There is just something about autumn that makes you want to get outdoors and into nature. The changing of the leaves, crisp fall air, and that beautiful golden light. For Matt and I, that means a lot of hiking. Ok, some hiking. Ok, ok, minimal hiking! At any rate, we had our hearts set on making our way to Harpers Ferry this year to try out one of the many trails in the area and to grab lunch at one of the restaurants in the quaint, historic town.
Less than a two hour drive from Baltimore, it should be a must on your list for a quick day trip. We made the short trek in mid-November on a rather chilly day and while the foliage was still beautiful, we agreed had we gone just a few weeks prior it would have been at its peak.
Before making our way downtown, we made a quick stop at a nearby distillery in Charles Town. A lover of limoncello, I had been researching places near me to pick up a decent bottle and as luck would have it, I found a few positive reviews leading me to Bloomery Plantation Distillery. Let me tell you, this place did not disappoint! The road off of 340 can be quite fun if you have a car with some handling, but if winding roads on the edge of a cliff aren’t your cup of tea, be the passenger and close your eyes! On the short drive up to the property towards their tasting room, we were greeted with a few quirky signs that set the tone for our visit.
The tasting here is free but if you’re anything like me, you won’t leave empty handed! All of their liqueurs were wonderful. It was hard to choose, but Matt and I left with two new bottles for our collection. Do yourself a favor and check them out, you won’t regret it!
After our tasting, we were famished and in need of some lunch so we headed downtown to grab something to eat. Once you park in the lot, plan on a steep climb up a tall set of stairs. They really make you work for your food here, but it was worth it! We were in town on a holiday so many of the restaurants were closed but we ended up eating at Potomac Grille.
It donned an old stone exterior with a rustic looking interior. Most importantly, the food came out quickly and was delicious. There were a few local beers on tap, which seemed to be popular at the other restaurants as well. No room to waste on domestic piss water! We like that too, but mostly at tailgates.
Once our bellies were full, it was time to set foot into the woods for our much anticipated hike! Crossing the railroad bridge we noticed many hikers before us had begun placing their “love locks” on the bridge, emulating the famous spot in Paris. If you and your significant other venture here, don’t forget to bring your padlock!
There are many trails in the area to choose from, but as I mentioned earlier, we aren’t very seasoned hikers, so we chose one with a moderate climb. The view from the top is incredible, I wish I had snapped a few pictures but you’ll just have to see for yourself! With daylight fading quickly, we headed back down the trail and towards the main street. We had hoped to grab another pint before heading back to Baltimore, but this town tends to close up early so we called it a day.
On Our way back to Baltimore, a sign for a nearby winery caught our attention. We took the short detour and ended up at Maggie Malick Wine Caves. A quiet little spot, not too far off the beaten path, and the wine was GOOD. We may have ended up bringing three bottles home with us, but who’s counting? We weren’t, but if you’re hungry when you arrive they also offer a few snacks for sale to have with your wine.
We both agreed it was a very enjoyable day that’s worth repeating. We can’t wait to check out some of the other restaurants in town. If you have been, do you have a favorite? Tell us in the comments!
Cheers,
Matt and Megan
