From Charlottesville to Fredericksburg, Virginia is full of hidden gems and small towns, and Staunton could be one of them. Located in the heart of Augusta County, just a few miles north of Charlottesville, it is a great place to explore along with other places in Augusta County. That's why we know you'll love historic Virginia as much as we do.

There are a number of outdoor recreational opportunities for all levels of adventurers and there are numerous opportunities to get out and about. You won't want to miss the opportunity to visit the historic Robert E. Lee National Monument and the Virginia State Capitol. Staunton is in the heart of Augusta County, just a few miles north of Charlottesville, so there's plenty of opportunity to get off.

The Border Culture Museum in Staunton is one of the best in the country, and the Living History Museum, staffed by costumed interpreters, is a case in point. To get a taste of Shenandoah's history, visit the Border Culture Museum, which offers visitors a glimpse into the lives of some of the earliest settlers in our region.

Located at the intersection of Interstates 64 and 81, this pretty town is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Shenandoah County, Virginia. Staunton sees himself as being in the heart of Virginia's southernmost county, just a few miles north of Richmond. Take a taxi south on Skyline Drive on Interstate 64, past Virginia Tech campus and then south to the St. Louis County Courthouse. As you walk through the park, keep an eye on Doyles Falls State Park, a popular destination for hiking, biking, camping and other activities.

Craft brews abound in Staunton, and it's been a leader since the Virginia General Assembly allowed breweries to serve beer on the site. Visit the rotating taps and beer garden of Queen City Brewing in Old Town Staufford for live music and their rotating tap with craft beers, along with their tasting room, the Oldtown Brewing Company, for a night of live music and Queen City Brewing checkouts.

Staunton, which is buoyed by local shops and restaurants in the city centre, has more restaurants than you might think this small town is a national destination for Shakespeare plays. Housed America's oldest show cave, first opened to the public in 1806, it is the site of one of the world's largest and most famous Shakespeare productions, Shakespeare in the Park.

It served as Virginia's capital until June 1781, when state legislators fled Richmond and then Charlottesville to avoid capture by the British. The General Assembly fled there after being driven out of Richmond by an invading Briton, and Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton narrowly missed being captured.

The Upper Valley was of paramount importance to the federal government, and Virginia Central was destined to play a leading role in the Civil War. In 1861, Virginia joined its sister states in the Confederacy by breaking away from the Union. As long as Staunton remained under Confederate control, supplies would continue to be sent to Richmond and the rest of the South.

Officials in Williamsburg calculated that any settlement west of Blue Ridge would require a new district to deal with local issues. In Virginia, independent cities were independent counties surrounded by counties, and there were no government offices in Augusta County, though Verona bordered Staunton. The city borders neighboring cities, but in Virginia, an independent city is a district surrounding it, not a district of its own.

Staunton attracts downtown Beverley Street, flanked by well-preserved structures built during the boom years fueled by the growth of Virginia Central Railroad.

Staunton is known for hosting the Stonewall Jackson Hotel, one of the oldest hotels in the United States. Rest assured that this historic brick hotel has as much in common with the city as it does with its namesake. The building stood until the Virginia Hotel was demolished to make way for a planned addition to the new hotel, the Stonewall Jackson Hotel, which was never built. This is the only building on Beverley Street whose brick facade still stands and testifies to its historic status.

It also happens to be the birthplace of President John F. Kennedy and his wife, Mary Wilson. Today, his birthplace is the Wilson Museum, where students and scientists can view Wilson's galleries and gardens.

The two most beautiful spots for photography with their watering cans are along the street, also called S. Coalter Street and Greenville Avenue. On the wall of the Wilson Museum hangs a huge mural that reads "I belong here," and in the garden there is a statue of President John F. Kennedy.

Virginia's Shenandoah Valley is incredibly green in spring and its leaves turn green in autumn. Staunton is located in Augusta County, about an hour's drive from Richmond, Virginia, the state's capital and second largest city. It is a small town with a population of about 2,000 people, with an average income of $35,500 per year.