Staunton Historic Downtown
Staunton, VA
A hillside downtown of Victorian streets, theatres and old warehouses in the Shenandoah Valley. Park by the train station, then walk up through the Wharf district to the shops and cafes on Beverley Street.
Staunton was founded in 1747 and named for Lady Rebecca Staunton, wife of Lieutenant Governor Sir William Gooch; the area had been settled since 1732. The city in the Shenandoah Valley was the capital of Virginia in June 1781 and is the birthplace of President Woodrow Wilson. In 1908 Staunton became the first city in the United States to hire a city manager.
At the center stands the Blackfriars Playhouse of the American Shakespeare Center, a replica of Shakespeare's Blackfriars theater. Mary Baldwin University, formerly a women's college, also shapes the town. The Amtrak station is in the downtown area, which makes a convenient starting point for a walk; allow two to three hours for the hilly loop, or a whole afternoon or evening if you attend a play.
- Nearest town
- Staunton, VA
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 38.1496, -79.0717
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Stoney Creek Resort & CampgroundCampsite11 mi from Staunton Historic DowntownTentsCaravansWaste disposal
- Sherando Lake CampgroundCampsite16 mi from Staunton Historic DowntownTentsCaravans
- Todd Lake Recreation Area CampgroundCampsite17 mi from Staunton Historic DowntownTentsCaravansShowersToilets
- Misty Mountain Camp ResortCampsite20 mi from Staunton Historic DowntownTentsCaravans
- Montebello ResortCampsite21 mi from Staunton Historic DowntownTentsCaravans
- Loft Mountain CampgroundCampsite23 mi from Staunton Historic DowntownTentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsDogs allowed
All campsites in Virginia · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Staunton Historic Downtown?
Staunton Historic Downtown is in Staunton, VA, at GPS 38.1496, -79.0717. It is about 11 mi from Waynesboro.
Can you camp near Staunton Historic Downtown?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Shenandoah Valley Campground, about 6 mi away; within 25 mi there are 57 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Staunton Historic Downtown?
Places worth a stop nearby: Humpback Rocks (16 mi), Lexington Historic Downtown (32 mi), Monticello (35 mi) and Big Meadows, Shenandoah (43 mi).
When is the best time to visit Staunton Historic Downtown?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)