3-Day Itinerary for Augusta County, Virginia

Augusta County in Virginia is your perfect base for hiking, hunting, bike riding, fishing, camping, golfing and much more.

Augusta County is your perfect base for hiking, hunting, bike riding, fishing, camping, golfing and much more. The outdoors are your playground in this beautiful part of the country.

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Enjoy these great Augusta County attractions and more:

29th Division Museum
Augusta Military Academy Museum
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum
American Shakespeare Center
Waynesboro Downtown Historic Walking Tour

Day-to-Day Augusta County Itinerary

Day 1: Things To Do in Augusta County

Enjoy breakfast at Mrs. Rowe’s Family Restaurant. Family owned for more than 70 years, this classic restaurant specializes in homestyle southern cuisine and homemade pies.

Pay a visit to the 29th Division Museum to explore more than 280 years of Colonial, United States and World History through the story of the one United States Army Infantry Division and member units that participated in all of it. You can also see the Augusta Military Academy Museum to learn more about Virginia’s first secondary-level military academy formed after the Civil War. Admission to the museum is free.

For lunch, stop at the Valley Pike Farm Market, which preserves and celebrates history while supporting and promoting agritourism and small businesses within the Shenandoah Valley. It offers an inviting coffee shop featuring local coffees and homemade pastries, a beautiful bar fora glass of wine or a craft beer, a back deck to enjoy an outdoor lunch or an evening drink and aloft for all to gather.

After lunch, visit the Blue Ridge Tunnel. Built in the1850s to cross the Blue Ridge Mountains, at the time of its completion, it was the longest railroad tunnel in the United States. Bikers and hikers welcome for full family adventures. Enter the west trailhead of the tunnel from Augusta County. Bring a light.

Another option is the Grand Caverns, the oldest continually operating show cave in the U.S. You can visit Cathedral Hall–one of the largest rooms of any cavern in the East at 280 feetlong and over 70 feet high. Massive columns, beautiful draperies, rippling flowstone and rare “shield” formations create a variety of captivating sights. History buffs should look for more than 200 Civil War signatures, a testament to the Caverns’ role when Major General Stonewall Jackson’s troops camped nearby and trekked through the underground caverns.

For dinner, savor a nice meal at Stable Craft Brewing, a four-season destination Brewery & Cidery serving hand-crafted beer, cider, sodas and a wide variety of local wines. They offer a welcoming & picturesque atmosphere with Biergarten-style service while showcasing a chef-inspired menu, featuring locally sourced fares.

When your day is through, stay at Best Western Staunton Inn. Situated in the breathtaking Shenandoah Valley, this Staunton-area hotel features all the amenities and comfort guests have come to expect from the Best Western brand, in addition to affordable rates and a convenient location off I-81. Other amenities at this Staunton hotel also include a complimentary deluxe continental breakfast and an indoor heated swimming pool.

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Day 2: Staunton, Virginia Attractions

Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at a hometown eatery where all the locals meet. Kathy’s Restaurant serves home cooking that reflects the food, people and culture of Kathy’s childhood and is reminiscent of many of our childhood experiences around the dinner table, especially for those of us who were fortunate enough to grow up in the valley and mountains of Virginia. Everyone knows that when you find out where the locals go, that is the place to be. With more than 40 years at this location, locals and tourists will tell you that a better pancake cannot be found.

Discover the life and legacy of the 28th President at the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum. Take a guided tour of the Presbyterian Manse where Wilson was born and spent the first year of his life. Next stop is the museum which includes Wilson’s Pierce-Arrow limousine, an interactive World War I trench and seven exhibit galleries which represent through historic photographs, documents and objects, the life and public service of Woodrow Wilson.

Then, visit the Frontier Culture Museum. This living history museum features original farmsteads from Africa, America, England, Germany and Ireland. A combination of interpretive signage and demonstrations by costumed interpreters tell the story of daily life of Shenandoah Valley’s earliest settlers. Insider’s Tip: Allow 3 to 4 hours to fully explore the Frontier Culture Museum. Student groups often visit in the morning so the afternoon is ideal for adult groups.

For lunch, dine on your own at number of downtown establishments like Remedy Burger, Byers Street Bistro, Pampered Palate Cafe, the Depot Grille, Baja Bean, and more.

