We are trying to decide if we should rent a house in Charlottesville or Harpers Ferry for a week. We have a 2 year old and would like to go on easy hikes, go out to eat, shop, and relax. Any advice?

Charlottesville, hands down. It has history, architecture, hiking, fly fishing for trout, good places to eat, great ice cream, and nice scenery everywhere nearby.

The only downside is that you will have to put up with a bunch of entitled UVa undergraduates ;-) but that may be only my opinion.

As much as I like Harpers Ferry, I think for a week the Charlottesville area will offer a lot more.

The only downside is that you will have to put up with a bunch of entitled UVa undergraduates ;-) but that may be only my opinion.
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Or not ;-)

Charlottesville, despite being Hooville...hehe, is a wonderful town.

The three things that Harpers Ferry have going for it are that it has an Amtrak station next to the big bridge and the AT crosses there. If you wanted to hike a section of the AT, this would be a good place to do it.

Never been to Harper's Ferry but loved Charlottesville, my late
husband went to UVA so we visited several times, beautiful grounds and do not miss Monticello.

I agree, Harper's Ferry is great for a weekend stay or even a 3-day weekend, but, for a week long stay, Charlottesville is the obvious choice.

I actually love Harpers Ferry and recently recommended it on another post, but Charlottesville is the better choice for first timers in the area.

I should explain my comments about UVa students by noting that we are a family of University of North Carolina graduates.

Harpers ferry and "hiking"..if you are renting anything actually IN the town you are going to be "hiking" every time you move about.

It's a nice quaint place but it in no way, shape, or form matches the opportunities in a much much larger place such as Charlottesville.

OK, if you adore bikers and BBQ then Harpers is the place to be; otherwise...

There's a good BBQ place in Gordonsville near Charlottesville as well



My UVA comments were based on us being a Hokie family.

Ack....I love UNC and Chapel Hill. If I had been smarter, I'd love to have gone there.