Front Royal is a town in Virginia that is rich in history and culture. There are plenty of things to do in the area, whether you are looking for a fun family activity or a romantic outing. Here are the top 19 things to do in Front Royal, VA.
Front Royal, Virginia is a beautiful town situated in the Shenandoah Valley, at the North and South Forks of the Shenandoah River. It’s an excellent base for enjoying the outdoors, but there’s also something special happening in and around the historic downtown.
Front Royal has a little bit of everything for everyone, from amazing parks and living malls to recreational centers and historical buildings.
Front Royal is a town rich in historical sites, with many interesting sites and landmarks for the curious tourist.
Have you ever wanted to know more about Front Royal, VA?
Things to Do in Front Royal
1- Shenandoah national park
Shenandoah National Park is home to the renowned Skyline Drive – a 105-mile stretch of road that weaves through the crests of mountains, offering breathtaking views of the entire length of the park. The park is open year-round and provides visitors with scenic vistas showcasing spectacular landscapes to the east and the west.
Shenandoah National Park is the perfect place to explore and have fun in Front Royal, VA.
Shenandoah National Park spans 200,000 acres and boasts over 500 miles of trails, making it a nature lover’s paradise.
The trails are perfect for hiking for different skill levels like experts, intermediate, and beginners, including 101 miles of the famous Appalachian Trail. You can find a trail that’s perfect for your skill level, whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or expert hiker.
Hiking through the park, you might spot a black bear, deer, or one of the many songbirds that flock there.
Shenandoah National Park is a stunning park with mesmerizing views of picturesque landscapes and fields of vibrant flowers.
The park has ancient stone foundations, cemeteries of previous inhabitants, and lush apple trees; it’s the perfect place for a peaceful camping trip or a romantic getaway.
2- Shenandoah valley
Start your exploration of the Shenandoah Valley in Front Royal. There’s everything from the easy – like taking a stroll through Shenandoah River State Park – to the more challenging, like ziplining through the Valley.
The Shenandoah Valley extends from Front Royal north to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and south to Roanoke in Southwestern Virginia. On your journey, you’ll come across charming towns like Harrisonburg, Winchester, and Lexington – all just a short drive from Front Royal.
3- Skyline Drive
No visit to Virginia is complete without a drive down Skyline Drive. This 105-mile road winds through the Blue Ridge Mountains, connecting to the Blue Ridge Parkway at its southern terminus. The only public road that runs through Shenandoah National Park is Skyline Drive.
Front Royal is the perfect place to start your journey through the stunning mountains and forests of Virginia! You’ll be able to see gorgeous foliage and wildlife, and it’s a convenient starting point for your travels.
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4- Royal Family Bowling Center
Bowling is one of the best things to do in Front, VA, and it’s even more fun when you bowl at one of the best bowling centers in town.
The Royal Family Bowling Center is a place where families can come and feel comfortable. They treat their visitors like family, not strangers.
This world-class bowling facility provides the ultimate bowling experience, with state-of-the-art lanes, top-of-the-line equipment, and a staff of highly trained professionals.
The Royal Family Bowling Center staff are always happy to help, offering guidance and tips when you need them.
If you start to feel hungry during your bowling game, they also have some great snacks and drinks available.
Get ready for an unforgettable experience with your friends and family at Royal Family Bowling Center.
5- Warren Rifles Confederate Museum
A visit to the Warren Rifles Confederate Museum is a great way to spend an interesting and fun day in Front Royal.
The Warren Rifles Confederate Museum is a great place for families to learn about the many histories and exhibits it has on display.
The museum is a veritable treasure trove of dolls, toys, children’s clothes, and more, making it an exciting place for kids.
Warren Rifles Confederate Museum is open from Monday to Saturday from 9 am-4 pm and Sunday from 12 pm-4 pm.
Be sure to visit the Warren Rifles Confederate Museum; it’s definitely worth your while!
6- Eastham Park
There are plenty of fun things to do in Front Royal, and one of them is visiting Eastham Park! The park has several great facilities that will keep you entertained for hours.
Eastham Park is a hotspot for fun and excitement in the city, thanks to its awesome amenities and activities!
This incredible park has trails that are perfect for long walks with your pet or travel companions.
Eastham Park is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic, get some fresh air in the outdoor classroom, or play a game on one of the three multi-use athletic fields. You can also explore the nature trails and see the variety of wildlife that the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Public has to offer.
The park offers a boat launch, Warren County Dog Park, informative signage, and a large public parking area.
Eastham Park is home to several other fun facilities; it is clean and well maintained, making it one of the best parks you should visit.
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7- Front Royal Visitors Center
The Front Royal Visitors Center is a historic building located in the center of town. It is the perfect place to learn about the town’s history and get information on local attractions.
One of the best ways to start your vacation or adventure is by visiting the Front Royal Visitors Center. You’ll be welcomed by their knowledgeable and well-informed staff.
