Berkeley Springs

Berkeley Springs is a town of 755 people (as of 2021) in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, across the border from Maryland. While Berkeley Springs is its more commonly used name, but the town is incorporated as Bath. It is a vibrant artistic community, full of quaint inns and historical connections to George Washington, but it is most famous for its mineral springs, which are used both for drinking water and rejuvenating warm baths. Understandably, the spa (and pampering) business is big in the area. == Get in == === By car === Berkeley Springs is located on US-522, between Lewistown, Pennsylvania and Hancock, Maryland in the north, and Winchester, Virginia in the south. To the north is I-68, which goes to Cumberland, Maryland, and Morgantown, West Virginia. Also to the north is I-70, which goes to Somerset, Pennsylvania, and Hagerstown, Maryland. East of Berkeley Springs is I-81, which goes to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Roanoke, Virginia. === By bus === Greyhound Lines serves a bus station in nearby Hancock, Maryland. Greyhound buses arrive from Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Pittsburgh. From the Hancock bus station, it is a 10-minute taxi ride to Berkeley Springs. === By train === Amtrak provides service to a train station in Cumberland, Maryland. The station is on Amtrak's Capitol Limited, a daily train that travels between Chicago, and Washington, D.C. From the Cumberland train station, it is a 40-minute taxi ride to Berkeley Springs. === By plane === The nearest major commercial airports to Berkeley Springs are Baltimore-Washington International Airport and Washington-Dulles International Airport, each about 2 hours away. Hagerstown Regional Airport is 40 minutes away and has limited commercial service. == Get around == There is no public transportation in Berkeley Springs. Downtown Berkeley Springs is compact and easy to explore by walking. Exploring the area outside the downtown area will generally require driving a car or taking a taxi. == See == 1 Berkeley Springs State Park, 2 S Washington Street, ☏ +1 304-258-2711. 4.5-acre park. Roman bath house and main bathhouse with private swimming baths and spa treatments; pump building with free spring water taps; primitive stone "George Washington's Bathtub" bathing area; museum with exhibits on local geology, culture and history; monument to James Rumsey, inventor of the steamboat; warm spring-water pools and sinking sands; and public spring-water swimming pool. 2 Samuel Taylor Suit Cottage, Route 9. , also known as Berkeley Springs Castle, was built from silica sandstone in 1885. The castle features 13 rooms and a dungeon. It was once open for tours, but is now privately-owned, although you can still view the exterior on the mountainside from a distance. 3 The Ice House, ☏ +1 304-258-2300. Independence Street and Mercer Street. An art center featuring community and youth theater, concerts, and a gallery, housed in a 1910 cold-storage building. 4 Star Theatre, ☏ +1 304 258-1404. Congress Street and N Washington Street. Films begin at 8PM Friday through Sunday (and Thursday, in summer). A one-screen 1928 movie theatre resurrected in 1977, showing films a few weeks past first-run. Couches available for $0.50 extra. Be sure to try their popcorn ("the best in four states") fresh out of the 1947 popping machine with real butter. $3.50. 5 Triple "B" Arena, 203 Barbecue Drive, ☏ +1 304-258-4178, +1 304-258-9490. Old West rodeo, team roping, championship bull rides, barrel racing, special events and concerts. 