Michele’s Favorite
Places and More
Wine tasting and Picnics
Glen Manor Vineyards is a local winery located across the road from Full Circle Farm (FCF). They are an award winning winery both nationally and internationally. If you are a wine drinker or just like to sample, you will not be disappointed in this local gem.
Glen Manor Vineyards
2244 Browntown RdRappahannock is a great vineyard located out on route 522 south. It is more casual than Glen Manor and the wines are great but a bit less pricey. This is a favorite of ours.
42 habitants recommandent
Rappahannock Cellars
14437 Co Rd 635Rappahannock is a great vineyard located out on route 522 south. It is more casual than Glen Manor and the wines are great but a bit less pricey. This is a favorite of ours.
Hike/sky watch/picnic.
Dickey Ridge Welcome Center is 5 miles into Skyline Drive from the north entrance of Shenandoah National Park. The entrance is located a short 10 minute drive away from Full Circle Farm (FCF).
Dickey Ridge is not only a welcome center but also a great place to picnic and in the evenings sky watch. Bring a picnic and your binoculars or telescope to view the breathtaking views and the startling clear sky away from the city lights!
Dickey Ridge Visitor Center
17065 Skyline DrThis is a great hike especially on a sunny warm/hot day. The hike is about 3 miles round trip with the end of the first half coming to a swimming hole. Dogs love this hike! More specific directions are in the apartment.
6 habitants recommandent
Thompson Hollow Trailhead
This is a great hike especially on a sunny warm/hot day. The hike is about 3 miles round trip with the end of the first half coming to a swimming hole. Dogs love this hike! More specific directions are in the apartment.
Another great hike where you start at the bottom and walk up into SNP. It’s a little steep here and there but ends with a water fall. There is also a creek most of the way and a creek at the falls for cooling down and for your pup to enjoy. Round trip is approximately 3.1 miles. This is my “go to” hike whenever I feel I just have to get out there!
Lands Run
Another great hike where you start at the bottom and walk up into SNP. It’s a little steep here and there but ends with a water fall. There is also a creek most of the way and a creek at the falls for cooling down and for your pup to enjoy. Round trip is approximately 3.1 miles. This is my “go to” hike whenever I feel I just have to get out there!
Horseback Riding/Trail Riding
I rode here for the first time this summer (2021) and I was so impressed I’m going back again and again. Now my grandson wants to take lessons. Jean French who operates (and owns the horses) is amazing with her guests. She is a professional horse rider, competitor and trainer. Whether you are a beginner or advanced you will truly fall in love with this farm, the horses and of course the beautiful scenery. Also, Rappahannock Winery is right down the road! A day here can’t be beat!
11 habitants recommandent
Marriott Ranch Trail Rides
4439 Fiery Run RdI rode here for the first time this summer (2021) and I was so impressed I’m going back again and again. Now my grandson wants to take lessons. Jean French who operates (and owns the horses) is amazing with her guests. She is a professional horse rider, competitor and trainer. Whether you are a beginner or advanced you will truly fall in love with this farm, the horses and of course the beautiful scenery. Also, Rappahannock Winery is right down the road! A day here can’t be beat!
This is a scenic place to ride. I’ve ridden here several times and also have taken lessons. They are friendly and professional. It’s always a pleasure visiting Royal Horseshoe Farm. Very child friendly.
13 habitants recommandent
Royal Horseshoe Farm
509 Morgan Ford RdThis is a scenic place to ride. I’ve ridden here several times and also have taken lessons. They are friendly and professional. It’s always a pleasure visiting Royal Horseshoe Farm. Very child friendly.
Food scene
Now called the Dark Horse Pub. We have not been there yet but I hear it’s good. Great menu, lovely outdoor seating and a great bar. Wine list with local wines and beer on tap. It is located about 20 minutes from the apartment but worth the drive. Casual or dressy with a reasonablely priced menu. If you’re going to eat out you shouldn’t miss this local treasure.
39 habitants recommandent
Griffin Tavern
659 Zachary Taylor HwyNow called the Dark Horse Pub. We have not been there yet but I hear it’s good. Great menu, lovely outdoor seating and a great bar. Wine list with local wines and beer on tap. It is located about 20 minutes from the apartment but worth the drive. Casual or dressy with a reasonablely priced menu. If you’re going to eat out you shouldn’t miss this local treasure.
This brew pub is a favorite in town. Renamed Vibrissa. We recently started going and we love it. The rueben (and pretzel, my fav) is fantastic and all the beers are brewed on site. Beer flights available so you can taste a few in one order. Indoor and outdoor seating plus live music in the evenings. This pub is located in historic downtown Front Royal as walking around and browsing is a great pastime after a good meal.
40 habitants recommandent
Front Royal Brewing Company
122 E Main StThis brew pub is a favorite in town. Renamed Vibrissa. We recently started going and we love it. The rueben (and pretzel, my fav) is fantastic and all the beers are brewed on site. Beer flights available so you can taste a few in one order. Indoor and outdoor seating plus live music in the evenings. This pub is located in historic downtown Front Royal as walking around and browsing is a great pastime after a good meal.
