 We all know how much women love friendship and social connection, and there’s something extra special about time spent with “just the girls.” Planning a getaway or weekend together is a great way to take these strong, sisterly bonds to the next level. If you’re planning a girls’ trip in 2022, put Front Royal at the top of your list of destinations. With fun shopping, outdoor adventure, wineries, gourmet food, and more, there’s too much to do for just one weekend! Read on for six ideas to help you plan a girls’ trip that any group will love! 1. Spend an Afternoon at a Winery (or Meadery)  Wine time! What better way to kick off some time with the girls than by enjoying some wine together! Especially if you’re reuniting a group that hasn’t been together in a while, sipping on some wine is a great way to renew old bonds quickly. Plan your trip to Front Royal, and you’ll get to enjoy wine against some of the most stunning views of the Shenandoah Valley. Front Royal has lots of fantastic wineries waiting to host you. Try Rappahannock Wine Cellars, Chester Gap Cellars, or Glen Manor Vineyards for outstanding wines and amazing ambiance. Want to switch out wine with something that may be new to you, but is old news for humanity? Consider planning a mead tasting instead at one of Front Royal’s two local meaderies. 2. Get Creative Together  Be creative together (Explore Art & Clay) Artsy group? You’re in for a treat in Front Royal! Head to Explore Art and Clay for a fun adventure painting your own pottery. Or schedule a Paint Party at The Studio! Bring your own refreshments, relax, and enjoy a painting project together under professional instruction. You’ll even bring home a memento of your trip. Plan a totally creative weekend and visit both studios. Art lovers will want to check out Turnmeyer Galleries for souvenirs too. 3. Explore the Town and Shop  Shop, eat, explore in Front Royal Talking of shopping, if you have a group of eager shoppers you’ll have a hard time finding a more unique, fun, and memorable place to shop than Front Royal. Set aside some time to wander around in the historic downtown area, where you’ll find antique stores, farm markets, unique gift shops, a used book store, and more, all within walking distance. Don’t forget to save time for taking a break and treating yourselves to some delicious coffee, baked goods, or ice cream! 4. Bond Over an Outdoor Adventure  Outdoor adventure In Front Royal, it doesn’t have to be all about doing stereotypically “girly” things! Many women enjoy exercising in the great outdoors, and sharing an outdoor adventure can be one of the best bonding experiences you’ll have! Pack snacks and plan a day on the river, or head to Shenandoah National Park or George Washington National Forest for an unforgettable hiking adventure. 5. Explore the Front Royal Dining Scene  Dining in Front Royal When you’re ready to relax over that delicious meal that someone else cooked, Front Royal is a great place to be. For a girls’ weekend, ViNoVA might be our top pick. Enjoy more wine with tasty tapas to share. To treat yourselves to a classic fine dining experience, check out The Element. Or enjoy craft beer and gourmet food at PaveMint Taphouse or Vibrissa Beer. 6. Relax and Get Cozy with Accommodations that Feel Like Home  Girl's getaway The activities and the food are only half of what makes a girls’ weekend amazing. The other component that can make or break the trip is where you stay! Sharing an Airbnb will give you a great way to extend your time together, get cozy in pjs, and maybe even bust out the popcorn and enjoy some romantic movies. Front Royal has lots of accommodation options that are cozy and unique. To get your search started check out this one and this one. Or see here for a fuller list of lodging options in the Front Royal area.  Girls of summer With cozy lodging, fun activities, and adventure in store, Front Royal has everything it takes to make for a great girls’ trip. As an added bonus, it’s conveniently located within easy distance of Northern Virginia, so if you’re in the D.C. metro area, you won’t have to spend half your weekend travelling. Start planning your 2022 get together with your girls today, and make Front Royal the destination!
