We used this and the adjacent park on the other side of the canal as our launch point for two rides…read more29SEP (went south out & back 10 miles) and 30 SEP went north out & back 24 miles). Spacious parking area, not paved or marked spots but I would guess 30 cars or so would fit comfortably? The days we were there we only saw about 10-15. The trail itself is well packed dirt/gravel and even with a few wet areas along the way it is easy for most bikes, other than a pure road bike.

Tony and I stopped at C&O Canal Lock 44 & Lockhouse. It's free to enjoy and a lovely area to Enjoy…read morefor free. Plenty of parking. There is an old Lockhouse, plenty of signage about history and TURTLES...We saw about 20 plus turtles sunning themselves. Great place for hiking, biking and exploring. Close easy access to the Potomac River for tubing and swimming. Highly Recommend and definitely would go back when in area.

Pretty cool old steel bridge in a beautiful area. With views of the Potomac River down below, and…read morepretty vistas all around, you can enjoy Maryland and Virginia.

It's a beautiful bridge. This connects southern Maryland to Virginia. Have driven it quite a few…read moretimes, and also hiked/bikes underneath it on the C&O Canal. Crossing this part of the Potomac River is stunning. One thing I don't like, is there looks like a section to walk the bridge, but that would be a no. Barricades aren't in place, and it's a thin bit of sidewalk. Also when you drive across this it's two way two lane traffic. Definitely pay attention, as not much clearance. Yet the blue bridge is stunning. If you're lucky enough to be a passenger, the views of the Potomac are truly impressive. It's a fairly rural area, although rush hour can be frustrating. If there's a wreck on or near the bridge, you will not be moving anytime soon. My hope is this can continue being operational, but that Whites Ferry can return.

An important historical place in Harper Ferry's, and America's, History…read more This fort is one of the most important and well-known buildings in Harpers Ferry. At first glance it looks like a simple brick firehouse with arched doors that were open when we visited. It had a closed office that a tour guide told us led to a small second floor, but it holds a major place in American history. This is the site of John Brown's raid in 1859. He and his group of abolitionists tried to seize the federal arsenal and start a movement against slavery. The raid failed and Brown was captured, but the event pushed the country closer to the Civil War and made the fort a symbol of both freedom and conflict. The fort has been moved several times over the years, but now sits in the lower town area of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, not far from the confluence of the rivers and the other historic buildings. There are signs nearby that explain its background and the story of the raid. Anybody can walk right up to the structure and walk and look inside. Admission is included with the entry fee for Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, which covers parking and the shuttle bus system, so there is no separate charge to see the fort itself. The site does not have a tour guide or park ranger, but the informational signs and a decent google search will provide you information on the site. If you are going to visit the city, this is a must see site for you. The visit may seem simple on the surface because it is just a small brick building, but understanding its history gives you a true sense of how one short event helped shape the nation's history. It is a place that makes you stop, think, and remember the struggles that led to freedom and the change that made our country what it is today.

The history of John Brown's raid is fascinating. Unfortunately, the "Fort" leaves a lot to be…read moredesired. The building is started out as a storage area for the local fire engine, but was taken over by John Brown during his attempt to capture the nearby U.S. Armory. The insurrectionist took cover in this building until COL Robert E. Lee (yes, THAT Lee) lead an attack which captured Brown and his men. The building has been dismantled and rebuilt several times, so it isn't even all that original. It's not even on its original spot. Inside, all you see are a few plaques and a historic fire engine. That's all, folks. If you're interested in the history of the place, your best bet is to visit the NPS station nearby, and look for a tour. Visiting here should take no more than a few minutes.

Tony and I was driving towards Fort Frederick State Park from having lunch. We saw sign for C&O…read moreCanal Lock Dam#5 and Lockhouse. On the other side of Potomac River is WV It's a free park to enjoy for viewing scenery! There is plenty of parking. Free to enjoy! People were there hiking, biking, fishing...I guess you can swim there is no signage saying you can't. Only a sign saying no alcohol It's a beautiful area with Great open river views! Highly Recommend

The Joseph D. Baker Bell Tower, a centerpiece of Baker Park in Frederick, is one of those things…read morethat I think about when I think of Downtown Frederick. It's 70 feet high and is totally iconic of the Downtown corridor (Second to the clustered spires of course). The tower currently has 49 separate bells and to my knowledge, I believe they're still functioning. Not a huge surprise, the same Baker that the park is named after is also the Baker that the bell tower is named after. Unfortunately, the tower is also a memorial to the late Baker who donated a large sum of money to have the land set aside for the park to be built on. They also decorate it with a large lighted star for the holidays :)! Worth a stop if you're exploring Downtown Frederick and want to take a stroll through beautiful Baker Park. ************************** 1 hour later After doing some additional research on the bell tower, I can tell you that the bells are indeed functioning, and the whole bell tower is actually a Carillon. A Carillon is a large instrument; so the bells are hooked up to wires that are hooked up to what almost looks like an organ type set up. There are pedals and handles that are moved to ring each of the 49 bells. Supposedly there are 2 performances a month at the Baker Park Bell Tower... I'm unable to find when they take place though. Good to know that the bell tower carillon still is in working condition!

I am not sure if there is a park around this. I went to the exact spot and only saw what looked…read morelike the Bell Tower under construction. Probably pretty when fully visible.

Tony and I were in the Clear Spring, MD area driving to Fort Frederick State Park and saw sign for…read moreC&O Four Locks for Canal 49. It's a dead end road. There is a small narrow dark tunnel to the entrance. There area is lovely. There are a couple of empty houses are out there. A nice park area to walk around, hike, ride bikes or stroll around. There is a boat landing there also for the Potomac River.

Also known as the Shepherdstown Pike Bridge, this bridge replaced the old 1020-foot long Wichert…read moreTruss Bridge in 2006. This is a 1096 feoot long, three-spam steel hunch plate girder design with two lanes of traffic and an eight-foot wide sidewalk. It carries route 34 between Maryland and West Virginia. Back as early as 1775, there was ferry service here between Shepherdstown WV and Sharpsburg MD. A number of bridges have come and been replaced. If you look carefully, you might see some of those stone pilings. The bridge is named in honor of the inventor of the steamship who made a successful public demonstration here on the Potomac on December 3 and 11, 1787. As bridges go, it does a fine job of carrying traffic over the river. It is lacking in aesthetic appeal. [Review 15614 overall - 66 in West Virginia - 1118 of 2021.]

A beautiful campus to visit for civil right history Storer…read moreCollege campus is located about 1/2 mile away from the lower town of Harpers Ferry. There is a lot of history here. It was founded in 1867 to educate freed slaves and later hosted the 1906 Niagara Movement meeting that helped lead to the NAACP. The college closed in 1955, but the old campus buildings remain and are now used by the National Park Service. The campus sits up on Camp Hill, above the lower town of Harpers Ferry. It's just a few minutes' drive from the shops and museums below, and there is parking by the buildings. It is much easier parking here than trying to squeeze into the lower town lots. I think the entire campus is one of those places that feels quiet but full of meaning. Walking around the grounds, we enjoyed the views as the buildings still look to be in good condition. If you're visiting Harpers Ferry, it's worth the short trip up the hill just to stand where so much of the struggle for education and civil rights once happened but be aware that if you want more information you may be better served to go to the museum in the lower town or research on your phone as there are not a lot of informational displays around the campus and the museum seems to have a lot more data on the site.