32 American College Towns That Feel Like Stepping Back in Time
23. Staunton, Virginia: A Colonial Treasure in the Blue Ridge
Tucked away in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Staunton is home to Mary Baldwin University and feels like a perfectly preserved slice of the 18th century. With red-brick streets, elegant Federal-style buildings, and a walkable downtown filled with historic storefronts, Staunton oozes charm. The town is famous for the American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse, a stunning recreation of Shakespeare’s indoor theater. Meanwhile, visitors can stroll past preserved Victorian homes, tour the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, and enjoy a slow-paced atmosphere that transports you back to a bygone era.