How to Spend a Weekend in Augusta County, Va.

We continue our journey around the Commonwealth by heading roughly 30 minutes south of Harrisonburg to Augusta County. Home to two independent cities, two Valley Baseball League teams and multiple breweries, Augusta County is full of attractions and things to do if you're visiting for a weekend. 

If you missed our podcast episode on Augusta County, you can check it out here. Otherwise, read on for some of our recommendations in the area. 

Things to Do

Like the other locations we've visited, Augusta County is full of outdoor adventures. If you're ready for a hike, you can head to the West Virginia state line and hike up Reddish Knob, one of the highest points in the state. (There's also an option to drive up the mountain if you're not feeling as adventurous.)

You might remember this from our Charlottesville article, but Humpback Rock is easily accessible from Waynesboro as well. It's a short drive from the city, and a short hike, but one that will make you work for the view at the top. 

The Blue Ridge Tunnel recently opened to pedestrians, allowing visitors to stroll through what was once the longest railroad tunnel in the United States. You can access the tunnel from the Waynesboro side, although the footpath to reach the tunnel is a bit longer than on the Nelson County side. 

If you're in the mood for some more laid-back activities, the area still has plenty for you. You can head to the Blackfriar's Playhouse in downtown Staunton and catch a Shakespearian play. Or you can see history come alive at the Frontier Culture Museum. In Waynesboro, art aficionados can visit the Shenandoah Valley Art Center or the P. Buckley Moss Museum. 

Where to Drink

Of course, craft beer is at the top of our list of things to do wherever we visit, and Augusta County is not lacking in that department. In our podcast episode, we chatted with Andrew Urbanowicz of Skipping Rock Beer Company, one of the best options in Staunton. There's also Redbeard, Shenandoah Valley and Queen City. 

Over in Waynesboro, Basic City is one of our favorite options. Offering a range of styles, the brewery has grown quickly, and has even opened a taproom in Richmond. There's also Seven Arrows and Stable Craft, which is one of my personal favorites. Stable Craft is a farm brewery, complete with horses, fire pits, cornhole and more. Oh, and their beer is pretty good too. You can't really go wrong with any of the beer options in Augusta County. 

Catch a Game

No visit to Augusta County would be complete without taking in a ballgame on two. You might need to spend two nights in the area so you can catch both local teams. First up: the Waynesboro Generals. 

The Generals, like the Charlottesville Tom Sox and Harrisonburg Turks, play in the Valley Baseball League. They've been around since 1950 and have won six championships in that time, most recently in 2014. The Generals play their home games at Kate Collins Middle School in Waynesboro. 

Just a few minutes to the west are the Staunton Braves. The Braves are also members of the Valley Baseball League, and they've been around a while. Founded in 1915, the Braves have won seven championships throughout their history. They play their home game at Moxie Stadium, located in Gypsy Hill Park in downtown Staunton. It's quite a setting, and I would definitely recommend seeing a game. 

No matter what you choose to do in Augusta County, there's something for everyone. Just make sure to check the COVID-19 policies in place at each place you visit, and have fun!