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If you're looking for a spot in the Front Royal, Virginia, area to grab a drink, you can choose from a number of appealing locations. Each offers a welcoming atmosphere and an extensive menu to accommodate every palate. Pave Mint Taphouse Pave Mint Taphouse is a farm-to-table grill located on Commerce Avenue in Front Royal. Their extensive craft and micro beer menu includes a range of options, from ciders to IPAs and everything in between. A few of the house favorites include the Pernicious IPA, the restaurant's flagship IPA; the Porter, which blends flavors of coffee and dark chocolate with the complexity of malt; and the Malice, a cider blended with five different apple varieties from local orchards. If you're planning on driving, you don't have to miss out on the fun: this location offers a non-alcoholic beer called Run Wild IPA. It's blended with Northwest hops, boasting a complex malt profile that doesn't taste overly strong. You can also enjoy food at Pave Mint Taphouse, with options like burgers, specialty sandwiches, and combination platters piled high with smoked meats and flavorful sides. On Cue Sports Bar & Grill For a relaxed vibe, head to On Cue Sports Bar & Grill. This restaurant is also located on Commerce Avenue and is open every day but Sunday and offers an extensive selection of drinks and food. The house favorite cocktails include the margarita, Long Island Iced Tea, and bloody Mary. If you're planning to dine, be sure to try the crab tots, which feature a base of crispy tater tots topped with homemade crab dip. This spot is family-friendly, offering a kid's menu and plenty of choices for all tastes. Other tasty menu options include the spicy chili dog, topped with flavor-packed chili, jalapeno peppers, and nacho cheese, and the taco platter, which is served with three tacos with your choice of chicken, beef, fried fish, and fried shrimp. Virginia Beer Museum If you're in the mood to learn more about the history of local brewing while also sipping a beer, head to the Virginia Beer Museum. This unique location is the first of its kind, focusing on one state's history of beer and brewing. Since the state of Virginia houses more than 200 craft breweries, this museum strives to provide information about the growth of the industry. During a visit to the museum, you can do more than just view exhibits. This spot also serves a wide variety of locally brewed beer options, and it's available during all hours of operation. The menu rotates daily to include some of the local favorites, as well as new options that incorporate the flavors of the region. Whether you're in the mood for a relaxing outing with a glass of craft beer or you want to meet friends and enjoy a cocktail, you can find the perfect spot in Front Royal that caters to your needs. Each of these locations has its own unique vibe and plenty of appealing choices on the menu. Photo courtesy of Pexels

Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or it's an average weeknight, sometimes there's no better way to treat yourself than with a cheesy slice of pizza. Fortunately, you can find several fantastic pizza joints in the Front Royal, Virginia, area. Here are four local pizza joints where you can enjoy a slice or two. 1. Melting Pot Pizza Since 1972, Melting Pot Pizza has been serving up authentic East Coast thin-crust pizza. All of Melting Pot's pizzas are made with an original dough recipe featuring pure olive oil and butter and are topped with the freshest ingredients, including aged provolone cheese. Specialties include the Italia, which comes with a garlicky and peppery tomato sauce, anchovies, black olives, green peppers, and extra cheese. The barbecued chicken pizza features a smokey barbecue sauce, grilled chicken, and cheese. If meat's not really your thing, go for the vegetarian pizza, which is topped with mushrooms, black olives, green peppers, onions, and, of course, extra cheese. Be sure to add a side of garlic bread, jalapeno poppers, or cheese fries. 2. Castiglia's With two convenient locations in the Front Royal area, it's easy to enjoy a slice of Castiglia's gourmet pizza, made with premium ingredients like whole milk mozzarella. Customer favorites include the California pizza, which is topped with bacon, pineapple, black olives, grilled chicken, fresh tomatoes, and white sauce. The cheesesteak pizza comes with mozzarella cheese, American cheese, and Philly steak. Diners who don't eat meat but still enjoy a good pizza will love the vegetarian pizza, which is loaded with veggies, and the white pizza, which is topped with ricotta cheese. You can also build your own pizza with toppings such as spinach, eggplant, and roasted garlic. Complete your meal with some fried calamari, bruschetta, or breaded mushrooms. 3. Ledo Pizza Since 1955, Ledo Pizza has specialized in handcrafted carryout pizzas. Signature pizzas include the jerk chicken, topped with jerk sauce, provolone cheese, green peppers, pineapple, red onion, and grilled chicken. The Italian white pizza comes with garlic herb aioli sauce, Italian fontina, smoked provolone, parmesan, and asiago cheese. Another favorite is the deluxe pizza, topped with pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, hamburger, and bacon. You can create your own pizza from a variety of sauces, cheeses, and fresh toppings. For diners with dietary restrictions, Ledo offers cauliflower and gluten-free crusts. Don't forget to order some brownies or chocolate cheesecake cupcakes for dessert. 