Jordan Wright
August 2011
Special to Washingtonian Magazine
River Riders
408 Alstadts Hill Rd., Harpers Ferry, WVA; 800-326-7238; www.riverriders.com
Zipline tower at River Riders, Harpers Ferry - Photo Credit Jordan Wright
Harpers Ferry offers lots of outdoor family fun, from hiking to tubing to whitewater rafting. And now, just outside of town, the outfitter River Riders has unveiled its latest adventure: a spectacular zipline canopy tour along the Potomac River.
For three hours, you can fly through the forest and navigate jungle-style suspension bridges alongside breathtaking vistas of river and cliffs. Two guides accompany amateur aerialists to seven giant tower platforms. Try to spot the nest of the resident red-tailed hawk as you soar up to 70 feet. The gravity-defying tour ends in an exhilarating finale as you rappel down to solid ground. If you’ve got more time and energy, River Riders can also set you up on the water: Ply the flatwater in a canoe or kayak, drift in a giant tube, or take on the Class III rapids on a whitewater trip.
A successful day! Bucket list just got shorter!
Hungry? The on-site Front Porch Café, which serves burgers, hot dogs, and other snacks, is your best bet. If you explore Harpers Ferry’s historic district, slide into Scoops Ice Cream Café (173 Potomac St.; 304-535-6654) and get your chill fix with 16 flavors of house-made ice cream.
Farm products at Stoneybrook Farm Market - Photo Credit Jordan Wright
On the drive to Harpers Ferry or on the way back, you can stop in the tiny town of Hillsboro at Stoneybrook Organic Farm and Market (37091Charlestown Pike; 540-668-9067; www.stoneybrookfarm.org; closed Saturdays), which carries delicious sandwiches and salads, organic produce, artisanal cheeses, and other regional farm products. Get food to go or enjoy lunch on the flagstone patio overlooking the vegetable and flower gardens.
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