Berkeley Springs, West Virginia- A Small Town Gem

Berkeley Springs, West Virginia is a small mountain town in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. Whether you are looking for small town charm or just looking to get away in the country, Berkeley Springs will fit the glove. Berkeley Springs is best known as the country's oldest spa. George Washington use to frequent the town, then known as Bath, and "take to the waters". You can actually visit and sit in the actual spot where he sat. More recently the town has been known for hosting an international water tasting convention, drawing private companies and municipalities from all over the world. The downtown area of Berkeley Springs is not very big but it doesn't need to be. There of course is the Berkeley Springs State Park which holds Washington's old bath site, the springs(naturally coming out of the ground at 72 degrees), and the bath houses, where you can actually take a "bath" in the spring waters, slightly heated though. The town also has a pleasant coffee shop where you can get a number of different gourmet coffees as well a number of different food items including lunch. There are other restaurants in town including a Mexican and Italian Restuarant. There is also fine dining offered at a few different restaurants. Out of town towards the small town of Great Cacapon you will find the Panorama Steak House in a spectacular setting overlooking the mountains and the Cacapon River. They serve the best brunch anywhere on Sundays. So as for restaurants there is plenty of choices.

As far as lodging in the town, you have the historic Inn and Spa at Berkeley Springs, an upscale hotel providing you with a number of amenities. If you are looking for something a little bit more in the country you have the Coolfont Resort in Berkeley Springs. Coolfont is currently in a mist of a facelift but there are a number of different home, cabin rentals you can choose from. You can even get cabin rentals through out the outskirts of the town. Even if you don't stay outside of town you must ride through the country side. There is beautiful country scenery around every turn. Not far from Berkeley Springs is an even smaller town of Great Cacapon, where you will find even more rentals. The highlight of this area is the Cacapon River which is one of the cleanest rivers in the country. If you are lucky you may find a vacancy in one of the rentals along the river. You can even bring your dog on vacation with you as many of these rentals allow dogs. No matter where you stay you can't go wrong.

Berkeley Springs is only 2 1/2 hours from Washington DC and not far from many metropolitan areas. If you like small town charm and being out in the country than you'll love Berkeley Springs.

If you're traveling a little bit east of this area towards Harpers Ferry please check this site out: Harpers Ferry and The Surrounding Countryside.

Please look at these links for other travel ideas:

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