Eastern Panhandle

For a laid-back, unhurried, restful vacation or just a short visit, the Eastern Panhandle Region is the place to be. No large cities to rattle around in, just tranquil towns and pleasing attractions. And, if you like pampering, it is said that in Berkeley Springs, lawyers are outnumbered three to one by masseurs. But before you get that pampering, check out the sights where photo ops abound. Important historic events took place here that shaped our country. There are museums, antique shopping, flea markets, fine dining, arts and culture. Take the George Washington Heritage Trail, a 137-mile journey through picturesque towns and National Register Historic Districts and Sites. So, poke around the Panhandle first, then get yourself pampered. Things to See and Do Attractions Bunker Hill Antiques Associates in Bunker Hill - An antiques hunter's pleasure place. A converted mill with some 200 dealer spaces within a 25,000 square-foot setting. Open year round except for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Harpers Ferry Ghost Tours offer a lantern-lit walk around this historic town providing an eerily different perspective of the town from daytime viewing. B&O Roundhouse in Martinsburg - Originally built in 1849 made this town an important railroad hub and a prize destroyed and rebuilt eight times within three years during the Civil War. Present structure was built in 1866. In 1877, a nationwide labor dispute originated here by B&O workers. The Paw Paw Tunnel was constructed by immigrant laborers using only hand tools to carve out the excavation. The slightly over a half-mile long tunnel is lined with over six-million bricks and has a 25-foot archway. Walking and biking through the tunnel allowed. Historic Sites Jefferson County Courthouse in Charles Town - Built in 1803 on land donated by Charles Washington, youngest brother of George Washington, and it is still a working courthouse. Of historic importance as this is where John Brown was tried for treason in 1859 and the room of the trial is open to the public. Hampers Ferry is unique in America's Civil War history. Abolitionist John Brown and his 21-man "army" raided an armory but were defeated, yet this was a spark that set off the Civil War. The town itself was a strategic railway junction and changed hands eight times between 1861 and 1865. The largest Civil War surrender of Union troops occurred here. And one of the country's earliest integrated schools opened here. Belle Byrd House in Martinsburg - Built in 1853 by her father. It is the site where the 17-year old Belle Byrd shot and killed a Union officer who had threatened her mother. Belle was a famed Confederate spy. Rumsey Monument in Shepherdstown, West Virginia's oldest town. The monument, on the banks of the Potomac River, commemorates James Rumsey's first public exhibition of his steam-driven boat in 1787, well before Fulton's steamboat. Shepherdstown also served as an open-air hospital during the Civil War. Museum Jefferson County Museum in Charles Town - Displays memorabilia of the Washington family and historical relics and artifacts of John Brown and the Civil War. John Brown Wax Museum in Harpers Ferry - Exhibits life-size figures that provide a glimpse into the life of John Brown. Shepherdstown Museum features Civil War artifacts and Shepherdstown antiques, and a half-scale model replica of Rumsey's steamboat. Parks & Trails Berkeley Springs State Park is one of West Virginia's smallest parks. It is located near the center of town and also serves as the town square. Working mineral springs and several bath houses where one may receive massages and heat treatments. Historic Roman Bath House in use since 1815. Cacapon Resort State Park is ten miles south of Berkeley Springs and features a Robert Jones golf course, lodge, cabins, lake beach, horseback riding and trails up Cacapon Mountain. In the 6,115-acre park are 20 miles of trails. Guided nature tours. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park - A 2,300-acre park offering exhibits, programs and hiking trails that explore the park's six Paths Through History. Hear stories of the Civil War, John Brown, John Douglas and other historic narratives. The park contains numerous small museums with original buildings. Costumed interpreters.

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