Photo By Torey Bryant
By Torey Vanek
During the holiday break my father-in-law was visiting and since he is a history buff, we decided to take him to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia for a day trip. It is only 75 miles from Alexandria and it was a great way to spend the day!
The historic town area sits on the point where the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers meet up and it has beautiful views all around. Harpers Ferry, made famous by John Brown’s raid on the Armory in 1859 and its role in the American Civil War is now a historical landmark that offers a great look at history plus hiking, white water rafting, tubing and other great outdoor activities when the weather warms up.
We enjoyed a nice walk around town, visited the historically restored sites, climbed the steps to get a great view and just enjoyed the scenery. Our 2 ½ year old loved the bridge that goes across the river and the added bonus was the train that crossed while coming back across.
If you need a day trip to escape the city, Harpers Ferry is a good choice! The National Park entrance fee is $6 per car and gives you access to the park and historic town. Parking is available in both location (or you can use the shuttle bus to go between the two). Plus, there are nice local shops and restaurants!
