From Skyline Drive to the Shenandoah National Park and Everything in Between; Our Summary of Highlights in Front Royal, Virginia

What Brought Us to the Blue Ridge Mountains

Full disclosure –  we have family who lives part-time in Front Royal and that’s why we recently visited this beautiful town (for the fourth time). We have visited many times in the past few years and have decided that it’s time to share our favorite local spots so that you too can enjoy some time in this quiet, but serene part of the US. From excellent local food to beer, wine, caves, and more, Front Royal has so much to offer. Here’s what we enjoy most about it.

Getting to Front Royal

We usually fly but for Thanksgiving 2021, we decided it was time to embark on our first-ever road trip as a family of 4 (five if you include Rosie, our Maltipoo-Yorkiepoo who appreciated us letting her tag along). The eight-and-a-half-hour drive was pretty easy and gorgeous. We decided to stop in West Virginia on the way there and back so that the littlest Proaño didn’t get fussy, and it worked. We did stop at a really neat coffee and snack shop called Lost River Trading Post in Wardensville, WV. They had some great craft beer and local wine selections, freshly made sandwiches, and other snacks for the road.

From our November 2021 road trip to Front Royal from Louisville, KY.

Our most recent visit (May/June 2023) we flew from Louisville directly to DC. From there, it’s only about an hour's drive to Front Royal.

Staying in Front Royal

On the left, the view from the back deck of the AirBnb overlooking the Shenandoah river (May 2023) and the same view on the right except November 2021.

My grandparents-in-law and uncle-in-law manage a fantastic property that is listed on AirBnb. It’s right on the Shenandoah River and is the most cozy and picturesque place you can imagine. Perfect for multiple families, retreats, or even friend groups. There are several other amazing AirBnbs listed in Front Royal and we definitely recommend going the AirBnb route when you visit.

Things to do

We love to fish at Lake Frederick and visit wineries like Chateau O’Brien and the other incredible wineries around, but the one local spot we can never get enough of is The Apple House.

The Apple House Restaurant & Gift Shop, which first opened its doors way back in 1963 in the small and beautiful community of Linden, Virginia, has been serving up delicious dishes and treating visitors like family, from near and far. It’s located in the gorgeous Shenandoah Valley, just a hop off I-66 on exit 13 - a convenient stop for any hungry adventurer. We recommend the apple cider donuts, any of their local beers, and their pimento cheese and bacon burger.

The Luray Caverns are located about a half hour away from Front Royal and are a must if you’ve got a half day to go and spend time there. It’s like something you’d see in a Star Wars movie. Unbelievable!

The Luray Caverns 30 minutes from Front Royal during our summer 2021 visit.

From its awe-inspiring outdoor splendor to its resilient and friendly spirit, Front Royal Virginia has something for everyone. This is the perfect spot for a weekend getaway or a longer vacation—no matter what kind of traveler you are! The exciting historic trails, recreation areas, shops, restaurants, and other attractions make Front Royal Virginia an ideal destination. We are so confident you will find something that piques your interest and brings you joy. Remember to create memories that last a lifetime by capturing them in pictures and videos so that when you look back at your trip to Front Royal Virginia, there’s something tangible to remind you about all the fun adventures you had. We’re so grateful for the memories we’ve made there so far.

If you know anyone else who likes visiting fun new outdoorsy places – then make sure to share this blog post with them. Perhaps they would appreciate the chance to explore this fascinating corner of Virginia - maybe even join you for a visit!

We’ll update this blog post as we continue to visit Front Royal. Thanks for reading!

-Jasmine