Shepherdstown, WV is a beautiful and super quaint, riverside, college town that was originally chartered in 1762. It is home to Shepherd University and the famous Contemporary American Theater Festival held each summer.
Shepherdstown’s main street, German Street, as well as several connecting streets, are lined with an array of unique little shops and cafes. Only about 15 minutes from The River Bend Retreat, the delightful little town is a great destination for shopping, dining, or just strolling along the picturesque old streets.
SHOPS
O’Hurley’s General Store – 205 E. Washington Street – Take a step back into the past inside O’Hurley’s General store where you can browse all sorts of old-time goods from toys, to candy, to home items and hardware.
RESTAURANTS
The Bavarian Inn – 164 Shepherd Grade Road – German fare with some American choices among the offerings. The Bavarian Inn is perched high on a cliff overlooking the Potomac River. The view from their beautiful outdoor seating area is gorgeous!
Blue Moon Cafe – 200 E. High Street (at the corner of Princess and High Streets) – Features a good-sized menu of American favorites with a nice selection of sandwiches and salads. The star of the show is the large patio seating area which is spectacular when the weather is nice. You may even sit next to the stone sluice that carries the creek, Town Run, right through the courtyard.
The Devonshire Arms Cafe & Pub – 107 S. Princess Street – In the mood for some Bangers and Mash, Welsh Rarebit (pictured below), or Cottage Pie? Head over to Shepherdstown’s British-style gastro-pub (with a few American and local favorites in the mix). We’ve been to The Devonshire Arms on several occasions, and we have never been disappointed. Bully!
Maria’s Taqueria – 108 E. German Street – Casual Mexican restaurant decorated with Day of the Dead, folkart sugar skulls. Their delicious fresh-Mex menu items make Maria’s Taqueria a local favorite.
The Mecklenburg Inn – 128 E. German Street – Casual, down-to-earth local watering hole. Small but quite tasty food menu and a nice patio seating area out back. Perfect for late lunch or dinner on a pretty day. (Orders are taken inside at the bar.)
The Press Room – 129 W. German Street – Serving a selection of seafood, pasta, and meat entrees, The Press Room is a great choice for that special night out – birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Open for dinner and Sunday brunch. Call ahead for reservations.
Lost Dog Coffee – 134 E. German Street – Unique, creative, quirky, eclectic, bohemian, funky, offbeat, hipster – The Lost Dog is all that! Grab a coffee (or a tea, juice, or smoothie!) then hang out on one of the benches out front and watch the world go by.
EVENTS
Freedom’s Run Running Events Series
Contemporary American Theater Festival
American Conservation Film Festival
THINGS TO DO
Ghost Tour – Hosted by local resident and story-teller, Dana Mitchell, and billed as a ninety-minute tour around the back streets of West Virginia’s oldest town, The Shepherdstown Mysteries Walk covers nearly three hundred years of mystery and intrigue!
Farmers’ Market – The Shepherdstown Farmers’ Market is located on S. King Street (behind the library at 100 E. German Street). Open 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sundays from late March through December, it has been in operation for over 25 years.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Boat Ramp – The Potomac River boat ramp is located at the end of N. Princess Street. This is one of our favorite take-out spots when we’re spending time on the river canoeing, kayaking, or tubing. This is also a great put-in location for trips further down the river.
Caving/Spelunking – Whiting’s Neck Cave – Park at the Yankauer Nature Preserve, 438 Whiting’s Neck Road, and walk to the cave. Experience in caving and proper equipment is strongly advised!
The Rumsey Park & Monument – The Rumsey Monument was built in 1915 to honor James Rumsey, pioneer of the first steamboat. If you like, you can brush up on the rivalry between Rumsey and Robert Fulton, the oft-recognized “inventor” of the vessel, at The Rumseian Society’s website. The monument sits high on a hill overlooking the Potomac River providing bird’s-eye views of the river and the train bridge. It is a favorite venue for photographers.