The small town of Harpers Ferry has a population of only a few hundred people, but it still packs a major punch of history and natural beauty. The town is located at the confluence of two major rivers: the Shenandoah and the Potomac Rivers, which are also the state borders, meaning that right across those banks are the states of Maryland and Virginia. Harpers Ferry is named for the 18th century ferry, run by Robert Harper, which carried passengers and cargo across the river, and is part of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Today, Harpers Ferry is home to some historic buildings, monuments, landmarks, and a charming little downtown district, and it makes for a great day trip or weekend destination.
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park isn’t just part of West Virginia. It encompasses the entire confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers, and the land that is included in the park’s domain falls into West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland. In fact, the entire town of Harpers Ferry is technically part of the park. It was first established as a national park in 1944, but since long before that it has been considered one of the most beautiful parts of the United States. The Appalachian Trail runs right through it, but there are also over 20 miles of other hiking trails in the park, which lead to scenic overlooks or the historic sites of Civil War skirmishes.
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy works hard to protect, preserve, and manage the land of and surrounding the famous Appalachian Trail, so that its incredible beauty can be enjoyed by hikers and visitors for generations to come. The ATC was founded in 1925, and since then has worked tirelessly through groups of dedicated volunteers and staff to maintain and care 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, so hikers love to get their photo taken in front of the visitor’s center as a milestone of their journey, and visitors can see these photos in the ATC’s thru-hiker album.
799 Washington St, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, Phone: 304-535-6331
The Point
At The Point, located at the very tip of land on the shores of the Potomac River where it meets the Shenandoah River, visitors can stand with their feet firmly in the West Virginia soil and look out over the historic waters to see Maryland and Virginia across the way, framed by the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains. The Point is beautiful at any time of year, and makes for an incredibly scenic photo opportunity, whether you’re snapping a picture for Instagram or with a professional-grade camera. The point is easily accessible by foot from downtown Harpers Ferry.
Jefferson Rock, Harpers Ferry
Located along the famous Appalachian Trail, Jefferson Rock is a unique rock formation, made up of a long, broad piece of shale rock on top of four stone pillars, which were placed to replace the original rock formation as 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, and remarked upon its beauty in his notes about Virginia. A hike to Jefferson Rock affords a gorgeous view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Shenandoah River, and the surrounding area.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is one of the longest and most well-known hiking trails in the United States. According the the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, it is the longest hiking-only trail in the entire world. Clocking in at over two thousand miles long, it stretches from Maine all the way down to Georgia, passing through 14 states along the way, and Harpers Ferry is roughly its midpoint, making it a celebrated milestone for many thru-hikers. While a full hike along the Appalachian Trail can take months, visitors to Harpers Ferry can enjoy a short hike along a section of the trail for a glimpse of some of the amazing beauty of the region.
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.
Shenandoah St & Potomac St, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, Phone: 304-535-6029
Heyward Shepherd Monument
Heyward Shepherd was a free black man, and he was also the first person to be killed in John Brown’s raid during 1859. This monument to him was erected in 1931 with a lot of controversy, by several groups of people who wished to illustrate that not all black people were rebellious or anti-slavery, even though there is no evidence to suggest that Shepherd was ever a slave or even that he opposed John Brown’s abolitionist raid. The United Daughters of the Confederacy presented Shepherd as a “happy slave,” and put up this monument as a direct rebuttal to the shrine-like status of John Brown’s Fort for African Americans. Today, the Heyward Shepherd Monument stands as a testament to the opposing narratives of the Civil War, as told by Southern whites and African Americans respectively.
Kelley Farm Kitchen
Kelley Farm Kitchen is a relatively new addition to the area; it opened in late 2018 and brings a new and exciting vegan venue to the table as its offering. 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 those who manage to snag a seat will be treated to an intimate, cozy experience. Kelley Farm Kitchen boasts an all-day breakfast menu as well as a healthy smattering of apps, wraps, and other entrees, and their expertly prepared vegan dishes are often so close to the real thing that customers can’t even tell the difference.
