As the calendar turns to February, thoughts of romance begin to warm the winter air. If you’re planning an evening with a special someone look no further than the Front Royal area! You’ll find that a small town Valentine’s Day is the perfect setting for your romance to blossom. Read on for five tips (plus a bonus!) on celebrating Valentine’s Day (or any romantic occasion) in the Front Royal area. With fine dining, fun activities for couples, special events with local businesses, and wineries aplenty, there’s a way for everyone to keep the romance going (and maybe fall in love with Front Royal, too!)

1. Sample Front Royal’s Fine Dining
​

Nothing says “I love you” quite like dinner at an elegant table for two. If you’re in search of a traditional dinner date Front Royal’s fine dining eateries are at your disposal. Don’t forget to make a reservation! With Valentine’s weekend being one of the busiest of the year in restaurants, you’ll want to make sure you secure your table well in advance.
 

Mark your calendar for Saturday February 12 to take advantage of the four course Valentine’s dinner at ViNoVA Mediterranean Bistro. Go here to make your reservation and enjoy four delicious courses, a bottle of wine, and a special dessert cocktail. Eat, drink, and fall in love!
 
For a local craft brewery in a modern setting with delicious pub food, plan your Valentine’s Dinner at Front Royal’s own Vibrissa Beer. You may even catch a glimpse of Cupid while you eat. 

The Element on Main Street is Front Royal’s classic fine dining option. You’ll find gourmet food and the atmosphere to go with it. Or for another fine dining options, lovers of Asian cuisine, should visit Try Thai on Main Street.

2. Explore a Casual Dining Spot that Locals Love
​

​If you’re not in the mood for formal dining, a fun, casual eatery can also be a setting for great date. Today, we’re featuring two old Front Royal favorites where locals have been making great memories for years!
 
If there’s one restaurant in Front Royal that pizza lovers shouldn’t miss, it’s The Melting Pot! This local favorite has been feeding pizza to Front Royal for over 50 years. Some locals have been making memories here for a lifetime! 
 

​For a fun twist on the traditional dinner date, why not try a breakfast date instead? The Apple House is an old Front Royal area favorite that gets you out of town, but doesn’t involve a long drive. Don’t forget to end your meal with one of their famous apple butter donuts! Or come back in the evening for a drink, appetizers, and a sandwich at the Apple House’s newly opened Bushel Pub. With a drink menu full of Virginia wines and Virginia Craft Beers, it’s a great date-spot for lovers of local products.

What could be more romantic than enjoying a dance together? If you or your partner have two left feet, don’t worry! Jig ’N’ Jive Dance Studio offers private ballroom and swing dance classes for couples. Have fun together, learn a new skill, and listen to romantic music, all at the same time!
 

It’s impossible to enjoy all the Valentine’s fun on one day! That’s why Front Royal’s favorite local businesses have banded together to plan some fun events leading up to the big fourteenth. 

The week of February 7-14, take part in the second annual Warren County Chocolate Crawl. Explore Front Royal and receive a special treat or discount at participating businesses.

​Bring five receipts from participating businesses to the Visitors Center to enter their I LOVE Main Street $250 Giveaway! The winner will receive $250 in gift cards to all your favorite main street businesses. Stop by the Visitors Center for details.

​On February 12, enjoy extra fun on Main Street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the I LOVE Main Street event.

February 12th and 13th are also a great days to try out axe throwing with your date! Shenandoah Valley Axe Co. is offering a Valentine’s special that features 1.5 hours of axe throwing as well as coaching and refreshments. Make your reservation today!

​If you’re coming into town a week early, no worries! Main Street’s local businesses also have some Valentines-themed fun planned for the “First Friday” weekend of February 4-6. 

5. Sip on a Glass of Virginia Wine
​

There’s something about the experience of sharing a glass of wine that is both memorable and romantic. If you’re in search of a wine date, the Front Royal area has a wealth of amazing local wineries. Rappahannock Cellars, and Fox Meadow Winery are two nearby favorites that combine delectable wines with all the classy winery atmosphere you love.   
 

6. Don’t Forget to Plan Something for the Kids
​

Not strictly a date idea, but all parents know that the babysitting is an essential aspect of date planning. If you’re planning your night out for Saturday February 12, you’re in luck! Entertain them and let them burn off some energy at Battlegrounds Fitness. They’ll enjoy a night of fun, games, and healthy exercise. Bonus: they should be tired enough to collapse into bed right when you get home, giving you even more quiet time together! All ages from “potty-trained” on up are welcome.