4. Fox's Pizza Den Fox's Pizza Den prides itself on delivering the perfect pizza "from our den to yours." Favorites include the taco pizza, topped with Fox's signature sauce, taco meat, nacho chips, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, and taco sauce. The steak rancher pizza comes with steak, ranch dressing, sweet peppers, mushrooms, onions, and cheese. Fox's signature sauce and plenty of cheese come on the veggie pizza, along with green peppers, onions, mushrooms, and black olives. Add a side of cheesy breadsticks and some s'mores cookies. These are just four of Front Royal's fantastic pizza joints. Stop by one today and enjoy a cheesy slice! Photo courtesy of Pexels

Front Royal, Virginia is a town full of history and excitement. Nicknamed “Helltown” because of the livestock wranglers and boatmen on the Shenandoah coming through the area to visit the local saloons, the town boasts adventures in every corner. Read through our list of top places to visit on during your trip to Front Royal. Glen Manor Vineyards Glen Manor Vineyards is one the best places to visit when the weather is perfect. Pack a lunch or stop by one of the small restaurants and explore the 17 acres of Vineyards. The vineyard is not only a winery, the property has a history dating all the way back to 1837. This is the perfect place to get an amazing view of the Blue Ridge Mountains as it is situated in the western flanks. The Glen Manor Vineyards are open 11am-5pm, Friday-Monday by appointment only, Balthis House Situated in the Front Royal Historic District, Balthis House is one of the last standing Federal-style houses in the area. Originally built in 1787, the house has gone through quite a few additions and is the oldest house on the oldest street of Front Royal. The house is one of four historical sites of the Warren Heritage Society so make sure you stop by those during the visit as well. Tours are available Sunday-Friday, April-November. Belle Boyd Cottage Belle Boyd Cottage is also a part of the Warren Heritage Society, named after the famous female Confederate spy, since she operated out of what was then her father’s hotel. The cottage only housed the owner’s family and the most exclusive guests such as President Franklin Pierce and General Fitzgerald Lee. Find out the extensive history of the Civil War-era cottage during your self-guided tour. Skyline Caverns The Skyline Caverns in Front Royal, VA boasts rare rock formations and anthodites. Discovered in 1937 by Walter S. Amos, the caverns have been greatly preserved since then. Grab a picnic and bring the family for a day full of exploration and fun with the added features of the train, trail, and maze. Tours are about an hour long and tickets are available for purchase on-site. Shenandoah National Park Shenandoah National Park is full of wonder in all corners. The national park features waterfalls, unique views, fields of wildflowers, and amazing greenery. The park is an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains and has over 200k acres of land with protected wildlife. Hike through Old Rag Mountain, picnic at the Big Meadows, or visit one or all the four exhibits available throughout the park, you’ll never not have something to do. You’ll need a dependable car for all these activities. Stop by Front Royal Buick GMC today and view our extensive inventory of vehicles. We’ll help you get into the car of your dreams. Photo courtesy of Pexels

Shenandoah National Park is a 200,000-acre pocket of protected land along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Just over an hour's drive from Washington D.C., you'll find miles of hiking trails, dozens of waterfalls, and stunning views. Here are three things to do when you visit Virginia's only national park. Complete Skyline Drive Skyline Drive runs 105 miles through Shenandoah National Park, from Front Royal to Rockfish Gap, with additional access points at Thornton Gap on Route 211 and Swift Run Gap on Route 33. Set aside time on a clear day to travel its length, stopping off at many of its 75 scenic overlooks. You'll appreciate incredible views of the Shenandoah Valley, the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains, and the Piedmont. Blooming azaleas line the drive in summer, while vibrant foliage greets you in the fall. You might also spot wildlife such as deer, wild turkey, and black bear, and wildflowers such as goldenrod, trillium, and black-eyed susans. This scenic byway is also popular among cyclists and bikers, so drive carefully and stick to the 35 mph speed limit. You can complete Skyline Drive in about three hours, but take your time to enjoy the views, picnic at an overlook, or venture down one of the many trailheads along its length. Hike the Trails One of Shenandoah National Park's biggest draws is its 500-mile network of hiking trails, 101 of which are also part of the Appalachian Trail. You can access the park's trail system from many points along Skyline Drive. Choose a day hike such as the moderate 3.7-mile Snead Farm Loop, which winds through apple orchards and past the historic Snead farm. The park also has many kid-friendly