Harpers Ferry, WV

I have been struggling on which place to begin this blog with since I have so many favorite trips.  I decided to start with the last one, which my husband and I just enjoyed together for our anniversary in Harpers Ferry, WV.  I have family roots in West Virginia and it is just like the song Country Roads because I always feel like home and that I belong.  Beautiful country side that has shopping, gambling, nature, and lots of history.

This is the view of both the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers meeting at the tip of Harpers Ferry, WV

A great stop for scouting groups, youth groups, couples, and families since it has something for everyone.

This is a stop along the Appalachian Trail and makes a great hike for the day.  Harpers Ferry is considered by some to be a halfway point between GA and ME.  You get to see all the beauty nature has to offer with rivers, views from peaks, wildlife, and more.  This is not a hike for beginners since it has many climbs and it is considered strenuous. You get to see the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers as well as the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.  There is an Appalachian Trail Conference center directly in Harpers Ferry to check out.  If you want to hike but not the Appalachian Trail, there are several smaller trails in the Historic National Park like the hike up to Jefferson Rock.

If you like little hometown shops that have unique items, this is a place for you to go.  They have cute commercial area that is restaurants and shops up the hill, along the river.  Specializing in décor and items from times long ago to current art and novelty items,  The one jewelry shop has all handmade items from many local artists.  The one candy store specializes in candy from the 1700's to today and has some things you may have remembered eating as a kid but can not find anywhere else today.  I love how the shops are stacked together.  If you come out of one restaurant and climb the stairs beside it goes to next shop, or take the stairs down to another shop.  They have a great pottery, wine, and gift shop to name a few.  As for restaurants we did not have time to try them all but many had decks outside to view the town and water below and the food looked great at all of them and they were busy.  Menus had things as simple as ice cream to full course meals.  I enjoyed a special of fish and chips and it was all homemade and delicious. 

Something I will not miss on my return trip to Harpers Ferry will be tubing down the river.  They have a launch area and commercial tubes.  You float in large groups then as we were leaving a big bus with a cage on the back meets you down river to drive you and the tubes back.  Great way to spend a warm afternoon just floating down the river.

The Historical National Park is a definite stop and a great place to park for the day.  You pay to enter much like other National Parks and the pass is good for couple days.  It was only 10.00 and that included free rides on shuttle bus directly to the town (saving me the 5 mile walk).  The historic park offers tours from the rangers, the old buildings, (maintained to appear as the would have around the civil war), actual items to view, and videos and timelines of events in history.  They have a dry goods store, tavern, and even a mill to show the process of gun making back then.  It reminds me of a smaller and much closer Williamsburg.  They do have a commercial book store inside the park that has books and more. 

Trains still runs through and is a beautiful site to see as it comes through the tunnel in the mountain and across the Potomac River.  We really enjoyed strolling along both the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers and seeing the remains of things in the past.  It is awesome where the two rivers meet right on the point of Harpers Ferry.  Great place for photos and easy to get in the water to cool off or soak your feet. 

Other great stops are the two large flea markets just outside of historic city limits.  One is Saturday and Sundays and all outdoors.  The vendors can change weekly.  They also set up on Memorial and Labor Day Monday.  The other one is just down the street on the other side and it is indoor and open daily.  It has 3 large buildings full with different vendors and a wide verity of items from new to used and in-between. 

We ended our day just 7 miles away in Charles Town at the Racetrack and Casino for those who like to gamble.

So pack your bags and begin your own travel adventure.

I know they offer many events during the year, but I am not currently familiar with any so please share and thing you know is going on in the comments section.