Enjoying the sights and smells of a real Christmas tree in the house room is an essential part of celebrating the holidays for many. But going to pick out your tree can be an experience all its own. If you’ve gone out into the fields and cut your own Christmas tree at a tree farm, you may be missing out on a new family favorite holiday tradition. Let this year be the year you give it a try! Wrap up warmly, and bring the whole family! With its rural location, Front Royal is a great starting point from which to access a number of rustic Christmas Tree farms where you can pick out your tree from right where it grew! If you’re interested in enjoying the outdoors, supporting local farms, and knowing exactly where your Christmas tree came from, heading to a cut-your-own farm should be on your Christmas list this year. Read on to discover the Christmas tree farms of the Front Royal area! 1. Hartland Farm and Orchard is Front Royal’s closest tree farm option. A summer-time favorite for fruit picking, Hartland transforms into a winter wonderland in the month of December. Saws are provided as well as assistance with tree wrapping and loading. Enjoy some free hot chocolate, and don’t forget to check out the wreaths and other decorations on sale. Hartland is conveniently located right off I-66 so it’s easy to get to, but has a less “tucked away” feel than some other local options. 2. For a more rustic option, head south to Valley Star Farm and enjoy scenic views of the Shenandoah Valley on all sides from this “down-in-the-valley” tree farm. It’s the same deal: explore the fields, cut your tree, and they’ll help you with wrapping and loading. Precut trees area also available here, for those who would enjoy a visit to a farm, but aren’t up for tramping out into the fields. 3. Concerned about bringing pesticides into your home on your Christmas Tree? Oak Shade Tree Farm is a great option! This family owned and operated tree farm raises all their trees without the use of pesticides or fertilizers. Enjoy cutting your tree, and don’t forget to check out the fantastic farm store after they help you load. Here you’ll find a wide selection of farm foods and hand crafted items, many of them provided by extended family members. There’s even a fire pit to warm up at on a cold day! 4. Glengary Tree Farm is another option for a simple cut-your-own operation in a stunning location. Explore the hillsides of this farm in search of your perfect tree, and enjoy gorgeous mountain views. 5. If you have a cathedral ceiling or a large space for your Christmas tree, consider stopping by Tranco Farms to find the grand tree that matches your space. All of their trees are over ten foot, so this isn’t a good option if you don’t have a big enough space. Tree cutting is by appointment only, so call ahead to make your plans! 6. Snickers Gap Farm is the celebrity of the Front Royal area’s Christmas tree farms. It was selected as MSN’s best tree farm in Virginia, and has been featured in several prestigious magazines (including Martha Stewart Living). It’s easy to see why. Beautifully kept rows of trees, a wagon ride out to the field, and a snack shack serving hot cider, warm soft pretzels, and more combine for a magical experience. The fame of Snickers Gap farm can draw larger crowds, so if you’re looking for a more secluded option, it may not be your best bet. Remember most cut-your-own farms expect you to haul your own tree in from the field. So make sure you’re ready for the challenge, and bring extra hands to help if you think you’ll need them. Having a rope or a tarp to help drag the tree can also be helpful. Some farms may be willing to offer assistance, but if you’re counting on it, it’s best to call ahead and make sure you’ll have the help you need. It’s also a good idea to call the farm you plan on visiting or check their social media before driving. You’ll want to ensure they still have trees available before making the trip.
