Harpers Ferry has long drawn hikers and history buffs from the DMV area. It’s easy to see the appeal. In a little over an hour, Northern Virginians can step into a world where historic and natural attractions have been carefully maintained over the centuries.
As the U.S. celebrates its 250th anniversary, a trip to this authentic town in West Virginia’s eastern panhandle provides a chance to look back on pivotal moments in American history, from the Civil War to the Industrial Revolution.
Drive time from Dulles: About 1 hour
What to Do
Immerse yourself in history in Lower Town, where you can see John Brown’s Fort. The small one-story brick building — dating to 1848 — was where the abolitionist and his followers barricaded themselves in 1859 during their raid on the town. The event escalated tensions between the North and South leading up to the Civil War. The fort has been moved more than once, but it now sits about 150 feet from its original location. Visit the John Brown Museum nearby to learn more about the significance of Brown’s raid and the history of the abolitionist movement.
Lower Town has a “living history” appeal, not unlike that of Colonial Williamsburg, focused on the mid-19th century. There’s a blacksmith shop, dry goods store, tavern, and boarding house that offer a glimpse into life in the 1850s. Spend time at the Industry Museum for a deeper look at the U.S. Armory, early manufacturing innovations, and the canals and railroads that made the town an early industrial center. Before leaving Lower Town, stop by The Point at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers converge, for a scenic photo and make the short uphill walk to see the former Storer College. The historic college was founded to educate formerly enslaved people and was later the site of the 1906 Niagara Movement meeting led by W.E.B. DuBois.
Extend your itinerary beyond Harpers Ferry for even more American history. Visit the Jefferson County Courthouse in Charles Town 8 miles away to see where Brown was tried, convicted, and sentenced following his raid. Stroll Shepherdstown, the oldest town in West Virginia, about 12 miles away to admire the preserved colonial architecture and walkable commercial corridor. Sign up for Shepherdstown Mystery Walks to learn why the small town is believed to be one of the most haunted places in the U.S. Time your visit to coincide with the Contemporary American Theater Festival in the summer, a renowned professional theater festival focused on new American plays.
History enthusiasts and ghost hunters should also set aside time for Antietam National Battlefield, roughly 15 miles from Harpers Ferry, where the bloodiest single day in American history unfolded in 1862.
Where to Stay
It’s close enough to NoVA that you could make it a day trip, but there’s enough to do in and around Harpers Ferry to fill a weekend. Many charming inns line downtown Harpers Ferry. The Light Horse Inn is a standout, set in a restored 1770s building with a hearty breakfast every morning, easy access to the Appalachian Trail, and a lively tavern (The Barn of Harpers Ferry) with regular live music. The Town’s Inn, just a three-minute walk from the Amtrak station, is an authentic 1840 stone inn with a cozy bistro and country store. Hillbrook Inn & Spa in Charles Town, a restored 1920s mansion set on land George Washington first purchased in 1750, offers a romantic atmosphere complete with a fine-dining restaurant. In Shepherdstown, the recently renovated, Alpine-inspired Bavarian Inn boasts a brewpub with an outdoor beer garden, rooms with private balconies, and an infinity pool looking over the Potomac.
Where to Dine
Grab a spot on the deck at The Rabbit Hole Gastropub to refuel between historic sites with Blue Ridge burgers and Appalachian BBQ sandwiches. Just down the road in Bolivar, Kelley Farm Kitchen serves creative vegan comfort food in a cozy setting, and Bolivar Bread Bakery is worth a stop for fresh pastries and savory snacks. Head to Shepherdstown for Alma Bea’s “Tapa-lachian” small plates, a clever spin on Appalachian flavors served tapas-style, then swing by Charles Town’s La Gazelle Coffee for a Spanish latte locals swear by.
Feature image, Sean pavone photo/stock.adobe.com
This story originally ran in our September issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
