West Virginia's Oldest Town Is A Charming Destination With A Historic Downtown

West Virginia offers some of the most beautiful spots found in the eastern U.S. From this state park with shoreline views to a scenic byway with a hidden route through hollows and hemlock groves, the Mountain State punches well above its weight when it comes to rugged outdoor scenery. It's also home to some very appealing small burgs, including Shepherdstown.

Situated along the Potomac River in the lower Shenandoah Valley, Shepherdstown has an interesting historical claim to fame: It is widely recognized as the birthplace of the steamboat, which is considered one of the greatest technological breakthroughs of the modern age. While the town proudly celebrates this legacy with a monument to the steamboat's inventor, James Rumsey, along with a museum, Shepherdstown also happens to be the oldest town in West Virginia, with the first permanent settlement recorded in the early 1730s.

One stroll through its historic downtown allows visitors to soak up its unique and storied heritage. And while Shepherdstown proudly celebrates its history — like most anywhere in West Virginia — the town is also surrounded by idyllic nature, which means it serves as a great launchpad for exploring the local region.

While Robert Fulton made the steamboat commercially viable, it was first successfully demonstrated in Shepherdstown by James Rumsey in 1787. Today, a monument stands in his honor on a hill overlooking the Potomac River on the Maryland side, which offers arresting views of the town, valley, and Blue Ridge Mountains. For more steamboat history, head to the Rumsey Steamboat Museum, which houses a full-sized replica of this very consequential piece of technology. Make sure to also check out the Historic Shepherdstown Museum for an array of artifacts, documents, photographs, and pieces of furniture that played a role in writing the story of the town.

To really get to know the history of Shepherdstown, it's best to walk around the place on a self-guided tour. You can peruse a free digital map that will show the town's 59 recognized historical sites — including the Mecklenburg Inn, Old Market Place, and the Shepherdstown Opera House. While you're exploring, make sure to stop by O'Hurley's General Store, a turn-of-the-century merchant selling old-fashioned trinkets — everything from glassware to dry goods and hardware — with a fully-functioning blacksmith on the premises.

The Bavarian Inn is also a must-see. This hilltop complex features architecture straight out of a village in the Alps, and offers top-notch German food (think schnitzel and sausage) as well as quality Teutonic-style brews on tap. The inn also has 72 luxury guest rooms available, along with an infinity pool, and features some of the best views in Shepherdstown.

Shepherdstown's idyllic Shenandoah Valley setting guarantees plenty of opportunities for outdoor exploration. The C&O Canal Trail — a nearly 185-mile bike and pedestrian path that follows the old commercial route of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal along the Potomac River — goes right past Shepherdstown, and is the perfect spot to jog, cycle, or simply enjoy a scenic stroll along the water. You can rent bikes in town, or even take out a kayak and hit the river for some quality paddling action.

Shepherdstown and the area around it saw a lot of action during the Civil War. In 1862, much of the town was transformed into a hospital that housed over 8,000 Confederate troops as a result of the intense fighting in the area. Today, the site of the Antietam National Battlefield is just over 10 minutes from town and marks the site of the bloodiest single day of the Civil War, when over 23,000 men were killed, wounded, or went missing. Surprisingly picturesque and located on the outskirts of Sharpsburg, Maryland, it's a serene and sacred reminder of the sacrifice so many made in the name of freedom.

For accommodations in Shepherdstown with plenty of historical flavor, check in to the Thomas Shepherd Inn or The Mecklenburg Inn, which also features an English-style pub that serves hearty fare on the weekends. Shepherdstown is just over an hour up the road from Washington, D.C.'s Dulles International Airport. For more of West Virginia's singular magic, check out this scenic city known for wine, Appalachian charm, and rock climbing.