Fly and Drive: West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle

Fly into Washington, D.C., or Baltimore, pick up a rental car and head west. In less than two hours, you’ll arrive in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle, where Jefferson and Berkeley counties pair outdoor adventure with rich history, welcoming small towns, cozy stays and delicious meals.

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and Trails

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park sits where the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers meet. Visitors can fish, go rock climbing and hike the park’s trail network.

Harpers Ferry sits at the crossroads of three iconic trails — the Appalachian Trail, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath and the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail — making it one of the few places where you can collect several stamps on your National Park Passport in one visit.

“You can visit four national parks in five minutes,” said Kristen Maxfield, park ranger and interpretation and education program manager for the park.

Besides its beauty, there’s also a lot of history to take in here, as the site of John Brown’s Raid to free enslaved people in 1859 and Civil War battlefields.

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Charles Town and Shepherdstown

From Harpers Ferry, head to Charles Town, founded by George Washington’s brother Charles. There’s a wealth of Washington family history in the area; George owned property here and encouraged his brothers to purchase land as well.

At the Jefferson County Museum, you can learn more about the region’s history and see the original wagon that transported John Brown to his hanging following his conviction of treason, murder and conspiring with enslaved people to rebel.

For a different kind of history lesson, stop by O’Hurley’s General Store in nearby Shepherdstown. Housed in a building that feels frozen in the 1800s, the store sells everything from handcrafted rocking chairs to handmade soaps and jewelry. There’s even a working blacksmith shop on the property, and on Thursday nights, the fireplace room fills with local musicians for a traditional folk jam session.

“It’s more like an experience than shopping,” said owner and manager Genevieve O’Loughlin.

More History in Martinsburg

Whether you’re interested in trains, Civil War history or architecture, the Matinsburg Roundhouse is not to be missed. Recognized as the only cast-iron railroad roundhouse left in the world, it features a full-size turntable once used to reposition locomotives. It’s also the site of the first national labor strike in 1877. You can hear about the roundhouse and its history during a guided tour, offered seasonally April through October.

Martinsburg also is home to some notable figures, including as Adam Stephen, a Revolutionary War general and the city’s founder. You can learn more about him as you tour the General Adam Stephen House, constructed in the late 1770s to early 1780s of native limestone. Another notable local figure is Belle Boyd, a Confederate spy who became an actress after the war. Her story is told at the Belle Boyd House, which also serves as the Berkeley County visitors center and historical museum.

Satisfy Your Taste Buds

As you travel through Jefferson and Berkeley counties, you’ll find a variety of eateries and restaurants that are sure to please your appetite. A great starting point, Bolivar Bread in Harpers Ferry bakes up artisan loaves such as sourdough, wheat and rye, plus the West Virginia state food, pepperoni roll. Perhaps unexpected in these historic West Virginia counties, Thai Martinsburg offers authentic Thai cuisine in a circa-1885 Queen Anne-style building. Sample everything from pad thai to panang curry. For something sweet, grab a gourmet chocolate at DeFluri’s Fine Chocolates.

In Shepherdstown, Blue Moon Cafe features a full menu of sandwiches, salads and burgers that are perfect for lunch. If the weather is nice, ask for a table on the outside patio under the trees. For a lovely dinner out, head to the Potomac Room at Bavarian Inn, also in Shepherdstown. Choose from traditional German entrees like Wiener schnitzel or try a European-inspired dish like shepherd’s pie.

For accommodations, the Bavarian Inn is an ideal home base for your stay in West Virginia’s eastern panhandle. Choose from the inn’s chalet rooms overlooking the Potomac River or opt for a room in the Schwarzwald Building, which overlooks the Grey Stone Manor. You can even stay in the manor in the mansion suite. No matter which you choose, you’re sure to have a great vacation.

Plan your trip with a AAA travel advisor and rent your car with Hertz. AAA members can save up to 20% on Hertz rentals.

Karon Warren

Based in the North Georgia Mountains, Karon has been writing for AAA Northeast since 2024. She loves traveling the globe, searching for adventure, unique personalities and a new perspective on the world around us. A member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, she also is the author of “100 Things to Do in the North Georgia Mountains Before You Die.”