All That and More... In Jefferson County, WV!

Early Summer 2010
by Mark Greenberg

Jefferson County Tourism Information

Jefferson County, WV is gearing up for your next visit! The state’s most-visited county will host even more folks each week, as the new Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races opens on July 1. When the new, expanded operations open, guests will be able to ‘Discover it All’—with 85 table games and 27 poker tables in addition to the six-furlong thoroughbred racing track and 5000 slot machines already in place.

The new table games making their debut at the casino will include Blackjack, Craps, Let it Ride, Caribbean Stud, Big Six Wheel, Min-Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Roulette and Three Card Stud. A non-smoking pit and high roller and party pit will be included in the expanded layout, along with new entertainment venues and additional restaurants.

The entertainment section will feature a lounge called Hollywood on the Roof, with a live entertainment stage and a giant panoramic screen, reminiscent of the Hollywood Bowl. The gaming floor here is huge, expanded to almost 185,000 square feet! Come anytime—the gaming facility will be open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

If outdoor adventure is more your style, Jefferson County’s summer lineup also features a new high-excitement racing program for enthusiasts (age 7 and older) at Summit Point Motorsports Park, called Summit Point Kart racing. Using the high-tech Sodi Kart and the Washington Circuit, fans can take a demo drive or participate in the SPK racing program.

More natural outdoor adventure is available here in abundance as well, with eco-friendly opportunities just about everywhere. You’ll find the water plentiful for all water-related sports, including rafting, tubing, kayaking, and canoeing. Rent a bike in Harpers Ferry or Shepherdstown and spend some leisurely hours on a shady, level path beside the river or on the rolling hills of Jefferson County’s country roads. With numerous hiking trails, from the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal towpath towpath to the Appalachian Trail and everything in between, you can enjoy a steep challenge or just a leisurely stroll.

Runners will want to return in early October for the second Freedom’s Run, a running festival including several distances, 5K to marathon, as well as a kids’ fun run. The races begin in Shepherdstown and loop through the West Virginia and Maryland countryside, on shady roads and trails and across sunny historic sites and battlefields, before returning to Shepherdstown and a fantastic post-race party at the Bavarian Inn.

If camping is your thing, check out the Harpers Ferry KOA. Each year they add more to their already exciting lineup of activities. The jump pillow here is always a hit!

Lots of folks come to Jefferson County for the history, and, lately, Harpers Ferry has become an extra-popular destination, with the 2009 sesquicentennial of John Brown’s Raid and the upcoming years-long sesquicentennial of the American Civil War. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is a great starting point for your history vacation. But Civil War heritage is not all the history you’ll find here! Jefferson County’s roots extend to the Revolutionary War—and beyond.

The three-county Washington Heritage Trail provides information on the Washington family presence in the area, including Happy Retreat, the home of Charles Washington, George Washington’s youngest brother, in Charles Town.

Do you know about the Bee Line March? Begun in Shepherdstown’s Morgan Park, in 1775 it provided local men to George Washington’s Continental Army in Massachusetts. Their 600-mile march is commemorated with a plaque in the park, calling it “the birthplace of the United States Army”.

The Jefferson County Museum in Charles Town will supply all the details. Don’t miss the original George Washington letter on display there. Be sure to take the walking tour of historic downtown Charles Town, a Preserve America community.

Nearby, the charming community of Ranson celebrates its centennial this year. Take a stroll around downtown, or enjoy a picnic lunch near the historic fountain.

Stay over a night or weekend. You’ll find a wide range of accommodations here, to suit your taste and your budget, from historic inns and bed & breakfasts, to hotel and resort accommodations, and the restaurants and hospitality here are truly outstanding.

Article text ©2010, Shenandoah Specialty Publishing, LLC.
May be printed for personal use only.

Spotlight on Shepherdstown

Early Summer 2010
by Mark Greenberg

Shepherdstown, home to Shepherd University, exudes the vibrant flavor and culture of youth, with undeniable appeal to the young at heart, too. The quaint downtown area is chock-full of trendy, charming shops, and edgy boutiques—each filled with items you’ll want to take home—from books to fine art and home décor, to children’s toys and tantalizing baked goods. If you’re wanting to get out and play, Pedal & Paddle here rents (and sells) quality comfort bikes, mountain bikes, and kid bikes, perfect for an afternoon ride.

You’ll need to stay more than one day to explore Shepherdstown and the surrounding area, so lodging and dining are definitely in order. Accommodations within easy walking distance of downtown will meet all price points. If your budget permits, enjoy a stay at the Bavarian Inn, on a bluff overlooking the river.

The Bavarian boasts ‘European elegance on the Potomac’. With sumptuous rooms and outstanding service, the Bavarian offers gourmet dining as well! Enjoy award-winning international cuisine at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The restaurant offers continental and American specialties, in addition to traditional Bavarian entrées.

In July, be sure to take in the Contemporary American Theatre Festival. You can read all about it on our Entertainment page.

Article text ©2010, Shenandoah Specialty Publishing, LLC.
May be printed for personal use only.

Our Local Advertisers

	All-Star Limousine	Entertainment
	Bavarian Inn	Dining,Lodging
	Billie's Restaurant	Dining
	Blue River Clothing	Shopping
	Charles Town Heritage Festival	Attractions, Entertainment
	Charles Town Races & Slots	Entertainment,Attractions,Dining
	Clarion Hotel	Lodging,Dining
	Comfort Inn	Lodging
	Contemporary American Theater Festival	Entertainment
	Freedom's Run	Sports & Recreation
	Harpers Ferry KOA	Lodging
	Hillbrook Inn	Dining, Lodging
	Holiday Inn Express-Charles Town	Lodging
	Jefferson County Museum	Museums,Civil War
	Old Opera House	Entertainment
	Panera Bread	Dining
	Pedal & Paddle	Shopping,Sports & Recreation
	Potomac Marketplace	Shopping
	Quality Hotel	Lodging, Dining
	River & Trail Outfitters	Sports & Recreation
	River Riders	Sports & Recreation
	Ruby Tuesday	Dining
	Summit Point Raceway	Entertainment,Sports & Recreation
	Thomas McGarry, Cabinetmaker	Shopping
	Thomas Shepherd Inn	Lodging
	Three Onions Restaurant	Dining
	Turf Motel	Lodging, Dining
	Village Finery	Shopping
	Yellow Brick Bank	Dining