Happy Creek Coffee and Tea: Refreshment for Hikers

Happy Creek Coffee and Tea appeared a block off of Front Royal's main historic street a few years ago. That this small street could support two coffee shops and a tea shop is improbable, but it seems to be working. 

Front Royal, Virginia, is a "trail town" about an hour west of Washington, D.C., and adjacent to the north entrance of Shenandoah National Park. It sees a lot of hikers, including Appalachian Trail thru-hikers, as well as locals and D.C. tourists on day trips.

At just about the time I was falling in love with the new phenomenon of pour-over coffee, I discovered Happy Creek. For a couple of years now, it's been a routine to stop there in my sweaty hiking clothes after visiting Shenandoah to take advantage of their wide selection of coffee.

They offer a menu of gluten-free baked goods and smoothies, in addition to their coffee. I'm partial to their large, cinnamon-tinged chocolate chip cookies. You have several whole-bean options from which to choose your pour-over, and be warned that you might be tempted to buy a locally made pottery item from the basket near the register. 

Carrying your order into the seating area, you find a friendly-looking room repurposed from an old barn. Dotted with rustic tables and local art, it's quiet and appealing, the kind of place that's cozy in both the summer and winter. Light shines in from the garage door windows on sunny days, but if it's overcast, the Edison bulbs still illuminate the room with all the exposed filaments a hipster heart could desire.

There is also an eclectic selection of magazines to read, as well as the stack of board games that has become de rigueur for coffeehouses. I browsed a climbing magazine while sipping my coffee, giving thanks that there are people brave enough to scale Half Dome so that I can read their tips for an adventurous life while staying safely on the ground.

Coffee: ★★★★ Consistently excellent pour-overs and cold brews.

Food: ★★★ They offer several tasty items, but they also sell out early.

Ambience: ★★★★ Quiet and homey.

Service: ★★★★ The barista is always friendly, quick, and willing to offer advice on coffee choices.