As everyone probably knows, downtown Staunton is a great place to explore, but a city like Staunton has many hidden gems, so it is no wonder that some of them may go unnoticed. Read more to find out about some of the many wonderful places in downtown Staunton, broken down zone by zone (Stuart Hall Orah pass style).
In zone 1, we find one of Staunton's most visited places: Beverley Street, home to an array of stores and restaurants that showcase the town's charm. Some of the go-to spots among boarders and day students are located in this zone, like Remedy Burger and Split Banana. Remedy Burger replaced the previous Pho restaurant and now serves some of the best burgers in town. Split Banana is an authentic gelato shop that’s been serving people for over ten years. With their classics and seasonal flavors, Split Banana is one of the highlights of downtown Staunton. Another great spot is the By & By café on the corner of East Beverly and North Market St, with its cozy interior and long list of breakfast food and drink. Also, Cosette Café on the corner of Beverly and Central which just opened up. Besides restaurants and such, downtown Staunton is also home to antique stores, book stores, and other various small businesses, like Made; By the People, for the People, owned by our very own history teacher, Ms. Park. Made offers a wide selection of handmade goods and gifts, varying from bars of soap and socks to earrings and stickers. Two notable antique stores in Staunton are on this street are Stanton Antiques Center and 17. 17 has the classic antique look on the first floor, with vintage clothes and jewelry, and the second floor holds the store Retro and Me. Another downtown destination is the CoArt Gallery, which houses local art ranging from painting series to detailed sculptures. The featured artists show off local wildlife and their own abstract works.
Head on down to zone 2 to find three places to go to if you are looking for a quick bite, a hangout area for you and friends, or just a place to just relax. Zone 2 includes the Wharf and train station, and it is a delightful area for one to be. First, there is the Byers Street Bistro. If you are looking for a scrumptious place to eat, look no further than this classy and fun restaurant. Open seven days a week, you will not be disappointed when eating here. From their baked crab dip to their southern jalapeño patty melt, your taste buds will thank you no matter what you eat. Beginning again on the 16th of April, the Staunton Farmers Market is a seasonal market open every Saturday in the Wharf parking lot. With a multitude of booths, you can try a variety of items, ranging from locally grown produce to handmade crafts, food trucks, and lemonade.
Just across town you can find treasures such as the most amazing koi pond, a lovely golf course, and a one-of-a-kind jet fueled mini train. All of these are located in zone 3 at Gypsy Hill Park. One of the locals' favorites is the koi pond. The pond offers a variety of different types of ducks and kois. They range in sizes and shapes; it is truly a wonderful sight to see. You can also find many sports related activities at the park. Gypsy Hill offers baseball diamonds, a skate park, and an eighteen hole golf course. If you are interested in competing in golf the first Gypsy Hill Golf Course Tournament of 2024 is March twenty-third. The skate park is open seven days a week, and it allows skateboards, inline skates, scooters, and BMX bikes.
Zone 4 is home to one of the best (Chicano style) Mexican restaurants in town, Chicano Boy Taco. Chicano Boy offers all of the Mexican restaurant classics such as burritos, tacos, and bowls. However there are some more original dishes that the restaurant offers, like their wide variety of taters. Another highlight of zone 4 is the Staunton Public Library. The library offers a giant selection of books as well as multiple different community groups. One of the groups is the True Crime Discussion group, another is the Teen Anime Club. If you are interested in any of these programs or others, take a look at the Staunton Public Library website. Other renowned places in the zone are Gloria's Pupuseria, Dollar General, and Hardees.
Staunton is full of many wonderful sights. From giant koi ponds to quaint little antique shops, there truly is something for everyone, in every zone. If you are a short-term boarder at Stuart Hall it is great to experience everything Staunton has to offer before you go.
Claire Spurlock, Liam Evans, Mahad Hoq