Local Attractions
Your Shenandoah & Blue Ridge Backyard
Set your every day to stunning. Welcome to Stuarts Draft Retirement Community—your gateway to the Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge. From here, you can step outside and be on a charming downtown street, a scenic mountain overlook, or a peaceful lakeside trail in just minutes. Below is a friendly, first‑time visitor’s guide to what life looks like here: local favorites, easy outings, and close‑to-home adventures you’ll love.
Life in Minutes
Within ~15 minutes
- Historic Downtown Staunton (Beverley Street): Brick-lined blocks, independent shops, galleries,cafés, and year‑round festivals in one of Virginia’s most walkable small cities.
- Blackfriars Playhouse (American Shakespeare Center): A one‑of‑a‑kind indoor Shakespearetheatre for world‑class live performances.
- Frontier Culture Museum: An open‑air living‑history museum where costumed interpreters bring early American and Old World farm life to life.
- Gypsy Hill Park: A 200‑acre city park with lakeside walking paths, golf, bandstand concerts, and seasonal events.
- Waynesboro Arts & Greenways: Catch a show at the Wayne Theatre, then stroll or bike the SouthRiver Greenway along the water.
Within ~30 minutes
- Skyline Drive (Shenandoah National Park): Enter at Rockfish Gap for a classic ridge‑top drive withoverlooks, wildlife, and trailheads.
- Blue Ridge Parkway & Humpback Rocks: Picnic at the visitor center and earn those views on ashort, steep hike to the rocky summit.
- Sherando Lake Recreation Area: A spring‑fed mountain lake with a sandy beach, picnic areas, andforested loop trails—often called the “jewel of the Blue Ridge.”
- Blue Ridge Tunnel (Afton): Walk through a 19th‑century, 4,273‑foot rail tunnel beneath themountain—bring a flashlight!
- Grand Caverns (Grottoes): America’s oldest continually operating show cave with guided tours anda riverside park.
Within ~45 minutes
- Wintergreen Resort: Four‑season fun—scenic chairlifts and trails, golf and tennis, spa days, andwinter skiing/boarding.
- Nelson 151 Craft Beverage Trail: Wineries, breweries, and a cidery tucked into the Blue Ridgefoothills—perfect for an afternoon tasting flight with a view.
- Virginia Scenic Railway (from Staunton): Ride‑and‑dine excursions through farms and forestedmountains—leaf season is unforgettable.
Tip: Many of these experiences are accessible year‑round. Spring brings wildflowers, summeris for lakes and cool mountain mornings, fall means foliage everywhere, and winter serves upquiet overlooks and cozy downtown nights.
Day‑to‑Day Essentials
Close & Convenient
- Groceries & Pharmacies: National chains and local markets in Stuarts Draft, Staunton, and Waynesboro.
- Healthcare: Regional hospital, urgent care, and specialists nearby in Fishersville, Staunton, and Waynesboro.
- Air Travel: Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD) for quick regional hops; larger airports in Charlottesville and Richmond for broader routes.
- Dining & Errands: A full mix of casual dining, coffee, banks, hardware, and big‑box shopping within a short drive.
Your Sample Perfect Days
A Day Around Town
- Market Morning + Matinee: Start with coffee on Beverley Street, browse boutiques, then catch amatinee at Blackfriars Playhouse and dinner downtown.
- Water & Woods: Pack a picnic for Sherando Lake, walk the lakeside loop, and cap the day withsunset at a Skyline Drive overlook.
- Taste & Toast: Meander Nelson 151—share a flight at a vineyard, split a wood‑fired pizza at abrewery, and be home before dark.
- History with Grandkids: Pet the farm animals at the Frontier Culture Museum, then explore thecool chambers of Grand Caverns.
Why People Love Living Here
- Small‑town ease, big‑time culture. You don’t have to choose between quiet streets and quality arts.
- Nature, on demand. Lakes, trails, overlooks, and dark‑sky stargazing are all close by.
- Four real seasons. A place where fall color is an event, not a rumor.
- Low‑stress logistics. Everything you need for daily life is nearby—and scenic drives begin at your neighborhood exit.
Ready to See Your New Home?
When home is this well‑located, your calendar fills with things you want to do. Come tour The Village at Mint Spring and we’ll map your perfect first month here—shows to see, overlooks to visit, and flavors to try.
Pro move: Ask us for the “First 30 Days” checklist we give new homeowners—our favorite trails, tastings, tours, and towns, sequenced by season.