Feeling the sand between your toes, enjoying summer breezes, and making memories with friends and family may sound like a vacation in paradise. But there’s a favorite summer sport that allows you to enjoy all of the above for free at community parks across America. We’re talking about sand volleyball. Read on for five reasons we’re recommending sand volleyball as a perfect pick for a summer sport, as well as tips on where you can play around Front Royal. 
 

1. You Can Play Sand Volleyball in Bare Feet!
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Sand, bare feet, and the outdoors in summer just seem to go together as a combination that spells fun and relaxation. And going barefoot even has health benefits! No need to sweat in a hot pair of tennis shoes on the sand volleyball court! It’s a game that’s made for playing barefoot! Feeling the sand under your feet just adds to the fun! 
 

2. Sand Volleyball is Perfect for Large and Small Groups
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If you haven’t much volleyball experience, you may be envisioning a game that requires at least twelve players. But volleyball lovers will tell you that volleyball is actually much more versatile. Put just two or three players on each side of the net and you can enjoy a version of the game that might be even more fast-paced and exciting. Plan on fitting in some extra steps if you play this way!
 
Large group, no problem! Sand volleyball is a great game for a party. Put as many as six on each side to play the game in its full form. Or you can easily rotate in a player or two to incorporate bigger numbers. For an even larger group, try planning a tournament!

3. Sand Volleyball Is Enjoyable at Many Different Skill Levels
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Volleyball is one of those great games that can be played at many different skill levels and it’s still fun! If you’re a seasoned volleyball player, you already know how much fun it can be to play at a highly skilled level. But beginners can have a great time while learning the sport. Playing in the sand helps create a fun, relaxed atmosphere where new players can feel comfortable getting started. 
 
New to the game? Learning and practicing the simple volleyball passing sequence of bump, set, spike will help you enjoy the game more, play more strategically, and work well with your team members. See here for a simple explanation of this volleyball fundamental, or ask a more experienced player to teach it to you. 
 

4. Sand Volleyball is Affordable
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With prices rising everywhere in 2022, finding ways to have fun without spending a lot of money are even more exciting than before! Sand volleyball has to be one of the most affordable sports out there! With courts fairly easy to find in public parks, there’s often no fee to play, or only a small one. That means that so long as someone in your group already owns a volleyball, you can probably play for free! And even if you need to go out and buy a volleyball, you should be able to do it for under $30. 
 

The perfect activity for a summer evening, sand volleyball is a great way to connect with others and make new friends. The atmosphere is casual and fun, and you’ll get to enjoy the camaraderie of being on a team. Take the socialization a step further by planning a picnic or cook out for after the game, or heading to get ice cream together. 
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Sand Volleyball in Front Royal
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If you’re interested in trying sand volleyball this summer, it’s time to find a great place to play! Front Royal’s park system has you covered with two fantastic options. Head to Gertrude E. Miller Community Park to find conveniently located sand volleyball right in the middle of town. The large complex has plenty of picnic shelters for a post-game cook out, as well as playgrounds for kids to enjoy. 
 
For a less crowded option, try Burrell Brooks Jr. Community Park. The park is less extensive, but you’ll still find sand volleyball courts, a picnic shelter, and a playground for future volleyball stars to enjoy. 
 
Explore sand volleyball in Front Royal this summer, and discover all the fun that comes with this relaxing, budget friendly, barefoot and sandy summer sport. 
 

Guest Post written by Warren Massey of Front Royal, VA. 
Twitter @ijustwant2ride and https://ijustwant2ride.com/
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I have ridden along many national parkways including the Natchez Trace (TN/MS), Great Lake Seaway Byway (NY), Blue Ridge Parkway (VA, NC) and, of course, the Skyline Drive Parkway (VA). I have also attended multiple motorcycle rallies along the east coast including Daytona.
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Outside of rallies, I have never seen as many motorcycles in one location as I do in Front Royal, Virginia. During motorcycle riding season, it is not uncommon to see hundreds of motorcycles in Front Royal, either singular or riding in large groups daily. You can see these large numbers of motorcycles passing through almost every day but especially on weekends. In my opinion Front Royal could be the motorcycle destination of Virginia much like Tail of the Dragon in Tennessee. 
 

​Why are so many motorcycles passing through Front Royal? It is because the town is located at the northern terminus of Skyline Drive and about an hour from the nation’s capital.  All these motorcycle riders are passing through the town on the way to Skyline Drive or to parts unknown as they leave the Parkway.

​By just passing through Front Royal motorcyclists are missing out on opportunities for some great local rides and the great local flavor.  For example, a rider can take a loop from Front Royal to Luray via Fort Valley Road. That ride would last about two+ hours, depending on stops, and would have you back in town by lunch time.

