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	<h3>Frontier Culture Museum</h3>		<h3>[[Frontier Culture Museum]]</h3>
	Allow time for this outdoor, living-history museum, where interpreters and historic settings explore Indigenous life in Virginia, European migration, and the history of enslaved Africans. The museum grounds and programs are extensive; check the official site for current exhibits, events, and practical visitor information before you go.<ref>{{Cite web \|url=https://www.frontiermuseum.org/ \|title=Frontier Culture Museum \|website=Frontier Culture Museum \|publisher=Commonwealth of Virginia \|access-date=2026-10-22}}</ref>		Allow time for this outdoor, living-history museum, where interpreters and historic settings explore Indigenous life in Virginia, European migration, and the history of enslaved Africans. The museum grounds and programs are extensive; check the official site for current exhibits, events, and practical visitor information before you go.<ref>{{Cite web \|url=https://www.frontiermuseum.org/ \|title=Frontier Culture Museum \|website=Frontier Culture Museum \|publisher=Commonwealth of Virginia \|access-date=2026-10-22}}</ref>
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{{Text hero
|title=Things to do in Staunton, Virginia
|subtitle=Virginia travel guide
|kind=destination
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{{Place header
|name=Things to do in Staunton, Virginia
|image=
|alt=
|kicker=SHENANDOAH VALLEY DESTINATION
|summary=Explore a walkable historic downtown, catch a performance at the Blackfriars Playhouse, and discover the city’s presidential, agricultural, and cultural stories.
}}
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{{Place quick facts
|label1=Region
|value1=[[Shenandoah Valley]]
|label2=Type
|value2=Independent city and visitor destination
|label3=Setting
|value3=Historic downtown and surrounding valley
|label4=Known for
|value4=Architecture, theater, museums, and music
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Staunton makes an appealing base for a weekend of history, live performance, and small-city wandering. Its historic downtown rewards a slow walk among brick sidewalks, shops, restaurants, and well-preserved architecture; nearby museums and parks add room to stretch the day. For a theatrical evening, look for a performance at the American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse, while history-minded visitors can choose between presidential exhibits and the outdoor, living-history grounds of the Frontier Culture Museum. Check current schedules and visitor details before setting out, since opening days, programs, and transit service can change.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://visitstaunton.com/things-to-do/ |title=Things to Do in Staunton |website=Visit Staunton |publisher=Staunton Convention & Visitors Bureau |access-date=2026-10-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.woodrowwilson.org/guide-to-visiting |title=Guide to Visiting |website=Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum |access-date=2026-10-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.frontiermuseum.org/ |title=Frontier Culture Museum |website=Frontier Culture Museum |publisher=Commonwealth of Virginia |access-date=2026-10-22}}</ref>
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== Why go ==
Staunton brings together several kinds of visit without requiring a long drive between them: a compact, historic center; a working theater scene; museums that interpret both local and national history; and green spaces around town. The downtown’s architectural character is part of the experience, not merely a backdrop. The Beverley, Gospel Hill, Newtown, Stuart Addition, and Wharf districts preserve different strands of the city’s built history.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ci.staunton.va.us/departments/planning-zoning-division/historic-preservation-districts/-fsiteid-1 |title=Historic Preservation Districts |website=City of Staunton |publisher=City of Staunton |access-date=2026-10-22}}</ref>

The city also suits visitors who like to build a trip around a performance or seasonal event. The American Shakespeare Center stages work at the Blackfriars Playhouse, and Staunton’s music calendar includes seasonal festivals and concerts. Check the organizations’ current calendars when choosing travel dates.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://americanshakespearecenter.com/seasons/online/ |title=Enrich Your ASC Experience |website=American Shakespeare Center |access-date=2026-10-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://visitstaunton.com/things-to-do/arts-culture/ |title=Arts and Culture Experiences |website=Visit Staunton |publisher=Staunton Convention & Visitors Bureau |access-date=2026-10-22}}</ref>