You deserve a night on the town and it helps knowing your  kids will be playing and having fun too! That's why Code Ninjas offers Parent's Night Out - definitely a win-win evening for entire families! Drop the kiddos off where they will play games, assemble puzzles, build robotics, and more! Code Ninjas is offering this service on Saturday, February 12th from 6 PM to 9 PM and on Valentine's Day, February 14th from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM.

Once you've had a chance to unwind, swing by to pick them up (please) and hear about all the fun they've had!
​

Bonus: Take your picture by the LOVE Sign
​

While you’re out and about town on your date, don’t forget that Front Royal has a great spot for a fun photo shoot. Stop by Front Royal’s LOVE sign (located by the downtown gazebo and Commerce Street by Pavement). It’s the perfect background for taking a memorable picture together. While you’re there, stop by the Visitor Center to claim a special treat just for visitors to the area.
 

There really are almost unlimited options for romantic outings in the Front Royal area. After all, anything can be romantic when you’re with the love of your life on Valentine’s Day! To get more ideas for a fun activity that you’ll both enjoy, see our posts here and here. It’s easy to fall in love in Front Royal!

Raising food has been a normal part of life for people everywhere for hundreds of years. In our society, with grocery stores full of food readily available, most people don’t experience a strict need to raise food. Yet there’s a growing movement of people who are choosing to raise food themselves. From growing herbs in pots on an apartment windowsill, to keeping chickens, goats, or even a cow, homesteaders come in all shapes and sizes.
 

But while raising food is simple enough that almost anyone can do it, it’s also an endeavor that becomes much easier and more successful when you connect with a like-minded community. In times past, people looked to their parents, grandparents, or neighbors to hand on these skills, which had been practiced for generations. Today, many of us are cut off from such traditional wisdom. But the good news is that if you’re in search of a community to support your homesteading efforts, Homesteaders of America is there for you. Head to Front Royal this October 8-9 for the Homesteaders of America Conference. You can have the chance to trade tips and advice, and connect with fellow homesteaders from all walks of life. 
 

Homesteaders of America Conference: What to Expect
​

The Homesteaders of America Conference is primarily an educational event, and you’ll find a wealth of information to help you take your food raising efforts to the next level. Expect two days packed with talks from leading educators of the homesteading world, such as Joel Salatin and Justin Rhodes. You’ll also have a chance to discover lesser-known speakers who are guaranteed to become your new favorites. Saturday evening brings an opportunity to relax with a traditional music and story-telling performance from singer Rory Feek.
 
When you need to take a break from the talks, wander the Warren County Fairgrounds, and enjoy delicious food from food trucks and the chance to connect with hundreds of other homesteaders just like you. Don’t forget to visit the vendors, who can help you stock up on all your homesteading needs.
​

Get Your Hands Dirty at Thursday’s Homesteading Workshops
​

If you’re more of a hands on learner, come a day early to enjoy a homesteading workshop on Thursday, October 7. With topics ranging from building a homesteading business plan to hands-on animal butchering, you’ll be sure to find a chance to refine your skills and maybe try something new. And you can do it all under the direction of experts with many years’ experience.

Attending the Homesteaders of America Conference: Reserve Tickets or Volunteer
​

Conference tickets will not be sold at the gate, so make sure to purchase tickets online in advance. If you want to save money and help this great organization at the same time, consider volunteering for the conference instead. You’ll be put to work for one morning or afternoon shift, and get to enjoy the rest of the conference completely free!
 

Spend the Whole Weekend: Lodging and Outdoor Attractions in the Front Royal Area
​

Homesteaders of America have chosen a fantastic location for their conference! The Front Royal area is full of attractions for lovers of the great outdoors, including the nationally renowned Shenandoah National Park. Fall is a favorite time of year to visit the park and see the stunning displays of fall leaves on the mountainsides. Check out other outdoor adventuring opportunities here. Why not spend a full weekend in Front Royal, and plan a gorgeous Sunday hike before heading home?
 
If you’re looking for local accommodation, you’ll find loads of lodging and camping options to choose from. Make your reservations today, and look forward to an unforgettable and educational weekend in Front Royal, Virginia.

​Whether you’re a veteran homesteader, or just starting to raise your own food, you’ll find plenty of great information and helpful networking at the Homesteaders of America Conference in Front Royal, Virginia. There are so many benefits to raising your own food. It’s healthier, cheaper, more sustainable, and uniquely satisfying. And there’s a lot about the process that’s just plain fun. Make your plans today to attend the Homesteaders of America Conference, and you’ll come home full of new ideas and enthusiasm for the essential task of raising food.