Looking for an ideal get away to Harpers Ferry? Start your day off riding the rapids in the fresh air of Appalachia on an entry level whitewater rafting trip on the Shenandoah or Potomac Rivers. River & Trail Outfitters, the area’s first outfitter, offers this half day adventure including a guide in each raft to help navigate the river and tell tales of local history. The trip includes a picnic along the river’s edge, where you might see Canadian geese, great blue herons, and yes, maybe even a bald eagle! For a more challenging paddling option, try out solo inflatable kayaks called thrill kats! After your rafting trip, drive three miles to spend 2-3 hours in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. The cost is $10/car to park. Step back in history with a visit to this quaint, renovated Civil War town. As you stroll the streets of their European-style village, stop in and visit their exhibits on African American history and the legendary John Brown. With a bag of Aunt Irene’s fudge in hand, make the short trek up to Jefferson Rock, leading to a view Thomas Jefferson said was “Worth a voyage across the Atlantic.” In the evening, turn the FRIGHT ON with a Harpers Ferry Ghost Tour, starting at 8pm sharp April-September. Tours available in October by reservation. Before your tour, enjoy a fresh dinner made with local ingredients at the 1820s Canal House, open every day but Tuesday. Make sure to use the bathrooms before you go, as none will be available before, after, or during the ghost tour.
Authored by Natasha Baihly
