Exploring The East Coast: Berkeley Springs, WV (2024)

We live near the West Virginia border, and every time we head that direction we begin singing "Country Roads, Take Me Home" by John Denver. Even though WV isn't our home, the mountains give the soul an air of nostalgia and it feels like home. Maybe it's because in Psalm 121 David penned these words:

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?

My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth."

Whenever we head toward the mountains it's as though our very souls find rest, and we feel at peace with the God who created them.

On a sunny (and hot!) July Saturday, we headed toward the mountains and found our way to Berkeley Springs, West Virginia - home of George Washington's bathtub and the refreshing springs that run through downtown. If you live on the East Coast and you're looking for new places to explore, this is a great place to spend an afternoon!

According to the sign next to the "hot" springs (and this website), the temperature of the springs are 74.3° all year-round. I'm guessing it feels warm-ish in the winter, but let me tell you, it feels absolutely delightful on a 100° summer day. I can see why George Washington visited so often he had his own bathtub carved into the rocks to enjoy the water!

The springs are located downtown in one of America's smallest state parks, Berkeley Springs State Park. A pool is located within the park grounds- and is open Memorial Day to Labor Day. There's also live music and concerts held on park grounds and we had a chance to listen to a band play while we were there!

Berkeley Springs is also one of America's first spa towns. The resort was established in 1778 and it attracted celebrities, presidents and royalty because the water is renowned for its healing properties. I can't say whether that last part is true or not, but the Native Americans who frequented the springs long before our settlers did believed it to be true.

Spend a few hours dipping into the springs or book a spa treatment!

The castle overlooking the town of Berkeley Springs used to be available to the public, but it has since been closed to tourists to walk through and see it. However, you can book a private event and hold a party within the grounds!

Berkeley Castle was originally built as demonstration of love. Colonel Samuel Taylor Suit fell in love with a woman named Rosa Pelham, a daughter of a confederate officer. He proposed but she declined because of their age gap - at the time she was 17 and he was 46. Five years later he ran into her again in Berkeley Springs. She mentioned in a conversation with him how much she loved castles, and he used the moment and opportunity to propose to her again. He promised to build her a castle if she would marry him. Just three days later, they were married. I guess it was love for her? Haha!

He died before the castle was completed, and his wife Rosa lived on the property until 1916 when her money ran out from throwing lavish parties and spending her fortune. She sold it to the bank.

Now the castle is privately owned by a foundation, and events and parties can be booked at the castle for anyone interested in a unique event space!

There are a wonderful bathhouses and spas in downtown Berkeley Springs to visit.

Berkeley Springs State Park has two facilities that offer spa treatments and walk-in tubs in a private setting that can be reserved for 30 or 60 minutes. Both facilities are within the park grounds, and on each end of the main springs that run through the park. Stop in and book a treatment or call them to reserve time in one of the tubs!

On the edge of the state park you will find The Country Inn, and located within the hotel is the Renaissance Spa. This spa has mineral whirlpool baths, massages, mani's/pedi's and other spa treatments. Stay at the Inn or just visit the spa!

One block from the state park is Atasia Spa, located in a historic building. If coming into town and partaking of a treatment from a master massage therapist is on your to-do list, then Atasia is where you want to be.

If you're looking to stay in town, The Country Inn is the perfect place to be! It's right next to the state park, has Renaissance Spa located within, and The Country Inn Restaurant & Morgan Tavern has breakfast, lunch and dinner. Because it's in the heart of downtown, everything is within walking distance (more or less).

If you're looking to get away from it all, then Coolfont Resort has you covered. Located on a 12-acre lake, this resort has cabins, houses and lodges nestled within the woods and on the lake. Treetop Restaurant & Lounge is on the property, as well as tennis courts, a volleyball court, kayaking and fishing. It's a great spot to unplug and get away from it all.

But, if Coolfont is too rustic and The Country Inn is too downtown, then head 10 miles down the road from Berkeley Springs and you'll find Cacapon Resort State Park, a beautiful resort located within the Blue Ridge Mountains. The resort has a spa, golf course, indoor and outdoor dining, mountain biking and fishing, swimming and hiking. The resort lodge is available to book, but if you're looking for amenities and also the woods, they have cabins and unique stays as well.

While we were there, we hit up one of the several breweries in Berkeley Springs. For breweries visit Cacapon Mountain Brewing Co, Ravenwood Pub or Berkeley Springs Brewing Co where we had lunch with our kids. If you go to Berkeley Springs Brewing Co get the mac and cheese, it's amazing. They also have live music and an entire kids area with toys, puzzles and games. My husband and I had a nice lunch while our kids played!

Lot 12 Public House serves upscale dining with a local chef in a downtown historic building. For dinner we headed up the side of a bluff to The Canary Grill where we enjoyed live music. We were sat in a booth with a cut-out window (a big perk for our kids!). The food was decent, but the kids' menu was a huge hit. You know sometimes you go to a restaurant and the kids menu is small and not that entertaining for an hour? They had one of the best kids menu I've ever seen - very large and kept them entertained the entire time. Impressive!

In the heart of downtown is The Naked Olive Lounge, a speak-easy restaurant and bar with unique co*cktails and cuisine. Next time we're around, we'll likely stop in for a bite at the lounge. I'm partial to unique speak-easy's!

The Country Inn has their own restaurant, as well as each of the other resorts I mentioned!

Downtown has some unique locations to hit up if you're wandering around! Berkeley Springs Antique Mall is quite large and boasts interesting and unique antiques both old and some newer. We brought our kids through and they were amazed at the "antiques" from the 80's ... sad to say that some of our toys when we were kids are now considered antiques.

Wander further and you'll find Hobos Donuts, a bakery and cafe with delicious looking donuts! Along Washington Street are gift shops, restaurants, bars and coffee shops.

Or if you want a fun experience, head to Berkeley Springs Salt Cave! Salt therapy is a natural remedy that aids in respiratory and skin health, decreases blood pressure, relieves tension and is said to improve sleep. I am now researching salt caves and booking an appointment. Skin health and other benefits here I come!

In truth, this is a fun east coast town to visit for a day or two, or just an afternoon! We enjoyed seeing the town with its rich history that many people before us have frequented. Dip in George Washington's bathtub, and know that he sat there many times! Enjoy a spa treatment or soak in a giant mineral tub as many of our ancestors did before us. I don't know if it was healing or not, but it sure was refreshing.

Come see why Berkeley Springs brought in presidents and celebrities, and enjoy the same waters they did!