Berkeley Springs offers a different version of West Virginia. Instead of dramatic gorges or coal history, the town is known for warm mineral springs, spa traditions and a compact center that makes an easy weekend destination.
The springs are the starting point
Berkeley Springs State Park sits right in town, which is unusual and convenient. The warm spring water has attracted visitors for centuries, and George Washington’s association with the area is part of the local story.
You can make the visit as simple or indulgent as you like. Walk through the park and explore town, or book spa treatments and turn the trip into a proper retreat.
Stay rather than dash through
Berkeley Springs is not a place I would race around collecting sights. Its strength is the slower pace. Browse shops, eat somewhere local and spend a night if you have time.
A useful eastern stop
Its location makes Berkeley Springs particularly convenient when approaching West Virginia from Washington, D.C., Maryland or Pennsylvania.
If New River Gorge represents West Virginia at its wildest, Berkeley Springs shows a gentler side: water, hills, old buildings and a town that has been welcoming travelers for a very long time.