Has anyone here been to Harper's Ferry?
 

What kind of things can you do there besides hiking and rafting? We're considering a day trip when my parents (in their early 60's)come to visit in a few weeks. Are there any good restaurants in the area?

Don't really have anything to help you, but we have been there, and this will put your request back at the top of the list.

http://www.nps.gov/hafe/

Harper's Ferry is a great place. The town itself is a great replica of life in the 1860's. They have re-enactors there telling about life, somewhat like Williamsburg. Also, Antetiem Battlefield is nearby and there is a town about 15 miles west (I forget the name that has some good restaurants and a horse race track and slot machines. I would recommend Harpers Ferry to anyone that likes Civil War History.

Harper's Ferry was the site of John Brown's capture by a young US army lieutenant named Robert E. Lee. Today it has a NPS visitors center with information relating to Brown's capture and the town's later role in Civil War actions. The NPS offers walking tours of the John Brown historic area throughout the day by costumed interpreters. Above the town is the site of Stonewall Jackson's assult on HF prior to the battle of Antietam.

It's an architecturally interesting little town with small craft and speciality shops as well as several decent restaurants. Some of the oldest structures that parallel the Potomac River were built so that villagers could live in them and exit onto the surrounding hillside when the river was at flood stage. A short walk up the hill will take you to Jefferson's Rock. From this location you can look down on the town and the Potomac. Jefferson is quoted as saying that this is one of the most beautiful spots in the country. What a shame that the man never saw the land of his Louisanna Purchase!

That would be Charles Town WV.

ronkala: Better recheck your history. Brown was captured in Harper's Ferry, tried and hung in Charles Town.

I was just there in May and think it's a good day trip. There seemed to be plenty of restaurants in Harpers Ferry, although I wasn't paying a lot of attention to them or their style.

I was spending the weekend in Shepherdstown WV which is another option nearby. It's about 10 mi north of Harpers Ferry up route 230 and right on the river. This is a small, cute town for strolling around in a few shops and does have a couple good restaurants. The Yellow Brick Bank is the best independent, on German St, and there is also good dining at the Bavarian Inn on the river (where I stayed).

retired teacher, I was refering to the racetrack town that dffisher mentioned in the post prior to yours. When I was answering, yours had not been posted yet.

retired teacher
Many years ago I remember walking that hill. Can't you see three states from there? Or am I really off base?

Alooohaaaa,
We love HF!
We've done 2 bike rides from HF to DC along the C&O Canal Towpath. Absol/beautiful area.

The museum there is one of the better of the Civil War museums IMHO. Small but very informative videos/displays.
We ate at one of the small little restaurants in the park and had a vey enjoyable meal.

If your parents are in shape, (some pretty steep hills there where you prob can see 3 states, Md, WVa and Va) take a small hike over the bridge that parallels the RR bridge over the river. Awesome view especially if the water is high.
Take the stairs up to the old church too.

There was a "good smelling" pizza joint down a bit from the Comfort Inn where we stayed. "King's Pizza?
Don't know if it tasted good because they didn't serve beer! No beer with pizza? Like cake w/ no ice cream!
We wound up at, sigh, Pizza Hut down the hiway near the racetrack.

The Anvil seemed to dressy for us very casual "mudders".
Nice place. We'll be back next year.
Mahalo,
Kal

Thanks for jogging my memory, Kal, I forgot about the old church. The path to Jefferson's rock goes on beyond the church. You can see three states from there, cd, if you make the jump onto the rock. It's only about a 4 or 5 foot distance, but a long way down if you fall short.

R'teach.
One of the few times you'll see the words "Kal" and "jogging" in the same sentence!
I'd love to retire back there and become some sort of docent.

Anybody offer a shortcut to researching taxes (income, property, sales etc) cost of living, for specific areas in WVa?
Kal

Kal,

I pictured you and Mrs. Kal retired in a place more like, say Kauai than WVA! ;-)

bogie's mom

We wish!
Both Kauai and California retirements may be out of our price range shortly!

Altho, we may be tracking down a realtor on Kauai this trip so ya never know. PARTY AT KAL'S KAUAI KONDO KRIB?

To Retired Teacher-
As long as you're getting picky, and you should know better, John Brown wasn't HUNG. You HUNG a photo or a picture. You HANG a person. John Brown was HANGED.

Woohoo!!! party at Kal's!

TOGA TOGA TOGA!

Trying to get back there this winter...told DH we HAVE to see the whales. ;-)

Hang shmang, hung shmung. The man died at the end of a rope.

I agree with everyone else.....Harper's Ferry is in a truly scenic location. The day we went, it had just finished raining, and the air was cool and a little bit misty. Added a ghostly quality to everything. You will enjoy your visit!