AMONG "BEST SMALL TOWNS"
Acclaimed as one of the “Best Small Towns in America” by Smithsonian Magazine, downtown Staunton is buzzing with arts and culture offerings, including Blackfriars Playhouse at the American Shakespeare Center, Frontier Culture Museum, and the Woodrow Wilson presidential library and museum. Staunton’s vibrant dining scene and local food ethos is supported by wine bars, coffee houses, vineyard tasting rooms, and small-batch breweries. Nationally celebrated for its eclectic array of historic architecture, this charming Shenandoah Valley city is only minutes from entrances to Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway.
CONCERT VENUES
All Staunton Music Festival events take place in venues of historic significance with superlative acoustics. Downtown Staunton boasts dozens of churches and the famed Blackfriars Playhouse, which hosts several SMF concerts each season. Occasional events take place in private homes or local businesses after hours.
DINING & LODGING
Hailed as "one of the country's best-kept foodie secrets" (Baltimore Magazine), Staunton features a number of award-winning places to eat within an easy walk from all SMF events. And with its signature architecture and vibrant, compact downtown, Staunton offers many wonderful options for lodging during your visit.
DIRECTIONS & MAPS
Staunton is located in the historic Shenandoah Valley of Virginia at the intersection of I-64 and I-81, exits 220 through 225. It is readily accessible by car, air, train, and bus. The downtown is compact and offers abundant dining, shopping, lodging, and cultural events all located within a few short blocks.