Eating outside is a great way to enjoy the warmer weather, and with Memorial Day around the corner, the summer picnic season is fast approaching. Whether you’re a local looking for a change of pace, or a day-tripper wanting a scenic getaway, the Front Royal area is fantastic for picnicking! You’ll find a huge range of great picnic spots ranging from town square to Shenandoah River, to scenic mountaintop, all within easy distance of our small town. 
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Looking for the perfect picnic spot this summer? Here’s our list of five ways to enjoy a picnic around Front Royal. Choose one to suit your preference, or for a fun summer challenge, make it a goal to try out each one this year!
 

1. Picnic in the Town
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If you’d like to watch the world go by while you enjoy a picnic, Front Royal’s downtown Gazebo area is a fun option. You’ll find benches, low walls to sit on, and convenient trash cans.  Kids can enjoy exploring the historic caboose, and checking out the sundial by the Visitors Center. 

Give your picnic a sweet ending with an ice cream from C & C’s Frozen Treats. You’ll find this cheerful ice cream parlor right across the street. 
 

2. Picnic in the Park
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For an evening of fun with the whole family, a picnic in the park can be a great fit. You can combine yummy picnic food with games like sand volleyball, tennis, disc golf, and more! Or let kids entertain themselves at the playground while adults relax around the table. Many of the parks have picnic shelters available for rent. 
 

Front Royal’s parks include a wide range of amenities. There’s something for everyone to enjoy. Head to the Warren County Parks and Recreation page to learn about the unique features you can expect to find at each of the parks around town. 
 

3. Picnic by the Shenandoah River
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There’s something particularly relaxing about a picnic by the river, and Front Royal’s Shenandoah River is renowned for its beauty. Enjoy swimming or fishing, or simply relax and watch the water flow by. For a great riverside picnic in the Front Royal Area, the Shenandoah River State Park is hard to beat. You’ll find a large riverside picnic area with picnic tables and grills available. If you’re planning a gathering, picnic shelters are also available for reservation here. Eastham Park is a more centrally located riverside option that’s popular with the locals

4. Picnic in the Mountains
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Front Royal’s famous for its river, but it’s also famous for its nearby mountain ranges. The stunning views you’ll enjoy from a mountain overlook make the mountains yet another great place to plan a picnic. The Shenandoah National Park is a favorite destination for a mountain picnic. If you want to get off the beaten path, bring your picnic with you on one of the park’s scenic hiking trails (Compton Peak is a good one near the Front Royal end of the park). If you’re not in the mood for this kind of adventure, no problem! Relax and enjoy the great views from the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center, or one of the many scenic pull-offs along the park’s main road.  

5. Picnic at a Winery
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There’s something particularly relaxing about sipping on a glass of wine in a beautiful place. For a sophisticated picnic, pack a hamper and bring it with you to one of the Front Royal area’s wineries. Most welcome you to bring your own food to pair with a glass of Virginia wine. Enjoy stunning vineyard scenery, mountain vistas, and some of the best wine you’ll ever taste!
 

So pack your picnic basket and head to the Front Royal area for some unforgettable picnicking this summer! And don’t forget to check out some of our local businesses to help you fill your hamper with goodies. Dusty’s Country Store is a great place to pick up local foods. Check out Down Home Comfort Bakery for delicious baked goods. Or take all the stress out of packing by stopping by Blue Wing Frog. They’ll make all your food and get it “picnic-ready” for you!
 

There’s nothing that says “I love you” to a mom quite like the chance to spend some special time with family. And on Mother’s Day, the beautiful spring weather makes spending time outdoors together a perfect fit. This Mother’s Day, head to Front Royal and give the gift of a fun outing in the Shenandoah Valley. You and Mom can connect over something you both love to do. 

Read on for ideas on a range of delightful outings in the Front Royal area for you and Mom. You can enjoy the beautiful spring of the Shenandoah Valley together. We’ve given suggestions for moms of all kinds, so you’re sure to find something your mom will love! 
 

For the Mom who Loves Outdoor Adventures
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We think of mothers as a safe-haven, and rightly so. But moms are also some of the most adventurous people there are! Taking on responsibility for one or several tiny humans is not for the fainthearted!
 
Does your mom love to adventure in the great outdoors as much as she loves the great adventure of motherhood? If so, you’ll have no problem finding a Mother’s Day outing she’ll enjoy in the Front Royal area!

With the Shenandoah River winding through Front Royal, a day on the river is a great way to adventure and relax at the same time. Front Royal has a range of friendly outfitters who’ll take care of your needs. Check out Front Royal Outdoors, Down River Canoe Company, or Skyline Canoe Company to find a river trip that works for you.

If you’re more interested in getting out on some hiking trails, you have some great options in the Front Royal area too. With the George Washington National Forest, the Shenandoah National Park, and the Appalachian Trail all within easy distance, you can find an iconic hike without too much trouble. If your mom is a serious hiker or biker, combine this outing with the gift of an All Trails Pro subscription. All Trails Pro is like a GPS app, but for hiking trails! Mom can enjoy the trails with a whole new sense of security.

