Some of the best family days don’t need a plane ticket. All it takes is a full tank of gas, a cooler of sandwiches, and somebody saying, “Let’s just go see.” Here in Hedgesville, we’re blessed to have mountains, rivers, and a whole lot of American history within about an hour of the front porch.
Here are nine family day trips from the Eastern Panhandle I’d point any friend toward. Drive times are rough estimates from Hedgesville. Hours change with the seasons, so check each official site before you load up the kids.
1. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (about 40 minutes)
The Potomac and Shenandoah rivers meet at Harpers Ferry, and so do a lot of history and scenery. Park at the Visitor Center (171 Shoreline Drive) and ride the park shuttle down to Lower Town. It runs every 10–15 minutes, and the ride is included in your entrance fee. Kids can pick up a Junior Ranger booklet, then head to John Brown’s Fort and The Point. If your teens have energy to burn, the park has more than 20 miles of trails, including the climb up Maryland Heights. Tip: the last shuttle leaves Lower Town at 7 p.m. through Nov. 1. After that it’s 5:30 p.m.
2. Berkeley Springs State Park (about 30 minutes)
The warm springs that once drew George Washington still flow right in the middle of town, at 74.3 degrees all year. At Berkeley Springs State Park, the public springs are free to wade in, and little ones love that. For something special, the Old Roman Bathhouse has been in use since 1815 and offers private walk-in Roman baths heated to about 102 degrees. The whole family can soak together. Call ahead for a reservation (304-258-3976), then stroll the town for lunch and a treat.
3. Cacapon Resort State Park (about 40 minutes)
Cacapon covers more than 6,000 acres just south of Berkeley Springs. You can hike anything from easy lakeside paths to real climbs, play the 18-hole disc golf course, or visit the Nature Center. The two small lakes are stocked with trout each spring, so bring a rod (and a WV fishing license). The lake beach opens in summer, Memorial Day through Labor Day. In the fall, the ridges put on quite a show.
4. Paw Paw Tunnel on the C&O Canal (about 1 hour)
Park at the Paw Paw Tunnel Campground, across the river from the town of Paw Paw, WV. From there, walk the flat towpath into a 3,118-foot tunnel lined with an estimated 6 million bricks. (Fun fact for the kids: the tunnel itself is in Maryland.) It’s pitch dark in the middle, so bring a flashlight for everyone. Strong hikers can come back over the top on the Tunnel Hill Trail. It’s two steep, strenuous miles, with big views of the Paw Paw Bends. The tunnel sometimes closes for maintenance, so check the NPS alerts first.
5. Antietam National Battlefield, Sharpsburg, MD (about 35 minutes)
This is a sobering and important place to teach kids about the Civil War. Before you go, print an age-appropriate Junior Ranger booklet. The activities follow the battlefield driving tour, so the whole family learns together from stop to stop. Bring the finished booklet to the visitor center desk for an official badge.
6. Shepherdstown (about 30 minutes)
Shepherdstown is one of West Virginia’s oldest towns and one of its friendliest. Walk the shops along German Street (Four Seasons Books is a must for young readers), let the kids run at Morgan’s Grove Park, and stop into the Historic Shepherdstown Museum. The town also makes a great starting point for a bike ride or paddle along the Potomac and the C&O Canal.
7. Martinsburg Roundhouse (about 20 minutes)
Kids who love trains (and their dads) shouldn’t miss the historic B&O Roundhouse at 100 East Liberty Street. Tours are seasonal, April 1 through October 31. They run Wednesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and Sunday noon–5 p.m., with the last tour starting an hour before closing. Admission is by donation. Go this month, before the season wraps up.
8. Orr’s Farm Market, Martinsburg (about 25 minutes)
Orr’s is a true Eastern Panhandle fall tradition. The Pumpkin Patch and barnyard are open through Nov. 9, 2026, and this year there’s a new pick-your-own flower patch beside the playground. For families of faith, don’t miss Faith & Farming: an afternoon of live Christian worship music on the first Saturday of the month (Oct. 3 and Nov. 7). The last Bluegrass & Barbeque day of the season is Oct. 10. An April freeze hit the orchard hard this year, so call ahead (304-263-1168) before you plan on apples.
9. Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area (about 20 minutes)
This one is practically in our backyard. Sleepy Creek WMA sits about 10 miles from Hedgesville and centers on 205-acre Sleepy Creek Lake, a great spot for fishing and a quiet picnic. Hikers can pick up the Tuscarora Trail or try the Devil’s Nose loop for a view. It’s a working wildlife area, so during hunting season wear blaze orange and keep the kids close.
Ready for More Than a Day Trip?
Day trips are how a lot of families catch the travel bug. When you’re ready for something bigger, like a cruise, a national park trip, or your kid’s out-of-state tournament, that’s what I do. I’m Derek, a local Hedgesville travel agent. You’ll get a real person, not a call center. See how I plan trips on the Travel page, email Createmore3316@sawmilldcllc.com, or call (717) 818-3870.
And before you pull out of the driveway, fill the thermos. Our small-batch coffee is roasted right here in the Eastern Panhandle, and you can pick it up free, self-serve, in Hedgesville. See Sawmill D&C Coffee.
God bless, and safe travels.
— Derek
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