Your November Weekend Getaway in Staunton 

If you want to take a little time for yourself before holiday obligations stuff your schedule like a Thanksgiving turkey, consider a November weekend getaway in Staunton. Here’s how to make the most of the cooler weather and changing seasons with a great mix of dining suggestions, ways to enjoy the last of the seasonal color, and entertainment. We’ll even inspire you with some guided dining experiences and help you source a tablescape that invites conversation. Here’s what to do in Staunton on a November weekend.

Enjoy the Season’s Final Loaves and Leaves

The last day to shop at the regular Staunton Farmers’ Market is November 21. Shop the new location in Staunton’s West End for fresh meats, artisan cheese, seasonal produce, bread, and other baked goods for Thanksgiving. 

Afterwards, visit nearby Montgomery Hall Park for colorful family photographs. Watch the kids play on the playground or kick through the fallen leaves, then take a peaceful walk along the wooded trails to see the last of the autumn foliage. If you travel with your frisbee golf kit, you’ll want to hop on the disc golf course.    

Tours on the Virginia Scenic Railway offer a unique way to view the brilliant fall scenery. Simply relax, enjoy a good meal and watch the world roll by your window, or sign up for a wine-tasting of murder mystery excursion. Alternately, explore the Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway for leaf peeping and  incredible views of forests and the Valley from above. Both scenic roads offer parking at overlooks and trailheads.

Set the Scene for Hospitality

Chances are that you’ll be entertaining or gathering with others this holiday season. Make your home festive when you shop for kitchen and homeware as well as specialty grocery items at Casa Rosa. They sell items from your favorite brands as well as found items that bring personality and conversation to your table. Lichen or Knot Living & Plant Co. stocks merchandise inspired by plants and nature, and many items are crafted from natural materials. Set your holiday table with beeswax candles, linen tablecloths, serving items like wooden breadbowls, and unique touches of just because. Marion’s Gifts, Home Decor, and More stocks more than 50 different scents of candles as well as specialty serving ware and a selection of keepsakes like fair-trade animal figurines and painted boxes that make lovely “I’m thankful for you” gifts. Finally, don’t miss the one-of-a-kind art items for sale at the Staunton Augusta Art Center’s annual Art for Gifts event (November 19 – December 26).

Whether you’re feathering your own nest this November or looking for the perfect hostess/host gift, Staunton’s unique shopping opportunities will make your homes warm and inviting!

Sit Down to a Seasonal Meal

Autumn flavors run deeper than pumpkin spice and green-bean casserole! Restaurants in Staunton welcome November diners to specialty menus full of rich flavors and communal dining experiences.  

Accordia’s small plates and snack boards are designed for sharing over a glass (or several) from the curated wine selection. Not sure what to order? That’s part of the experience. Knowledgeable staff will guide you on choosing the best wine and the flavors that work well with it!

Try Southern and Italian-inspired dishes like mushroom ravioli and madeira-glazed ribs at Queen City Bistro. The monthly Chef’s Table is a five-course communal dining event where Chef Tom Hughes prepares the meal right there at the table.

Zynodoa’s creative, Southern-inspired meals emphasize locally produced meats and seasonal produce. And if you can’t just pick one thing off the menu, attend one of the monthly Sunday Suppers, a three-course tasting menu created by Chef Laura Fonner. You’ll also want to have a cocktail and, perhaps, a customized flight of fine bourbon. 

And if autumn makes you yearn for comfort food, try the tasty American fare and seasonal cocktails at Byers Street Bistro. If you feel at home with your arms full of bread and cheese, try the big, gourmet pies and local beer on tap they serve at Shenandoah Pizza and Taphouse. Choose a hand-tossed crust sauced with tomato, white, olive oil, or basil pesto then pile on the specialty toppings.

Settle in and Relax

The holiday season can be exhausting and stressful. Why not take a deep breath before it all gets started? We recommend choosing a luxurious homebase while you’re in Staunton. Hotel 24 South, a historic hotel that’s been meticulously updated for modern comfort, is located in the heart of downtown. You can park your car in the parking deck and spend the rest of the weekend exploring on foot. Cozy up to the fireplace as you sip cocktails in the onsite 1924 Lounge. The Blackburn Inn also boasts historic elegance and modern comforts just a few steps from downtown. Better yet, the Spa at the Blackburn offers massages, reflexology services, facials, manicures. Head home refreshed! Consider the Queen City Package, a getaway that combines a stay at The Blackburn Inn, tours at the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace, and dinner at Queen City Bistro.

If you enjoy fine cigars and tobacco products, settle down at The Beverley Cigar Store for a long chat, a good smoke, or even a game of chess! You’ll feel like you’re in a Gilded Age smoking parlor as you lean back in a soft leather club chair in front of the fireplace. 

Enjoy the Nightlife

The American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse is the world’s only faithful reproduction of Shakespeare’s indoor theater. The fall season (through November 14) includes productions of Shakespeare’s shipwreck comedy The Tempest, Jen Silverman’s Witch, a dark comedy about the consequences, and David Catlin’s stage adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a tale that defined the gothic horror genre. Keep an eye open for chances to engage with scholars and actors to learn more about each production’s history and creative process.

Feeling festive? Ahead of American Shakespeare Center’s annual run of The Christmas Carol, get into the holiday spirit with A Christmas Carol: One Storyteller, Infinite Christmas Spirits starring ASC favorite Angela Iannone. The show will run November 21-22.

Grab a drink or a relaxed dinner at Marino’s Lunch, a cozy spot known for its burgers and Friday night jam sessions. Or if you’re seeking a deep velvet couch, quiet conversation, and a hand-crafted cocktail, join friends for drinks at The Junction.

Staunton Must-Dos and Special Events

Interested in watching the process of art being created? Visit the studio at Sunspots to watch glassblowers turn glass chips into molten, shapable forms that ultimately become art glass, barware, jewelry, and holiday ornaments. In fact, you can even sign up to learn how to blow your own! 

The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum examines the life and times of our 28th president, exploring issues like World War I, the League of Nations, progressive reforms. And Staunton history. The museum is updating and modernizing its exhibition spaces to be more interactive and to illustrate the idea that “history is not a single narrative, it’s a collection of voices, experiences, and perspectives.” Visitors will learn about the often unheard stories of different people Wilson’s policies impacted, even if those stories illustrate a complicated past “are committed to sharing the full story of our historic site.” 

Explore gallery spaces, including Remember the Ladies: Fashion, Freedom, and the Fabric of a Nation, 1776–2026, a special exhibition that explores American history through the lives of women and the clothing they wore. The museum also displays artifacts and research materials and maintains a calendar of educational programs and events. 

Check the Visit Staunton events page for upcoming happenings. Here are some highlights.

• Staunton businesses will hold their annual Sparkles and Sweets event on November 6. Start your holiday shopping with extended business hours, specials, and festive nibbles and sips!
• Holiday lantern tours don’t kick off until December, but the Frontier Culture Museum will host a cider festival on November 7 and a holiday wreath workshop on the 28th. The museum stays open all year, so you can also take a regular tour to see how our ancestors lived, worked, and prepared for the holidays!

• The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum and CMA’s Valley Subaru will hold Family Weekends on the first weekend of each month through February. Children 17 and under receive free admission. Accompanying adults may visit through our Pay What You Will admission program. (November 7-8)
• Live improv at Silver Line Theatre Exchange (November 7)
• Thanksgiving buffet brunch at Hotel 24 South (November 26)

Staunton offers the perfect mix of history, arts, and community spirit—your November trip will be unforgettable!