Go, Do, See:
Weekend Getaway Wit
If you are considering a weekend getaway, consider heading to historic Berkeley Springs, WV. Located less than a two-hour drive from DC and Baltimore, it is an easy weekend getaway for many. Known as America’s first spa, Berkeley Springs is a mountain town that combines the spa atmosphere with tidbits of history and a presidential connection, making the town unique.
The History
Long before our country had a president, people were visiting the small town of Bath, Virginia, to enjoy soaking in the mineral waters. The waters were thought to provide healing and therapeutic effects. George Washington first visited and soaked in the water when working as a surveyor for Lord Fairfax. He was just 16 at the time. Soaking areas were holes dug in the sand, lined with rocks, and the fresh mineral spring water flowed through each of the “tubs.” George was enamored by the experience and eventually purchased ground and helped build America’s first spa in 1776. George visited and brought his family and friends to enjoy the mineral springs even after becoming president. A bathhouse built in 1784 was rustic but a better alternative than the holes in the ground. When the postal service set up a mail delivery station in 1801,
the town’s name was changed to Berkeley Springs. After the Civil War, Virginia split into two states, and Berkeley Springs was in West Virginia. In 1815, the original bathhouse was replaced and still stands today. It has been renovated, but visitors can still enjoy a Roman Bath.
Things To Do In Berkeley Springs
There are various things to enjoy including sightseeing, antique shopping, outdoor activities, and festivals in Berkeley Springs. It is a great place to enjoy a romantic
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weekend or celebrate President’s Day. Let’s look at some of the things to do and see.
Berkeley Springs State Park
The smallest state park in West Virginia, Berkeley Springs State Park, is in the middle of the town and is only one block in size. There are two bathhouses, a variety of springs, George Washington’s bathtub, a gazebo, swimming pool, public drinking spring, museum, and a few other structures within the park. The mineral springs constantly flow at 74°F at a rate of