Hello there! Welcome to your guide to the best things to do in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia!
Harpers Ferry is a small town located on the border of West Virginia and Maryland. Interestingly, the entire town is also a national historical park! It is a fantastic place to visit if you’re a history buff – but it’s also fun even if you have just a passing interest in American history.
With a current population of just over 200, visiting the historic town of Harpers Ferry really feels like stepping back in time.
In the small town you’ll find hiking trails, museums, exhibits, historically themed shops and numerous restaurants and coffee shops!
Ready to start planning your trip?
Keep reading for the best things to do in Harpers Ferry during your visit!
The Best Things to do in Harpers Ferry
Hike the Maryland Heights Trail
The Maryland Heights Trail is one of the best hikes you can take in the Harpers Ferry area.
From the top of the trail you get the most amazing views of Harpers Ferry from above – they are postcard worthy!
The hike itself is about 4.5 miles round trip (the trail is a loop), and it will take you about 2.5-3 hours in total. The trail is heavily trafficked, but usually not overcrowded.
Although parts of the hike are steep, it’s definitely not too strenuous and most hikers will be able to comfortably complete the hike. The way back down is almost entirely downhill, so it is very easy.
Make sure to bring your camera and plenty of water!
Walk Along the Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian Trail runs directly through Harpers Ferry and there are many points in town where visitors can walk part of the trail.
One of the easiest ways to walk a piece of the trail is to start at St. Peter’s Church and walk up towards Jefferson Rock and the Harper Cemetery.
This little piece of the Appalachian Trail is a short 5-10 minute walk round trip, with some interesting sites along the way.
Walk to Jefferson Rock
When entering the piece of the Appalachian Trail directly behind St. Peter’s Church, you’ll quickly come to Jefferson Rock.
Jefferson Rock is named for Thomas Jefferson, who stood on the rock and marveled at the view during a visit to Harpers Ferry.
The views from Jefferson Rock are beautiful! You can see the surrounding mountains as well as the site where the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers meet.
Explore the Town and its Many Exhibits
The entire town of Harpers Ferry, as mentioned, is a national historical park. Although much of the town was destroyed during the Civil War, parts of it have been rebuilt and recreated to closely resemble what it would have looked like in the 1800s.
Visitors can walk along the streets and see historical sites like John Browns Fort, the Whitehall Tavern and the old Fancy Goods Store.
All of these monuments, exhibits and sites give a look into what life was like for residents of the town before the Civil War.
Fancy Goods Store 
White Hall Tavern
Visit the Museums
Although Harpers Ferry is a small town, you’ll find a numerous museums that are open for visitors!
These include the John Brown Museum, the John Brown Wax Museum, the Civil War Museum and the Black Voices Museum.
All of these museums offer great resources for learning about what life was like in the area pre and post civil war, as well as the historical significance of the town and its former residents.
Visit St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church
When you arrive to Harpers Ferry you’ll see the beautiful St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church perched up on a hill overlooking the town.
The church was built in 1833 and features Neo-gothic architecture. It is beautiful both inside and out and definitely worth a quick visit.
Visit True Treats Historic Candy
This little candy store is such a *treat* to visit! They specialize in selling historic candy that was popular throughout the centuries.
At True Treats you can find candy from Biblical times all the way to popular present day confections. Visitors can purchase individual candies or buy boxes that correspond to a specific century.
Visiting True Treats is a fun and delicious way to learn about history through food!
Take a Ghost Tour
With a history as long, complicated and bloody as Harpers Ferry’s, it’s no wonder that the town is said to be haunted.
This historical town has a semi-spooky feel even during the daytime and at night this spookiness is all the more noticeable. The haunted vibes of this town definitely make it the perfect place to go on a ghost tour.
Not only is a ghost tour a fun way to hear more about local paranormal activity, but it’s also a great way to learn about the town’s history.
Walk Through the Bolivar Heights Battle Field
Located less than ten minutes by car from Harpers Ferry you’ll find the Bolivar Heights Battle Field. This. battle field was used during the Civil War and visitors can walk through the field and read about the history of the battle.
This is a quick stop and visitors can read all of the memorial signs and walk around the battle field in 15-30 minutes.
Where to Eat in Harpers Ferry
For being such a small town, there are numerous delicious places to eat in the Harpers Ferry area!
Breakfast + Coffee
- Battle Ground Bakery + Coffee – great for a quick breakfast and coffee/tea
Lunch + Dinner
- Cannonball Deli – great sandwich and salad options for eat-in or take-out
- The Rabbit Hole – a solid lunch/dinner option with great views
- Kelley Farm Kitchen – located a little outside of the main town, this vegan restaurant is so good! Everything on the menu is vegan friendly and the food tastes fresh and healthy. Kelley Farm Kitchen was rated the best place to eat in the USA on Yelp in 2021!