1112 Washington St, Bolivar, WV 25425, Phone: 304-535-9976
John Brown Wax Museum
The John Brown Wax Museum is a unique wax figure museum in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia that puts John Brown’s hatred of slavery into detail and traces the history of his violent exploits. It also depicts a number of scenes from Brown’s raid on the town of Harpers Ferry. The larger-than-life story of John Brown can be explored today by visitors to the John Brown Wax Museum thanks to its location on a block that became a National Historical Park in 1963. Various dioramas can be seen throughout the old, small house as guests take a self-guided tour.
168 High St, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, 304-535-6342
Harpers Ferry Station
The Harpers Ferry Station is a historic train station at the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Visitors can explore the station to learn about the history of the community, which is located where the Shenandoah River and the Potomac River meet. There is now an Amtrak station adjacent to this wood-frame historic depot, which was designed by E. Francis Baldwin in 1894. The Harpers Ferry Station today is primarily open for MARC commuter passengers, however, the waiting area is opened daily for touring. The depot also consists of an exhibit gallery in what was formerly the women’s waiting room.
Potomac St &, Shenandoah St, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, 800-872-7245
Harpers Ferry Toy Train Museum & Joy Line Railroad
The Harpers Ferry Toy Train Museum & Joy Line Railroad offers fun for people of all ages. The museum houses an antique electric train collection, as well as a variety of other toys, that date back to before the year 1938. Both kids and adults alike can take a ride on the Joy Line Railroad, an outdoor miniature train. The train ride through the valley only cost a couple dollars. In addition to tiny trains, the Harpers Ferry Toy Train Museum also features signs, lanterns, and various other railroad and train memorabilia from the height of the railroad industry.
937 Bakerton Rd, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, 304-535-2521
Murphy-Chambers Farm Loop Trail
The Murphy-Chambers Farm Loop Trail is a one to three-mile round-trip trail in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia that ranges from easy to moderate in difficulty. The trail features optional side trails for hikers, so in total, the loop trail can take anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours on average. Starting at the Visitors Center and traveling through wooded ravines and fields, the Murphy-Chambers Farm Loop Trail offers visitors great views of the surrounding mountains and the Shenandoah River, along with previous sites of the John Brown Fort, earthworks, and Civil War-era cannons. Visitors can hike the trail from sunrise to sunset.
True Treats Historic Candy
The only research-based historic candy shop in the country, True Treats Historic Candy in Harpers Ferry specializes in candy ranging from the first in history to the middle of the 1900’s. The owners of the store strive to find the most authentic candy selections possible to provide customers with a memorable and wonderful experience. The selections of candy often come from experts who make candy choices just for True Treats Historic Candy or from the original sources. The candy shop is laid out in chronological order with labels displaying the history. Customers can also find out more from the knowledgeable shopkeepers.
144 High St, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, 304-461-4714
The Rabbit Hole
The Rabbit Hole opened its doors to the community of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia in April of 2019. The restaurant has a goal of growing beyond a title of “tourist trap,” elevating the dining experience found in the town, and becoming a haven for locals, tourists, and hikers alike. There are appetizers and shared plates on the health-focused, fresh menu like the shank basket, pulled pork nachos, loaded pork fries, wing basket, and the house hummus. Other menu items include fresh salads, Appalachia BBQ, Louisiana-Style Oyster Po Boy, build-your-own-burgers, buttered pappardelle pasta, chicken tenders, several rotating specials, and desserts.
186 High St, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, 304-535-8818
The Barn of Harpers Ferry
The Barn of Harpers Ferry is both an event venue and bar situated within a tranquil setting in historic Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Located only around an hour from Baltimore and Washington, D.C., The Barn of Harpers Ferry is known for having an open and inviting atmosphere, live musical artists from all over the United States, a full bar, craft beer, and welcoming bartenders. Equipped with an upstairs apartment space and indoor bathrooms, the event venue also often hosts festivals, birthday parties, dances, talks, fundraisers, and weddings. The event calendar for the venue can be found on their Facebook page.
1062 W Washington St, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, 855-935-2276
