amount of natural
beauty with a quirky,
bohemian culture. This
is the oldest town in
West Virginia, founded
in 1762, and its historic
district is packed with
Federal-style brick
buildings that are
heartrendingly cute.
The bulk of the best
preservation can be
found along German St;
all of the cutest historical
twee-ness is within
walking distance of here.
The historic center is
also close to Shepherd
University; the student
presence can be felt
pretty strongly in town,
but they’re balanced out
by plenty of pick-up-
driving West Virginia
locals.54 p275
The Drive » Head west
on WV-45 (the Martinsburg
Pike) for around 8 miles. Then
turn right onto US 11 N/WV-9
W (which quickly becomes
just WV-9) and follow it to
the northwest, through the
mountains, for 24 miles. Follow
the signs for Berkeley Springs.3 Berkeley
Springs
Welcome to one of
America’s original spa
towns, a mountainside
retreat that’s been a
holiday destination
since colonial times (did
George Washington
sleep here? You bet).
The draw has always
been the warm mineralsprings, long rumored to
have healing properties;
such rumors have
attracted a mix of
people, from country
folk with pickup trucks
and gun racks to hippie
refugees from the ’60s.
Although this town is
still best known for its
spas, one of the more
enjoyable activities here
is strolling around and
soaking up the odd
New-Age-crystal-therapy-
meets-the-Hatfields-and-
the-McCoys vibe. If you do
need a pamper, immerse
yourself in the relaxation
that is Berkeley Springs
State Park’s Roman Bath
House (%304-258-2711; http://www.
berkeleyspringssp.com/spa.
html; 2 S Washington St; bath
$22; h10am-6pm) and its
enchanting, spring-fed
pools.
Also: keep an eye out
for the Samuel Taylor
Suit Cottage, more
popularly known as
Berkeley Castle. Perched
on a hill above town, it
looks like a European
fortress and was built
in 1885 for Colonel
Samuel Taylor Suit of
Washington, DC.54 p275
The Drive » Head into
Maryland by going north on
US 522 for about 6 miles; take
the exit towards US 40/I-68
westbound. Follow this road
west for around 62 miles
through Maryland’s western
mountain spine. Take MD-495
south for 3.5 miles, then turn
right onto Glendale Rd and
follow it to Deep Creek Lake.4 Deep Creek Lake
Deep in Western
Maryland, plunked into
a blue valley at the endTRIP HIGHLIGHTHARRISON SHULL/GETTY IMAGES ©VIRGINIA.TRIPS22
(^) ACROSS THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL