Getting Around
Killahevlin, Front Royal
Northern Virginia is located approximately 300 miles southwest of New York City,
75 miles west of Washington, DC, and 130 miles northwest of Richmond, VA.
The area is compact enough to tour from a central location, but varied enough
to make a town -- to -- town trip equally appealing, especially if expanded south towards
Charlottesville,
Lexington, and Staunton.
Whatever your itinerary, allow time for a leisurely tour
of a portion of the Skyline Drive, which follows the
crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains for the full length
of Shenandoah National Park, from Front Royal south to
Waynesboro, connecting directly with the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway.
Lots of hiking trails and scenic overlooks await your exploration.
When to Go
Spring and fall weekends, when flowers and foliage are at their
respective peaks, are the most popular -- and most congested -- times
to visit. Winter is a quiet time, perfect for a relaxing getaway;
go slow on winding mountain roads if a cold spell brings ice or snow.
As always, value-conscious travelers will do best traveling
between Sunday and Thursday.
Sights & Activities
After you've seen the view from the Skyline Drive, catch the sights from
down below. Best known of the water-carved limestone caves which lie
below the Shenandoah farmland are Luray Caverns
and Skyline Caverns,
but dedicated spelunkers will enjoy exploring the many other
show caves,
each with distinctive appeal and stable year-round temperatures. Ready
for fresh air? Splurge on a breath-taking ride with
Blue Ridge Hot Air Balloons..
More info…
If you enjoy history measured in hundreds -- rather than millions -- of years,
visit Belle Grove Plantation,
a restored 18th century farm and Civil War
battle site. Special events
in November and December include a Living
History weekend and Christmas Candlelight Tours. We had a wonderful
time at Glen Burnie,
a historic house with exceptional gardens, open
from April through October. More history…
For strolling, shopping,
and dining, don't miss a visit to nearby Winchester, a historic town
with an appealing walking mall,
and one of the region's best restaurants,
Violino's (540-667-8006).
"A meal without wine is like -- breakfast," someone told us once, and
there's no better remedy than a visit to a Virginia winery
for a
tour and tasting. Linden and
Oasis are two fine area choices, a
short drive
from Front Royal. Many wineries offer special holiday
open houses in late November and
December,
so click for details.
B&Bs and Inns
Front Royal: For an in-town B&B, within walking distance of
restaurants, galleries, and museums, an affordable choice is
the Chester House.
Gracious owners Phillip Inge and Allen Hamblin
offer comfortable accommodation,
spacious common areas and a wonderful
garden boxwood maze.
Just north of town is Killahevlin, where
Susan O'Kelly will welcome you to her historic hilltop Edwardian mansion, with wonderful
mountain views from its expansive porches. Named for a castle in Ireland, Killahevlin's
Irish hospitality extends from its generous breakfasts to its romantic guest rooms, to
its cozy Irish pub. Plan to relax, and don't be surprised if you don't get around to all
the sightseeing you had planned!
Stephens City: We had a delightful stay at the Inn at Vaucluse Spring,
tucked away in a
quiet but convenient country setting. The inn melds over 200 years of Virginia history
with the vision of long-time resident artist John Chumley, enhanced by the exceptional
good taste and hospitality of current owners and restorers Neil and Barry Myers.
More inns…
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