Staunton

Staunton, pronounced Stanton, is a small city in the Shenandoah Valley about an hour south of Luray, and it ranks among the most attractive towns in Virginia. Its downtown climbs a steep hillside lined with Victorian buildings, brick lanes and church spires, and a walking tour of its architecture and stories is the best way to understand why it won a reputation for preservation. The city is the birthplace of Woodrow Wilson, home to the American Shakespeare Center's Blackfriars Playhouse, and the site of a lively restaurant scene, so it rewards a day trip from the caverns and the mountains.

A walking tour covers the heart of downtown, usually the historic districts around Beverley Street and the Wharf, the old railroad warehouse area that has become a cluster of restaurants, galleries and shops. Guides explain the architectural styles on display, from Federal and Greek Revival to Italianate and Queen Anne, and tell stories about the people who lived and worked here, including politicians, merchants and entertainers. The terrain is hilly and stair-filled, so wear comfortable shoes. A tour typically runs about two hours, which leaves time for lunch and a museum afterward.

Staunton also offers sights beyond the tour. The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum sits in the house where the president was born, and the Frontier Culture Museum on the edge of town shows farmsteads from the old world and the new. Evenings in town can include a performance at the Blackfriars Playhouse, a reconstruction of Shakespeare's indoor theater where plays are staged with the lights up, and the city's restaurants emphasize local ingredients and regional wines. A meal in the Wharf district makes a natural end to the day.

The drive from Luray takes about an hour and a quarter, typically via US 340 and the valley roads, so it is best treated as a full-day excursion rather than a quick stop. Staunton pairs naturally with Grand Caverns or Shenandoah Caverns on the way, and with the Blue Ridge Parkway's northern end for a scenic return. Tours run seasonally, so confirm schedules before you set out, and consider booking ahead on weekends, when groups fill quickly.

For travelers who like places with a human scale, Staunton is a pleasure. It lacks the theme-park energy of the big attractions in the valley and offers instead the satisfaction of a real town that has kept its character. Photographers enjoy the hillside views, antiques hunters enjoy the shops and families enjoy the parks, especially Gypsy Hill Park with its playgrounds and walking paths. Pairing the walking tour with a performance or a good dinner makes the long drive worthwhile.

Allow time around the tour itself. Arrive early to find parking, which can be tight on busy weekends, and plan lunch in the Wharf district or on Beverley Street so you are not rushing between stops. After the tour, return to buildings that caught your attention, since the walk is a good way to decide where to spend the rest of the day. The visitor center can supply maps, event listings and suggestions for museums, galleries and bookshops, and the town is pleasant at any pace.