Things to do in Harpers Ferry

Harpers Ferry sits in West Virginia, not Virginia, despite the confusion its location invites: the town clusters at the point where the Shenandoah River meets the Potomac, with Maryland on one bank and Virginia within sight on the other. From Washington, count on roughly an hour to an hour and a half by car.

John Brown's 1859 raid on the federal armoury here is the historical draw, but the town is as much about walking as history, with trails climbing to overlooks and stretches of the Appalachian Trail passing right through.

A half day covers the historic district and museums; add a full day if you want a proper hike.