 Old Rag, Shenandoah National Park Our National Parks are some of America’s greatest treasures, and they’ve been getting steadily more popular in recent years. In fact, crowds are actually becoming a problem in many of America’s favorite places to enjoy peace, quiet, and nature’s beauty. It’s up to the National Park Service to make sure these treasures stay enjoyable for us today, and are preserved for many generations to come. That’s why several national parks are introducing new ticketing policies to limit impact on the ecosystem, and to improve every visitor’s experience.  Blue Blaze View, Shenandoah National Park The Front Royal area’s own Shenandoah National Park is seeing some significant changes in 2022. But there’s no need to be intimidated. Discover Front Royal has you covered with this guide to all the upcoming changes at Shenandoah National Park. Read on to find the information you need to make sure your visit to the Park goes according to plan. Tickets to be Required for Old Rag Hike The biggest change Shenandoah National Park visitors will experience is a ticketing system designed to reduce crowds at Old Rag. One of the park’s most popular hikes, Old Rag has begun to suffer from overcrowding during peak seasons of the year. Starting March 1, 2022 Old Rag hikers will need to pre-purchase a $1 ticket to secure their spot on the mountain’s famous trails.  Shenandoah National Park - trail Don’t worry, the system is designed to give everyone a fair chance. Tickets can only be purchased up to thirty days in advance, so a little advance planning should give you the Old Rag access you want. And you’ll have the added bonus of enjoying a more secluded hiking experience. Head here to purchase Old Rag tickets and here for more information. Note: Old Rag tickets will not be available at the trailhead and must be purchased in advance. Camping Fee Changes at Shenandoah National Park Going forward, campers at Shenandoah National Park can expect to pay a little more for their stay. Campground users will now pay $30 per night, with the fee for group campsites going up to $75. It’s a raise in fees that’s been long in coming; camping fees at Shenandoah National Park haven’t changed since 2007. The Park Service will use the increased revenues to make improvements and updates to the campgrounds, such as adding new fire grates and picnic tables.  Shenandoah National Park - Parkway And coming in 2023, the park will also introduce new fees for back country campers, so they can fund their efforts to ensure that camping at Shenandoah National Park remains safe and fun for everyone. Free Lifetime Passes for Veterans and Gold Star Families  Military Veterans But it’s not all about fees going up! In 2022, free lifetime passes to National Parks and more (including Shenandoah National Park) will become available for America’s veterans and Gold Star Families. So those who have sacrificed so much can enjoy some of America’s greatest treasures at no cost. Check here to see who’s eligible and learn how to claim your lifetime pass! With the warmer weather coming, it’s a great time to start dreaming of outdoor adventure in and around Front Royal. If Shenandoah National Park is in your plans for 2022, look forward to less crowds and improved camping facilities to come.
 Welcome to Front Royal! Mid-February is getting here, and the end of another winter is finally in sight. It’s time to turn our thoughts to planning for the warmer seasons of the year. From the fresh spring breezes as the mountainsides first begin to come alive, through the lush greenery and fun of summer, to the majestic displays of fall, Front Royal is incredible all year long! And our small town in exploding with innovative and unique local businesses, restaurants, and more. If you’re planning a getaway or daytrip in rural America this year, there’s never been a better time to discover Front Royal.  Main Street Gazebo - Front Royal, VA Read on for some help planning this year’s trip to Front Royal. Get excited about Front Royal by exploring some of the many ways you can have fun and relax in our town. We’ll also tip you off with some of the hottest places to stay, so you can beat the crowds and make your reservation in plenty of time. It’s time to start looking forward to Front Royal! Somewhere to Stay in Front Royal First thing’s first, a great trip starts with a great place to stay. If you’re looking for something familiar, you’ll find a range of big name hotels in Front Royal. But if truly unique lodging is what your heart desires, Front Royal has treasures waiting to be discovered.  Walnut Hill - John Pope Cabin - Browntown, VA Check out Walnut Hill Farm and Estate where you can stay in a historic cabin, while exploring a stunning 500 acre estate. With woodland trails, a waterfall, and even an outdoor fireplace, there’s so much to do and see here, that you could spend a weekend without leaving the ground. Walnut Hill Farm and Estate is an event venue too, so if you’re planning anything from a wedding to a family reunion or corporate retreat, keep them in mind. Book soon to make sure you have the chance to enjoy this truly magical lodging opportunity.  Mountain Home B&B and 'Cabbin' For another memorable place to stay, reserve a room at Mountain Home B & B and 'Cabbin'. Located just 120 steps from the Appalachian Trail, this historic-house-turned-bed-and-breakfast is an ideal lodging option for outdoors enthusiasts. But even if you’re not coming to hike, you’ll enjoy beautiful rooms, delicious, healthy, locally sourced food, and a peaceful, country atmosphere. It’s a great option for anyone in search of a rejuvenating getaway. Something to Do in Front Royal If you’re planning a day or a few in Front Royal, you’ll find there’s fun and adventure waiting for all, from kids, to outdoors enthusiasts, to lovers of unique shops and delicious coffee! With Shenandoah National Park in our backyard, and the Shenandoah River running right through town, there’s outdoor fun to be had for all ages in and around Front Royal. Plan a day of hiking, take a leisurely drive through the National Park and enjoy scenic overlooks, or make your reservations for a day of fun on the river. The possibilities are almost endless.  Photo Courtesy of: Virginia Tourism Corporation If you’re looking to explore around town, there’s plenty to do too. Check out charming shopping opportunities, historic sights, fantastic coffee shops, and more! A Way to Unwind in Front Royal Of course a getaway isn’t all about filling your days with exciting activities. It’s also a great time to find some slower paced moments where you can relax and unwind while doing something you love.  Sweet treats in Front Royal What could be more relaxing than sipping on a glass of wine while taking in the view from a stunning mountain winery? Or enjoying an ice cream after a day of fun on the river? Or taking a leisurely riverside stroll? There are so many ways to unwind in Front Royal! Don’t forget to fit in a mead tasting, and, of course, check out some of Front Royal’s fantastic restaurants. They can’t wait to serve you gourmet food, craft beers, and local Virginia wines.  Photo Courtesy of: Virginia Tourism Corporation With unforgettable lodging, fantastic fun, and unparalleled relaxation awaiting you, it’s time to start planning your 2022 Front Royal adventure! There’s a lot to look forward to in Front Royal!
