Top 3 Attractions in Staunton, Virginia

I already introduced Staunton, Virginia in a previous blog post, in which I mainly talked about the city’s amazing historic architecture. Staunton’s Beverley Street is one of the prettiest and charming main streets in America. This is definitely a part of town you’d want to explore. In this post, however, we’ll focus on the Top 3 best Staunton attractions.

Besides fantastic historic buildings, it’s also home to one of the greatest open-air history museums I’ve ever been to. Additionally, there’s the birthplace of Woodrow Wilson and the world’s only recreation of Shakespeare’s own indoor theater.

We will cover these three best Staunton attractions in this post.

Top 3 Best Staunton Attractions

3. Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Birthplace

Woodrow Wilson was born in Staunton, Virginia in 1856. The son of a Presbyterian pastor, he would become the President of Princeton University. Later on, he became the 34^th Governor of New Jersey. In 1912, he ran for President and was elected. The first Southerner elected as President of the United States since before the Civil War, Wilson was the 28^th President. He lead his country through the First World War, which effectively gave the United States the status of an international superpower.

At the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum in Staunton, you can visit the house where he was born as well as exhibits showcasing his life and achievements. It also houses President Wilson’s 1919 Pierce-Arrow limousine.

2. American Shakespeare Center

Culture takes up a prominent place in life in Staunton. The American Shakespeare Center is unquestionably the epitome of this. Home to the Blackfriars Playhouse, the only recreation of Shakespeare’s indoor theater in the world, this venue offers a theatrical experience unlike any other venue.

You can take a behind-the-scenes tour or, if you plan well, even catch a play. The latter is definitely something you should consider. It’s remarkable, memorable and absolutely unique.

1. Frontier Culture Museum

Offering a superbly fascinating insight in pioneering life in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, the Frontier Culture Museum is the best of all Staunton attractions. Even if you’re not into history, this living history museum will be able to intrigue you and take you back to a time when things were much simpler.

The Frontier Culture Museum houses several historic buildings, mostly farmhouses. This includes some that were relocated from Ireland, England and Germany. It covers a period between the 1600s and the mid-19^th century. There’s also a Native American village and a village from West Africa, which is significant because this is where most of the slaves who worked on Shenandoah farms came from.

This is a fantastic museum and it should be among your priorities when visiting Staunton, Virginia.

In addition to these three top Staunton attractions, there are other places you might want to check out during your visit. Hubs of education include Mary Baldwin College and the Virginia School for the Dead and Blind. The city’s six National Historic Districts house more than 100 niche stores, restaurants and art galleries, including a fascinating cigar shop. Additionally, there are three craft breweries.