Harpers Ferry

History lives on in this attractive town, set with steep cobblestoned streets, and framed by the Shenandoah Mountains and the confluence of the rushing Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. The lower town functions as an open-air museum, with more than a dozen buildings that you can explore to get a taste of 19th-century, small-town life. Exhibits narrate the town's role at the forefront of westward expansion, American industry and, most famously, the slavery debate – in 1859 old John Brown tried to spark a slave uprising here and was hanged for his efforts; the incident rubbed friction between North and South into the fires of Civil War.

The upper town is dotted with cafes and B&Bs. Harpers Ferry sits beside the Appalachian Trail across the Potomac from the C&O Canal bike path, so there are lots of outdoorsy types filling the coffee houses and hostels. The town is touristy for sure, but it has a fun and energetic vibe.

Explore Harpers Ferry

Harpers Ferry National Historic Park
Historic buildings and museums are accessible to those with passes, which can be found, along with parking and shuttles, north of town at the Harpers…
T
The Point
At the southern end of Potomac St, just a few steps from the lower town, take in a view of three states – Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia – from the…
J
John Brown Museum
Across from Arsenal Sq and one of the park's museums, this three-room gallery gives a fine overview (through videos and period relics) of the events…
J
John Brown Wax Museum
Not to be confused with the National Park–run museum, this private wax museum is a kitschy (and rather overpriced) attraction that pays tribute to the man…
A
African American History Museum
Part of the national park, this worthwhile, interactive exhibit has narrated stories of hardships and hard-won victories by African Americans from the…
J
Jefferson Rock
A slab of rock marks the spot where the woods open up to a fine river vista. Known as Jefferson Rock, the formation is named for President Thomas…
S
Storer College Campus
Founded immediately after the Civil War, Storer College grew from a one-room schoolhouse for freed slaves to a respected college open to all races and…
M
Master Armorer’s House
Among the free sites in the historic district, this 1858 house explains how rifle technology developed here went on to revolutionize the firearms industry…
S
Storer College & Niagara Movement
Part of the national park, this small exhibit gives an overview of the groundbreaking educational center at Storer College and the Niagara movement that…

Harpers Ferry National Historic Park
Historic buildings and museums are accessible to those with passes, which can be found, along with parking and shuttles, north of town at the Harpers…
T
The Point
At the southern end of Potomac St, just a few steps from the lower town, take in a view of three states – Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia – from the…
J
John Brown Museum
Across from Arsenal Sq and one of the park's museums, this three-room gallery gives a fine overview (through videos and period relics) of the events…
J
John Brown Wax Museum
Not to be confused with the National Park–run museum, this private wax museum is a kitschy (and rather overpriced) attraction that pays tribute to the man…
A
African American History Museum
Part of the national park, this worthwhile, interactive exhibit has narrated stories of hardships and hard-won victories by African Americans from the…
J
Jefferson Rock
A slab of rock marks the spot where the woods open up to a fine river vista. Known as Jefferson Rock, the formation is named for President Thomas…
S
Storer College Campus
Founded immediately after the Civil War, Storer College grew from a one-room schoolhouse for freed slaves to a respected college open to all races and…
M
Master Armorer’s House
Among the free sites in the historic district, this 1858 house explains how rifle technology developed here went on to revolutionize the firearms industry…
S
Storer College & Niagara Movement
Part of the national park, this small exhibit gives an overview of the groundbreaking educational center at Storer College and the Niagara movement that…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Harpers Ferry.

See
Harpers Ferry National Historic Park
Historic buildings and museums are accessible to those with passes, which can be found, along with parking and shuttles, north of town at the Harpers…
See
The Point
At the southern end of Potomac St, just a few steps from the lower town, take in a view of three states – Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia – from the…
See
John Brown Museum
Across from Arsenal Sq and one of the park's museums, this three-room gallery gives a fine overview (through videos and period relics) of the events…
See
John Brown Wax Museum
Not to be confused with the National Park–run museum, this private wax museum is a kitschy (and rather overpriced) attraction that pays tribute to the man…
See
African American History Museum
Part of the national park, this worthwhile, interactive exhibit has narrated stories of hardships and hard-won victories by African Americans from the…
See
Jefferson Rock
A slab of rock marks the spot where the woods open up to a fine river vista. Known as Jefferson Rock, the formation is named for President Thomas…
See
Storer College Campus
Founded immediately after the Civil War, Storer College grew from a one-room schoolhouse for freed slaves to a respected college open to all races and…
See
Master Armorer’s House
Among the free sites in the historic district, this 1858 house explains how rifle technology developed here went on to revolutionize the firearms industry…
See
Storer College & Niagara Movement
Part of the national park, this small exhibit gives an overview of the groundbreaking educational center at Storer College and the Niagara movement that…

Guidebooks

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