Need a scenic escape steeped in history and natural beauty? Head to Harpers Ferry! You'll find it at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. I loved breathtaking views here, Civil War heritage, outdoor adventures, and a quaint, walkable town center.
I enjoyed my stay at Clarion Inn Harpers Ferry, a family-friendly hotel with a pool, restaurant, and easy access to trails and highways.
Best Things to Do in Harpers Ferry, WV
1. Explore Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Rating: ★★★★★
I can't write about Harpers Ferry without first talking about Harpers Ferry National Historical Park which encompasses the entire confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers.
The park’s domain falls into West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland.
If you are a hiker, you will love it here. The Appalachian Trail runs right through the park, but there are also over 20 miles of other hiking trails in the park. You'll have a choice of scenic overlooks and Civil War-era historic sites.
I learned that the entire town of Harpers Ferry is technically part of the park.
2. Visit the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Visitor Center
Get your photo taken at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy visitor’s center.
The ATC cares for the 2,190 miles of trail from Maine to Georgia. The ATC’s headquarters is located in Harpers Ferry, which is also roughly the midpoint of the entire trail.
799 Washington St, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, Phone: 304-535-6331
3. Stand Where Rivers and History Meet at The Point
Stand at The Point with your feet firmly in the West Virginia soil and look out over the historic waters to see Maryland and Virginia across the way.
All of this framed by the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains!
You can easily access the point on foot from downtown Harpers Ferry.
4. Hike Up for Iconic Views from Jefferson Rock
Go see Jefferson Rock, a unique rock formation, made up of a long, broad piece of shale rock on top of four stone pillars.
This is a replacement of the original rock formation because it eroded through the ages.
Jefferson Rock gets its name from one of America’s founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson, who stood upon this very rock in 1783. He remarked upon its beauty in his notes!
Hike to Jefferson Rock to see a gorgeous view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Shenandoah River, and the surrounding area.
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
5. Learn about history at John Brown’s Fort
Harpers Ferry was still a part of the state of Virginia when John Brown's Fort was built in 1848.
Back then, it was used to house a fire engine and as a guard-house by the Harpers Ferry Armory.
It gets its current name, and the notoriety that comes with it, from a raid led by John Brown in 1859, when Brown and a group of abolitionists took the armory by force and held 60 people hostage.
They intended to take the weapons stored there and distribute them to abolitionists, but were soon stormed by a group of marines which included Robert E. Lee.
Although their raid failed, John Brown’s Fort, as it came to be known, later became a tourist hotspot and practically a shrine for African Americans in the late 1800s.
The building was dismantled and brought to Chicago for the World’s Fair in 1893, and eventually returned to Harpers Ferry in 1895.
6. Savor Fresh, Plant-Based Comfort Food at Kelley Farm Kitchen
Kelley Farm Kitchen is technically located in Bolivar, but it’s only a few miles from Harpers Ferry and is worth a visit for vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike.
The small dining room doesn’t seat many guests, but you manage to snag a seat, you will be treated to an intimate, cozy experience.
Kelley Farm Kitchen boasts an all-day breakfast menu as well.
1112 Washington St, Bolivar, WV 25425, Phone: 304-535-9976
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