What to do and see in Shepherdstown, United States: The Best Places and Tips

February 5, 2018 Jasper Kershner

Shepherdstown is a town in Jefferson County, West Virginia, in the United States, located in the lower Shenandoah Valley along the Potomac River. Home to Shepherd University, the town's population was 1,734 at the 2010 census.
Restaurants in Shepherdstown

1. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

171 Shoreline Drive, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 +1 304-535-6298
Excellent
70%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is indeed one of the crown jewels in the National Park Service. Covering over 4,000 acres in 3 states (WV, VA and MD) at the scenic confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers and the Potomac River water gap through the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Park features an amazing diversity of American History all in one place: Great figures such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Brown, Frederick Douglass, Robert E. Lee, U.S. Grant, "Stonewall" Jackson, JEB Stuart, Philip Sheridan, W.E.B. Du Bois, Kate Field and many others swirl around Harpers Ferry like a whirlwind! The C&O Canal National Park, Appalachian National Scenic Trail and the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail all converge at Harpers Ferry NHP. Twenty miles of hiking trails in the Park offer more than a one weekend getaway. Local private businesses offer whitewater rafting, tubing, fishing and many outdoor activities, along with dining and overnight accommodations. Come visit beautiful Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and be swept away by the mountains, the rivers and the history for a visit you and your family will long remember!

Reviewed By AlisonsD4 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

We stopped here on a rainy Wednesday afternoon during Spring Break. It probably would have been stroller friendly if it hadn't been raining and we could have left the stroller outside in smaller exhibits. The park itself is very interesting with plenty to keep my tweens interested. You walk around and different buildings have different displays.

Many of the shops in the area were closed that day and there aren't many food options either. That was the only drawback to the date/time (or perhaps weather?) for our visit.

2. Wonderment Puppet Theater

412 West King Street, Martinsburg, WV 25401-3204 +1 304-258-4074
Excellent
98%
Good
1%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 104 reviews

Wonderment Puppet Theater

Wonderment Puppet Theater is a year round magical little theater for children as well as grownups producing 6 original shows a year. We are open Saturday and Sunday with show time at 1 pm. Doors open at 12:40 pm. Lots of hands on activities before the show. We are the only full time theater in WV.

Reviewed By MikeSP1986 - West Virginia

Can't say enough nice things about visiting with our kids (aged six and three) to this delightful throwback to a more innocent time. They loved it, my wife and I couldn't stop smiling at each other, and if you're reading this you should just trust...MoreAs always thanks for coming. Its you and our many guests that make this theater come alive. See you soon

3. Shepherdstown Visitors Center

201 S Princess St, Shepherdstown, WV 25443-1232 +1 304-876-2786
Excellent
58%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 45 reviews

Shepherdstown Visitors Center

If you are visiting Shepherdstown, start your visit here. Our volunteers can guide you to the attractions, events, lodging, and restaurants that best suit your interests and budget so that you get the most out of your time with us. Come on in and say hello, and let us surprise you.

Reviewed By Maura2362 - Washington, District of Columbia, United States

The exhibits and staff are very good. The staff is helpful. The exhibits are interesting, good orientation to the town.I hope you found everything you needed to make a great trip to Shepherdstown. Feel free to tell us what we'd need to do to get that last point!

4. Antietam Battlefield Guides

5831 Dunkard Church Road, Sharpsburg, MD 21782
Excellent
99%
Good
1%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 97 reviews

Antietam Battlefield Guides

Antietam Battlefield Guides have been thoroughly tested, mentored, and certified by the National Park Service to lead tours at Antietam National Battlefield, 1862 Battle of Harpers Ferry, and South Mountain Battlefield. ABG offers a variety of tours including the 2-hr highlight tour, 3-hr standard tour, 4-hr extended tour, 6-hr Antietam Plus tour, and the 8-hr Campaign tour.

Reviewed By John M

I arranged for a 3 hour standard tour of Antietam Battlefield with Antietam Battlefield Guides. Our guide was Gary Rohrer. Gary provided a link to a video describing the battle so that the group (including Americans, South Americans and Canadians) could be prepared to get the most out of the experience. He also advised us to dress warmly for the weather, which in early February was brisk (in the 30s F) and pretty breezy.

Gary was there to meet us when we arrived and proceeded to give us a fantastic tour of the key elements of the battle. Gary knows his stuff and kept up an interesting and punctuated narrative through 5 or 6 tour stops. Even though our group of about 18 people was distributed between 3 vehicles, we managed to hear Gary while driving between sites by using GoToMeeting and calling in with our cellphones on speaker in each vehicle.

Gary provided the group with the context of the battle in addition to providing a dramatic and detail-filed picture of the battle itself. Highly recommended!

5. Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters

799 Washington St, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425-6998 +1 304-535-6331
Excellent
74%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 171 reviews

Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters

The main visitor center for the Appalachian Trail and one of the most famous landmarks on the entire 2,190-mile national scenic trail. It's considered the 'psychological half-way point' on the Appalachian Trail. All are welcome, from tourists to "thru-hikers" walking the entire trail. The center has exhibits, a gift shop where you can purchase maps, books, and souvenirs. A 10-foot 3D map shows the entire East Coast, with a miniature replica trail shelter built into the back side. A hiker lounge offers long-distance hikers a place to relax and recharge, with cold and hot drinks available. A collection of more than 25,000 photos of hikers taken since 1979 is one of the most unique features. Those intent on walking the entire A.T. will have their photo added to the collection, but anyone can take a photo of themselves out in front on the sign for a memorable snapshot. By visiting Harpers Ferry, you'll have already started the 14-state challenge, which encourages hikers to visit one location in each of the Trail's 14 states. If you visit lower town historic Harpers Ferry just a half mile away and walk across the footbridge over the Potomac River, you'll have already completed two states.

Reviewed By Kelli D - Winchester, Virginia

I love this place! It's small, but it's rich with stories from the past and provides visitors with a window into our fascination with the trail in the present. You may meet a few thru-hikers during your visit, since it is the midway point for the Appalachian Trail. You'll also be able to take a look at an enlarged map of the trail and a book of portraits of previous thru-hikers. Each of the portraits are dated. A friend and I once took turns looking for a thru-hiker who passed by on our birthdays. There's a lot of great items available there too. Look here before buying your Harpers Ferry souvenir!

6. Antietam National Battlefield

5831 Dunker Church Rd., Sharpsburg, MD 21782 +1 301-432-5124
Excellent
81%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 1 reviews

Antietam National Battlefield

The Bloodiest One Day Battle in American History: 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862. The Battle of Antietam ended the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia's first invasion into the North and led to Abraham Lincoln's issuance of the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. Antietam National Battlefield is located in western Maryland, 10 miles south of Hagerstown in Washington County. The best place to start your visit is at the park visitor center. The GPS address for the visitor center is 5831 Dunker Church Road, Sharpsburg, Maryland, 21782. We have brochures, museum exhibits, a film, a museum store, and park rangers and volunteers on duty to help you get oriented. The battlefield is approximately 3,000 acres that you can explore in your car or by walking. Operating Hours & Seasons: Open All Year, The Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Park Grounds are open daylight hours. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day The park has an entrance fee of $5.00 Per Person (age 16 or older; 15 and under FREE) or $10.00 Per Vehicle.

Reviewed By actranslation - Redmond, Washington

The Battle at Antietam was significant for many reasons, and the excellent experience at this National Park helped us understand them at a deep level. The fact that the entire battlefield is preserved much as it was at the time (and they are working to expand it) goes a long way to grasping why so many young men lost their lives that day. I cannot recommend this park enough.

The driving tour is well-curated, and going in the off-season meant it was not crowded and we could spend time with the well-informed rangers. The desk volunteer was terrific, and even offered us a DVD full of educational matierals!

7. Shepherd University

301 N King St., Shepherdstown, WV 25443 +1 304-876-5000
Excellent
61%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 35 reviews

Shepherd University

Reviewed By Brittany M

This is a wonderful school especially for those looking for a small town environment. Would recommend at least a visit

8. Burnside's Bridge

5831 Dunker Church Road, Sharpsburg, MD +1 301-432-5124
Excellent
61%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 179 reviews

Burnside's Bridge

Reviewed By actranslation - Redmond, Washington

After reading about this part of the battle, being on site made it very real--understanding how the landscape provided one side with a real advantage. Note that the witness tree--over 150 years old--may not be there much longer as it is reaching the end of its life, but the NPS has been growing seedlings from cuttings, so it will live on.

9. O'Hurley's General Store

205 E Washington St, Shepherdstown, WV 25443-4741 +1 304-876-6907
Excellent
57%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 23 reviews

O'Hurley's General Store

Reviewed By BoscoW52 - Lewisberry, Pennsylvania

Stopped here based on the reviews since we were in the area. Maybe a novelty for modern young people but not really much in there of interest for most people looking for something unusual or rare. I like the antique nail bins they had and Amish furniture.

10. Antietam National Cemetery

Sharpsburg, MD +1 301-432-5124
Excellent
65%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 96 reviews

Antietam National Cemetery

Part of the National Cemetery System, this site is where more than 4,776 Union soldiers are buried from the historic battle of Antietam, Monocacy and other military actions in Maryland.

Reviewed By podrozniczka60 - New Jersey

The access is easy from the main road and it is not far from the visitor center and actual battlefield. The cemetery is closed for new burials with some rare exceptions. Private soldier monument from the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia is the central point of this cemetery.

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