Nestled in the mountains by the Shenandoah river of West Virginia lies Harper’s Ferry, a National Park and blast to the past worthy of a day trip.
About an hour from the PA/Maryland border, you pass through Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia to arrive to this little town.
There’s something for everyone here, and if you aren’t from the area, there are plenty of little B&Bs along the street that look straight out of a movie.
Many people go tubing on the river, or other watercraft sports, which looks like a great time.
There are also tons of hikers, between the local trails exploring Civil War ruins, or taking a visit on the only part of the Appalachian trail that goes through West Virginia. Since it is a National Park, it is well maintained and there’s lots of information about hiking.
We came in the town from the top, and I would recommend parking up the street in front of the houses (it’s a longer walk, but only $1 an hour and less crowded).
The town has all kinds of cute shops, including natural health shops, gift shops with locally made items, and all kinds of historic souvenirs.
One unique shop to note is True Treats Historic Candy, an absolute dreamland. This store is like a history book come to life, all about candy! It’s sorted by time period, from Biblical and Native American candies to classic 1800s treats, and the retro 1900s candies you may remember from your childhood! It is a wonderland for history and candy lovers alike. They source candy from different manufacturers, and have all kinds of bagged treats with informative labels. While I would have loved to leave with the whole store, we got lemon Turkish Delights (incredible!), a Huckleberry Gems candy bar, and a ginger beer.
If you’re hungry, there’s no shortage of good places to eat! We were drawn to Sweet Alisha’s Pizza and More for their massive pizza slices, but I ended up getting a West Virginia Hotdog, which was a true treat! Topped with homemade coleslaw and chili, it was an indulgent lunch.
We then walked down to the water front, which featured a gorgeous view, trails to walk, and this cool rail pedestrian bridge! Definitely worthwhile to visit and soak up the views.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.