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Once you are satiated after a tasty meal, don’t miss a captivating performance at the world’s first recreation of Shakespeare’s Blackfriars indoor playhouse. The American Shakespeare Center season which includes Shakespearean staples and other exciting works for year-round programming. Private backstage tours in addition to performer talk-backs are also available.

Next, head to downtown Staunton. Named “one of America’s Greatest Main Streets,” groups will be captivated by the development of Staunton from frontier settlement to booming 19th Century commercial center to today’s beautifully restored downtown featuring an eclectic mix of architectural styles. Staunton’s easily walked and compact downtown is the perfect place to sample history up-close while allowing your group some free time to explore on their own.

For dinner, head to Mill Street Grill, which features exceptional quality food with fast, friendly, and efficient service. Here, groups can enjoy a laid back and memorable dining experience in the cozy confines of a turn‑of‑the‑century flour mill. Mill Street has an event space that offers seating for up to 120 people.

Stay at Hotel 24 South, which is located in the heart of historic Downtown Staunton. This 124-room hotel captures the old South’s spirit, history and charm. Built in 1924, Hotel 24 South is a member of the Historic Hotels of America. This modern yet refined Virginia gem was restored to its original grandeur in 2005 and reintroduced with a stylish renovation in 2018. Hotel 24 South features an indoor heated pool, fitness center, and business center and showcases 8,500 square feet of meeting space that can accommodate up to 400.

Day 3: Waynesboro, VA Activities

After a nice breakfast of your choosing, pay a visit to the Waynesboro Heritage Museum. Located in the historic First National Bank Building, in the heart of downtown Waynesboro, the museum portrays the history of Waynesboro through permanent and rotating exhibits covering history from the Beverly Grant under King George II of England in 1797, early Teasville (Teesville), Basic City, railroads, education, industry and more. Admission to the Heritage Museum is FREE.

For lunch, downtown Waynesboro features a dozen locally owned eateries within just a few blocks. Groups can easily split up for lunch on their own and choose from pizza, burgers, Indian cuisine, hot dogs, fresh deli sandwiches, and more.

The Plumb House Museum is the oldest frame structure in Waynesboro, built during the presidency of Thomas Jefferson. In 1865, the house was in the center of the action of the Battle of Waynesboro–the last significant Civil War Battle in the Shenandoah Valley. The house weathered gunfire and cannon balls, scars of which can still be seen on the exterior today. A washtub’s worth of lead was collected from the walls once the battle was over. During the battle, Alfred and Mary Plumb fled to the basement, both survived and the house stayed in the Plumb family for five generations. Now operated as a house museum, the dwelling tells the story of the family and life in early small-town America. The Plumb House Museum is also home to many Civil War artifacts, Plumb Family artifacts, Native American artifacts, and Bird & Butterfly collections. The Plumb House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Virginia Landmarks Register, and Virginia Civil War Trails.

You can also enjoy a Waynesboro Downtown Historic Walking Tour. Waynesboro’s downtown district embraces the historic core of the city. Platted in 1798, the area developed into a place of business and residence over the course of the nineteenth century. Following a development boom in 1890, the downtown grew more commercial in character, and by the mid-twentieth century, a variety of stores, banks, and other small shops crowded along Main Street with a number of architecturally notable buildings erected. Take the Waynesboro Downtown Historic Walking Tour to learn about the First National Bank (1909), an elegant Classical Revival edifice; the L.B.&B. Building (1929) designed by architect H.L. Hinnant in the Art Deco style; and the General Wayne Inn (1938) designed by architect Daley Craig in the Southern Colonial Style. The Waynesboro Downtown Historic Walking Tour brochure takes you on a self-guided walking tour of sixteen properties within the downtown district. The brochure can be picked up from the downtown visitors center or the Heritage Museum.

Other downtown museums to catch include The Augusta County Railroad Museum and The Russell Museum.

For dinner, The Fishin’ Pig is located beside the Best Western PLUS and features excellent BBQ, seafood, and chicken, as well as a huge selection of craft beers and a great local atmosphere.

Stay at the Best Western Plus, which offers recently updated, spacious guest rooms with flatscreen TVs and high-speed wireless internet access. We feature an array of amenities including a complimentary hot breakfast buffet, an indoor heated saltwater pool, and a fitness center.