The Front Royal area is a great place to visit a tree farm and take your Christmas tree shopping experience to a whole new level. Here’s to a memorable family adventure and a beautiful tree to enjoy all season long! There’s something about the traditions of a small-town Christmas that are especially magical. If you’re looking to fill the season of joy with some small-town festivity, plan a visit to Front Royal. You’ll find every weekend packed with holiday fun! Join our small community, support local business, and experience the magic of Front Royal’s holiday traditions. Read on to discover the best of Front Royal’s holiday celebrations this year. 1. Start out Right with Pancakes The first Saturday of December starts the season off with a bang! Head to Warren County High School on December 4, and enjoy a drive-thru pancake breakfast sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Front Royal. You can support a great cause, and fuel up for your day at the same time! But don’t head home yet! There’s plenty more on Front Royal’s Calendar today! 2. Celebrate with the Town at the Front Royal Christmas Festival and Parade A beloved annual tradition, the Front Royal Christmas Festival and Parade is scheduled for December 4. It’s a great time to be on Front Royal’s Main Street! Enjoy an afternoon of live performances, a free Christmas movie showing, and more. The parade starts at 4 p.m., so you can watch the best of Front Royal roll by, including many of our favorite local businesses and organizations. Do some Christmas shopping beforehand, or grab some gourmet coffee or baked goods to enjoy while you watch. 3. Main Street Holiday Lights Front Royal’s picturesque holiday lights traditionally come on at the end of the Christmas Festival. Stick around to watch the ceremony, or come back any evening during the holidays and enjoy the display in the Main Street area. 4. Christmas Classic Showings at Royal Cinemas If you miss the movie showing at the Christmas festival, no worries! Come back to Royal Cinemas any weekend in December to enjoy the screening of a Christmas Classic! It’s a great way to relax and get in a festive mood after a day of shopping, exploring the town, or outdoor adventure. 5. Bring Refinement to your Holiday at the Blue Ridge Singers Holiday Concert If you’re looking for the place where fine arts and Christmas festivity meet, check out the Blue Ridge Singers Holiday Concert. Coming to Front Royal on Friday, December 10, this local group performs challenging choral music in a way that will leave you enchanted and looking for more! 6. Explore our Christmas Market If you’re a lover of Christmas Markets, you won’t want to miss Front Royal’s! The Front Royal Indoor Market on December 12, will be the place to finish up your holiday shopping! Check out local vendors, enjoy blacksmithing, stained glass making, and other crafts, and maybe even run into Santa Claus! 7. Watch the Band Play in the Holidays! Another Front Royal Favorite, the American Legion Community Band Concert is a free show to put you in the holiday spirit. If the sound of the band is what tells you it’s the holidays, you won’t want to miss this one! 8. Enjoy some Holiday-Flavored Ice Cream It’s never too cold for ice cream! If you need your taste buds to remind you that it’s the holidays, don’t forget to stop by Spelunker’s! This local legend has some of the best burgers and fries around, but their frozen custard is truly out of this world. Their holiday custard flavors are highly anticipated, and for good reason! Upcoming delights include Candy Cane Blast, Caramel Sweet Potato, Peach Pecan, and Eggnog. Check their facebook page for a full schedule of flavor-of-the-day offerings. Don’t leave a stop at Spelunker’s out of your day in Front Royal! With a calendar full of quintessential holiday events, great Christmas shopping options, and delicious ice cream to top it all off, Front Royal is a great place to celebrate the holidays! Plan your holiday outings in Front Royal now! Maybe you’ll find a new tradition that’ll keep you coming back year after year.
Getting outdoors and spending some time at a park is a fantastic and inexpensive way to get some exercise and make memories with family and friends. There’s plenty of reasons to go to the park. You might be:
No matter what you’re envisioning for your time at the park, you’re sure to find a perfect fit among the diverse parks of the Warren County park system. Read on for a quick guide to Front Royal’s parks to help plan your next park day in Front Royal. Eastham Park: Riverside Walks and Dog Play We’ll start with what’s fast becoming one of Warren County’s most popular parks. Eastham Park boasts a fantastic location on the banks of the Shenandoah River. It’s also conveniently located close to Front Royal’s historic downtown area. If you’re looking for a walk in the park, you’ll love Eastham Park’s riverside walking trail. You’ll also find the Warren County Dog Park here, so if you looking for a place where your pup can play without a leash, you’ve found it! The boat launch area makes this park a top pick for boating enthusiasts and fishing enthusiasts alike. Other amenities you’ll find here:
Find Everything Park at Front Royal’s Classic Town Parks Complex Grouped around Bing Crosby Stadium, you’ll find a complex of several connected parks. It’s a great place to plan a gathering, as there are facilities here for everyone to love. Older kids and sports enthusiasts will enjoy the tennis and basketball courts, at the Gertrude E. Miller Park as well as sand volleyball. In the summer, the whole family can enjoy the community swimming pool, or watch at baseball game at Bing Crosby Stadium. At this site, you’ll also find Lions Park, which has extensive playgrounds, including a handicap accessible area. Or stroll over to the Botanical Gardens, where you can enjoy walking among flowers and shrubs, sitting (or fishing!) on the banks of Happy Creek, or letting kids play at the Splash Pad. There’s truly something for everyone in this complex of parks. Other amenities you’ll find here:
