Berkeley Springs, where George Washington was known to let off some steam in the mineral waters, is a prime wellness vacation destination. Located in Morgan County in the Eastern panhandle, the oldest spa town in America still has less than 1,000 residents. And it can also make for a budget-friendly getaway — something we could all use.
Drive time from Dulles: About 2 hours
What to Do
When it was incorporated in 1776, Berkeley Springs was officially named Bath (after the famous spa destination in England) by Washington and its other co-founders. More than two centuries later, it’s still popular — and it’s still technically named Bath. Berkeley Springs State Park remains the only state-run spa in the country.
You can wade in the openly accessible springs located within the park for free or book a private bath from $32 at the Old Roman Bathhouse or Main Bathhouse. Reservations are recommended weeks in advance due to popularity. The mineral water in these 750-gallon Roman baths is heated to between 100 and 102 degrees, while the public springs run at a consistent 74.3 degrees. Interested in the history of the baths? Head to the second floor of the 1815 Roman Bathhouse to learn more at the free Museum of the Berkeley Springs.
About a 10-minute drive away, at the 6,000-acre Cacapon Resort State Park, you can play golf, tennis, or pickleball; book an aromatherapy facial or Reiki session at the spa; hit clay targets at the shooting range; and go hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding on more than 20 carefully designed trails. Lay out on a sandy lakeside beach or take out a rental canoe, kayak, or paddleboard. And don’t miss driving to the top of Cacapon Mountain at the Cacapon Mountain Overlook for a rare four-state view of West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
Back downtown, the healing continues at Berkeley Springs Salt Cave, where 45-minute halotherapy sessions promote a range of wellness benefits. Browse antique and vintage shops before catching a film at the Historic Star Theatre, a mom-and-pop movie theater that screens classic films for free on Thursdays. It opened in 1928 and still serves buttery popcorn from a 1949 popcorn machine.
Where to Stay
The Country Inn places guests within walking distance of the Old Roman Bathhouse. Open since 1933, the 70-room property has historic charm and a full-service onsite spa with mineral whirlpool baths. Stay inside a state park at the Cacapon Resort State Park Lodge, a true value for a recently renovated lodge with fireplaces, kitchens, and an indoor swimming pool. You can also book a cozy, pet-friendly log cabin in the park. A short drive from downtown, Firefly Ridge offers fully furnished luxury tents with king-sized beds and private grills on 17 mountain acres. Kids will love the fire pits for s’mores, and those wishing to unplug will appreciate the limited cell service.
Where to Dine
Morning calls for a breakfast sandwich on a housemade biscuit, a specialty coffee, or an Appalachiacola (carbonated Berkeley Springs well water mixed with housemade syrup) at Fairfax Coffee House, where seniors can take advantage of $1 bottomless coffee from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Dine on smash burgers and double-decker nachos while sipping crisp pints of “Poor Tom” pale ales over board games at Cacapon Mountain Brewing Co. Dinner at Lot 12 Public House is a must. James Beard–recognized executive chef Damian Heath, who opened the restaurant with his wife, Betsy, in 1999, designs seasonal New American prix fixe menus served in a comfortable setting. Dine on the porch of the restored 1913 house if the weather’s nice.
Featured image courtesy of Berkeley Springs
This story originally ran in our September issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