- The Barn of Harpers Ferry– this fun bar and live music venue is a little outside town, but worth the drive
Dessert
- Creamy Creations – a good selection of yummy ice cream. Perfect after a day of exploring
Falafel Sandwich from Cannonball Deli 
Soup + Cauliflower Dip from Kelley Farm Kitchen 
Ice Cream from Creamy Creations
Spending the Night in Harpers Ferry
Below you’ll find some of the best hotels in Harpers Ferry and the surrounding areas. Since Harpers Ferry is such a small town, the majority of hotels are located a few miles outside of the town center in areas like Charles Town and Shepherdstown.
Located just over an hour from Washington, DC and 1.5 hours from Annapolis, Maryland, Harpers Ferry makes a wonderful weekend destination for anyone who lives in the area.
Hotel Recommendations
- Light Horse Inn ($$)
- Home2 Suites By Hilton Charles Town ($$)
- Bavarian Inn ($$)
- Hillbrook Inn & Spa ($$)
Well, there you have it!
I hope you enjoyed my recommendations for fun things to do in Harpers Ferry during your trip.
This little town is a great weekend getaway. It’s a wonderful destination to hike, eat delicious food, and learn about US history and the significance of the area.
We appreciate you sharing this post with someone you know who would enjoy a visit to Harpers Ferry!
♡Kate
Note: This post includes affiliate links. Read our disclosure here.
Hapers Ferry looks like a great fall weekend destination! It reminds me a little of the towns here in New England – simply charming!
Wow, I had never heard of Harpers Ferry until now but it looks like such a nice place! I really want to visit Jefferson Rock now. That view is impeccable!
Oh my gosh, this brought back SO many good memories! I grew up in Maryland, and my family frequented Harper’s Ferry. I especially loved going up to St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church. I remember the John Brown Wax Museum being kind of creepy, but I was also a kid the last time I went there, haha. Thanks for sharing all of this! Beautiful photos and great recommendations. Xx Sara
I’ve never heard of Harper’s Ferry, but I love small historical towns. This has to be on my “must visit” now. The historical candy shop looks particularly interesting.
Love the food on offer (falafel is a favorite) and walking part of the Appalachian Trail sounds like a must do.
This place looks so cute, perfect for a weekend getaway! Thank you for all the suggestions and lovely photos too!
Such a beautiful location. You covered all of the great spots that should be on one’s itinerary. Love that is has a population of only 200.
Oh my goodness True Treats Historic Candy sounds fantastic! I have never heard of a place like that before. I am not too far from the Harper’s Ferry area, so next time I make a day trip there the candy shop is 100% on my list of things to do.
Looks so beautiful! So many great walks with great views and a lot to see… and that candy! Get in my belly! Thank you for sharing! – Linzey @thefamilyfuntour
I’ve always wanted to visit Harper’s Ferry! I’ve been to most of the rest of the state of West Virginia but not Harper’s Ferry. Hopefully someday soon ☺️.
The view from Harpers Ferry and Jefferson Rock looks amazing! I would love to go here one day😍
The entire town is a national park?!? I’ve never heard of such a thing! Actually the entire town looks like a history theme park. I haven’t been to West Virginia in more than 50 years… perhaps it’s time to petsit my way back there! Thanks for the inspiration!
what a fun place! Pinning this post for a summer vsiit..we’ll be in the area and are def going to stay a few days now!
Thanks for this amazing guide! We are looking forward to moving to the US hopefully next year and now that I’ve heard great stuff in Harpers Ferry’s, it’s definitely on my bucket list now.
What a cute town! I had never heard of it before, but now I really wanna go!
I love Harper’s Ferry! Such a cute little town. I was there over the summer. Didn’t get to see much of it as I was there to start a flip flop on the Appalachian Trail. Can’t wait to get back there though!
So I’ve actually never heard of Harper’s Ferry, but it’s SO cute! I would love to do the Maryland Heights Trail, the views from up there are so beautiful. Thanks for this inspo!
Harpers Ferry looks a wonderful destination in Autumn or Spring my two favorite times to travel with just a great mix of foodie stops, history and scenic trails! Wow thanks for inspiring me to add this to my last of places to explore in the USA
Wow, I was curious about what there was to do in Harper’s Ferry and you were SO informational! Thank you so much for this! I had to create a comment to let you know that your site is so perfect!