6 Cacapon Resort State Park, 818 Cacapon Lodge Drive, ☏ +1 304-258-1022. Hiking, horseback riding, swimming, boating, tennis, basketball, volleyball, fishing, par-72 18-hole golf course, golf lessons, nature and recreation programs. Lodging available. Restaurant and gift shop. Scenic overlooks for drivers and hikers. Golf $12-$32. == Do == Take a walking tour of historic downtown Berkeley Springs. Washington Heritage Trail. It is a 127-mile (204-km) scenic driving trail through the three counties of West Virginia's eastern panhandle, highlighting George Washington's involvement in the area, as well as local architecture and scenic wonders. Sleepy Creek Sports, 6265 Windsor Lane, ☏ +1 304-258-3271, +1 304-261-5865. Shotgun and sporting clay range. NRA personal protection course and shotgun sports school available. === Mineral Spas === 1 Berkeley Springs State Park, 2 S Washington Street, ☏ +1 304-258-2711. Spa open daily 10AM to 6PM (last appointment at 4:30PM). A state park renowned for its warm mineral-water springs that flow at a rate of approximately 1500 gallons per minute. The main bathhouse was opened in 1930. Today its serves thousands of people who come to take the waters. The spa features heated Roman baths, whirlpool tub bathing, massages, a sauna and showers. There is a men's side and a ladies'. The historic Roman Baths built in 1815, have nine private bathing chambers with 750-gallon tubs of the heated spring water. Spa rates $10-80. 2 Atasia Spa, 41 Congress Street, ☏ +1 304-258-7888, toll-free: +1-877-258-7888. Daily 9AM to 5PM. Therapeutic massage, reiki and reflexology, aroma-stone and raindrop therapy, lomi lomi, rejuvenating facials, sugar scrubs, herbal wraps, mud treatments, gardenside pedicures, manicures, whirlpools and steam baths. $15-85. 3 The Bath House, 21 Fairfax Street, ☏ +1 304-258-9071, toll-free: +1-800-431-4698. Su-Th 10AM to 5PM, F 10AM to 5:30PM, Sa 10AM to 7PM. Massage, facials, aromatherapy, steam therapy, spas, hot and cold stone therapy. Lodging available. $20-175, lodging $99. === Events === 4 Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting, N. Washington St, ☏ +1-304-258-2210, toll-free: +1-866-458-2210. Held in late February at the Country Inn, the largest water-tasting competition in the world features municipal tap water, purified drinking water, and still and sparkling bottled waters. Since 1991. 5 Berkeley Springs Studio Tour, 82 Powerline Lane, ☏ +1 304-258-3541, toll-free: +1-800-888-8768. A free, self-guided, family-friendly tour of working artists' studios in and around Berkeley Springs. The twice-yearly event is held every Memorial Day weekend and two weekends after Columbus Day is celebrated. 6 George Washington's Bathtub Celebration, 127 Fairfax Street, ☏ +1 304-258-9147, toll-free: +1-800-447-8797. Held in mid-March. Dollar sales throughout town, dramatic readings of George Washington's writings about the area, guided walking tours, live entertainment. 7 Berkeley Springs Apple Butter Festival, 127 Fairfax Street, toll-free: +1-800-447-8797. Two-day event on Columbus Day weekend in early October, featuring a parade, live music, contests - including apple-butter and baking contests, beard contest and hog calling - and an all-day apple-butter-making show. Over 200 vendors offer traditional crafts and antiques, home-canned goods and mountain cooking in the park and on downtown streets. Since 1974. Festival of Light Psychic Fair and Alternative Health Expo, Independence and Mercer, ☏ +1-800-447-8797. Two-days on second weekend in November at the Ice House. More than 60 readers, bodyworkers and vendors plus lectures and workshops. == Buy == 1 Berkeley Springs Farmers' Market, Route 522 and Fairfax Street. Apr to mid-Dec: Su 10AM to 2PM. Locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers and vegetable plants, fresh and dried herbs and herbal products, house plants, perennials, fresh meat, dairy products, breads and pastries, jams and jellies, honey, fresh eggs, prepared foods, contests and special events. 2 Homeopathy Works, ☏ +1 304-258-2541, toll-free: +1-800-336-1695. M-Sa 9AM to 5PM, Su noon to 5PM. Manufacturing homeopathic medicine since 1873, with a retail outlet and museum. 3 Jules, 13 Fairfax Street, ☏ +1 304-258-9509. Enchanting gifts and collectibles from around the world. 