7 Best Rainy Day Things to Do in Harpers Ferry
Visiting Harpers Ferry on a rainy day can be a surprisingly delightful experience. The town’s rich history, charming architecture, and scenic beauty take on a unique charm under a gentle drizzle.
Just one hour away from Washington, DC, the Harpers Ferry area is known for its incredible natural beauty, rich American history, and endless scenic views. In addition to indoor activities, our town has a thriving restaurant and brewery scene to explore when the weather isn’t cooperating for outdoor adventures – although one of the options on our list will have you making the most of a rainy day in nature!
While our Mountain Mama Cabins are stocked with everything you need to enjoy a day indoors, we can’t wait to show you how incredible Harpers Ferry is, rain or shine.
1. Tour Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
- Visitor’s Center: 171 Shoreline Drive, Harpers Ferry, WV
- Website: nps.gov/hafe.com
Harpers Ferry is known for its important part in American history, and visitors come from all over to tour the Civil War battlefields around the area. While the surrounding scenic beauty is one of the main draws, many of the park museums are indoors, making it easy to explore on a rainy day.
The Harpers Ferry National Historical Park visitor center is a great place to start, as it is central to the many historic sites in the Lower Town area. From there, we recommend making your way from one historic building to the next. Sites include St. Peter’s Church, the blacksmith shop, and John Brown’s Fort, which highlights abolitionist John Brown’s raid in 1859 as one of the most important events in Harpers Ferry history.
Don’t miss Bolivar Heights, the site of the largest surrender of U.S. troops during the Civil War.
2. Go Brewery Hopping
Craft breweries have gained tremendous popularity in the region, with Harpers Ferry and surrounding towns becoming a premiere destination for craft beer enthusiasts.
Visitors have many options, ranging from microbreweries to larger venues. Harpers Ferry Brewing is a local spot offering incredible views of the Potomac River, even on a rainy day. They maintain a full event calendar, with trivia nights and live music weekly.
In neighboring Charles Town, Abolitionist Ale Works is another popular spot offering a wide variety of brews, from ales to IPAs to sours. Your whole group will leave satisfied after visiting here.
Pro tip: Harpers Ferry Brewing BrewVan (up to 12 people) or BrewBus (up to 40 people) are fun options for larger groups so you can enjoy hopping from one brewery to the next safely.
3. Hit the Shops of Harpers Ferry
What’s the perfect rainy day activity? Shopping, of course! Lucky for you, Downtown Harpers Ferry is full of mom-and-pop shops and local boutiques where you can shop until you drop.
Head to The Vintage Lady and The Hodge Podge for unique vintage and antique finds. Tenfold Fair Trade Collection is a curated fair trade shop offering a collection of handmade goods. Tessoterica is the perfect place to grab a souvenir; they sell homemade soaps, bath bombs, and more.
Neighboring Charles Town and Shepherdstown are also home to many unique shops, so you’ll never run out of options on your rainy shopping day.
4. Go Ziplining in the Rain
What’s more adventurous than ziplining through the mountains? Doing it in the rain! River Riders, a local adventure company, offers a Zipline Canopy Tour through the treetops of the Blue Ridge Mountains, rain or shine. If you’re up for a wet adventure, the same goes for canoeing, rafting, and tubing adventures.
The Zipline Canopy Tour features seven ziplines, two sky bridges, and even a 50-foot free fall. It’s the epitome of adventure, and rain doesn’t stop the fun. The ziplining tour lasts 2 to 3 hours, and guests must be over 40 pounds to participate.
Be sure to wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing for your ziplining adventure. While at River Riders, you can also head to their Aerial Adventure Park or check out the many rental opportunities.
5. Sip Wine at Local Wineries
Our region is home to countless vineyards, with indoor tasting rooms perfect for a rainy day. Virginia’s Wine Country is only a 10-minute drive from Harpers Ferry.
This cluster of vineyards, known as the Loudoun Heights Wine Trail, boasts wineries, breweries, eateries, and more. Some of our favorite local vineyards include
- Hillsborough Winery, Brewery, and Vineyard
- Bozzo Family Vineyards
- 868 Estate Vineyards
- Breaux Vineyards
Each vineyard offers something a bit different, but they all boast delicious local wine, beautiful tasting rooms, and incredible scenic views. It’s the best way to enjoy this region’s natural landscape from a cozy indoor setting.
6. Brave the Local Outdoor Adventures
While rain might not be ideal for outdoor adventures, we still think they are worth enjoying for those who want to brave the rainy weather.
Harpers Ferry is loaded with fun outdoor activities. It is located along the Appalachian Trail, with plenty of hiking trails all over the area. If you don’t want to hike in the rain, it’s worth a visit to the Appalachian Trail Visitor Center, the celebrated “Halfway Point” of the AT. Other popular summer outdoor activities include kayaking, whitewater rafting, and mountain biking.
7. Explore Harpers Ferry’s Foodie Scene
Harpers Ferry is home to a variety of local eateries offering delicious grub and views of both the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers.
With its diverse selection of food, you can enjoy anything from a hole-in-the-wall deli to fine dining. Some of our favorite local relaxed options include The Rabbit Hole, a popular gastropub, and Kelly Farm Kitchen, which serves excellent farm-to-table vegan food. Head to The Hillbrook Inn Restaurant outside neighboring Charles Town for an upscale meal with a cozy atmosphere.
And definitely don’t skip out on sweets. Harpers Ferry Ice Cream Shoppe is the place to go for ice cream, while Bolivar Bread Bakery has delicious pastries and freshly baked bread.
Enjoy Rainy Day Activities in Harpers Ferry
There is no reason to let the rain stop you from enjoying your Harpers Ferry vacation. From touring historic sites to visiting local breweries and wineries to braving the weather for outdoor adventures, a rainy day can’t keep the fun away here in Harpers Ferry.
Here at Mountain Mama Cabins, we want to ensure that you have an unforgettable trip to Harpers Ferry, no matter the weather. Need activity suggestions for winter, spring, fall, or summer? Just ask!
