Staunton Summer Cool Down

July in Staunton can be scorching, but you don’t need to sit on the AC unit or fill the tub with ice to cool down. Staunton has plenty of places to swim, sip, and slurp your way back to comfort. Here’s our splashy, boozy, frozen-treat guide to not combusting in the summer heat.

Dip In; Chill Out!

This summer weather is steamy, but you’ll cool down when you splash around.

Swimming Holes

If you prefer chlorine to creek water, Staunton’s public swimming pools in Gypsy Hill and Montgomery Hall Park offer waterslides, deep ends, and areas for kids to wade. There’s grass to spread your towels as well as nearby picnic facilities and playgrounds.

George Washington and Jefferson National Forest’s Sherando and Todd Lakes are man-made water bodies that look as pretty as computer screensavers. Both have camping, sandy beaches, restrooms, swimming, picnic areas, and trails. And while you’ll lounge less if you choose rock scrambling, an afternoon at Goshen Pass will spoil you with dramatic scenery and icy mountain water. 

Waterfall Hikes

If your idea of cooling down is actually warming up with a daypack and cardio, lace up your boots and tackle Jones/Doyles Falls or Riprap Hollow Trail. With trailheads along the Skyline Drive, both hikes are long and tough, with lots of elevation changes, but they offer shade, dramatic views, and places to dip your feet. Riprap Hollow Trail has an incredible 50-foot-wide swimming hole!

Located in the national forest, Crabtree Falls is another steep trail that hugs a series of misty cascades and peaks with a view of the Tye River Valley. The easier 4-mile out-and-back hike along St. Mary’s River to St. Mary’s Falls rewards hikers with a scenic waterfall and a pool so icy it might reboot your nervous system. 

Wet Your Whistle!

Parched from a full day exploring the great outdoors or experiencing the history and culture of Staunton? Cool down with a refreshing summer drink. 

Watering Holes: Cold Beer, Wine, and Cider

Overwhelmed by endless varietals from around the world? Accordia Staunton can introduce you to the most refreshing summer wines and the best snacks to compliment them. You can also sample an ever-changing wine-by-the-glass menu at Yelping Dog Wine. The Green Room has wine, craft beer, cider, and customized charcuterie boards. Ox-Eye Vineyard and Ramulose Ridge both have tasting rooms that offer estate-grown wines, and Ciders From Mars offers tasting flights of modern, crisp, and dry ciders.

If you think the best way to chill is to kick back with some craft beer, you’re in luck. Redbeard Brewing, Queen City Brewing, and PRO RE NATA+ pour lots of fresh options in their taprooms and beer gardens.

Cool Cocktails

In addition to refreshing cocktails like strawberry ginger Moscow mules and raspberry sours, you’ll love the low lighting and comfy seating at The Junction.

Cocktails at Zynodoa incorporate locally sourced and seasonal ingredients like fresh herbs. You can also celebrate hot weather with summer cocktails at Marino’s Lunch or The Depot Grille. Byers Street Bistro designs specialty cocktails for each season. And BLU Point Seafood Co. is known for fresh seafood, a raw bar, and a cocktail menu featuring drinks like oyster shooter, bloody marys, and mango rum punch. 

To accompany a menu of delicious and fresh Mexican food, Baja Bean stocks the bar with cocktails, wine, and craft beer. Cool down with something from the margarita menu. Gloria’s Pupusuria and Chicano Boy Taco also serve tasty margaritas. For beer, billiards, and ballgames, check out Bricks Restaurant and Pub.

Shakes, Smoothies, and Other Iced Delights

Kline’s Dairy Bar makes fresh ice cream each day. You can enjoy it any way you like, but we recommend one of their 25 flavors of milkshake. Try peach, coconut, cheesecake, blueberry, or a combination! Another Staunton classic, Wright’s Dairy Rite, has been serving ice cream desserts since 1952. Their shakes burst with real fruit and the drink freezes are made from ice cream and your favorite soda. Finally, The Split Banana creates 24 fresh-made flavors of award-winning gelato from local grass-fed milk. Get it in a cone, cup, or shake.

Rev up and cool down with cold brew and iced-coffee drinks from Crucible Coffee, Reunion Bakery and Espresso, and the By & By. Or if you’re stressed, soothe your body with some chilly fruitiness from Cranberries Grocery & Eatery’s juice bar. Treehouse Juice Bar reenergizes you with delicious juices, smoothies, and wellness shots. Try the Blue Ridge Lemonade that’s actually blue because of the healthful and antioxidant rich spirulina that’s mixed in.

Don’t sit around stewing in your summer sweat! Cool off in Staunton today!