2 Best Sights in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Frederick and Western Maryland

Along the cobblestone streets of the town abolitionist John Brown made famous, costumed interpreters in 19th-century homes and storefronts demonstrate period activities such as candle-dipping. Lectures and special tours are offered on weekends. Several hikes meander through the shady mountains that surround the sprawling park, passing over stone bridges and past the remains of homes and churches. There's plenty of parking at the Cavalier Heights Visitor Center along with the free shuttle buses that depart approximately every 15 minutes.

At the stunning convergence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, the town of Harpers Ferry—just over the border in West Virginia—played a key role in the events leading to the Civil War. This historical park brings to life details of the famous raid led by John Brown, a radical abolitionist. His plan—to take control of the town and commandeer weapons from the arsenal for the fight against slavery—was ultimately foiled and Brown was later tried and hanged. Still, historians cite the incident as the spark that helped ignite the conflict between North and South. The town, at the crossroads of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, has been restored to its appearance during Brown's time, and various exhibits highlight early American life and Civil War history. The breathtaking rivers, shrouded by wooded cliffs, are popular spots for rafting and tubing during the warmer months.