From the Woodrow Park overlook on Sears Hill, you can look out over historic downtown Staunton. At Sunspots Studios, the focus shifts to a very different process: four glassblowers take turns in the studios and demonstrate glassblowing live every day. If you’d like to create something yourself, you can make an ornament, a small pumpkin, or a tabletop sphere using your own breath in a hands-on experience. Check the latest information about demonstrations before your visit.
Parks, Views, and Recreation
Gypsy Hill Park is a versatile 214-acre recreational park in the heart of Staunton. Montgomery Hall Park is smaller, at 148 acres; it includes rolling hills, quiet wooded areas, trails, and a public swimming pool. The two parks offer different points of reference for planning: Gypsy Hill is described by its central location and varied recreational uses, while Montgomery Hall is noted for its landscape and the facilities mentioned.
Woodrow Park also adds to this view of the city: its overlook on Sears Hill faces historic downtown. If golf is among your interests, Gypsy Hill Golf Club is another recreational option. The municipal course has 18 holes and a par of 71, and is open year-round to members and nonmembers alike.
History in Buildings and Collections
Frontier Culture Museum is a living-history outdoor museum. It reconstructs traditional rural buildings from England, Germany, Ireland, West Africa, and America.
Camera Heritage Museum brings together two collection areas. It has more than 2,000 antique photographs from Staunton and Augusta County and also houses a unique collection of antique cameras, from the 19th century to the present. An exhibition on the trenches of World War I offers another way to experience history, inviting visitors to imagine what life was like for soldiers during the fighting.
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum offers a tour of the historic Manse, President Wilson’s birthplace. The Staunton Augusta Art Center features exhibitions, programs for children, workshops, and events. It also hosts two annual outdoor art festivals. The cultural offerings therefore range from historical collections and a guided look inside a historic home to exhibitions and art events.
Excursions and Local Insights
The Blue Ridge Flyer, operated by Virginia Scenic Railway, is a three-hour excursion through mountain scenery and a historic railroad tunnel. Topics covered on the Blue Ridge Flyer include railroad construction, the history of the Blue Ridge Tunnel, the communities along the route, and the engineering achievement of crossing the mountains. If you’re planning the excursion, check the schedule and fares in advance.
Staunton Farmers Market brings local farmers, producers, and consumers together in a lively community market and offers fresh, locally grown food. Check the current market days before planning your visit around them. For questions about Staunton, Staunton Visitor Center provides brochures and advice from local experts and helps visitors find their way around.
Discover more destinations: Staunton, Loudoun, Salem, Shenandoah Valley, Buckingham County, Amelia County, King William County, Fauquier County.
For the main travel overview: Virginia.