After lunch, mount the motorcycle and head south out of town to cross under Skyline Drive at it two gaps.  But be careful, they are quite technical, and the northern gap is designated as a high crash area. Two+ hours later you will be back in town with enough time to get to dinner and a stroll along main street.

​After dinner, riders could visit the Virginia Beer Museum for brew and live music or Shenandoah Valley Axe Throwing for a unique activity or any of the many other venues in town.  Front Royal has lots of hotels and restaurants and a main street that could be considered a throw-back to another era. Check out the movie theater that has a 1950’s vibe with a state-of-the-art projector and sound system.

​Front Royal may be the gateway to Skyline Drive, but it should also be a destination at the start or end of your motorcycle ride.  Stay a day or two, there are plenty of hotels and campgrounds, to explore both our local roads and our small-town atmosphere.
 

As gas prices continue to climb this summer, it’s a great time to appreciate all we have close at hand. Those in the Front Royal area have plenty of fun to enjoy without travelling too far, and in the summer there’s also lots of food being produced close to home. No need to buy in food from far away and pay for the costs of transporting it!
 
Here at Discover Front Royal, we’re providing a guide to some of the fantastic local food that’s produced right in our area. Today, we’ve rounded up three local favorites that all begin with a “P”: peaches, peanuts, and . . . pies! Read on to learn more about these classic local foods, and how to enjoy them in the Front Royal area. 
 

Pick your Own Peaches in Front Royal
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Biting into a delicious, juicy peach is one of the pleasures of summertime, and if you have a freshly picked, local peach in hand, it’s going to taste all the better. Virginia has a great climate for peach production, and has ranked as the fourteenth largest peach producer in the United States. In a rural area like Front Royal, it’s not too hard to find orchards with delicious fresh peaches ready to pick and eat! Peach season runs through July, August, and sometimes into early September, so most of the summer is a great time to eat fresh, local peaches. 
 

To pick your own peaches, head to one of Front Royal’s nearby fruit farms. Hartland Orchard is a popular option, and conveniently close to I-66. To get a bit more off the beaten path, try Valley View Farm. After peach picking, you can enjoy wine and cider tasting as well as exploring the extensive “locavore farm market" filled with local products. Hollin Farms is another great peach-picking option, where you can also pick in-season fresh vegetables. Stock up on summer garden classics like corn, tomatoes, beans, zucchini, peppers, and more, including some you may never have heard of. 
 
To ensure availability, always call ahead before heading out on a pick you own expedition. 

Front Royal’s Virginia Peanuts
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From peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to roasted peanuts and peanut butter cups, it’s safe to say peanuts are a favorite staple of the American diet. But did you know that Front Royal’s own state of Virginia was the first known U.S. location where peanuts were planted, and remains one of the nation’s top producers of peanuts? First arriving in Virginia in the early 1900s, peanut plants thrived in Virginia’s warm summers and sandy, loamy soil. Today, Virginia’s peanuts are an exciting and delicious local product.
 

If you’re thinking of peanuts as a nut growing on a tree, think again. Despite their nutty name, peanuts are actually legumes that grow beneath the soil. In the Front Royal area, you can enjoy a close encounter with a peanut plant at Hollin Farms, where dig-your-own peanuts are typically available in September and October. Bring the kids for a fun and unique outing, and make some homemade peanut butter when you get home! 
 
To find Virginia Peanuts that you don’t have to dig up in Front Royal, check out the gift shop at the Apple House, where you’ll find shelves full of local products, including peanuts and lots more. Or explore Dusty’s Country Store where you’ll find delicious, small-batch made peanut butter made with peanuts from the great state of Virginia. 
 

Enjoy a Local Pie in Front Royal
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“As American as Apple Pie” is how the saying goes, and it’s true that pies are a classic favorite American dessert. During the summer and fall, using in-season fruit for a pie is a great way to make an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert, and give a fresh, local touch to your table. To make pie-making a snap, try this easy “no-roll” pie crust recipe. Make the crust right in your pie dish, add your filling, and you’ll be cooking up a delicious pie before you know it.
 
Want the pie without the work? Find delicious local-made pies in Front Royal at Down Home Comfort Bakery. Freshly made with all-natural ingredients, Down Home Comfort Bakery’s baked goods are sure to put a smile on your face and leave your guests asking for more.
 

There’s so much delicious local bounty to enjoy around Front Royal in the summer. Explore the “P’s” of local produce this summer and celebrate all that the great state of Virginia has to offer. 
 

