Attractions in and around Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Other things to see and do on your trip to Harpers Ferry

Parks and Preserves:
Harpers Ferry National Park
Take a walk through time as you visit the historical town of Harpers Ferry. This unique place made its mark when abolitionist John Brown staged his raid on the U.S. Arsenal there setting off a chain of events that resulted in the Civil War. The park is actually a collection of many small museums created within original buildings. It is part of the Civil War Discovery Trail, and it has many beautiful hiking trails. It offers a schedule of events all year long, with costumed interpreters providing daily tours throughout the summer and on weekends in the fall and spring. Visit the sight where the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers converge and Jefferson Rock. There is something for everyone to experience. Educational & Group Tours welcome. Handicapped accessible.

Appalachian National Scenic Trail
From Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in Georgia, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail wanders the ridges and valleys of the Appalachian mountain ranges for more than 2,174 miles.
The Appalachian Trail passes through the historic town of Harpers Ferry, within just a quarter-mile of the ATC headquarters and visitor center, providing opportunities to explore the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and its interpretive exhibits.
From the north, the Appalachian Trail enters West Virginia at Harpers Ferry by way of a footbridge over the Potomac River. As it leaves the town heading south, the Appalachian Trail follows a wooded ridge above the Shenandoah River, passing Jefferson Rock overlook, with impressive views of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. Next it crosses the Shenandoah River, ascending the Blue Ridge at Loudon Heights, and straddling the Virginia-West Virginia border for the next fifteen miles.

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Stretching 184.5 miles along the Potomac River between Washington, D.C. and Cumberland, Maryland, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park preserves remains of America's colorful canal era. For nearly a century, the C&O Canal was the lifeline for communities and businesses along the Potomac, as coal, lumber, grain, and other agricultural products gently floated down the canal to market. This magnificent water highway linked the rapidly growing west to the east and played an important role in the growth and development of our country.
Hiking and biking along the towpath are excellent ways to see the park.

Potomac Heritage National Trail
The designation of a Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail corridor in 1983, an amendment to the National Trails System Act, is being used by communities in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia and Pennsylvania to develop and make connections among trails, historic sites and a range of recreational and educational opportunities.

Berkeley Springs State Park
Berkeley Springs State Park is located in the center of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. The Bathhouse first opened in 1930. Since then, thousands have enjoyed the variety of baths and treatments in the warm mineral waters that flow from the springs at a constant temperature of 74.3 degrees Fahrenheit. The springs discharge from five principle sources and numerous lesser ones, all within a hundred yards, approximately 2,000 gallons of clear, sparkling water per minute. Bathing in the springs has been popular since before the days of George Washington.

Washington Heritage Trail
A world of enchantment awaits you along the Washington Heritage Trail, in West Virginia's scenic Eastern Panhandle.
Discover places where George Washington slept... the nation's first warm springs spa... and a notorious female Confederate spy.
Here, five 18th-century towns and surrounding wilderness continue to be a favorite destination for family getaways and romantic weekends. Citizens in the Potomac Heritage Trail corridor are rediscovering history and reclaiming access to rivers and other outdoor places.

Antietam National Battlefield
GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE'S first invasion of the North culminated with the Battle of Antietam, in Maryland (or Sharpsburg, as the South called it). The battle took place on Wednesday, September 17, 1862, just 18 days after the Confederate victory at Second Manassas, 40 miles to the southeast in Virginia.
Not only was this the first major Civil War engagement on Northern soil, it was also the bloodiest single day battle in American history.
To view the magnitude of the losses, consider that Antietam resulted in nine times as many Americans killed or wounded (23,000 soldiers) as took place on June 6, 1944--D-day, the so-called "longest day" of World War II.* Also consider that more soldiers were killed and wounded at the Battle of Antietam than the deaths of all Americans in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican War, and Spanish-American War combined.

Yankauer Nature Preserve
This 104-acre refuge is operated by The Nature Conservancy of West Virginia and The Potomac Valley Audubon Society, offering nature trails, bird-watching, public events, and a summer camp for youngsters.

Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area
Sleepy Creek is a haven for rustic camping, hiking, fishing and hunting (wild turkey is the featured game species). The area, which also has a 205-acre lake, a boat launch and a rifle range, is traversed by a section of the challenging 250-mile Tuscarora Trail. Located 11 miles west of Martinsburg and 6 miles southeast of Berkeley Springs. No gas-powered boats.

Cacapon State Park
A destination resort with lodge, cabins, conference facilities, family restaurant, a lake for fishing, boating and swimming, an 18-hole, championship golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones. Miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding. On Rt. 522, 9 miles south of Berkeley Springs. Tel: 1-800-CALLWVA

Shopping:
Downtown Harpers Ferry Mainstreet
Whether you are looking for quiet beauty or a place alive with shadows of history, you will find it in this village at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers. Enjoy the spectacular energy of the rivers cutting through the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the charming old town filled with people obviously enjoying themselves that will make you want to come back. Downtown Harpers Ferry and the Harpers Ferry National Park offer a wide variety of quaint shops and eateries.

Prime Outlets in Hagerstown, Maryland
The Prime Outlets provides more than 450,000 square feet of famous brand names at great prices. You will find more than 100 designer and specialty outlet stores featuring men's, women's and children's apparel, house wares, electronics, gifts, shoes and other accessories. (45 minutes from Harpers Ferry)

Shepherdstown

Visit the oldest town in West Virginia and the site of James Rumsey's first successful demonstration of a steam powered boat in 1787. Shepherdstown was an open-air hospital during the Civil War, especially after the Battle of Antietam. It is home to the Contemporary American Theater Festival and the Rumsey Regatta Festival. This quaint town is popular for its trendy shops, jewelry stores, art galleries, bakeries, and restaurants. For more information contact the Shepherdstown Visitors Center at 304-876-2786.

Harpers Ferry Flea Market

Ridgefield Farm
(304) 867-3647
Kidwiler Rd, Rt. 3 Box 840, Harpers Ferry WV 25425 Visit Ridgefield Farm and Orchard near historic Harpers Ferry, WV to experience the harvests and capture the mood of the seasons. Discover the satisfaction of picking your own apples and pumpkins in the natural beauty of our farm setting. Share the fun of cutting your own Christmas tree with your family and friends. If your time is limited, all of these freshly harvested products are also available at our farm market. Open from mid-July until years end.

Fairs and Festivals:
Mountain Heritage Arts and Crafts Festival

Jefferson County Fair

Contemporary American Theater Festival

Racing and Gambling:
Charles Town Races and Slots
800-795-7001
P.O. Box 551, Rt. 340, Charles Town, WV 25414
Enjoy live horse racing year round in this newly renovated facility. Also visit the new Silver Screen Gaming Complex featuring 1500 slot machines. Open seven days a week! Monday -Friday 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 a.m., Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m., & Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. Check the web page for the racing schedule, group packages, special events and much more. Charles Town Races offers free admission, free parking, free entertainment on most Friday & Saturday nights, and free sign up for the exclusive Players' Choice Club for racing and slot fans. Charles Town Races is the closest and most convenient slot facility to the Washington, D.C. metro area. Non-smoking areas are available in the gaming and racing areas during all hours of operation.

Summit Point Raceway
Road racing for sports cars, motorcycles, and karts.
High Performance driving schools.
Porsche, BMW, Ferrari, and other sports car club events.

Theatre:
Old Opera House Theatre Co
Charles Town, WV 25414
Phone: (304) 725-4420

Shepherdstown Opera House

Golf:
Locust Hill

Sleepy Hollow Charles Town, WV 25414
PHONE: (304) 725-5210

Stone Bridge