What do you do with 48 hours in the mountains of Virginia? Here’s my guide to Staunton – everything from eating and drinking, to doing, and even where to stay!
My husband and I enjoyed every moment of our trip up to the small town of Staunton, VA. This truly adorable town is located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley – with stunning views of the mountainscape stretching in every direction. What we enjoyed most was that small-town feel, where everyone knew everyone and we were all treated like family. There were smiling faces every direction we turned, and so many fun places to check out during our 48-hour stay.
We arrived around noon on Sunday, and were thrilled to find out that a lot of the restaurants and cafés were just opening their doors for the day. It was perfect weather, just over 60° and sunny, so we expected there to be crowds. We quickly realized this wouldn’t be the case. While there were certainly plenty of families out and about, it didn’t have that “big city” hustle and bustle feeling, and we were instantly fans.
From our first experience at a local bakery, to the hotel we stayed at, and the eatery we dined in before leaving, we thoroughly loved our experience in Staunton.
[Réunion Bakery & Espresso]
[Latitudes Fair Trade Store]
[Black Swan Books and Music]
[Byers Street Bistro]
What to Do in Staunton, VA
Food
Réunion Bakery & Espresso //
The very first place we stopped in Staunton, and by far the most memorable. We’re still talking about their divine croissants. Hands down the yummiest baked goods I think we’ve ever had. And their coffee was delicious as well. This will forever be top of our list when we go back to visit.
Cranberry’s Grocery and Eatery //
This was the spot we chose to check out very last before hitting the road back to RVA. I’m so glad we did. I got a delicious Cubano sandwich and an iced latte. Brandon got their hashbrown casserole. We both loved every bit of it, and thought it was so cute that it was basically a small restaurant located in a grocery store!
By and By Café // (honorable mention)
We passed by this adorable little spot twice on our first day there, and twice on our second – and every time, I made mention that I wanted to go inside – but we never got a chance. Next time!
Byers Street Bistro //
This is where we went for dinner on our first evening in Staunton. I’m so glad we made this decision (really, it was Brandon’s idea). We had chicken wings as an appetizer, B got a sandwich for his entree, and I got a burger with a side of maple brussel sprouts. Ya’ll – I don’t even like brussel sprouts, but if I could eat them like that every day, I would. Our entire meal was beyond delicious, and the service was excellent!
Zynodoa // (honorable mention)
This was a restaurant suggested to us by my contact at The Blackburn Inn. Apparently they have delicious food, but the hubs and I were craving something slightly more casual.
The Yelping Dog // (honorable mention)
We kept hearing about The Yelping Dog’s gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches (YUM)! There’s only so many places we can eat in 48 hours, ya know!
Shopping & Sights
Latitudes Fair Trade Store //
I loved this not-so-little store. It was actually pretty huge, filled with tons of handmade, fair-trade goods. From bookends to soap to earrings and hats. They had pretty much anything you can think of. It was an excellent place to find gifts.
Made: By The People, For The People //
Another store filled with great gift ideas! This one was slightly smaller, but had a truer “Virginia” feel – complete with multiple peanut options right in the front of the store!
Staunton Antiques Center //
This antique shop is three stories high! Filled floor-to-ceiling with all sorts of vintage goods. We didn’t venture to the second floor, but there was so much to see on the first floor alone!
Camera Heritage Museum // (honorable mention)
The camera museum offers a tour, but unfortunately they are closed on Sundays. Maybe next time!
Relax
The Blackburn Inn //
If you’ve gotten a chance to read my blog post about The Blackburn Inn, you’ll know it was spectacular. I don’t want to go into extreme detail here, so make sure you check out that article, and know that it’s the perfect spot to come back to after a long day of wandering and exploring.
related posts
A Full Review of The Blackburn Inn // A Review of Graduate Richmond // The Best Cafés and Coffee Shops in RVA
[The Blackburn Inn – Full review here]
[Cranberry’s Grocery & Eatery]
I know there’s still so much to see in Staunton. I’ll have to go back again soon and complete my guide to this town!
↓ Pin for Later ↓
Emily says
My brother and his wife just moved to Staunton and I’m excited to visit them and explore some of these places!
Keilara says
This is seriously so helpful! I’ve never been to VA but I would love to go!! Your trip looked AMAZING.
Thanks girl!
Laura Adney says
This is so helpful and the photography is so lovely! I need to go to that book shop
Anna English says
What a fun little trip! The food looked amazing!
Tanvi Rastogi says
I hadn’t even heard about the town until now. Going to have to check it out.
❥ tanvii.com
Cathy says
How fun! This looks like a fun trip. I’ll have to keep it in mind when planning travel!
XOXO
Cathy
Emily says
My brother and his wife just moved to Staunton and I’m excited to visit them and explore some of these places!
Hillary Conheady says
This is such a fun post!! That little book shop is adorable!
Keilara says
This is seriously so helpful! I’ve never been to VA but I would love to go!! Your trip looked AMAZING.
Thanks girl!
Laura Adney says
This is so helpful and the photography is so lovely! I need to go to that book shop
Anna English says
What a fun little trip! The food looked amazing!
Summer says
This looks so cute and quaint! That music & book store looks awesome – I’m a sucker for record stores. You look fabulous, as always! 🙂
Tanvi Rastogi says
I hadn’t even heard about the town until now. Going to have to check it out.
❥ tanvii.com
Marlene says
I’ve never been but this looks like a great visit!
Cathy says
How fun! This looks like a fun trip. I’ll have to keep it in mind when planning travel!
XOXO
Cathy
Donna says
Those croissants from Reunion are the best! It all looks so cozy and fun. And that Inn! It must have a beautiful view from the cupola. I hope I get to visit Staunton soon!
