You’ll find paintings, stained glass, textiles, and jewelry, as well as seasonal cards, ornaments, and much more. Ongoing through December 31st.
• Relax and look your best for the holiday with a seasonal spa treatment at the Spa at the Blackburn. Try a pumpkin enzyme facial that will bring a refreshing glow to your skin. You might also like a soothing orange clove massage that combines deep tissue work with aromatherapy.
• Find your ice skates because the 2023 skating season at Generations Park in Bridgewater starts on Thanksgiving Day! What better way to greet winter than by practicing your triple axels, Salchows, or just trying to circle the rink without landing on your butt? 
• Relax Therapeutic Massage will be having a Holiday open house on Sunday, November 26th from 1 – 4 pm. Buy two gift cards and get a half-hour gift card for yourself and also 20% off of retail. Come get free massages, and food!
• Though chilly, late November often brings excellent hiking weather. There’s nothing better for family togetherness than venturing outside, screen-free. Stretch your legs. Expand your lungs. Absorb vitamin D. Kick through some dry leaves. Take in the views. Take some photos. For some good trails, check out our list of area hikes for beginners.

Want a stress-free Thanksgiving? Explore 8 ways to celebrate without the cleanup!

Don’t Miss Events

• Artisan Fair Nov. 24  9:00 am – Frontier Culture Museum
• Plaid Friday Nov. 24 10:00 am – Downtown Staunton
• Redbeard’s Black Friday Nov. 24 12:00 pm
• Merry Market Nov 25 10:00 am – Downtown Staunton
• Adoptapolooza Nov. 25 12:00 pm – Seven Arrows Brewing