@DCBucketlister's
Guide to Staunton, VA
Where to eat, what to do, what to see
Where to eat, what to do, what to see
ABOUT STAUNTON
Staunton is one of our favorite places to explore and we are so excited to have you all here for our wedding! As one of the oldest cities west of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Staunton’s history spans three centuries and dates back to its early days as a 19th-century rail junction and a center for travelers to stop over and enjoy opera, vaudeville, and a rich nightlife. That tradition lives on today. We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite places for a bite to eat and the best spots for imbibing. There’s an outdoor section as Staunton is located between the scenic Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains in the heart of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, and is a great base for hiking, biking, golfing, horseback riding, and fishing. There is also a range of museums and attractions such as the glassblowing studio! We tried to give a little something for everyone on this list and we hope you have a great trip to the area!
RESTAURANTS
DINNER / LUNCH
The Shack
105 S Coalter St, Staunton, VA 24401
The Shack wins @DCBucketlister’s premiere foodie award. Jessica still maintains this was the best meal she’s ever had. They are only open Thursday-Saturday so we highly recommend making a reservation for Thursday or Friday if you’ll be in town! Chef Boden combines his Jewish eastern European roots with traditions of the region and he has won two James Beard Award nominations.
Zyondoa
115 E Beverley St, Staunton, VA 24401
Modern farm-to-table Southern eatery and bar with upscale decor in a historic building.
Ubon Thai Victorian Restaraunt
515 W Frederick St, Staunton, VA 24401
Ubon Thai wins @DCBucketlister’s most unique dining experience award. We almost thought about having the rehearsal dinner here but realized it would be a little funky as the restaurant feels like you’re inside of your cluttered grandmother’s attic. There are Thai fabrics and little trinkets (Mike calls them chachki’s) everywhere. The food is actually pretty good, and very spicy Thai if you like that stuff!
Mill Street Grille
1 Mill St, Staunton, VA 24401
A casual Staunton staple right across the street from the hotel.
BREAKFAST / COFFEE
By & By
140 E Beverley St, Staunton, VA 24401
By & By is a coffeeshop that showcases local businesses including espresso roasted by Grains of Sense, tea from Fairweather Farms, pastries from Newtown Baking, and exhibits by local artists.
DRINKS
BREWERIES AND CIDERIES
Ciders from Mars
121 S Lewis St, Staunton, VA 24401
Downtown Cidery recently opened in 2021 founded by a geochemist who claims it's a combination of passions in science, nature, music, and art.
Skipping Rock Beer
414 Parkersburg Turnpike, Staunton, VA 24401
Located about a 5 minute drive from downtown Staunton, this brewery is a great option with lots of outdoor space.
Shenandoah Valley Brewing
103 W Beverley St, Staunton, VA 24401
Relaxed tavern-style tasting room central to Staunton's downtown.
Stable Craft Brewing
375 Madrid Rd, Waynesboro, VA 22980
Located about a 15 minute drive from downtown Staunton. Come here for beautiful views and tasty beer.
WINERIES
Ox-Eye Vineyards
44 Middlebrook Ave, Staunton, VA 24401
The Ox-Eye tasting room is across the street from Hotel 24 South in a charming vintage building.
Barren Ridge Vineyards
984 Barrenridge Rd, Fishersville, VA 22939
Barren Ridge was started in 2004 by a European couple who were inspired by the land's history. The site originally was home to an apple orchard that began producing in 1910.
OUTDOORS
Betsy Bell Wilderness Park
525 Betsy Bell Rd. Staunton, VA 24401
Betsy Bell Wilderness Park offers a magnificent view of the Shenandoah Valley from its observation platform at an elevation of 1,959 feet, looking due east toward Waynesboro and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Drive Skyline Drive & Hike to Waterfalls
There are lovely waterfalls in each section of Shenandoah National Park. All are accessible from a parking place along Skyline Drive. But note that they all involve a hike downhill—and, of course, the harder hike back up! All waterfalls are along blue-blazed, forested trails.
Crab Tree Falls / Sky Rock
11581 Crabtree Falls Hwy. Montebello, VA 24464
Situated around 45 minutes south of Staunton is Crab Tree Falls, This moderate 2.7 mile trail wanders through the mountainside offering scenic views of 5 major cascades falling a total distance of 1200 feet. Overlooks allow hikers to enjoy the beauty of the valley. The first overlook is universally accessible, and is only a short distance along a paved trail.
Spy Rock is located nearby and is Jess’s favorite hike!
ART & HISTORY
ENTERTAINMENT
Sunspots Studio and Glassblowing
202 S. Lewis St. Staunton, VA 24401
Sunspots is one of the most unique places to go, if you’ve never seen live glass blowing it is absolutely mesmerizing! The location is very close to the hotel and their hours are Wednesday - Sunday 11 am - 5 pm with live glass blowing demonstrations in the back of their shop from 12 - 4 pm daily.
American Shakespeare Center's Blackfriars Playhouse
10 S. Market St. Staunton, VA 24401
THE WORLD’S ONLY RE-CREATION OF SHAKESPEARE’S INDOOR THEATRE. If you are a Shakespeare fan, this is a can’t miss to at least see on your trip to staunton. The Blackfriars Playhouse is open year-round for performances of Shakespeare’s plays and contemporary works in productions hailed by The Washington Post as “shamelessly entertaining.” It is also right next to our hotel block at Hotel 24 South.
MUSEUMS
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum
18 N. Coalter St. Staunton, VA 24401
Enjoy an engaging guided tour of President Wilson’s birthplace, a beautifully restored Greek Revival manse, and experience what life was like when he was born there in 1856. An authentic example of a Shenandoah Valley home during the pre-Civil War era, this National Historic Landmark is decorated with period furnishings, including Woodrow Wilson family treasures.