== Highlights ==
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<h3>Historic downtown and its districts</h3>
Walk Beverley Street and nearby blocks to take in historic façades, independent shops, galleries, and places to eat. Staunton’s historic districts include the commercial center, residential neighborhoods, and the former rail-and-warehouse area known as the Wharf. For a deeper look, check with the Historic Staunton Foundation about walking-tour maps or scheduled tours.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.historicstaunton.org/discover-staunton/ |title=Discover Staunton |website=Historic Staunton Foundation |access-date=2026-10-22}}</ref>
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<h3>American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse</h3>
Make an evening of live theater at the American Shakespeare Center. The company performs at the Blackfriars Playhouse, a modern recreation of Shakespeare’s indoor theater; tour and performance availability varies, so consult the current schedule before visiting.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://americanshakespearecenter.com/seasons/online/ |title=Enrich Your ASC Experience |website=American Shakespeare Center |access-date=2026-10-22}}</ref>
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<h3>Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum</h3>
Visit Woodrow Wilson’s birthplace and museum to explore the life and times of the 28th U.S. president. The site describes its exhibits on Wilson’s presidency and the era, as well as the restored birthplace and a World War I trench exhibit. Confirm current admission and visiting arrangements with the institution.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.woodrowwilson.org/guide-to-visiting |title=Guide to Visiting |website=Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum |access-date=2026-10-22}}</ref>
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<h3>Frontier Culture Museum</h3>
Allow time for this outdoor, living-history museum, where interpreters and historic settings explore Indigenous life in Virginia, European migration, and the history of enslaved Africans. The museum grounds and programs are extensive; check the official site for current exhibits, events, and practical visitor information before you go.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.frontiermuseum.org/ |title=Frontier Culture Museum |website=Frontier Culture Museum |publisher=Commonwealth of Virginia |access-date=2026-10-22}}</ref>
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<h3>Gypsy Hill Park and local green spaces</h3>
Take a break from downtown at Gypsy Hill Park, with paths and recreation facilities that make it a useful stop for a walk or an unhurried afternoon. Facilities and seasonal activities can vary; consult city or visitor information for current details.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://visitstaunton.com/let-your-senses-run-wild-in-staunton/ |title=Let Your Senses Run Wild in Staunton |website=Visit Staunton |publisher=Staunton Convention & Visitors Bureau |access-date=2026-10-22}}</ref>
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<h3>Camera Heritage Museum</h3>
Photography fans can browse a collection devoted to cameras, photographic equipment, and the history of photography. Confirm the museum’s current hours and admission information before making it part of your itinerary.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://visitstaunton.com/listing/camera-heritage-museum/ |title=Camera Heritage Museum |website=Visit Staunton |publisher=Staunton Convention & Visitors Bureau |access-date=2026-10-22}}</ref>
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== History and character ==
Staunton’s identity reflects its role as a regional center in the [[Shenandoah Valley]]. The Virginia Central Railroad reached the city in 1854, strengthening its connections to wider markets and helping transform it into a commercial hub. The railway’s legacy is especially visible around the Wharf district, where warehouses and businesses grew near the depot. The city’s historic neighborhoods preserve architecture from several periods, with much of downtown’s surviving commercial character shaped during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.historicstaunton.org/discover-staunton/ |title=Discover Staunton |website=Historic Staunton Foundation |access-date=2026-10-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ci.staunton.va.us/home/showpublisheddocument/5638/636674422638570000 |title=Staunton, Virginia Historic District Design Guidelines |website=City of Staunton |publisher=City of Staunton |access-date=2026-10-22}}</ref>

Staunton is also the birthplace of Woodrow Wilson, born here in 1856. His birthplace and presidential library offer one lens on national history, while the Frontier Culture Museum presents a broader, more complicated account of the peoples and histories that shaped the region and the country.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.woodrowwilson.org/guide-to-visiting |title=Guide to Visiting |website=Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum |access-date=2026-10-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.frontiermuseum.org/ |title=Frontier Culture Museum |website=Frontier Culture Museum |publisher=Commonwealth of Virginia |access-date=2026-10-22}}</ref>

== Planning a trip ==
A day can cover a downtown stroll, one museum, and dinner or a performance. With a second day, add the Frontier Culture Museum or park time, and leave room for galleries, shops, and a slower look at the historic neighborhoods. The museum and theater visits are different experiences, so check their current schedules before arranging the rest of your day.

Downtown is well suited to exploring on foot, though Staunton’s hills and varied terrain can affect how easy a walk feels. The BRITE Bus operates the downtown trolley route, serving destinations that include Gypsy Hill Park, the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, and the Wharf Historic District. Routes and service details may change; check current information before relying on transit.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://visitstaunton.com/plan-your-trip/trolley/ |title=Downtown Bus and Trolley Route |website=Visit Staunton |publisher=Staunton Convention & Visitors Bureau |access-date=2026-10-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ci.staunton.va.us/residents/public-transportation |title=Public Transportation |website=City of Staunton |publisher=City of Staunton |access-date=2026-10-22}}</ref>

For event-focused trips, check the calendars for the American Shakespeare Center and local music organizations before booking. Visitors looking for orientation, maps, or local recommendations can also check the current services and hours of the Staunton Visitor Center.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://visitstaunton.com/plan-your-trip/visitor-center/ |title=Visitor Center |website=Visit Staunton |publisher=Staunton Convention & Visitors Bureau |access-date=2026-10-22}}</ref>

== Explore nearby ==
<div class="vw-place-explore-grid">
{{Nearby card
|title=Augusta County, Virginia
|link=Augusta County, Virginia
|text=Explore the county surrounding Staunton and its Shenandoah Valley landscapes.
}}
{{Nearby card
|title=Waynesboro, Virginia
|link=Waynesboro, Virginia
|text=Continue exploring the valley and the communities near Staunton.
}}
{{Nearby card
|title=Harrisonburg, Virginia
|link=Harrisonburg, Virginia
|text=Visit another Shenandoah Valley city, with its own downtown and cultural attractions.
}}
{{Nearby card
|title=Blue Ridge Parkway
|link=Blue Ridge Parkway
|text=Plan a scenic drive through mountain landscapes farther east of Staunton.
}}
{{Nearby card
|title=Shenandoah National Park
|link=Shenandoah National Park
|text=Pair a city visit with mountain scenery and outdoor recreation.
}}
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<div class="vw-amazon-flow">
'''Travel books and maps:''' [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Things%20to%20do%20in%20Staunton%20Virginia%20travel%20guide%20map&tag=virginiawiki-20 Browse related Virginia travel books and maps on Amazon]
<div class="vw-affiliate-disclosure">As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases.</div>
</div>

== References ==
<references />

== External links ==
* [https://visitstaunton.com/ Visit Staunton]
* [https://www.ci.staunton.va.us/ City of Staunton]
* [https://americanshakespearecenter.com/ American Shakespeare Center]
* [https://www.woodrowwilson.org/ Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum]
* [https://www.frontiermuseum.org/ Frontier Culture Museum]
</div>

[[Category:Virginia travel guides]]
[[Category:Virginia guides]]

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