For the Mom who Loves a Small-Town Vibe
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Depending on your tastes, spring weather can be just as enjoyable on the streets of a quaint small town as in a mountain landscape. If your mom is a lover of small town life, she’ll definitely enjoy an afternoon in Front Royal. 

To give your outing a bit more structure, consider following the Front Royal Walking Tour. This self-guided tour takes you through Front Royal’s most historic and picturesque streets. You’ll learn some local history along the way. Feel free to take a break along the way and enjoy hunting for treasures in an antique store, sipping on a coffee, or savoring an ice cream cone. 
 

Another great idea for enjoying Front Royal’s small town atmosphere is an afternoon at the Dr. Seide Memorial Botanical Gardens. Within the 3.5 acres of beautifully planned gardens, you’ll find benches, walking paths, and even a stretch of Happy Creek. The same complex is also home to one of Front Royal’s most extensive parks, so the family can enjoy playgrounds, sand volleyball, tennis, basketball, and more. 
 

For the Mom who just Wants to Relax
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For some Moms, a slower-paced day in the countryside is the best way to relax and rejuvenate. If you’re looking for an outing along these lines, you might consider heading to Sunflower Cottage in Middletown. Mom can enjoy this picturesque herb farm, and visit the retail garden center to pick out herbs, flowers, or planters for the coming season. Don’t forget to include a stop at the farm’s Backroom Brewery on the farm for some refreshment. Hops for the unique range of craft beers are grown right on the farm. Backroom Brewery is also offering a special Mother’s Day lunch on Sunday March 9, complete with specialty herbal cocktails such as Lavender Martinis and Basil Whiskey Sours. 

For another relaxing option, consider planning a picnic at one of the many fantastic wineries surrounding Front Royal. Sipping on a glass of Virginia wine in a gorgeous setting will be a restorative experience for anyone!

For the golfing enthusiast, there’s a special pleasure in discovering a golf course that combines well-designed holes and breathtakingly beautiful scenery. If you’re looking to escape the city and lose yourself in golfing paradise, Front Royal may be your perfect destination. 
 
Conveniently located just minutes from I-81 and I-66, Front Royal is easy to reach from the D.C./Northern Virginia Area. Yet this delightful town hasn’t lost any of the quintessential charm of a country town in the Shenandoah Valley. Spend a few days golfing in Front Royal. You’ll find the golf courses enjoyable, the scenery unforgettable, and the atmosphere irresistible!
 
Read on for help planning your golfing trip to Front Royal. We’ve included recommended lodging, and two golf courses to be sure to check out, as well as some tips to help you enjoy the best of our small town life!

Front Royal’s Most Convenient Golfing Accommodation
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Front Royal’s award-winning Holiday Inn and Suites is a natural choice for the golfer in search of a comfortable home away from home. Located just off the I-66 Front Royal exit, the hotel is easy to access and find. It’s also on the grounds of the Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Club! You can look out of your window and plan your strategy for the day’s golfing, while enjoying the vista of a perfectly maintained golf course against the jaw-dropping background of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
 
If you want to roll out of bed and onto the golf course, Front Royal’s Holiday Inn and Suites is the place for you. Be sure to check out their golf packages. You’ll rest easy knowing that you got a great deal on both your stay and your golf!

​Go here to explore more options for lodging in Front Royal.

Whether or not you decide to stay at the Holiday Inn and Suites, you’ll want to put the Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Club high on your list of golf courses to enjoy in Front Royal. The name says it all. This classic 18-hole course features engaging challenges and cleverly crafted holes, all set in the shadow of Virginia’s stunning Blue Ridge Mountains. There’s even a sixty foot waterfall just behind the eighteenth green. With a comprehensive practice complex on site as well, you’ll find hours upon hours of enjoyable golf play await you at Blue Ridge Shadows!
 

Less than five miles from Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Club is of Front Royal’s best golf courses. The Shenandoah Valley Golf Club has been voted by the Golf Digest as one of the top ten golf courses in Virginia! The Shenandoah Valley Golf Course boasts 27 holes that stay true to the original design of the course, over fifty years ago. Repeat visitors can enjoy a revered tradition, as well as introducing variety into their game. The whole course is surrounded by stunning scenic views. Want to spend some time tuning-up your game? You can schedule a private lesson at the Shenandoah Valley Golf Club.

Neighboring the Shenandoah Valley Golf Club is Bowling Green Country Club with two 18-hole courses to choose from. With the two clubs so close to each other, you can spend less time driving and more time exploring golf courses on your trip to Front Royal. At Bowling Green Country Club you can enjoy more stunning mountain views while you play. For those looking to spend time practicing, the club also boasts the best driving range in the Winchester area. Private lessons are an option here too.
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If you want to experience the Shenandoah River while you golf, your best option is the Front Royal Golf Club. It’s a smaller club, with only nine holes, but four of the holes are located right on the banks of this breathtaking river. That’s more than you’ll find on any other course in Virginia! The Front Royal Golf Club is also incredibly close to Front Royal’s Holiday Inn and Suites. Hop in your car and you can be there in just a few minutes.
 