YES! A great Thai restaurant can be found in small towns. This local treasure is a must for those who love Thai food. It has been our “let’s eat out tonight” go to for several years. Brandon will probably serve you and he’s a mainstay at Thunwa. Great menu. Please call if you love Thai beer like I do. They let their alcohol license expire during Covid so I’m not sure if it’s been re-instated but it’s still worth going to eat there or carry out back to the apartment and enjoy on the deck with a cold one. Several of my guests have raved about this place.
10 habitants recommandent
Thunwa Thai
10 S Commerce AveYES! A great Thai restaurant can be found in small towns. This local treasure is a must for those who love Thai food. It has been our “let’s eat out tonight” go to for several years. Brandon will probably serve you and he’s a mainstay at Thunwa. Great menu. Please call if you love Thai beer like I do. They let their alcohol license expire during Covid so I’m not sure if it’s been re-instated but it’s still worth going to eat there or carry out back to the apartment and enjoy on the deck with a cold one. Several of my guests have raved about this place.
This wonderful restaurant is owned and operated by Stacey and David Gedney both formally of Inn of Little Washington. They have a great menu, wonderful wine list and the prices are reasonable. You can dress up or be casual here and it’s right on Main Street for an after dinner walk. I usually have lunch here. The sandwiches and tomato crab soup are delicious.
37 habitants recommandent
Element
317 E Main StThis wonderful restaurant is owned and operated by Stacey and David Gedney both formally of Inn of Little Washington. They have a great menu, wonderful wine list and the prices are reasonable. You can dress up or be casual here and it’s right on Main Street for an after dinner walk. I usually have lunch here. The sandwiches and tomato crab soup are delicious.
Spelunkers is a local favorite burger and ice cream stop over. Featured in Washingtonian Magazine as a “must go to” eatery while visiting Front Royal. All burgers are made to order; the ice cream is deLISH as are the shakes. This is a must for my grandsons (and me) when they’re hungry and need an ice cream fix. Great place to go after and long hike or canoe trip.
45 habitants recommandent
Spelunker's
116 South StSpelunkers is a local favorite burger and ice cream stop over. Featured in Washingtonian Magazine as a “must go to” eatery while visiting Front Royal. All burgers are made to order; the ice cream is deLISH as are the shakes. This is a must for my grandsons (and me) when they’re hungry and need an ice cream fix. Great place to go after and long hike or canoe trip.
Very upscale famous restaurant. If you have the money, don’t miss it. The wine list is extensive with world-class wines and the food is one of the best in the US. Keep your eyes peeled for the rich and famous who helicopter in for a feast fit for a king, queen or President.Again, if you have the spare change, it’s a must. We go on very special occasions and it’s always an experience in culinary and wine delights. It is expensive but well worth the price if you’re a food or wine connoisseur.
62 habitants recommandent
The Inn at Little Washington
309 Middle StVery upscale famous restaurant. If you have the money, don’t miss it. The wine list is extensive with world-class wines and the food is one of the best in the US. Keep your eyes peeled for the rich and famous who helicopter in for a feast fit for a king, queen or President.Again, if you have the spare change, it’s a must. We go on very special occasions and it’s always an experience in culinary and wine delights. It is expensive but well worth the price if you’re a food or wine connoisseur.
Beautiful B&B with a great restaurant and bistro but since you’re staying at Full Circle Farm go there and eat! Prices are not as high as “The Inn” and the food is as creative and enjoyable. We go to the bistro where we can order a la cart off the menu with a glass (or two) of wine. This is a casual or dressy kind of place surrounded by art and beautiful gardens. Great place to celebrate birthdays, engagements and anniversaries. Highly recommended by your hosts George and Michele.
18 habitants recommandent
L'Auberge Provencale Bed and Breakfast
13630 Lord Fairfax HwyBeautiful B&B with a great restaurant and bistro but since you’re staying at Full Circle Farm go there and eat! Prices are not as high as “The Inn” and the food is as creative and enjoyable. We go to the bistro where we can order a la cart off the menu with a glass (or two) of wine. This is a casual or dressy kind of place surrounded by art and beautiful gardens. Great place to celebrate birthdays, engagements and anniversaries. Highly recommended by your hosts George and Michele.
Canoeing and Rafting down the Shenandoah River
Many people come to visit and live here in Front Royal for the majestic Shenandoah River. If you love the water and enjoy bird and wildlife watching, this river is a must for your visit.
Kayak! Canoe! Raft! This is why the crowds love our little town. Go do it on a warm summer day and be amazed at the birds and other wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for the majestic bald eagle. Several nests are along the river’s shores - they are a sight to see. After a warm day on the river and in the sun treat yourself to one of the many restaurants on Main and do some shopping. Downriver Canoe makes your adventure on the river easy and enjoyable.
34 habitants recommandent
Downriver Canoe Co
884 Indian Hollow RdKayak! Canoe! Raft! This is why the crowds love our little town. Go do it on a warm summer day and be amazed at the birds and other wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for the majestic bald eagle. Several nests are along the river’s shores - they are a sight to see. After a warm day on the river and in the sun treat yourself to one of the many restaurants on Main and do some shopping. Downriver Canoe makes your adventure on the river easy and enjoyable.