Staunton and Lexington, in the southern part of the Shenandoah Valley, are an easy 2-3 hour drive from Washington, DC and Richmond, VA. The area is compact enough to tour from a central location, but varied enough to make a town-to-town trip equally appealing, especially if expanded east towards Charlottesville or north along the Skyline Drive.

When time is of the essence, take I-64 if you're going east-west to Charlottesville and beyond to Richmond, or I-81, which runs north-south through the Shenandoah Valley, roughly parallel to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The slow-but-scenic parkway is marked every mile by concrete mileposts beginning at MP 0 near Shenandoah National Park (near Waynesboro) and ending at MP 469 at Great Smoky Mountain NP (in North Carolina, not far from the Tennesssee border). Visitor centers are generally open from May through October; the road is usually open year-round, but sections may be closed in winter due to snow and ice. Do keep in mind this advice from the Park Service: "Watch the scenery, but watch the curves and speed limits as well."

When to Go

Spring and fall weekends, when flowers and foliage are at their respective peaks, are the most popular -- and most congested -- times to visit. Make every effort to travel midweek to avoid traffic and crowds, especially during the prime foliage period of October 10-20. Winter is a quiet time, perfect for a relaxing getaway; go slow on winding mountain roads if a cold spell brings ice or snow. As always, value-conscious travelers will do best traveling between Sunday and Thursday.

Both Lexington and Staunton are college towns (Virginia Military Institute, Washington & Lee, Mary Baldwin) so plan your visits to avoid graduations and other big weekends when all rooms are booked months and even years ahead.

Sights & Activities

Nature: Allow plenty of time to explore the Blue Ridge Parkway with over 100 hiking trails, excellent bird-watching, and excellent bicycling. If you up for a great hike that's short but steep, take the trail from Humpback Gap (MP 6.1) to Humpback Rocks for a great view. Enjoy waterfalls? Hike to Crabtree Falls, a series of five cascades, six miles east of the Parkway on VA-56. Bridges and caverns? You'll find both nearby in the eponymous town of Natural Bridge; visit October 24-November 1 for a special Halloween cave tour. For information on fishing, golf, horseback riding, and lots more, click here.

History and Culture: Civil war buffs will find a treasure trove to explore in Lexington, starting with the Lee Chapel and Museum on the Washington & Lee University campus, to the Virginia Military Institute Museum, to the Stonewall Jackson House and cemetery. More info. Staunton (pronounced Stanton, by the way), is equally appealing, home to the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace and Museum, the Frontier Culture Museum, and the recently opened Blackfriar's Playhouse, home to Shenadoah Shakespeare. More info.

B&Bs and Inns

Sugar Tree Inn, Steeles Tavern, VA

Whether you are looking for a luxurious splurge or affordable elegance, a romantic retreat or a family getaway, you'll find an area B&B that is a excellent value for your money. Inns are listed below alphabetically by town, then by inn:

Goshen

Drive through a beautiful mountain pass to the Hummingbird Inn, a Victorian Carpenter Gothic home dating back to 1780, located in the sleepy railroad town of Goshen. An inn for many years (Eleanor Roosevelt stayed here), the Hummingbird offers a delightful balance of historic charm and modern conveniences. With only four guest rooms yet lots of common areas, you are assured an ideal balance of privacy and camaraderie.

Lexington

A Bed and Breakfast at Llewellyn Lodge is a convenient in-town B&B, with a quiet residential setting that's an easy walk to everything historic Lexington offers. Innkeepers Ellen and John go out of their way to welcome all travelers; if golf or fishing is a special passion, they'll give you the inside scoop (maybe even a guided tour) on the local favorites.

Long-time innkeepers Chris and Linda Best invite you to share their country getaway, Applewood Inn & Llama Trekking, a scenic six-mile drive from the center of Lexington. Sign up for a llama trek, or just relax on the porch to enjoy the serene atmosphere and great views. Comfortable guest rooms are highlighted by Linda's quilts and watercolors.

Just five minutes from town and the Interstate, Brierley Hill B&B enjoys a peaceful country setting, with lovely views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley. Built as a B&B in 1993, its spacious rooms are enhanced by the gracious hospitality of Jeanne and Al Perkins.

A short drive from town will deliver you to an 1820s Virginia plantation, surrounded by woods and meadows. Although renovated to provide all the mod cons, the rich history of Stoneridge lives on. Explore the grounds and you will find remnants of servants' cabins, a restored spring house and a time-worn corn crib.
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Staunton

Ashton Country House enjoys a country setting, yet is just two miles from Staunton's historic downtown. Built in 1860, this Victorian mansion offers a relaxed atmosphere, where owners Dorie & Vince Di Stefano make guests of all ages feel welcome and at home.

Long-time innkeepers Joe and Evy Harman have restored the six adjacent historic homes that comprise Frederick House, highlighting the decor with Evy's delightfully painted walls and furnishings. Convenient in-town location.

The historic 1840s charm, gracious hospitality of owners Frank & Laura Mattingly, and comfortable rooms of the Sampson Eagon Inn are enhanced by its central location in historic Staunton, just steps from all downtown attractions.

Suzanne and Otis Huston welcome guests to the Thornrose House at Gypsy Hill, a classic 1912 home surrounded by gardens, just across the street from Gypsy Hill Park.

On a quiet, residential street just two blocks from downtown (and the Shakespeare theater) is the Twelfth Night Inn, decorated with dramatic flair by innkeepers John and Juliette Swenson. Juliette also teaches courses for aspiring innkeepers, so ask her if you're interested.
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Steeles Tavern

High in the mountains, just a mile from the Blue Ridge Parkway is the Sugar Tree Inn, offering rustic country charm and hospitality in a peaceful wooded setting with views that stretch to 40 miles. Chinked log walls, fieldstone fireplaces, and colorful quilts make it a perfect place to get away from it all.

Halfway between Staunton and Lexington, and just a few minutes from I-81, Steeles Tavern Manor makes a great base for touring all area attractions, from the Blue Ridge Parkway to historic towns and cities, although you may be just as happy to explore the extensive grounds or relax by the pool.
More info.
Click here for information on additional area inns