hikes, such as the 1.2-mile Frazier Discovery Trail, which features lovely views off Loft Mountain. Experienced hikers might try their hand a summiting Old Rag Mountain. Before embarking on a hike, however, make sure you're equipped with a trail map, proper footwear, and drinking water. Know how to read the trail markers, which will ensure you stay on the right path, provide mileage updates, and indicate points of interest. Hunt for Waterfalls Shenandoah National Park is home to dozens of waterfalls, from small, unnamed cascades to rushing, 90-foot drops. You can access most of them from trailheads and parking areas along Skyline Drive. Just know they all involve a brief hike to an overlook. The park's tallest waterfall is Overall Run Falls, which drops 93 feet and provides views of Massanutten Mountain and the Shenandoah Valley. A 5-mile round-trip hike from milepost 21.1 on Skyline Drive will take you to it. Another popular fall is South River Falls, an 83-foot cascade accessible from milepost 62.8 with a 2.6-mile round-trip hike. One of Shenandoah's easiest waterfalls to access is 70-foot Dark Hollow Falls, which requires a 1.4-mile round-trip hike from milepost 50. In addition to these highlights, you can mountain bike, horseback ride, camp, fish, rock climb, hunt for geocaches, picnic, look for wildlife, practice your photography skills, and more during a visit to Shenandoah National Park. Image by Pixabay

Front Royal is full of fun and scenic historical attractions that the whole family will enjoy. The following places will take you back in time where you'll learn about the interesting history of this little Virginia town. 1. Balthis House Chester Street is the oldest street in Front Royal. Balthis House is known to be the oldest surviving building on this street. The house's kitchen is the only known detached kitchen in Front Royal, making it especially unique. The house's original frame was built between 1787 and 1802. It was originally owned by two trustees listed on Front Royal's 1788 charter. Since then, the house has been home to a war hero and a famed educator, among others. The Balthis family bought the property in 1838. They used the building as both their home and their successful blacksmith business. During their time as owners, they built the two additions to the house that are still intact today. You can visit this historic home Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April through October and Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March. Tickets to the house are $10 for adults and include a guided tour to Balthis House and Belle Boyd Cottage. Tickets for kids are free. 2. Battle of Front Royal Driving Tour The Battle of Front Royal Driving Tour will take you along the path that General Stonewall Jackson took as he figured out what his next move would be after the Battle of Front Royal, also known as the Battle of Brother Against Brother. You can stop at the visitor center to pick up a copy of the self-guided driving tour or download it from the website. The tour has 10 stops, the first being Asbury Chapel, where the Confederate advance halted on May 23, 1862. The last stop is at Fairview, where the battle ended in Colonel Kenly's defeat. 3. Belle Boyd Cottage The Belle Boyd Cottage is connected to the famous Confederate spy, Belle Boyd. The cottage is in the courtyard behind Fishback Hotel where Union officers would stay during the war when they held the town of Front Royal. While living in the little five-room cottage, Belle was able to spy on the Union army in service to the Confederates. In addition to Belle Boyd, the cottage also hosted many famous politicians and military leaders, like President Franklin Pierce and General Fitzhugh Lee. 4. Ivy Lodge Museum When visiting Warren Heritage in Front Royal, your first stop will be the Ivy Lodge Museum. This museum is home to both permanent and rotating exhibits that display the history of Warren County and Front Royal and the town's local events and people. From the county's early colonists to its agriculture and industry, you'll get a glimpse of this little town's story. Admission to Ivy Lodge is free. If you're looking to dive into some local history, Front Royal, Virginia, is full of great places where you can enjoy an afternoon learning about the town's historical past. Image by Pixabay

Within the compact frame of Buick's smallest SUV, the 2020 Encore stores a host of impressive features. Drivers looking for multiple trim level options, outstanding cabin comfort, impressive infotainment support, superior handling, and a remarkable array of standard safety features should take a look at the 2020 Buick Encore. Trim Options The 2020 Buick Encore comes in four trim levels: 1SV, Preferred, Sport Touring, and Essence. Each trim offers substantial features that increase in luxury as you travel up the trim options. The base 1SV and second-step Preferred trims include enticing components like automatic headlights, keyless ignition, keyless entry, and heated mirrors. The Sport Touring model includes remote start, fog lights, and a rear spoiler. The top-end Essence trim offers LED headlights and luxury interior elements like heated front seats and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel. Comfortable Seating The compact SUV comfortably seats five in two rows of seats. With ample