Staunton is pleased to partner with BIKE VIRGINIA for the first three days of the 2023 TOUR, Friday June 23rd thru Sunday June 25th. Our beautiful town of approximately 25,000 is nestled in Augusta County in the Shenandoah Valley and affords views of both the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountain ranges. It’s a town full of parks, independently owned restaurants and shops, museums, galleries, and well-preserved Victorian architecture. Staunton is known for its American Shakespeare Center and for its restaurant scene where you can indulge in Virginia wine and seasonal farm-to-table fare. You’ll find a spot to hear live music most nights of the week, and Staunton and its surroundings are extremely bike-friendly.
Make Staunton Your Cycling Home Base
When you explore one of Bike Virginia’s 3-4 daily GPS-based cycling routes in and around Staunton, you’ll be charmed by the bustling downtown and historic neighborhoods as well as the incredible rural scenery waiting just outside city limits. Feast your eyes on rolling farmland and untouched forests. For a different perspective, tackle a steep, challenging climb to the top of the Blue Ridge. You’ll earn both sweeping views and a long, easy ride back down.
Keep Busy, Staunton Style
- Staunton is well-known for its Blackfriars Playhouse, an accurate replica of Shakespeare’s indoor theater. With plays going on stage most nights, you should be able to catch a show performed in the way Shakespeare intended it!
- Crack the Code Escape Room will let teams of cyclists exercise their brains after a long, hard day of exercising their legs. Choose from five different rooms requiring varying degrees of sleuthing expertise.
- History lovers will love learning about the life, presidency, and historical times of Woodrow Wilson through exhibits at the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace museum. The museum also addresses topics like WWI trench warfare, Women’s Suffrage, and the presidency and race. Another Staunton window to the past is the Frontier Culture Museum, where costumed interpreters demonstrate how early residents of the Valley lived and worked the land.
- The Staunton Farmer’s Market is open from the first Saturday in April until Thanksgiving, and it features fresh produce, baked goods, and live music.
- Several Staunton breweries and restaurants host fun events like trivia, live music, open mic nights, and karaoke. Check out the Staunton on Tap to see what’s going on.
- Check out Staunton on Tap for daily events while you are here.
Refuel After Your Ride
Hungry? Staunton has a range of locally-owned restaurants that range from casual to fine dining. Many focus on incorporating seasonal ingredients into their dishes. Here are some of our favorites for big appetites.
- Shenandoah Pizza & Taphouse will fill you up with over 20 varieties of gourmet pizza and ten local beers on tap.
- Mill Street Grill is a Staunton staple, serving traditional meals like savory steak, pasta, and burgers in a historic flour mill.
- The menu at Baja Bean has loads of Tex-Mex options including choices for the younger set and an impressive tap list.
- We recommend Remedy Burger for its juicy and delicious smash burgers.
Refresh with Beer, Wine, and Cider
Biking all those miles can help you work up a mighty thirst! Here are some of Staunton’s favorite watering holes serving beer, wine, or cider.
- Redbeard Brewing Company creates “small batches of big beers” in its location in Staunton’s historic wharf district. Stop in for live music, fun events like trivia and karaoke, and lots of delicious craft beer.
- Since 2003, Queen City Brewing has been serving an extensive selection of delicious craft beer. Drink in the taproom or on the large outdoor patio. The brewery is conveniently located close to Gypsy Hill Park, a nice place for an evening stroll.
- Enjoy wine by the glass or bottle at Yelping Dog Wine. Share a cheese plate or munch on a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich.
- Sit and sip on the patio at Ox-Eye Vineyards Tasting Room.
- Savor wine, beer, and light fare such as apps and sandwiches at The Green Room.
- Ciders from Mars presses locally grown apples to create hard cider. Choose from single-varietal ciders, blends, and ciders fermented with other local fruits.
Explore Staunton off Your Bike
Ready to take a break from pedaling? Staunton has an extremely walkable downtown with easy access to food, shopping, lodging, and entertainment. Here’s how to get around Staunton without your bike.
- Check out the trolley system that delivers riders in style to many downtown and nearby sites including the visitor’s center and Gypsy Hill Park.
- Historic Staunton Foundation leads guided Saturday walking tours, but if you’re spending Saturday morning on your bike, take our self-guided tour through the historic districts on your own time.
Relax with a Massage
Are your muscles killing you after a long day on the road? The Spa at the Blackburn offers massages and other spa treatments in an elegant, historic setting. Mill Street Body and Soul Day Spa and Salon and Breezy Hill Day Spa also offer massage. For a special treat, try Breezy Hill’s raindrop massage, which includes nine essential oils.
Do Some Shopping
Whether you forgot something crucial to your trip or you want to take home some souvenirs, Staunton has you covered!
- Leave your favorite water bottle on the counter at home? Does your bike need a quick tune up? Black Dog Bikes is your Staunton answer to new bike gear, parts, and repair. They also stock clothing and accessories, and they can give you loads of advice on biking in the area.
- Fulfill all of your outdoor equipment needs at Wilderness Adventure. You’ll find gear, clothing, a large selection of footwear, and loads of expert advice.
- Staunton is home to a number of boutiques and shops. For Staunton and Virginia-themed gifts and souvenirs, visit Sparrow’s Nest, Made; By the People for the People, and Harmony Moon.
Kim Cormier
Tourism/Economic Development
City of Staunton
116 W. Beverley St.
Staunton, VA 24401
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Office: 540.332.3865
www.visitstaunton.com
www.stauntonbusiness.com