Photo by Woods Pierce
For those who have not yet made the trip (and others coming back for more), here are four reasons to visit Staunton this fall.
Photo by Tommy Thompson
1. American Shakespeare Center
Staunton’s American Shakespeare Center is home to the world’s only recreation of Shakespeare’s indoor theater: The Blackfriars Playhouse. Here, audiences are invited to engage in a unique theater experience that in many ways mirrors theater during Shakespeare’s time; lights are left on to engage the actors with the audience, and actors perform multiple roles in the same play. The ASC’s fall schedule includes adaptations of Dracula, Macbeth, and The Importance of Being Earnest.
Photo by Kathy Frazier
2. Quaint downtown
One of the oldest towns west of the Blue Ridge, Staunton boasts unique architecture that escaped the Civil War relatively unscathed. Explore downtown Staunton’s cobblestone streets and conglomeration of used bookstores, boutiques, breweries, coffeehouses, and restaurants. Sample homemade gelato from The Split Banana, or freshly roasted coffee from Crucible Coffee and tantalizing pastries from the family-owned Reunion Bakery, all just minutes from downtown Staunton. While walking around with your delicious treats, wander into the cool shops like Heirloom Home and Billy Opal.
Humpback Mountain at sunrise.
Photo by Madeline Russo
3. Breathtaking hikes
There is no more surreal way to start you morning than watching the sun break over the Shenandoah Valley. Using Staunton as your base, depart early in the morning and head to Humpback Mountain for a sunrise hike. The trail takes about 45 minutes to climb—although it feels shorter when you are racing against daylight. Aim to reach the summit about 20 minutes before sunrise, cradle a thermos of hot chocolate, and brace yourself for a breathtaking sight.
Photo courtesy of White Oak Lavender Farm