This is the third in a series of ideas on a day trip from Washington DC. Of the three, this is my favorite and I usually go once or twice a year. It is also the easiest to get to. You can take the MARC train from DC if you don’t have a car. Even if you have a car, parking in town is extremely limited. There is a small lot in the main town (get there early on a weekend) or there is a larger lot at the National Park HQ with a regular shuttle bus.
Harper’s Ferry has both a picturesque town and a beautiful natural scenery. It is where West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland meet — and the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers merge.
Civil War history – Harper’s Ferry is sometimes considered a main catalyst of the Civil War. In 1859, abolitionist John Brown, tried to initiate a slave revolt by taking over the United States arsenal. Today you can visit John Brown’s Fort and learn more about the raid.
Harper’s Ferry is an outdoor paradise. It is the ceremonial halfway point of the Appalachian Trail so you can hike in either direction for just a few miles or all the way to Maine / Georgia. Alternatively, there are almost two dozen other trails in the area. My favorite is Maryland Heights for the view. If you prefer biking, the 184.5-mile C&O canal trail also runs right through Harper’s Ferry. Or you can take a rafting tour down the Potomac River. And if you prefer a lazy day on the river, there are several companies that offer rafting and kayaking.
And while there are tons of great places to eat in town, if you have a car, you can also drive to nearby Brunswick to eat at Beans in the Belfry which is a quirky café in an old, converted church. Also in Brunswick, you can find Potomac Street Grill which I had an outstanding meal at.
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Life Kinetic Travel Research 