 Photo Credit: Jeannie Deem There’s something special about snow days. The beauty of the winter landscape. Kids enjoying a day home from school. Work cancelled. The coziness of home on a winter day. It’s not surprising that kids and adults alike get excited about a snow day. After all, snowy winter days can be the setting for great family memories and fun adventures you can’t enjoy at any other time. If you find yourself spending a snowy day in Front Royal, you’ll want to keep this post in your back pocket. Read on for some ideas and tips for making your Front Royal snow day special. Buy Your Winter Gear  Winter Gear First thing’s first, you’ll want to make sure you have the right clothing if you plan on enjoying the snow outside. But if you head to your closet and can’t find any snow pants, don’t despair! Front Royal’s Mountain Trails has you covered for all your outdoor needs, and its convenient location means you can get there without having to travel a long distance over treacherous roads. Take a Snowy Walk  Snowy Walk in the Woods The cozy haven of home can be hard to leave on a snowy day, but getting out in the great white world even for as little as ten minutes can be enjoyable . . . and make you appreciate home even more! Consider a snowy stroll down Front Royal’s Main Street, or for a glimpse of nature’s beauty, try the popular riverside trail at Eastham Park. Don’t forget to exercise caution in slippery conditions. Try a Winter Sport  Cross-country Skiing A snow day is a great day to enjoy those winter sports that require snow on the ground. Snow shoeing and cross-country skiing are lesser-knonw options that are pretty budget friendly and enjoyable for many fitness levels. Shenandoah National Park is a great place for both, so grab some skis or snowshoes and let the fun begin! Get Out Your Sled  Snow Tubing Sledding is a classic snow day option that kids and adults can enjoy together. It can also be a fun spectator sport. But finding a place to sled (and tub!) can be tough. In Front Royal, many of the locals head to Skyline Middle School and enjoy the popular sledding hill there. Cozy Up to a Warm Drink  Daily Grind on Main Street, Front Royal If you’re out and about in town, wrapping your hands around a warm drink and watching the snowy world go by can be a great way to get cozy. DL Campus Coffee on Main and The Daily Grind both have great views onto Main Street, and fantastic coffee, tea, and hot chocolate waiting for you inside! Bring Home a New Book  Royal Oaks Bookshop, Front Royal Curling up with a book in a cozy chair is a great way to spend a snow day. If you’re looking for new reading material, try Front Royal’s Royal Oak Bookshop. This second hand store is full of treasures waiting to be found. Find Some Indoor Fun  Royal Family Bowling Center, Front Royal If the whole family has an unexpected free day, you might want to plan a day of indoor family fun where you can enjoy being together without braving the cold! Royal Family Bowling Center and Shenandoah Valley Axe Co are both good options for indoor fun. See here for loads more ideas for indoor fun in Front Royal. Enjoy a Family Game Day  Indoor fun with puzzles and games Family games and puzzles are another great way to relax together on a snowy day. If you need inspiration, or are looking to expand your collection, head to Front Royal’s Play Favorites. You’ll find a treasure trove of toys, puzzles, and games . . . enough for a lifetime of snowy days! There’s even an indoor game room, where you can enjoy a selection of games right there in the store. Stock up, head home, and enjoy a memorable snow day together. Front Royal is a fantastic place to be when it’s snowy! With indoor and outdoor activities aplenty to choose from, you’ll make great memories on your own or with family. To avoid disappointment, don’t forget to call ahead in inclement weather and make sure any businesses you plan on visiting are open. Spend enough snow days in Front Royal, and you may even find yourself starting to look forward to winter!
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February 2023
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