Staunton, Virginia is a small, historic mountain town—home to just under 24,500 residents—that offers an array of authentic, local experiences. The main vessel of the town, Beverley Street, is home to a number of local shops, restaurants and friendly faces more than willing to point you in the right direction or even draw a map for you (yes, this happened). Continuously cruising the streets are Green Trolleys, picking up guests from the visitor’s center and giving them a leisurely tour of the city. History buffs can stop by Woodrow Wilson’s birthplace or sign up for a city tour at Staunton Visitor’s Center, but the best way to get to know Staunton is by walking through the heart of the town just like a local.
Grace Williamson is a travel intern with Paste and a freelance writer based out of Athens, Georgia.
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1. The Shack
Situated on South Coalter Street, The Shack's size is true to its name—holding only a handful of tables. Old home photos of chef Ian Boden's wife's grandmother, who lived in a shack herself and inspired the restaurant's theme, line the walls. As I sat down for dinner, I heard a woman from a table nearby say, "This is when you actually think about chefs as artists." Boden shows a mastery of blending flavors in his eclectic, contemporary dishes. A constantly changing menu keeps guests from picking favorites, however; each visit yields a new feast of choices.
Photo by Grace Williamson
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2. The Artisan's Loft
A year ago, Ellen Boden (chef Ian's mom) asked herself the question, "how can we bring more art into town?" She found her answer in the space above her popular antique store on W. Beverley Street, Staunton Antique Center. She turned the upstairs loft into a gallery for local artists. Sculptures, paintings and pottery—all but one made by local artisans—line the walls of the gallery. Inside the loft is a large room with a small stage, rented out by a performance group known as the Kettle. Much like the variety of artists featured in the gallery, the Kettle has an array of performers ranging from comedians to jugglers to belly dancers.
Photo by Grace Williamson
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3. Farmhouse Kitchen & Wares
Owner Michelle Sandy opened Farmhouse Kitchen & Wares, just down Beverley Street from the Artisan's Loft, less than five months ago, and it has already become a hot spot in the town. Prior to opening her restaurant and store, she did humanitarian work in Athens, Greece, helping operate a refugee camp. Classic checkered floors and powder blue walls are the perfect setting for this French-inspired menu, serving both breakfast (I highly recommend the scratchmade waffles) and lunch. The shelves (built by Sandy's husband) hold rustic home goods, such as jars that can be filled with anything from jams to spices.
Photo by Grace Williamson
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4. Beverley Cigar Store
The outside of the Beverley Cigar Store looks like it belongs on the upper east side of Manhattan in the 1950s, which speaks volumes to the appearance of Staunton because the storefront does not look out of place in the slightest. Its current location in Staunton—perched on the corner of E. Beverley Street and S. Augusta Street—has been open five years, but the store itself has been around for seven. Their cigars come from a variety of places, including Nicaragua and Honduras. The inside of the store looks like a scene only F. Scott Fitzgerald could describe, but I'll try: Black leather chairs form two rings, where guests can sit and enjoy a smoke in what is called "the circle" (think That 70s Show, but gentlemen instead of teenage stoners). Among the leather chairs are standing ashtrays with the stubs of cigars past.
Photo by Grace Williamson
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5. Cocoa Mill Chocolatier
Cocoa Mill Chocolatier won the award for best overall chocolates by the Wall Street Journal surpassing the likes of Godiva and Harry & David. Their variety of truffles—Cappuccino, Grand Marnier, Raspberry, Bailey's, Hazelnut, Jack Daniel's, Bittersweet and Milk chocolate—have impressed customers for five years now. All their products are made by professional chocolatiers in Lexington, VA, with no additives or preservatives.
Photo by Grace Williamson
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6. The Yelping Dog
Plank wooden floors and navy ceilings make customers of the Yelping Dog feel as though they are in a huge wine cellar. The dog theme is kept consistent throughout the store, thanks to paintings of pups elegantly sipping drinks from glasses. Large wooden shelves lining the walls show the endless selection of wines to choose from, which can be paired with a number of charcuterie and cheese plate options. This is the perfect place for a pre-dinner drink and appetizer, or even a late lunch, as they serve incredible gourmet grilled cheeses.
Photo by Grace Williamson
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7. Woodrow Wilson's Birthplace
Staunton, VA is and has been home to many interesting people. The 28th president of the United States, Woodrow Wilson, is one of them. Wilson's birthplace is on North Coalter Street, where it has been standing since 1846. Ten years after being built, Wilson was born in this beautiful Greek Revival house. Buy a ticket and sign up for a guided tour of this historic landmark to see the inside of the stunning pre-Civil War era home.
Photo by Bart E CC BY 2.0
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8. American Shakespeare Center's Blackfriars Playhouse
The American Shakespeare Center's Blackfriars Playhouse on Market Street is the first and only recreation of Shakespeare's indoor theatre in the world, according to the website. Their goal is to take guests back to the Elizabethan era by performing in the same light the audience is under and by not using any elaborate sets. The playhouse is open year-round offering a number of performances and even guided tours.
Photo by Chrissy Hunt CC BY-NC-ND