Tubing is popular in Harper's Ferry. You can choose Flatwater - Class I or Class I-III, depending on your adventure quotient. A quick Google search will provide you with plenty of companies that offer tubing.

Link with map showing the Appalachian Trail through Harpers Ferry:: http://www.roadtripusa.com/routes/appalachiantrail/west%20virginia/app_harpersferry.html
There is an interesting Amtrak station there too.

Great suggestions! Thanks.

We went tubing on the Potomac when we were there. It was really fun, although the water was low so some of it was hard work! Harper's Ferry has some interesting historical exhibits too.

You're also only about a half-hour drive from the Antietam battlefield.

You're also close to Gettysburg!

Tubing is a good idea. White water rafting is great, albeit expensive. You're B&B can recommend some operators.

A "must", IMO, is biking some of the C&O canal. Flat and very scenic (locks, aqueducts, views of the river, etc.). You should bike to Shepherdstown, have a nice lunch (restaurants there are used to accommodating bicycles), see the town (it's smaller than Harper's Ferry), and then bike back to Harper's Ferry.

I highly recommend this. Here's more info on what you'll see along that stretch of the canal.

http://www.nps.gov/pohe/planyourvisit/co-hike-13.htm

all great ideas which will will pursue! Thanks!

ttt

If you're looking for a nice restaurant to try, go ~20 miles to Purcellville and eat at Magnolia's at the Mill!

Definitely go tubing or white water rafting.

Bookmarking

I've lived in the Harpers Ferry area the last 30 years. The town, which includes a National Historical Park, sits at the junction of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers in a spectacular setting with history galore. After dark, however, there town is pretty much dead and good eateries are very few. As per suggestions above, venture over to Shepherdstown (a quaint small town with lots of shops and an assortment of good restaurants -- from inexpensive to expensive). Two of our favorites at on the mid- to high end are the Press Room and the Yellow Brick Bank. I second the recommendation to hike or bike on the C&O Canal towpath (another National Historical Park), accessible either at Harpers Ferry or Shepherdstown just across the Potomac River. Nearby Charles Town has lots of fast-food restaurants to choose from. Enjoy!

thanks, so much!

virginiafish,
Have you gone to Harpers Ferry yet? Because we are spending a lot of money on a trip to France this summer, I want to take a much less expensive trip next summer (2013). We like road trips, including history & nice scenery, & we like to visit states we have never been to. So I've been thinking of driving from MA to Harpers Ferry, WV next summer & make stops along the way, such as Gettysburg.

Did you like Harpers Ferry? Where did you stay? What did you do for sightseeing & can you recommend some restaurants? I like to plan ahead
Thanks.

HI Kwoo!
We are going Thurs. and I will get back with you. Where are you going in France? We were thinking of going back there, to Provence or Dordogne, in May. But then, we are also considering a big trip-to China or Vietnam-in Nov., so that may trump. We need to talk sometime.

Hi Virginiafish,
Thanks for responding so quickly. I've been asking questions about France on the Europe forum. You may have even responded. We are spending 7 nights in Paris; then we are joining my daughter & her French boyfriend for a week. They will pick us up in Paris & we will drive to the Loire Valley, where we will spend 3 nights. Then we will drive to Richard's parents' vacation home on the Atlantic coast. The purpose of the trip is to meet his family for the first time. So we want to take an inexpensive trip next summer (I'm hoping I will have 2 weddings to plan soon - have 2 daughters with 2 serious boyfriends

I've never been to West Virginia, & it's a reasonable driving vacation for one week. I'd like to stop at Longwood Gardens in PA, and Gettsyburg on the way to Harpers Ferry. Have you been to Charleston, WV? Might go there, too.

Charleston, WV is one of the most unattractive state capitals I've visited, IMHO (I've been to over 40). The drive there, however, through the West Virginia mountains is generally quite nice, though at 6 hours a long day. I'm partial to the Skyline Drive (Shenandoah National Park) -- just 45 minutes from Harpers Ferry -- and Charlottesville -- about 2 hours -- home of the University of Virginia and Jefferson's home, Monticello. Now that school's out, motel rooms will be inexpensive, and there are some really good restaurants.

