Come for the railfanning, stay for the history…read more
I first learned about Harpers Ferry, WV while sourcing stock footage for work. I came across the same clip in a rail safety ad, which made me look up directions to Harpers Ferry from DC. The historic park/town is served by the very MARC trains that pass outside my DC window each afternoon. You can describe Harpers Ferry as *deceptively* close because it's a 90 minute train ride, with planes flying into Dulles close enough to make out the airline.
Looking for hotels there, Stonehouse Bed & Breakfast was the first that came up, with great reviews. Chris was very helpful and responsive via text and email. I booked the Top Room, which was $170 for a night including taxes. The quaint B&B has three accessible floors, as the family naturally lives onsite. The first floor is the main entrance with the common/dining areas, and the patio overlooking Maryland Heights and the Potomac/Shenandoah Rivers. The second floor has more rooms, one with a full balcony. And the third floor is the Top Room, with windows overlooking each side of the vintage building.
If you Google pictures of Harpers Ferry, Stonehouse is in nearly all of the shots, since the balconies are front and center of the skyline. The town itself is like a real life snow globe. But the B&B, the litany of museums, eateries and shoppes around it, as well as the train station directly across the street make it an overall ideal place to stay, be it for hiking, or for something else:
A love of trains is what brought me to Stonehouse, so take note that rail traffic can be heavy in certain times of the day. But the light rumbles also helped put me to sleep in the already soft, cozy bed. A container of water was provided, and while glasses should have been cleaned of dust first, it was still a really nice touch. The room also had playing cards, ear plugs, plenty books and a whole lounge chair.
Checkin was a simple set of instructions at the door with my name on it, with checkout simply being your absence at the appropriate time. In my case, I only booked an overnight stay, getting in at 8pm and leaving around 6:30am, with checkout/checkin being the traditional 11am/4pm. While I didn't stay for complementary breakfast, I did catch a stellar sunrise between the mountains, as well as nature footage from the neighboring park.
All of that to say, I definitely look to return to Stonehouse B&B later this year.