Finally, for a relaxed, family-owned small-business feel, don’t forget to stop by Sly Fox Golf Club. This 18-hole course has benefitted from recent renovations, and features exciting water hazards. It’s challenging for experienced players, but accessible for young golfers and seniors too.
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Don’t Forget to Discover Front Royal!
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With all the good golfing available in Front Royal, you may be tempted never to leave the greens! However, if you can tear yourself away, it’s definitely worth taking a few hours to enjoy the charming town of Front Royal. Explore Front Royal’s quaint Main Street area, or grab a beer at the end of a long day on the course. You’ll find a great choice of fun spots to enjoy a locally brewed craft beer, including the Front Royal Brewing Company, the Virginia Beer Museum, and the Bushel Pub at the Apple House. 
 

​Front Royal, Virginia is truly a haven for golfers looking to enjoy a relaxing weekend in the idyllic Shenandoah Valley while playing on top-notch golf courses. Don’t wait to plan your next golfing getaway. Make your reservations today, and look forward to an unforgettable trip as you discover golfing in Front Royal!

It’s easy to fall into a sedentary lifestyle during the winter. The cold weather makes the great outdoors less inviting, and you may feel that all you want to do is cuddle up on the couch after work. However, keeping active during the winter is important for your mental and physical health. If exercise has been sporadic so far this winter, now is a great time to reset! Figure out a form of exercise that you enjoy, and that will be achievable for you to keep up with through rest of the winter.
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Need some fresh ideas? The Front Royal area has some great options for indoor and winter-friendly activities that will get you up and moving. Read on for tips for staying active through the winter in Front Royal.

1. Join a Gym
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With unpredictable weather conditions making it difficult to maintain an outdoor exercise routine, winter is a good time to join a gym. Going to a fresh new place to work out can help with motivation. So can working with a trainer, or signing up for an exercise class. Paying a gym membership gives you an additional motivational boost. If you’re money’s going towards your membership every month, you’re more likely to get out the door and use it.
 
You’ll find several fitness gyms in Front Royal. If you’re interested in CrossFit, try Battlegrounds Fitness or Rugged Terrain CrossFit. Both are conveniently located right in Front Royal, and offer the camaraderie and exceptional training that have made CrossFit popular across America.
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Fitness Evolution and Anytime Fitness are traditional gyms with a range of standard gym equipment. Classes and individual training are available at both.
 
If you can’t fit in frequent trips to the gym, a membership could still be a good fit. Front Royal’s gyms offer virtual training. On the days you can’t make it to the gym, you can have the convenience of working out at home with the accountability and expertise of a professional coach. The best of both worlds!
 

2. Play an Indoor Sport
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​Some people find that working out is just . . . too boring! If playing a sport is more up your alley, winter can be a great time to explore indoor sports. Front Royal’s Dominion Health & Fitness Center is worth checking out. In addition to standard gym facilities, the center has an indoor pool, racquetball, and indoor tennis courts, as well as wallyball and basketball. Get involved in a sport you can play all year round!

3. Add Exercise into Your Normal Routine
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If you’re not interested in structured gym workouts or sports, it’s still important to make some exercise a part of your life. For winter exercise success, look for ways to weave exercise into your normal activities. For example, when shopping, you might park at the far end of the parking lot. This article has some great tips for incorporating more exercise – even if you don’t have much time and money to dedicate to it.
 
One advantage of a small town like Front Royal is that many stores and restaurants are within walking distance of each other, especially in the historic downtown area. Next time you’re planning to run errands, see if you can’t figure out a route that minimizes driving, and increases walking. Getting outside and moving, even for a short time, can improve your health and your mood! In inclement weather, even walking around an indoor location such as a grocery store can be helpful.

"Functional Yoga can improve your daily life" - Wildfire Yoga. You can become calm, centered, and rejuvenated with yoga. Don't worry if you've never tried it, it's good for all levels of fitness and ages. It can improve your balance, flexibility, and strength. This practice can also improve pain levels among seniors, menopausal symptoms and more! The increase in energy and relaxation might be just what you need after a stressful 2020.

Wildfire Yoga offers in studio classes, private lessons, and online classes. 

5. Reward yourself!
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For some of us, the enjoyment that we get from exercising combined with the health benefits, is enough of an incentive to keep us going through a long winter. For others, getting motivated in winter is just . . . hard. If you fall into this second category, why not give yourself some kind of a reward to help make it through those tough days.

Set your own standards to challenge yourself and enjoy a sense of accomplishment. For example, you could treat yourself to a coffee on Main Street on Fridays if you have completed three workouts during the week. Or promise yourself a fun movie night at home if you’ve met your exercise goals.

For home bakers, consider patting yourself on the back by trying out a recipe for a healthy treat. You can indulge a little bit without undoing all of your hard work! Front Royal’s own Rugged Terrain Crossfit has a page with recipe ideas that you can enjoy without bringing on a sugar crash!