Harpers Ferry is only 80 minutes from the Washington, DC area, making it an easy day trip or  weekend getaway. At the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, Harpers Ferry is very scenic and there are lots of outdoor activities, from tubing and rafting to ziplining. Our kids had a day off from school, so we had a long weekend and decided to stay the night and have a little adventure. This trip was taken in November with an 8 and 11 year old and the majority of the time we were on the premises of the Harpers Ferry Adventure Center. 

The Practical Takeaways

• Fall is a beautiful time to hike and enjoy some outdoor adventures in Harpers Ferry. 
• If you are traveling from the DC region, it’s quite feasible to visit Harpers Ferry Brewery and do the ropes course or other adventures in a day.

Accommodations

Harpers Ferry has limited hotel options, so we opted for a small cabin at the Harpers Ferry Adventure Center, drawn by the on-site brewery and ropes course. My feelings about the choice were mixed. The cabin itself was modest but clean, featuring a bunk bed and two twin beds. Thanks to an electric heater, we stayed comfortably warm through the night even in early November.

Though the cabin lacked a restroom, the nearby bathhouse was both extremely close and well-maintained, making it a definite upgrade from traditional camping. We started our morning with a campfire breakfast, which was a fun and memorable experience. However, I was disappointed that our cabin faced the brewery’s parking lot. While the brewery itself offers stunning views of the river, none of that was accessible to us when it was closed. Furthermore, with no nearby trails or parks, we had to leave the premises after breakfast to find activities before our rope course reservation at 11 a.m.

In hindsight, I’d only recommend staying here if you have a 9 a.m. activity reservation. Given the cost, which is comparable to hotels in Charles Town or Shepherdstown, it may not be the best value. That said, the cabin was exceptionally clean, and our kids thoroughly enjoyed the adventure of staying there, especially spending time in the loft.

Things to Do 

Since our stay was short, we didn’t have time to explore the town of Harpers Ferry or the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park in depth. If we’d had more time, we would have visited landmarks like Jefferson Rock and the John Brown Museum. We did enjoy lunch at The Rabbit Hole in Downtown Harpers Ferry and browsed a few shops, though the area is quite touristy. For a more unique shopping and dining experience, Shepherdstown is worth a visit, with its charming small college town feel – and only 15 minutes from Harper’s Ferry.

The highlight of our trip was undoubtedly the ropes course at the Harpers Ferry Adventure Center. With three levels of challenges suited to different skill sets, our kids—and my husband—had a blast. The staff was attentive and guided us expertly through the course, making the two-hour session fly by. Next time, we plan to try ziplining or, if visiting earlier in the season, tubing.

We also made a brief stop at the nature play area in Sweet Run State Park. If we’d had more time, we would have taken a hike there too.

Dining

As mentioned above, Harpers Ferry Brewing is on the premises of the Harpers Ferry Adventure Center. I have no idea how we had not heard of this place before – it was right up our alley. With sweeping river and mountain views, the brewery is a place for adults and kids to enjoy. They serve pizza and also have food trucks outside by a fire pit. The day we visited they happened to also have a small outdoor market with vendors, including the Glitter Goddess who added glitter strands to the kids’ hair. Given how close it is to the DC area, we will be back to spend an afternoon here.

A Few Extra Tips

• On a visit to Harpers Ferry years ago, we visited the Charles Town Horse Races – this is a fun experience for an evening and very nearby. 
• Our experience in Harpers Ferry was a mini-version of what we did in New River Gorge earlier in the year, but a much closer drive. This is a good place to go for a quick West Virginia adventure before venturing south to Fayetteville. 
• Berrysville is also nearby and is a favorite place for us to visit in the summer.