Greta says
It looks like such a fun and cozy city. Glad you had such a good time!
Monica says
Looks like the perfect relaxing getaway! I love wandering new towns and hitting up all the coffee shops and unique stores! Staunton looks like a place for me.
Monica says
Looks like the perfect relaxing getaway! I love wandering new towns and hitting up all the coffee shops and unique stores! Staunton looks like a place for me. 🙂
Summer says
This looks so cute and quaint! That music & book store looks awesome – I’m a sucker for record stores. You look fabulous, as always! 🙂
Ruthie Ridley says
Oh my gosh how fun!!!! I love your travel posts! I want to go everywhere you have been!
Donna says
Those croissants from Reunion are the best! It all looks so cozy and fun. And that Inn! It must have a beautiful view from the cupola. I hope I get to visit Staunton soon!
Kileen says
Such an awesome guide babe!! Sounds like it was a short but sweet trip, will have to bookmark this for future reference!
Kileen
cute & little
Monica says
Looks like the perfect relaxing getaway! I love wandering new towns and hitting up all the coffee shops and unique stores! Staunton looks like a place for me.
Monica says
Looks like the perfect relaxing getaway! I love wandering new towns and hitting up all the coffee shops and unique stores! Staunton looks like a place for me. 🙂
Kileen says
Such an awesome guide babe!! Sounds like it was a short but sweet trip, will have to bookmark this for future reference!
Kileen
cute & little
Liz says
You always go to the cutest places! This one looks amazing!!
Kenzi || Life of a Sister says
This spot looks like so much fun! I am loving all of the details and breakdown of where to stay and eat! That bakery with coffee looks delicious.
Carolyn says
Whenever I go somewhere new I ALWAYS check out the cafe situation. Thanks for this great guide! Everything looks so charming. And isn’t this such a fun and special time in your life to travel with just your husband? Oh man, I sound like an old lady… 😉
Lydia says
Sounds like you had an amazing trip! Just talking about croissants is making my mouth water!
Chic on the Cheap
Morgan says
LOVED all these photos!! The best part of traveling in my opinion is visiting all the wonderful places to eat! Looks like y’all checked a lot of those off your list!
-Morgan
How 2 Wear It [] http://how2wearit.com
DTKAustin says
This trip looked so fun and that cafe looked so cute!! I also really like that dress in some of your pics! These travel posts are always so fun to read and see what is good there just in case I might visit!
Taylor Mobley says
I love traveling. So fun. I love trying new restaurants and seeing new things!
Deborah says
I went to the Blackburn Inn for a wedding a while back but I didn’t have a lot of time to do all these other fun things! Sounds like I need to take another trip back!
Martha L. Johnson says
I work in Staunton and it truly is a gem of a place! For all the Harry Potter fans out there, the last weekend in September sees the entire downtown transform into a magical wonderland for the annual Queen City Mischief and Magic festival. A can’t-miss event!
Kim says
Such a cute and charming town! This looks like a fun weekend getaway!
xoxo,
Kim
Paige Bainbridge says
Looks like a great trip. Really cute photos of you two. Makes me want to plan a road trip! Thanks for sharing — Paige Bainbridge (paigebainbridge.com)
Lecy | A Simpler Grace says
I would have been ALL about that bookshop! It looked so cozy and quaint. 🙂
Elizabeth | Tiredmom Supermom says
Seems like you used your 48 hours really well and had an awesome time! This looks like a really great place to visit.
Jamaria says
This looks like a great trip! I’m glad you had fun! Xo
Elizabeth | Tiredmom Supermom says
Seems like you used your 48 hours really well and had an awesome time! This looks like a really great place to visit.
Jasmine Vargas says
Looks like you guys had so much fun during your mini getaway.
Jasmine Vargas says
Looks like you guys had so much fun during your mini getaway.
Becky @ Disney in your Day says
That fair trade store looks so cute! And all of the food photos look delicious as well.
Tara Fuller says
i love little quick getaways – they’re so necessary. You look beautiful in that outfit!
Becky @ Disney in your Day says
That fair trade store looks so cute! And all of the food photos look delicious as well.
Mistle says
All of your food photos look amazing!!! I’ve never heard of this town but it sounds like a great place to take a vacation! The bakery looks super cute and chill!!! The fair trade store sounds like my kind of place.
Kristina says
What a fun weekend trip- that bakery is too cute!
Anabelle says
I definitely need to visit this place!!
Morgan Klein says
This is such a good post! I definitely want to visit. It seems so quaint and cute!
Amanda says
This town looks adorable– I want to visit now!
Bryanna says
You did a great job of rounding up all the options to make the most of Staunton, VA. Its definitely been a minute since I’ve been to VA, but I’m 100% book marking this for the future!
xoxo Bryanna
Morgan Klein says
This is such a good post! I definitely want to visit. It seems so quaint and cute!
Bryanna says
You did a great job of rounding up all the options to make the most of Staunton, VA. Its definitely been a minute since I’ve been to VA, but I’m 100% book marking this for the future!
xoxo Bryanna
Marlene says
I’ve never been but this looks like a great visit!
Jamaria says
This looks like a great trip! I’m glad you had fun! Xo
Tara Fuller says
i love little quick getaways – they’re so necessary. You look beautiful in that outfit!
Mistle says
All of your food photos look amazing!!! I’ve never heard of this town but it sounds like a great place to take a vacation! The bakery looks super cute and chill!!! The fair trade store sounds like my kind of place.
Anabelle says
I definitely need to visit this place!!
Amanda says
This town looks adorable– I want to visit now!
Kristina says
What a fun weekend trip- that bakery is too cute!