You will be taken on a guided tour around the renovated 1885 train station, which features brochures, Merchandise, maps, and other informative materials.
The Front Royal Visitors Center is a great place to take the kids, with plenty of attractions and places to sit down and rest.
Come for a visit! The clean restrooms and large parking area are convenient for visitors. You won’t regret it.
8- Skyline Caverns
One of the best things to do in Front Royal is to visit Skyline Caverns; it’s a popular destination that welcomes almost one hundred thousand visitors yearly.
Skyline Caverns is home to rare anthodites, and delicate white spikes that adorn the cave’s corners.
Open to everyone, the guided tours focus on the cave’s geological history, taking visitors underground.
Skyline Caverns comprises the wishing well, three underground streams, the 37-foot Rainbow waterfall, Rainbow Trail, the Grotto of Nativity, and more.
This cavern is rumored to be around fifty to sixty million years old; it houses the Enchanted Dragon Mirror Maze, skyline arrow, and one-fifth-scale miniature train.
Visit Skyline Caverns and learn about its history from the highly knowledgeable tour guides. The caverns are open every day at 9 am.
9- Blue Wing Frog
Blue Wing Frog restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy a wonderful meal with your friends and family. Front Royal is the perfect place to enjoy a Blue Wing Frog restaurant meal.
The Blue Wing Frog restaurant is not only concerned with feeding the public but also with serving healthy and quality meals.
The ingredients used are locally sourced and include eggs, meats, and more. The meals are suitable for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The Blue Wing Frog offers a variety of homemade dishes, including cookies, cakes, bread, soup, and more. Some of their famous dishes include Death by the pork, catfish dinner, shrimp tacos, chicken sandwiches, shrimp PO Boy, and marinated chicken.
On Thursdays, they are open from 4 pm to 9 pm, and from Friday to Monday, they are open from 12 pm to 8 pm (closed on Tuesday & Wednesday).
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10- Rockland Park
Rockland Park is all about excitement and fun, making it a favorite destination for both adults and children in Front Royal.
This park is the perfect place to enjoy a challenging and fun game of golf course on its wonderful 18-hole course.
Rockland Park is the perfect place to spend a day with your loved ones. With a beautiful playground and numerous picnic areas with pavilions, it’s a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
The paved path is perfect for biking or walking, and you might spot some wildlife like turtles, deer, a pileated woodpecker, or a garter snake.
Rockland Park is a well-maintained, clean park with neat bathrooms and a large parking lot.
11- Historic Balthis House
To find a fine example of the Federal-style townhouse popular in the late 18th to the early 19th century, visit the Front Royal Historic District.
One of the few surviving houses in Front Royal built in this style is a Balthis.
When you visit, you’ll find that the house has kept its original period layout.
The many furnishings that survived from the demolished houses on Chester Street – like doors and chair rails – give a glimpse into the past.
The Balthis family bought the property on Chester Street in 1838, making their house the oldest standing house on the street.
At one time, Front Royal was a hub for wagon manufacturing, supplying wagons to the Southern and Western states.
Starting today, the public can take tours of the house.
12- Belle Boyd Cottage
The Belle Boyd Cottage, one of the oldest buildings in Front Royal, has hosted many important figures in American history.
Before giving a speech at the town square, President Franklin Pierce stayed at the local inn.
However, the cottage’s association with famous Confederate spy Belle Boyd has cemented its place in history.
Belle Boyd stayed at the hotel during the Civil War, which the Union officers used as a headquarters.
Belle and her family would always move to their little cottage whenever these officers were around.
Boyd’s information on Union troop positions helped General “Stonewall” Jackson win the Battle of Front Royal on May 23, 1862.
After the Civil War, Belle Boyd became an active theater actress. She married three times and was known for her sharp wit and sultry performances.
Of her five children, four survived.
In 1981, the Warren Heritage Society received the building as a donation and relocated it 1982.
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13- Lions Community Park
The Lions Community Park is a great place to have some fun in Front Royal.
Lions Community Park is a three-acre paradise containing several fun amenities and facilities for everyone to have a blast!
The park has a big playground with wooden play equipment like rock climbing, swings, slides, and more.
Lions Community Park also features a picnic area with a picnic shelter for anyone who would like to enjoy a meal at the park.
The park contains a sand volleyball court, horseshoe pits, other fun facilities for all ages, and clean restrooms.
14- Ivy Lodge Museum
The Warren Historical Society is headquartered in the Ivy Lodge Museum, another historic building in Front Royal.
When you come to visit, you’ll find exhibits and artifacts on the history of Native Americans, early settlers, and the development of industry and agriculture.
You can also buy tickets to the Belle Boyd Cottage and the Balthis House here.
Ivy Lodge is a unique educational landmark in Warren County.
It was once a school; it also housed school officials.
Ms. N. Fellows, who were esteemed for their teaching at the Front Royal Academy, also provided private lessons to the girls of Ivy Lodge.
