Mountain Shakespeare weekend in VA

As an owner, I get invited back to Massanutten to get updates on changes, etc. It's actually a sales opportunity that they pay for, but it's a relaxing weekend away for me. This time, I ventured out of the resort area and discovered the past by driving to Staunton, VA. It's a great weekend break from Raleigh, NC.

Quick Tips:

Lots of information on local sights, etc., at the resort, including coupon books.

Best Way To Get Around:

You have to have a car, period.

Best Things Nearby:
Staunton VA - Shenendoah Shakespeare at Blackfriars Playhouse, Frontier Culture Museum (mmm fudge!), Skyline Drive.

Best Things About the Resort:
Space, location, scenery, atmosphere, facilities . . . but then I own here so I would say that wouldn't I?

Resort Experience:
As most people comment: Massanutten is a vast resort. You need a car. Once the water park opens in the summer (2005), it really will have something for everyone. From snow sports, golf, riding, hiking, and swimming to numerous resort-led activities, there's really no reason to leave the immediate area.

Farther afield, though, there are wineries, historic farmers markets and towns, Civil War trails, presidential homes, and of course, Washington DC. I love this place--there's so much to do if you want to and wonderful, relaxing mountain air if you don't.

• Unit Type: Studio
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

I had brunch at the restaurant before going to a Sunday matinee performance at Shenendoah Shakespeare. I ended up sitting at the bar, because the place was packed. Obviously one of the 'in' places to go after church on Sunday. Food (country ham and eggs) arrived fast, was a very decent portion size, and came with complimentary cinnamon apples. Mmmm mmmm. I also had a great Bloody Mary, which really topped off the whole brunch-on-vacation experience. The grill is in the basement of the old mill building, so it's quite dark and romantic, and the decor reflects the White Star Mill location, as well as some very interesting stained-glass murals. There's also the obligatory Elvis bust sitting on the end of the bar!

The Blackfriars is the new permanent home for Shenendoah Shakespeare. It opened in 2001 and is the only recreation of the Blackfriars Playhouse, Shakespeare's original indoor theatre. The original no longer exists in London, so this was exciting for me, to see the type of stage that one of my most famous countrymen acted on, way back in the 16th century. Note that this isn't the Globe, which was great, considering the weather this particular weekend. The Globe is open to the skies! Shenendoah Shakespeare has a fun, irreverent approach to their plays - they're not all Shakespeare, and they run in repertory, so there's usually something on for everyone some night during the week. Get the cushions and chair backs, as the seats are hard. Staunton itself is a wonderful historic town that has kept its small town Americana feel - real-life Main Street USA - and there are some excellent small, independent restaurants. The town is well worth a day trip from Massanutten, topped off by an evening at the theatre - it's about 30-40 minutes' drive from the resort.

This is an outdoor museum with various original European and American buildings transported and re-built on the site, basically representing the cultures that came together in this part of the Virginia colony frontier.

There are fields and animals, as each set of buildings is a working farm, and there is also a forge with a blacksmith. I found it fascinating to see these 200+-year-old buildings transplanted to Virginia from towns in Ireland, Germany and England.

There's also a very interesting American frontier house that looks like it was transported from a John Wayne movie.

Spend at least a couple of hours here. The docents are dressed in period, very friendly and know their stuff, but don't insist on 'being in character' which makes them very approachable. The animals will keep the kids amused while they 'learn' through immersion.

The museum store also has excellent fudge!