With schools out and warm temperatures, summer is the time of year when many Americans plan to travel and enjoy vacation. But in 2022 with gas prices hitting record highs, taking a trip to a distant destination will be more expensive than ever before. If gas prices are giving you pause, don’t give up on the idea of a vacation just yet! It’s time to start seeing travel limitations as an opportunity! A local vacation can be just as fun as one that involves long-distance travel, and if you’re near the Front Royal area, you have the perfect destination right on your doorstep. Whether you’re a resident of the D.C. Metro area, or hail from even closer to Front Royal, give our amazing small town a look. You’ll discover that Front Royal is packed with all the ingredients it takes to make for a great vacation. Bonus: with travel time cut down you’ll have even more time to spend relaxing and enjoying yourself. 
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​Read on for six reasons we love the idea of a local vacation in the Front Royal area! Soon you’ll be wondering why you ever took the trouble of travelling far away for a vacation!
 

1. Front Royal has Fantastic Lodging and Dining
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It wouldn’t feel like a vacation without the chance to relax and enjoy comfortable accommodations and delicious food. If a local vacation has you saving money on travel expenses, you may have a little left in the budget to enjoy some extra luxuries in the lodging and dining departments. ​

In the Front Royal area, you can find truly unique lodging options for a memorable and comfortable stay. Check out the John Pope Cabin at Walnut Hill Farm and Estate, or Mountain Home Bed and Breakfast for fantastic lodging you won’t forget. Explore the rolling farmland that surrounds Rolling River Holidays’ stunning vacation homes. Or plan on some hot tub relaxation by booking a cabin with Hot Tub Heaven. See here for a fuller list of Front Royal’s lodging options including hotels, cozy cabins, and more. 

​Gourmet meals area also easy to find in Front Royal. The Element is Front Royal’s classic option for fine dining. Check out Vibrissa Beer or Pavemint Taphouse for local craft beer and delicious food. Or head to neighboring Flint Hill to enjoy other upscale options. 

2. Outdoor Adventures Aplenty Await in Front Royal
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With its location conveniently close to Shenandoah National Park and the Shenandoah River, Front Royal is perhaps best known as a destination for lovers of outdoor adventure. Adventure awaits whichever way you turn in Front Royal. Plan a hike or backpacking trip in the National Park, explore rock climbing, or plan out a whole week of outdoor fun with canoeing in the Shenandoah River, hiking, biking, and more all easily accessible from Front Royal. 
 

3. Front Royal has Lots for History Buffs
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It’s a lesser known claim to fame, but the Shenandoah Valley (Front Royal included) was the scene of some key battles of the Civil War. The Front Royal area retains a strong sense of history to this day. Explore at your own pace with the Battle of Front Royal Civil Driving Tour, or check Front Royal’s events page for Civil War talks, tours, and more. If you’re staying in Front Royal, you’ll also be within reach of Civil War Battlefields at New Market, Cedar Creek, and Antietam.

4. Find the Fun at Front Royal’s Events
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Keep your local Front Royal vacation exciting by attending some special events. Front Royal has a busy events calendar, and you’ll find there’s a lot going on. Relax at Fox Meadow Winery with their Sunset in the Vineyard events, or head to Shenandoah Valley Golf Club on a Friday Night for Fire Pit Fridays. Take in a Front Royal Cardinals home baseball game for more fun. If you’re here mid-July, don’t miss the Valley Baseball League All-Star Game on July 17. Plan your visit for the first week of August and enjoy some honest country fun at the Warren County Fair. 
 

5. Front Royal is Camping Out Heaven
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Some like a little luxury in vacation accommodations, for others it’s more refreshing (and affordable) to take it back to the basics with a camping trip. Some long-lasting family memories can be made around the campfire, and it’s a great way to unplug a little more and help the whole family enjoy being together. With fantastic scenery and lots of parks nearby, Front Royal has great camping options, from riverside to mountain top and more. Check them out here.
 

6. Front Royal is Fun for all the Family
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If you’re bringing kids you’ll want to make sure you plan some fun for them, too. From a fun splash pad for little ones to kayaking, horseback riding, and hiking fun for older ages, there’s plenty kids will love about Front Royal. Skyline Caverns is a great family attraction, and Front Royal’s delicious ice cream shops can provide the perfect sweet ending to any family adventure. See here for more ideas on keeping kids happy and entertained around Front Royal. 
 

Don’t let gas prices ruin your summer plans this year! Plan a local vacation, and discover all the fun you can have without having to log lots of miles. With convenient proximity to the D.C. Metro area, a rustic feel that makes it seem like you’re worlds away, and loads of fun and adventure waiting for you to enjoy, Front Royal is the ideal destination for a local vacation. Bonus: you may even discover a nearby attraction that you’ll be able to return to again and again over the coming year.