For example, she helped them with their studies, showed them how to properly conduct themselves, and even taught them how to dance.
She taught them the importance of good manners, calisthenics to keep them fit, and art to appreciate the beauty in life.
Major Victor Moreau Brown, a Confederate officer, made his home in Ivy Lodge while he worked to reopen the Front Royal Academy.
The largest funeral service in the town was held for him when he died.
15- Revisit Local History museums
The Warren Historical Society was established in 1971 to preserve and retell the history of Front Royal and Warren County.
The regularly held events, such as living history museums, lectures, and summer history camps for kids, are great ways to learn more about the past.
Similarly, their permanent exhibits contain various artifacts that illustrate how life in Front Royal has changed throughout history.
You can visit the Laura Virginia Hale Archives If you’re curious about your roots.
The Virginia Genealogical Society can help you connect with distant ancestors you didn’t know you had.
The Warren Sentinel newspaper and funeral homes are just some of the places that keep records of everything.
The Society also sponsors the Festival of Leaves every October to raise funds for the society and celebrate local history.
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16- Eat at The Apple House
You’ll find The Apple House Restaurant and Gift Shop just a 14-minute drive from Front Royal in the nearby community of Linden, Virginia.
Since 1963, the shop has offered tourists and residents a slice of Virginia hospitality through its snack options.
What kinds of food can you eat there?
The Apple House is known for its signature Apple Butter Donuts and Apple House Pork BBQ.
This delicious pork BBQ is made with either pulled or smoked pork, smothered in George’s original BBQ sauce. If you’re curious, go ahead and give it a try!
This delicious sauce is a perfect blend of Carolina Vinegar and VA Sweet & Tangy.
The Apple House is open for dinner, breakfast, and lunch. In addition, it has a wide variety of menu items to choose from.
This is the perfect spot for people who are just passing through on a trip.
17- Swim at the Front Royal Golf Club
The Front Royal Golf Club is a historic recreational spot in the town.
Franklin D. Roosevelt tasked the Civilian Conservation Corps to build this golf club on land donated by William E. Carson.
Construction on the Carson estate began in 1938, with Carson himself providing the design. The estate remains largely unchanged to this day, providing a glimpse into the past.
The Front Royal Golf Club is a 9-hole course that still challenges any confident golfer with its 18 tee boxes.
The ever-changing terrain will make you feel like you’re playing on a real 18-hole course.
The club also offers boating, fishing, and duck hunting memberships, besides golf.
18- Royal Cinemas
Looking for a wild movie experience in Front Royal? Royal Cinemas is the place for you! You’ll cherish your first visit!
There’s something special about Royal Cinemas – it’s a local, family-owned movie theater that feels like a step back in time. With just two screens, it shows mostly first-run movies, but what really makes it special is the atmosphere.
It’s small and intimate, and the staff is always friendly and helpful. Plus, the concessions stand has all of the traditional movie theater snacks!
The theater has comfortable seats that let you see the whole stage without any obstruction.
At Royal Cinemas, you can enjoy delicious snacks and a wide variety of candies, all while receiving fantastic customer service.
The staff at this establishment are always willing and happy to help their customers in any way possible to ensure complete satisfaction.
19- Spelunker’s
One of the best things to do in Front Royal is to visit Spelunkers with your family and friends. It’s a great and beautiful place to hang out with your loved ones.
Spelunker’s has a variety of food options to choose from, whether you’re looking for something vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free.
Some of the meals served are a double burger, chicken tenders & fries, fish & chips, French fries, bacon cavern burgers, cheesesteak, hamburgers, and more.
Spelunker’s offers different flavors of ice cream with different toppings such as blueberry, Butterfinger, whipped cream, butterscotch, chocolate syrup, Rainbow sprinkles, marshmallow, and many others.
The staff is always on hand with a smile to make sure you feel relaxed and comfortable during your stay.
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What is Front Royal VA known for?
Front Royal is renowned for being Virginia’s canoe capital, and with the Fork of the Shenandoah River just north, this is a fantastic location for renting kayaks.
Why is it called Front Royal VA?
The French early settlers called the area “le front royal” which meant ” British border. This name describes the lands granted to King Charles II. Front royal was often called “Loce” and “Helltown” in the late 1890s.
Is Front Royal VA a good place to live?
Front Royal is the best place to raise children. It has an affordable cost with good school facilities, lots of outdoor activities & lots of restaurants that offer fresh and nutritious local foods. Front Royal is also less than a minute from Washington’s capitol.
Conclusion:
Front Royal is the perfect place to get outside and explore, with hiking, walking, biking, kayaking, and even fishing for the whole family to enjoy.
There’s never a dull moment in Front Royal! If you’re looking for recreational activities and historical attractions, there are plenty of places to love visiting in the Royal area such as historical landmarks.
People come from all over the world to Front Royal to experience its stunning nature reserve and lovely parks.
Start planning your trip today, pin things guide for amusement and fun vacation.