Valley Meandering
The bucolic, historic Shenandoah Valley is not only one of Virginia's best destination gems, it's one of the most scenic regions in the eastern United States. Begin your Shenandoah Valley vacation in Staunton, Virginia, a major junction for pioneers heading west. Valley pioneer history comes alive in the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia, where several 17th-, 18th- and 19th-century farms depict life in pre-Civil War Shenandoah. In downtown Staunton, boutiques and galleries, such as the Frame Gallery and Sunspots Studios, are often housed in restored warehouses and fine homes. The Pullman Restaurant occupies a restored train station, and Mill Street Grill is inside a former flour mill building. The city's most famous home is President Woodrow Wilson's. Tours of the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library encompass the home, gardens, and research library. Staunton's Blackfriars Playhouse is the world's only authentic re-creation of Shakespeare's original indoor theater. Catch a performance or a guided tour. Pass through Shenandoah National Park and end your visit with a tour of Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home near Charlottesville, Virginia.
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Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia
Last Modified: Apr 24, 2013
Located just outside Staunton, this outdoor living-history museum depicts life in pre-Civil War Shenandoah. Outdoor exhibits are actual 17th-, 18th-, and 19th-century farm building...
Frame Gallery
Last Modified: Apr 24, 2013
This charming gallery in historic downtown Staunton showcases original work by international and local artists. Try on handmade jewelry or take home some funky glass art. Other wor...
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Sunspots Studios
Last Modified: Apr 24, 2013
A glass-blowing studio and art gallery, Sunspots Studio is housed in a restored warehouse in historic downtown Staunton. See live glass-blowing demonstrations seven days a week. Th...
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Mill Street Grill
Last Modified: Apr 25, 2013
A turn-of-the-century mill was transformed by its creative owners into one of the most popular restaurants in Staunton. It's famous for barbecue baby back ribs, but the menu has a ...
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Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library
Last Modified: Apr 24, 2013
The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library sits next to the most famous home in Staunton: the 19th-century manse where former president, Woodrow Wilson, was born in 1856. Tour the hou...
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Blackfriars Playhouse
Last Modified: Apr 24, 2013
The Blackfriars Playhouse constitutes reason enough for a Staunton stop. It's the world's only authentic re-creation of Shakespeare's original indoor theater, and it has a year-rou...
Dining Room
Last Modified: Apr 24, 2013
Some call The Dining Room Shenandoah Valley's best choice for fine dining. With tempting dishes like tempura fried lobster tail, wild boar loin, and toffee cups with strawberries a...
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Stonewall Jackson Hotel & Conference Center
Last Modified: Apr 24, 2013
Don't miss the working 1920s Wurlitzer in the lobby of this newly restored hotel and conference center. The Stonewall Jackson is steps away from Staunton's Main Street, recent winn...
Dayton Farmers Market
Last Modified: Apr 24, 2013
Visit this old-fashioned farmers' market and browse more than 20 local shops. Open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the market features everything from knitting accessories to fresh...
Shenandoah Heritage Farmer's Market
Last Modified: Apr 24, 2013
This market has an eclectic mix of goods and more than 20 different vendors. Visitors can check out The Country Canner for goods canned in traditional Mason jars or a Civil War sho...
Virginia Quilt Museum
Last Modified: Apr 25, 2013
In 2000 this museum was designated the 'official quilt museum of the Commonwealth' by the Virginia General Assembly. Its collection consists of more than 150 quilts, some dating ba...
Monticello
Last Modified: Apr 24, 2013
At Monticello, walk the grounds lovingly cultivated by Thomas Jefferson at his mountaintop plantation. Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virgi...
Ash Lawn-Highland
Last Modified: Apr 24, 2013
The residence of former president James Monroe, Ash Lawn-Highland boasts a dramatic hilltop location and views of rolling terrain. The house and grounds are a museum where visitors...
Keswick Hall
Last Modified: Apr 24, 2013
This grand Italianate country estate is set on 600 acres of rolling countryside. It features its own Arnold Palmer 18-hole golf course and a luxury spa. Visitors are within easy ac...