Hi Rumseydog, Thanks for the info on Charleston. We have driven part way on the Skyline Drive & we have visited Charlottesville, UVA & Monticello, though it was about 10 years ago. If we do go to Harpers Ferry, I thought it would be nice to see more of West Virginia, which is why I suggested Charleston. Are there any other interesting places in WV? We are in your 60's so not interested in rigourous hikes, but maybe some hikes/walks on flat trails. Or easy bike rides. We enjoy history & nice scenery, too.

Virginiafish,
Have you returned from your long weekend to Harpers Ferry? Would love to hear what you did, where you ate, & your general thoughts.
Thanks.

Kwoo- it was great! Just unpacking; will report tomorrow.

Cass Scenic Railway in south central West Virginia is worth the drive, and the scenery along the way is beautiful (http://www.cassrailroad.com/). Nearby is the Greenbriar River Trail, a "Rails to Trails" site with scenic level cycling and places to rent bicycles and run shuttles (http://wordpress.greenbrierrivertrail.com/). West Virginia really is quite beautiful this time of year!

Sorry, the URL for Cass Scenic Railroad didn't post properly. Here it is: http://www.cassrailroad.com/

Rumseydog,
Thanks for the info and the links. Cass Scenic Railway & Greenbriar River Trail sound great!

Virginiafish, looking forward to your report!

Okay, Kwoo and everyone--here is is. We stopped in Purcellville, VA and had lunch at Magnolias at the Mill www.magnoliasmill.com/ In fact, we loved this restaurant so much that we ate there 3 times in our four day visit. We explored the town some and headed off to our B&B, Carriage Inn in Charles Town www.magnoliasmill.com/ It was one of the best B&Bs. It was conveniently located to explore the area and the owners were helpful. The breakfasts were delicious and health consciously prepared. Rooms were spacious. They provided snacks and drinks always. That evening, we went to downtown Harper's Ferry, walked across the railroad bridge and along the river trail. We had dinner down the block from the B&B at Dish, www.wvdish,com--also delicious, with music, too. The next day, we biked along the C&O Canal Towpath from Harper's Ferry to Brunswick and back. We explored Harper's Ferry town afterwards. We took a stroll around Charles Town that evening, visiting a newly opened book store/cafe., we went to Shepardstown, crossed over into Maryland and walked along the canal and had lunch at Bistro 112, good, but not special. Explored the town a little and returned to Harper's Ferry for a more in depth visit. The park service has done a great job. That evening, we went on a ghost tour which was informative and fun. Sunday, we returned to Brunswick, MD to bike more along the canal and to lunch at Magnolia's on the way home. Biking is delight--flat, shaded and along water. All in all, a relaxing 4 days. There was a crafts festival which we didn't even visit...

Sorry about the typos.
The Carriage Inn
www.carriageinn.com/ offers 3 rooms and 3 suites with private baths in an 1836 restored home.

Also, the scenery, rolling hills, and gorgeous horse country were bucolic. We didn't have time to do any water adventures--tubing, kayaking or rafting this trip, but DH and DD did that on another trip and enjoyed it.

Kwoo, we can offer advice or suggestions for Loire Valley if you would like.

Hi virginiafish,
Your weekend sounds just wonderful, and I definitely would like to visit Harpers Ferry and other parts of WV. What state is Shepardstown in?

Can you recommend some restaurants in the Loire Valley? We are staying in Blois for 2 nights. Forgot the exact name of the hotel, but it was an All Seasons hotel & I just got an email informing me they have changed hands & are now an Ibis hotel. Then we are staying in Chinon for one night, at the Plantegent. What chateaus did you visit?

Cannot remember restaurants, as it was some time ago--2006. In terms of chateaus, we enjoyed Bois, Angers and Azay-le Rideau. They were each unique and fascinating and...not the ones with huge crowds. We stayed at a B&B.