Escape to the Country at Rockland Park You have to drive a bit further to get to Rockland Park, but if you want to feel like you have plenty of space, you won’t be disappointed. Rockland Park’s most unique attraction is its 18-hole disc golf course. You’ll also find a wooded walking trail to the Shenandoah River and an outdoor fitness center. Other amenities you’ll find here:
Outdoor Space for the Whole Community at Warren Memorial Hospital It’s a widely acknowledged fact that spending time exercising in the outdoors is essential for both mental and physical health. The new Warren Memorial Hospital has taken this need for outdoor exercise seriously, with a public walking trailon the hospital campus. Having a loved one in the hospital can be a highly stressful time. Now family and friends of Warren Memorial Hospital’s patients will have a beautiful place to clear their heads and renew their spirits. Patients undergoing rehab can also benefit from the trail, as will hospital staff, and members of the local community at large. With over three miles of wooded trails and two scenic overlooks, the trail is a great addition to the hospital facility, and a boost the health of the whole community! Skating, Soccer, Strolling, and Great Views at Skyline Soccerplex Skyline Soccerplex is a town park with expansive athletic fields and stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Warren County Skate Park here spells lots of fun for skating, biking, and scootering enthusiasts. Other amenities you’ll find here:
Play Sports at Chimney Field Park Sports enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy at Chimney Field Park. Explore the basketball and tennis courts, as well as the softball fields. The rentable picnic shelter makes it a great place to plan your own sports league, or just get together with a few friends for a game and a picnic. Keep it Simple at Burrell Brooks Jr. Community Park Burrell Brooks Jr Community Park is small but packed with everything you need. Enjoy basketball, sand volleyball or horseshoes, or let kids explore the playground. Outdoor exercise equipment and a walking trail complete the park. The rentable picnic shelter provides tables for a picnic meal, or a space to plan a fun get together. Playground Pit Stop at Florence Smith Memorial Playground If you’re looking for a quick and simple playground stop, check out the Florence Smith Memorial Playground. This small but convenient playground with a picnic shelter available is a great stop for an outing with children.
There’s plenty to choose from in Front Royal’s parks. Use our handy guide to find the park that best fits your needs, and then relax and enjoy fresh air and fun in Front Royal. If you’re considering a trip to Front Royal this fall, there’s a unique lodging opportunity you should consider: the NOVA 4-H Center in Front Royal is opening up its accommodations to the public! This limited-time opportunity is an outdoors-lover’s dream. With tent and lodge accommodations available, hiking, fishing, and more on site, and easy access to the Front Royal area’s many attractions, it’s a perfect fit for many different types. Whether you’re heading to Front Royal for fall foliage views, a personal break, a small-group retreat, or to attend a public event, be sure to check out this lodging opportunity to make your visit extra enjoyable. Read on for our list of five irresistible reasons to reserve lodging at the NOVA 4-H Center this fall. 1. A Rare Opportunity The saying goes that when opportunity comes knocking you should answer the door. In this case, it’s true! This is one opportunity that you shouldn’t count on coming back to later. Lodging at the NOVA 4-H Center is typically used for large groups and organized programs. Usually, this lodging isn’t available to the public. This fall, cancellations due to COVID have left the 4-H Center in the unique position of being able to open up their fantastic accommodations to the public. Take advantage of this rare opportunity before it’s gone! 2. Lodging that Fits Your Group Size and Your Taste The 4-H Center is a large complex with various accommodation options. Private rooms are available in the 4-H Center lodges for individuals, couples, or small families. A larger group could book two adjoining rooms, or reserve out an entire lodge. It’s a perfect set up for a family reunion or a getaway with friends. Plenty of open space is also available for tent camping. So if being outdoors 24/7 is what rejuvenates you most, dive on in! 3. Amazing Amenities Staying at the NOVA 4-H Center gives you much more than just a place to sleep. You’ll also find plenty of fantastic amenities to keep you busy all day. Enjoy miles of hiking trails including access to the Appalachian Trail, a disc golf course, tennis and basketball courts, and even a lake for fishing. Fire pits and picnic shelters are also available for reservation. 4. Fantastic Location near Front Royal There’s plenty to keep you busy without ever leaving the 4-H Center, but you’ll want to tear yourself away to enjoy all that the Front Royal area has to offer. Enjoy this peaceful rustic setting just an hour from Washington D.C. With stunning fall foliage appearing all around, fall is one of the best times to visit the Front Royal area. You’ll find loads of outdoor attractions, including the famous Shenandoah National Park, which draws thousands of visitors every fall. Or head to the nearby town of Front Royal to enjoy delicious dining, fantastic wineries, and all the unbeatable charm of a small mountain town. 5. All in a Good Cause When you stay at the 4-H Center, you’re not just planning a few days of fun for yourself and your loved ones. You’re also supporting a fantastic cause. The money you spend on lodging at the NOVA 4-H Center goes straight to supporting this worthy non-profit organization, and all the important educational programs they offer for youth. It’s a win, win, win situation.
So don’t delay, make your plans today for your fall stay at the NOVA 4-H Center. For more information, or to make a reservation, call Chris Newlon at 540-635-7171, or reach her by email at chris@nova4h.com. |
AuthorDiscover Front Royal Archives
February 2023
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