Blackfriars Playhouse tour (Photo: Linda Rubenstein)
Nestled in the heart of scenic Shenandoah Valley, Staunton, Virginia, is alive with history, culture—and a little steam. Vibrant fall foliage paints the landscape in hues of red, orange, and gold, promising an unforgettable blend of cultural immersion and natural beauty. Washington, D.C., area guide Lynn O’Connell leads a weekend getaway that offers a sampling of Staunton’s best sights plus a train excursion.
Upon arriving in Staunton, visit Blackfriars Playhouse, the only replica of Shakespeare’s indoor theater, where the magic of the bard’s works comes alive. Delve into the world of theater with a backstage tour during which guides take you around the playhouse, share secrets and anecdotes, and offer insights into the playhouse’s inner workings. After lunch, go back in time to the night that Mary Shelley was inspired to write Frankenstein as you watch Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a play that cleverly combines the backstory and the story of the Gothic novel.
Dinner is on your own in downtown Staunton.
On Sunday, hit the streets for a tour of Staunton led by local guides before boarding the Virginia Scenic Railway for a breathtaking 3-hour train journey on the Alleghany Special. Experience the charm and beauty of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley as the train ventures westward from historic Staunton through the beautiful farmland of the Shenandoah Valley bound for the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. This excursion takes you through the region’s scenic rural landscapes, so you pass by working farms with cattle, horses, and sheep. Views of the Allegheny Mountains unfold as you travel west; it is a photographer’s dream. The train begins its return journey in the hamlet of Goshen in Rockbridge County. Lunch on board is included.
The day concludes back in Staunton with a visit to the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, where the legacy of the 28th president comes to life. A guided tour through the historic home offers insights into President Wilson's life, leadership, and impact on American history.
Know Before You Go
- Cost includes bus transportation, lodging, all activities, and the following meals: 1 breakfast and 2 lunches.
- Tour departs at 7:30 a.m. by bus from the Mayflower Hotel, Connecticut Ave. and DeSales St. NW with a pick-up stop at the Vienna Metro south-side Kiss & Ride along Saintsbury Drive at about 7:55 a.m.
- Single-room supplement $115 (factored into the Single Room Member and Single Room Nonmember pricing).
- Singles registering at the double-room rate are paired (on a nonsmoking basis) if possible, but must pay the single-room supplement otherwise.
- Detailed information is emailed to registrants about four weeks prior to departure.
- Participants are strongly advised to purchase travel insurance for overnight and multi-day tours from a provider of your choice. Travel insurance provides additional coverage against unforeseen incidents that require last-minute cancellations.
General Information
- The tour departs by motorcoach from downtown Washington, DC with a designated secondary pick-up outside the city. Content delivered by the study leader on the way to the destination, after the secondary pick-up, is an integral part of the study tour experience. Meeting the group once the tour is en route is discouraged.
- Smithsonian Associates is a mask-friendly environment. Please feel free to bring and wear a mask at any time during a tour, both for your safety or the safety of others.
- As we aim to move away from single use water bottles, guests are strongly encouraged to get in the habit of bringing their own reusable water bottle on tour.
- For additional tour information:
