Come for Adventure. Stay for the Stars!
Front Royal beckons as the setting of your next outdoor adventure! This small town in the Shenandoah Valley is a convenient haven for outdoors enthusiasts looking to escape the D.C. city sprawl. It’s also a desirable destination for adventurers from even further afield. Plan to stay on after your adventure and enjoy the night sky, lit up with more stars than you’d ever glimpse amid the interference of city lights. Come for Adventure. Stay for the Stars. And enjoy delicious food and cozy comforts before, during, and after!
Finding the Adventure in Front Royal
The only difficult part of planning an outdoor adventure in Front Royal is narrowing down your choices! You’ll find Shenandoah National Park literally at our doorstep, the George Washington National Forest within 30 minutes, and convenient access to the Appalachian Trail and the Shenandoah River. Loads of outstanding hikes with incredible views of the great outdoors await. In snowy conditions, try out a winter sport such as snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, or for the ultimate outdoor adventure, plan a camping or backpacking trip.
More than outdoor adventure, a trip to Front Royal can also be a journey through history! History lovers will have a great time exploring Front Royal’s rich local history, including a Civil War driving tour, a walking tour taking you as far back as the 1700s, and several historic buildings that are open for public tours.
Stay for Front Royal’s Starry Sky
If you’re planning an adventure in the winter months, don’t let the cold put you off the idea of staying for the stars. Winter is a great time for star gazing! The cold temperatures bring clearer skies, making the display even more amazing. And with the sun setting earlier in the day, you don’t have to stay up so late to wait for the stars to appear. In winter, pre-dinner stargazing is a great option, leaving you lots of time afterwards to warm up in one of Front Royal’s many cozy eateries.
Shenandoah National Park is a natural pick for stargazing near Front Royal. If you’re not up for night hiking, driving to one of the parks many accessible overlooks is a great option. The Big Meadows area is a favorite stargazing spot in the park, and the location of Shenandoah National Park’s formal astronomy program. The Skyland Amphitheater is another top favorite. For more tips, see this guide to stargazing in Shenandoah National Park, including a list of the top stargazing overlooks in the park.
On the other side of Front Royal, another great option is Sky Meadows State Park. Sky Meadows offers such great night sky views, that it’s recently become an officially designated Dark Sky Park. The park typically closes at dusk, but check their schedule of events for the popular Astronomy for Everyone program that continues through the winter months. For these events, the park stays open after dark. If you want a more intense stargazing adventure, plan on using the primitive hike-in tent camping site.
Get Cozy in Front Royal!
Don’t forget to plan some cozy time to relax and recharge in the town of Front Royal. Front Royal is home to some fantastic wineries, and a cozy glass of wine is a great way to relax. Enjoy some wine right on main street at ViNoVA wine and tapas or at Front Royal Wines. Or plan a tour or tasting at a local vineyard/winery. Those in search of a cozy meal, can explore the many local food and drink options Front Royal has to offer. There’s no better place than Front Royal to warm up and reward yourself after an adventure.
Photo Courtesy of Front Royal Wines
With great adventure, starry skies, and relaxing comforts, Front Royal is a great place for your next adventure. Start planning now and enjoy the trip of a lifetime in Front Royal, Va.
Cover photo by Nevin Gibson
