Bounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian plateau, Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley is best known for its amazing views and national park. But drive a few miles in any direction and you’re in prime antiquing territory: everything from junk shops that require some real patience (and artistic vision) to fancier stores where the pieces have pedigrees—and price tags to match.

To visit all the shops shown here, start in Roanoke, then take I-81 (a fast four-lane interstate) north toward Staunton. Those who have time to dawdle should choose the parallel Route 11, aka “Antiques Alley”; it’s more scenic and a little slower. From Staunton, drive 60 miles east to Charlottesville, stopping in the charming town of Waynesboro along the way.

After you check out Circa in Charlottesville, hop across the street to C’Ville Coffee (1301 Harris St.) for a sandwich and espresso. For a more substantial meal, try Bizou (119 W. Main St.; 434-977-1818) on the historic Downtown Mall for delicious bistro fare. And it would be a shame to miss Thomas Jefferson’s antiques-filled home, Monticello, while you’re in town (434-984-9822; monticello.org).
 
Ready? Let’s get the show on the road.

1. Black Dog Salvage  902 13th St. SW, Roanoke
Near the Memorial Bridge, with 40,000 square feet of vintage mantels, doors, stained glass, plumbing and hardware from houses built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. If you see an object you love (say, an ornate radiator cover) but can’t think of a use for it, ask the on-site craftsmen for ideas. 540-343-6200; blackdogsalvage.com

2. Queen Victoria Antiques  603 N. Lee Hwy., Lexington
Fine antiques from 18th-, 19th-, and 20th-century Britain, and country-style antiques from 19th- and 20th-century America, such as mahogany washstands and oak tables, along with paintings, silver, china and crystal. The shop is in a beautiful 100-year-old house on the Maury River. 540-464-3737; queenvicantiques.com

3. Valley of Virginia Antiques 76 McClure Blvd., Fairfield
From I-81, hop off at Exit 200 to browse country-style pieces like corner cupboards, pie safes and farm tables, as well as formal and primitive styles of furniture, light fixtures and kitchenware. Then catch some fresh air on the six acres of wildflower meadows that the owners seeded themselves, right outside the door. 540-348-5885; antiquesvirginia.com

4. Once Upon a Time Clock Shop  25 W. Beverley St., Staunton
This shop sells high-end antique watches and clocks, music boxes and clockmakers’ tools and accessories. Most of the merchandise is European since the owner, one of three pros in the shop, is a watchmaker who learned the trade in Switzerland. The impressive English tallcase clocks, or grandfather clocks, run from about $3,500 to $7,000. 540-885-6064

5. 17 East Beverley Antiques  17 E. Beverley St., Staunton
The eight small shops in this complex sell a little of everything: clothing, linens, jewelry, glassware, furniture and various ephemera. Upstairs is Step 22, a retro thrift shop set up to look like the apartment of a young hipster, with hipster prices, too—like a great 70s coffee table for $25. (If you need sustenance, Cranberry’s Eatery is a block away at 7 S. New St., selling coffee and organic sweets.)
540-885-1117; bevant.com

6. Chalot’s Antiques Exit 240 off I-81, on Route 11 in Mt. Crawford
Just north of Harrisonburg, you’ll find six showrooms of antiques (most 100 years or older), many from the Shenandoah area: American furniture, china (such as
flow-blue), glassware, lamps and other Victorian accessories. 540-433-0872; harrisonburg.org

7. Layne’s Used Furniture  1739 N. Delphine Ave. (aka Route 340 N.), Waynesboro
Leave I-81 at I-64 and head east to this 18,000-square-foot diamond in the rough. There’s enough junk sitting outside to look like something out of Sanford and Son; inside are rooms of well-priced furniture (old iceboxes, bureaus, desks), vintage gas station signs and an overwhelming number of chairs hanging from the ceiling. Most items are more than a century old and some need work. 540-942-8044

8. Circa  1700 Allied St., Charlottesville
About 25 miles east of the Shenandoah Valley, this is an eclectic collector’s dream. Where else could you find a funky 60s couch and a stack of dainty linens? Antiques dealers like it for the great selection; college students like it for the low prices. Be sure to browse the two annexes, which are full of even more furniture. 434-295-5760;  www.circainc.com 

NOTE: Information may have changed since publication. Please confirm key details before planning your trip.