Civil War Weekend

While in the Hagerstown area, we were easily able to see Antietam National Battlefield and Harpers Ferry National Historic Site in the same day. Even non-civil war buffs will enjoy the Prime Outlets in Hagerstown, as we did. Each of these attractions is described in further detail in the entries that follow.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

Driving is the best way to get from one attraction to another.

The Days Inn Hagerstown is clean and convenient to restaurants, shopping, and civil war sites. The Prime Outlets in Hagerstown are 4 miles away. In addition, the Days Inn is 12 miles from Antietam National Battlefield and 45 miles from both Harpers Ferry, WV, and Gettysburg, PA.
Now, a piece of advice about getting the best room rate. The regular rate on the night we stayed was $64 + tax. The AAA rate was $57 + tax. We were able to stay for $45 + tax. How, you ask? We stopped at a Maryland Welcome Center on the way to Hagerstown and picked up copies of the ''Traveler Discount Guide Hotel Coupons'' and ''MD, DC, VA Travel Coupons and Visitor Guide.'' Even though we booked the room at the AAA rate, we were able to use a $45/night coupon we found in both of these publications. So, our quick stop at the Welcome Center was well worth it.
These rates also included a hot breakfast buffet, consisting of scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, toast, coffee, and tea. While it wasn''t the best breakfast we ever had, we couldn''t beat the price.

The Armory Tavern is located in the 1836 Armory Building, once part of the Armory in the Lower Town Historic District of Harpers Ferry National Historic Park. It can best be described as an old civil war-style pub.
The Armory Tavern features a microbrewery, open-air bar, and dining inside or outside in the garden. Many of the dishes were named after Civil War generals. My husband and I enjoyed large sandwich platters which cost approximately $7 each. Salads and entrees were also available, as well as daily specials for $9.95.
In summary, the food was plentiful and reasonable, and the atmosphere was fitting to our civil war weekend.

Prime Outlets at Hagerstown consists of over a hundred name-brand outlets. As my husband and I are expecting in January, we were particularly interested in the children's clothing outlets, of which there were many. We spent the majority of our time in the Carter's outlet and the Motherhood Maternity outlet. We found the merchandise to be arranged nicely (I hate when there is merchandise jammed in everywhere) and the prices better than we've seen at department store sales.

The Battle of Antietam (or Sharpsburg) is known as the bloodiest day of the Civil War. So, this is a must-see for anyone interested in civil war history.

I recommend starting at the Visitor Center. You will pay the entrance fee of $4/family or $2/person there. Admission is free if you hold a National Parks Pass. Included in the admission fee is the visitor center, battlefield, and Antietam National Cemetary.

View the approximately 30 minute film at the visitor center. This provides a good foundation for understanding the battle and sites you will see along the 8.5 mile driving tour of the battlefield. The visitor center also includes exhibits, a gift shop, and restrooms.

I recommend allowing at least two hours for the visitor center, driving tour, and cemetery. Hours vary by season, so call (301) 432-5124 for more information.

Harpers Ferry National Historic Site contains many exhibits and museums pertaining to history, industry, John Brown, the civil war, African American history, environmental history, and transportation.

Your first stop at Harpers Ferry should be the Visitor Center. Before you can park, you are required to pay the admission fee of $5/vehicle or $3/person. Admission is free with the National Parks Pass. Shuttle buses provide transportation from the visitor center to the Lower Town Historic District where all the exhibits, museums, shops, and restaurants are located. Take advantage of the free shuttle, as parking in Lower Town seemed to be extremely limited.

As Lower Town is located at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers, the area is particularly scenic, especially in the fall. It was nice to take a walk along the rivers and take a break from the many musuems and exhibits. (My husband is not a big museum person. Also, one civil war site per day is more than enough for him!)

If you go to Harpers Ferry, be warned that all the musuems and exhibits close promptly at 5 PM.