Overview
Front Royal is a town of 15,000 people (2019) in the US state of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. It is the county seat of Warren County.
2 sights · 7 things to do · 5 places to eat · 5 bars & cafés · 9 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Front Royal
Skyline Caverns
A series of caverns turned tourist attraction, one of only a few places in the world where you will find Anthodite formations, minerals shaped like orchids. There are also a series of underground streams and a waterfall …
Christendom College
Catholic college, opened in 1977.
Appalachian Trail
The 2,100-mile (3,400-km) Appalachian Trail passes near Front Royal. You can find it on Route 522 (Remount Road), about 4 miles southeast of the center of town. From here, you can walk 969 miles (1,560 km) south to Georg…
Skyline Drive
A 105-mile (169-km) windy road, along the Shenandoah National Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains, with dozens of beautiful views. Particularly stunning when the leaves change color in late September and early October.
Warren Riffles Confederate Museum
Relics and records of the US Civil War. Also books and gifts. Weekdays 9AM-4PM; Su noon to 4PM April 15-Nov 1; by appointment rest of year.
Blue Ridge Hot Air Balloons
Hot air balloon rides over the Shenandoah Valley, to see the area from above.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 30°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Washington, D.C.)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- IAD Washington Dulles International Airport, Dulles — 40 mi away (major hub). Directions
- CHO Charlottesville Albemarle Airport, Charlottesville — 56 mi away. Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Skyline Caverns, Skyline Drive, Warren Riffles Confederate Museum
- Lunch Front Royal Fox's Pizza Den
- Afternoon Royal Family Bowling Center, Appalachian Trail
- Dinner Spelunker's Frozen Custard & Cavern Burgers
- Evening Main Street Daily Grind Café
Day 2
- Morning Christendom College, Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Club
- Lunch Houlihan's Restaurant + Bar
- Afternoon Blue Ridge Hot Air Balloons
- Dinner Khukuri Nepali Cuisine
- Evening Honey & Hops Brew Works
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
- Front Royal Tourism website
Get in
- The town is at the intersection of Interstate 66, US-340 and US-522 near US-55. It is just miles from the intersection of Interstate 66 and Interstate 81
- The closest airport is Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD), a small airport with scheduled commercial service only from Chicago–O'Hare and Washington–Dulles.
- About an hour drive from Front Royal is Washington Dulles International Airport major airport with numerous domestic and international flights.
- For passenger train service, Manassas Amtrak Station is about an hour drive from Front Royal.
- Passenger bus service is available from Washington Greyhound Bus Station, about a 90-minute drive from Front Royal.
Get around
Front Royal's downtown area along Main Street is walkable.
There is a bus, the called Front Royal Trolley, which travels around the town of Front Royal but not the surrounding areas. ($0.50 fare; free for ages 0-12). (Route map)
Otherwise, you will definitely need a car to get around.
See
Do
Do Appalachian Trail
The 2,100-mile (3,400-km) Appalachian Trail passes near Front Royal. You can find it on Route 522 (Remount Road), about 4 miles southeast of the center of town. From here, you can walk 969 miles (1,560 km) south to Georgia or 1,134 miles (1,825 km) north to Maine. There is a Front Royal Trolley stop here, but pickup is only twice per day.
Do Skyline Drive
A 105-mile (169-km) windy road, along the Shenandoah National Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains, with dozens of beautiful views. Particularly stunning when the leaves change color in late September and early October.
Do Warren Riffles Confederate Museum
Relics and records of the US Civil War. Also books and gifts. Weekdays 9AM-4PM; Su noon to 4PM April 15-Nov 1; by appointment rest of year.
Do Royal Family Bowling Center
Do Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Club
Featuring views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this award-winning golf course offers five sets of tee boxes ranging from 4,994 to 7,301 yards. The front nine plays as a traditional mountain course with vast elevation changes, tight fairways and numerous bunkers on most holes. The back nine, on the other hand, plays as a lakes course with wider fairways and water on almost all 9 holes, including the Signature Waterfall at the 18th green.
Buy
Eat
Eat L Dee's Pancake House
Pancakes and other breakfast food. Cash only.
Eat Spelunker's Frozen Custard & Cavern Burgers
Burgers and frozen custard.
Eat Front Royal Fox's Pizza Den
Pizza, sandwiches, and salads.
Eat Houlihan's Restaurant + Bar
Houlihan’s offers relaxed, casual dining and bar seating for 196 guests, featuring quality American fare freshly prepared with contemporary flavors and creativity. Houlihan's features a 98% made-from-scratch kitchen. From fresh-baked artisan breads to mini martini flights, you’ll find a variety of popular dishes along with interesting new tastes delivered to the table with smart presentations.
Eat Khukuri Nepali Cuisine
Traditional Nepalese and north Indian cuisine including dal-bhat-takari, momos, tandoori, etc.
Drink
Drink Chester Gap Cellars
Scenic winery that grows its grapes on-site. Lovely view of the surrounding area. Well-behaved dogs are welcome outside.
Drink Glen Manor Vienyards
Taste many different varietals of wine that have been produced on their 17-acre vineyard. Beautiful view of the vines, pasture, and mountains. The farm has been owned and farmed by five generations of their family for over 100 years.
Drink Vibrissa Beer
Brewery and restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. Live music some Friday and Saturday evenings. They also have a location in Winchester.
Drink Main Street Daily Grind Café
Coffee and espresso drinks. Also serves breakfast and lunch.
Drink Honey & Hops Brew Works
3 brothers from Alaska, making mead in the Shenandoah Valley. Small batch, hand crafted, honey wine.
Sleep
Bed & Breakfast
Hotels and motels
Stay Blue Ridge Motel
Stay Relax Inn
Stay Motel 6
Stay DoubleTree by Hilton Front Royal Blue Ridge Shadows (formerly Holiday Inn Express)
A conference hotel with 124 Guest Rooms, 26 one bedroom suites and conference facilities seating up to 300 people for banquets. The hotel offers free wireless internet, coin-op guest laundry, 24 hour fitness center and business centers and a heated indoor pool/whirlpool. Guest rooms come with 32-inch LCD TVs with HBO, Refrigerators and oversized desks with ergonomic chairs.
Stay Super 8 Motel
Campground
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My experience
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