From nature to history, from mountain hikes to river fishing, from ruined villages to quaint shops, from trains to canals, from battlefields to schoolyards, this town captures some of the most moving American stories ever told.

After you cross the Shenandoah River, you enter another time as you make your way to the heart of the  historic town of Harpers Ferry eventually arriving at the storied Hill Top House Hotel.

The river beyond the wooden train trestle; the canal; the lower town regulars in their 19th century garb; the steep climb up Washington and Columbia Streets to the hotel ridge; and the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains create your sense of arrival in a very special place.

One of 8 overlapping national parks, the 4,000-acre Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, was established by the U.S. Congress in 1963 and placed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. While it is a relatively new park, it receives approximately 500,000 visits each year. The park is a relatively unknown “diamond in the rough” in the greater DC area.

Over 200 years of significant stories are told at the park. Pioneers, inventors, soldiers and civil rights leaders struggled here to change the face of the country. While there is a special emphasis on the story of John Brown, the park offers many opportunities for guests to enjoy history and science in a unique and personal way.

Guests can take a self-guided trip to the park or experience expert Ranger-guided education programs, hands-on living history, science field studies, civic leadership workshops, historical interpretive re-enactors, who work and dress to demonstrate aspects of life in the past, and many other opportunities.

Guests can churn butter, play lawn croquet, tend a garden, become or talk to a Union soldier, hear the rattle of muskets, hike to Jefferson Rock, visit Mr. Harper’s grave, or stroll through silent ruins. There are living history Rangers and events year round. Special group experiential learning programs can be accommodated.

Several historical museums occupy the authentic 19th century buildings, the oldest of which is Mr. Robert Harper’s original house. Mr. Harper operated his ferry in 1747 and obtained a land patent from the Virginia Legislature in 1751. Harpers Ferry is not manufactured antiquity.

The hotel’s main restaurant is positioned to take advantage of the dramatic cliff views above the breathtaking confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers.

Additional small plate food options will be available throughout the main hotel & hotel campus.

The Hill Top’s food and beverage offerings will be curated by Chef Andrés and his acclaimed ThinkFoodGroup team, the only chef in the world to have a two-Michelin-star restaurant and four Michelin Bib Gourmands, all in the DC area. A second bar/lounge, “John Brown,” is located at the highest point of the hotel, over 500 feet above the Potomac River on the Rooftop Deck where patrons can be inspired by breathtaking river sunsets. It is anticipated that this deck will be fitted out flexibly, allowing it to serve different purposes (such as yoga) throughout the day/week.

The hotel will also support a Coffee and Wine Shop as well as Mr. Andrés particularly romantic version of room service. Most Hill Top venues will offer “Spa” as well as standard cuisine.

The Hotel’s catering operation has been designed to make it one of the top private function venues in the Washington, DC area. It includes 9,000 square feet of ballroom conferencing, and “Silicon Valley-style” learning spaces as well as dramatic pre-function spaces and multiple outdoor venues.

The T.S. Lovett Ballroom can accommodate more than 270 in a full banquet setting or more than 400 for a reception or ceremony. There is additional capacity in the pre-function areas and the adjacent facilities. Outdoor, tented areas for very large groups are also available.

The conference area will include a state-of-the-art business center and a secure facility.

In context, Thomas Jefferson’s comment on the raw natural beauty of the area is itself “stupendous”.

The overwhelming beauty of nature will conspire with gracious architecture; a world-renowned chef; a luxury spa; a special bridal cottage; a top-flight, experienced executive staff; and, a convenient location (only 45 minutes from either the Dulles Airport or Shady Grove Metro Station) to create the most sought after wedding venue in the Capital area.