4 The Parks House, 363 S Washington Street, ☏ +1 304-258-6871. M Tu Th-Sa 10AM to 5PM, Su 11AM to 3PM. Fine wood furniture, collectibles, and country accents, displayed in a restored 1911 stone house. 5 Portals, 81-A N Washington Street, ☏ +1 304-258-5200. F-M 11AM to 5PM. A New Age shop featuring books, music, crystals, incense, jewelry, statuary, home decor, sage, ceremony kits, wood carvings, drums, tarot and oracle cards and one-of-a kind Kindred Connection Santas. Classes and seminars offered on crystals, Reiki, drumming, meditation, Wicca and card reading. 6 The RAG Shop, 109 N Washington Street, ☏ +1 304-258-7742. M-Sa 10AM to 6PM, Su noon to 6PM. Niche market offering furniture, books, clothing, and housewares. 7 Sage Moon Herb Shop, 47 Independence Street, ☏ +1 304-258-9228. M W Th 11AM to 5PM, F 11AM to 6PM, Sa Su 10AM to 5:30PM. Herbs, plants, specialty teas, crafts, oils, books, candles and gifts. 8 Gat Creek, 5270 Valley Road, ☏ +1 304-258-2818. Handmade reproduction antique furniture, made with solid wood using traditional woodworking techniques. === Galleries === 9 Heath Studio Gallery, 327 N Washington Street, ☏ +1 304-258-2482, +1 304-258-9840. Watercolors, woodcuts, linocuts and monoprints. 10 Frog Valley Artisans, Ltd., 82 Powerline Lane, ☏ +1 304-258-351. A growing artists' collective with working studios in metal, ceramics, pottery, stained and fused glass, a small gift-shop and onsite gallery. Open Friday thru Saturday from April through December and by appointment. 11 Mountain Laurel Gallery, 1 N Washington Street, ☏ +1 304-258-1919, toll-free: +1-888-809-2041. M-F 10AM to 5PM, Sa 10AM to 6PM, Su 11AM to 5PM. Designer jewelry, wearables, fine art, glass, pottery, metal, wood and candles. === Shopping centers === 12 Berkeley Springs Antique Mall, 7 Fairfax Street, ☏ +1 304-258-5676. Open 10AM to 5PM daily; closed Wednesdays. Quality antiques & collectibles from 30 dealers. == Eat == 1 The West Virginia Room and Morgan Tavern, 110 S Washington St, ☏ +1 304-258-2210, toll-free: +1-866-458-2210. M-Th 7:30AM-11AM, F 7:30AM-9PM, Sa Su 8AM-9PM. Appetizers, soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, poultry, seafood, grilled meats, desserts. $5-30. 2 Grandma's Country Kitchen, 46 Winchester Street, Paw Paw, ☏ +1 304-947-775, toll-free: +1-800-580-4225. Located in the neighboring town of Paw Paw. Breakfast, salads, sandwiches, burgers and dinners. On-site inn. Most items $2-7. 3 Lot 12 Public House, 117 Warren Street, ☏ +1 304-258-6264. W-Sa 5PM to 9PM, Su 5PM to 8PM. Northern Italian cuisine including salads, soups, pasta, seafood, poultry, meat, and homemade desserts. $19-32. 4 Maria's Garden, 42 Independence Street, ☏ +1 304-258-2021, toll-free: +1-888-629-2253. Su-Th 11AM to 8PM, F Sa 11AM to 9PM, breakfasts Sa Su 8 to 11AM; closed W. Italian and American cuisine, including appetizers, pasta dinners, seafood, down home favorites, platters, subs, sandwiches, salads, burgers and pizza. $4.50-22. 5 Panorama Bar and Grill, 3299 Cacapon Rd, ☏ +1 304-500-2754. Noon - 10PM, til 2AM F,Sa, closed Th. Rustic restaurant with casual American food like burgers and pizza. Music on weekends. Best view of the Potomac River Valley from the parking lot across the street (caution crossing the road). 6 Ravenwood, 206 Martinsburg Rd, ☏ +1 727-742 8333. W-Sa 8AM-10PM, closed Su-Tu. Upscale comfort food, with an always-changing menu, crafted with skill and excellent quality ingredients. Definitely have some wine along with the meal, and seriously consider the magnificent cheese plate. Because there are only eight seats, reservations are important for dinner. If you ask nicely, Chef Regina might even play guitar for you. (updated Jan 2021) 7 The Troubadour Lounge, Highland Ridge Road, ☏ +1 304-258-9381. Tu-Su 1-10PM. Lounge with full-service bar, outdoor grill and tiki bar. Appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, platters and steaks. Live bands on Saturday nights. Also home to Winchester Records, a functioning recording studio, and