head and legroom, even adults in the backseats will have plenty of space to stretch out on road trips. The seats themselves, available in a high-quality cloth or leather trim, are supportive and roomy. The trunk space is substantial and can hold your luggage, gear, or groceries with ease. Should you have larger or bulkier items to haul, the backseats and the front passenger seat all fold flat to accommodate any type of cargo. Excellent Infotainment Tech lovers, rejoice! The 2020 Encore comes standard on all trims with an impressive infotainment system and included connectivity features. The Encore's 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system includes Buick's proprietary IntelliLink software, which is known for its quick response to user inputs and straightforward design. The system also includes the highly sought-after Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Connectivity alongside Bluetooth and SiriusXM radio. Passengers will love the included 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and multitude of USB ports for charging devices. Powerful Engine and Handling All trim levels of the 2020 Buick Encore share an impressive motor. The turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine pairs to a six-speed automatic transmission. This front-wheel-drive setup gets 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive comes standard on all models, but an upgrade to all-wheel drive is available for the Preferred, Sport Touring, and Essence trims. The turbo handles beautifully across all types of terrain and works nicely with the suspension and brakes to provide a smooth, enjoyable ride no matter where you are. Standard Safety Buick understands the value of driver-assist safety features and outfits the 2020 Encore accordingly. Standard and optional features across all trim levels include a backup camera, rain-sensing windshield wipers, front and rear parking sensors, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, rear-cross traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring. Passive safety features like air bags and LATCH car seat anchors are standard on all models. The 2020 Buick Encore beautifully combines elegance with comfort and convenience. Come down to visit us at Front Royal Buick GMC in Front Royal, Virginia, to see the various trim options for yourself and take an Encore on a test drive. Image by Buick

Are you visiting Front Royal, Virginia, and looking for a great outdoor activity to do while there? Or maybe you're a Front Royal resident and just want to try something new outdoors in your area. If so, this list offers plenty of variety for enjoying the great outdoors while in this beautiful city. Royal Horseshoe Farm Royal Horseshoe Farm is a gorgeous horse farm that offers plenty of activities and fun for the whole family. One of their most popular attractions is the scenic trail rides they offer all year long that pass through the Shenandoah Valley. Ride through Manassas Run, get a look at the old cannon emplacements that are known for guarding Morgan's Ford, and step inside the barns that used to house the U.S. Calvary ponies. You can also visit the house where George Washington resided when he was surveying for Lord Fairfax. Pony rides are also available for children ages two and older as well as private and group horseback riding lessons offered by the Royal Horseshoe Farm's certified instructors. Royal Horseshoe Farm is open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is located at 509 Morgan Ford Rd. in Front Royal, Virginia. Buzzard Rock North Buzzard Rock North is a beautiful location for a moderate-level hike through mountains and valleys in the Hampton, Virginia, area. The white-blazed trail takes you through forest terrain, a beautiful outcropping of rocks, and an unbeatable valley view. The trail can be hiked in around 45 minutes at an easy pace, and the way back is all downhill, making for a great hiking experience that doesn't require too much energy. Buzzard Rock North is located at Mountain Road/Toute 619 in Front Royal, Virginia. Blue Ridge Hot Air Balloons If you're in the mood for a more exhilarating adventure, look no further than Blue Ridge Hot Air Balloons. Hop in a hot air balloon and enjoy the gorgeous view of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and the Blue Ridge Mountains. At the end of each ride, you'll get to enjoy a "post-flight toast" of either champagne or sparkling apple cider to remember your time up in the air. To make a special occasion even more memorable, consider flying a banner across town to really make a statement. Each ride is $225 per person. Adventure Enablers Adventure Enablers gives you the opportunity to explore Front Royal on an efficient, eco-friendly electric bike. Go uphill, downhill, and all around town without having to exert the effort required to handle a traditional bike. The bikes you can rent are the RadRover brand and are made to conquer challenging terrains, flat roads, and everything in between so you can ride with confidence. Each bike can be rented for $40 for two hours. Adventure Enablers is located at 520A East 6th St. in Front Royal. We can't wait to hear which outdoor adventure you enjoyed the most. Stop by and say hi at Front Royal Buick GMC after trying out these exciting outdoor activities. Image by Pixabay