the West Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame. $1.50-15. == Drink == 1 Fairfax Coffee House, 23 Fairfax Street, ☏ +1 304-500-2710. Su-Th 8:30AM to 5PM, F Sa 8:30AM to 5:30PM. Coffee, espresso, cappuccino, tea, grilled panini, sandwiches, homemade soups, quiche, hummus, salads and fresh-baked pastries. Funky gifts and West Virginia food products available. == Sleep == 1 Kayser Ridge, 375 Breakthrough Lane, ☏ +1 202-494-2849. This beautiful log lodge is on top of a 20-acre mountain and is 2 miles from Cacapon State Park and 12 miles from Berkeley Springs State Park. It has 3000 sq. ft. of space inside, complete with 5 bedrooms/sleeping areas, 4 full bathrooms, 2 fully-equipped kitchens, conference room, Wi-Fi, and two gas fireplaces. Just outside any one of 8 sets of French doors is another 3000 sq. ft. of deckspace for meeting, relaxing, and taking in the splendor of 360° views of four states (PA, MD, VA, and WV)! === Hotels and motels === 2 Best Western Berkeley Springs Inn, 1776 Valley Road, ☏ +1 304-258-9400, toll-free: +1-866-945-9400. Heated outdoor pool. Complimentary breakfast. === Inns === 3 The Country Inn, 110 S. Washington St, ☏ +1 304-258-2210, toll-free: +1-866-458-2210. 62 rooms, 5 suites and 1 guest cottage. Fitness center. On-site spa (The Five Senses Spa), restaurants (the West Virginia Room and the Morgan Tavern), and gift shop. Ask about Spa Packages. 4 Maria's Garden and Inn, 42 Independence Street, ☏ +1 304-258-2021, toll-free: +1-888-629-2253. 10 rooms, 1 suite. Whirlpool rooms available. $75-195. 5 Tari's Inn, 33 N Washington Street, ☏ +1 304-258-1196. 4 rooms. Sleep-and-dine packages available. === Bed and Breakfasts === 6 Highlawn Inn, 171 Market Street, ☏ +1 304-258-5700, toll-free: +1-888-290-4163. 10 rooms, 2 cottages. Flower and herb gardens with pebble paths, wraparound veranda, porch swings, fireplace, three resident cats. Opulent healthy breakfasts. Whirlpool and fireplace rooms available. Rooms $95-170, cottages $199-320. 7 The Manor Inn, 234 Fairfax Street, ☏ +1 304-258-1552, toll-free: +1-800-974-5770. 4 rooms. Historic 1874 Second Empire Victorian home with large porch and 10-foot ceilings. $85-190. 8 River House, 10 Rock Ford Road, Great Cacapon, ☏ +1 304-258-4042. Located in the nearby town of Great Cacapon. 3 rooms. 1924 Sears Craftsman home. Walking, bike riding, access to the Cacapon River, inner tubing, ping-pong, morning or afternoon yoga classes, guided botanical walks, two resident cats. Specializing in creative vegetarian cuisine using organic fruits and vegetables grown on the property. $60-90. === Resorts === 9 Cacapon Resort State Park, 818 Cacapon Lodge Drive, ☏ +1 304-258-1022. Lodge (48 rooms), inn (12 rooms), 27 cabins (15 modern, 13 standard) and bungalows. Restaurant and gift shop. Lodge $61-82, inn $49-58, cabins $66-988, bungalow $63-378. 10 Woods Resort, Mountain Lake Road, Hedgesville, ☏ +1-800-248-2222. Located in Hedgesville, 12 miles from Berkeley Springs. Lodge and villas. 2 golf courses, full spa, tennis, 2 swimming pools, restaurants, fitness center, and hiking trails. === Camping === 11 Cox Camping, 5822 Milo School Road / 44 Cox Lane, Great Cacapon (a few miles from downtown, go about 7.5 miles and turn right on Detour Rd, go approximately 2 miles and turn left on Milo School Rd, 1 mile on the left just look for the sign), ☏ +1 304-258-2267, +1 301-953-2676. Year-round family friendly camping with fantastic mountain views on our 60 acre site. == Go next == Hancock, Maryland is about 10 minutes north on US-522. Hagerstown, Maryland is about 40 minutes east on I-70. Cumberland, Maryland is about 45 minutes west on I-68. Winchester, Virginia is about 45 minutes south on US-522. Martinsburg is about 1 hour southeast on I-70 / I-81 or about 30 minutes on West Virginia Route 9. Somerset, Pennsylvania is about 1.5 hours northeast on I-70. Lewistown, Pennsylvania is about 2 hours north on US-522. Morgantown is about 2 hours west on I-68.