Overview
Charles Town is a small historic town of close to 9,000 (2024) on the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, and one of the state's most visited attractions.
3 sights · 7 things to do · 4 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Charles Town
Happy Retreat
Historic house owned by Charles Washington, founder of Charles Town and youngest brother of George Washington.
Old Charles Town Historic District
More than 300 structures, primarily residences. Some were made of logs, while other were made in the Federal Style, Italianate, Greek Revival, Second Empire, and Victorian. One of the oldest was built around 1770, and it…
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races
Over 2,500 slots, table games, live thoroughbred racing year round, and betting on simulcast races and sports.
Summit Point Motorsports Park
offers a variety of motor sports event. In addition to viewing professionals drive, you can show up on quite a few Fridays with your own car and be taught how to drive safely and quickly. The event is called Friday At Th…
The Old Opera House Theatre Company
Jefferson County Museum
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 30°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Washington, D.C.)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- HGR Hagerstown Regional Richard A Henson Field, Hagerstown — 30 mi away. Directions
- IAD Washington Dulles International Airport, Dulles — 32 mi away (major hub). Directions
Charles Town is accessed from Route 340 and Route 9. It is a 27-mile (44-km) drive from Frederick, Maryland, via Route 340. It is a 42-mile (68-km) drive from Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, via Route 9.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Happy Retreat, Old Charles Town Historic District, The Old Opera House Theatre Company
- Lunch Mountain View Diner
- Afternoon Jefferson County Museum, Charles Town Skate Park
- Dinner La Mezzuluna Cafe
- Evening Abolitionist Ale Works
Day 2
- Morning Summit Point Motorsports Park
- Lunch Mi Degollado Mexican Restaurant
- Dinner Hillbrook Fine Dining
- Evening Paddy's Irish Pub
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Known for its horses, Charles Town is a city in Jefferson County, West Virginia. The U.S. Census Bureau considers it part of the Washington-Arlington metro area, although extremely few residents actually work in Washington, D.C.
Charles Town was named for Charles Washington who laid out the streets of the town on 80 acres of land in 1786. Charles Washington was the brother of U.S. President George Washington. It is famous for its courthouse, where John Brown was found guilty of treason and hanged (along with several co-conspirators).
Get in
Charles Town is accessed from Route 340 and Route 9. It is a 27-mile (44-km) drive from Frederick, Maryland, via Route 340. It is a 42-mile (68-km) drive from Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, via Route 9.
Get around
Many of the streets of Charles Town are named after members of the Washington family or point to some of the patriotic ideals of the early United States. Examples include George St, Charles St, Samuel St, Mildred St, Lawrence St, Washington St, Congress St, and Liberty St.
The primary east-west street is Washington St (Route 51). The primary north-south street is George St (Route 115).
The downtown and old town areas are laid out in a grid. Street names with either East or West in the name are east or west of George St, respectively. Street names with either North or South in the name are north or south of Washington St, respectively.
See
See Old Charles Town Historic District
More than 300 structures, primarily residences. Some were made of logs, while other were made in the Federal Style, Italianate, Greek Revival, Second Empire, and Victorian. One of the oldest was built around 1770, and it stands on W Congress St between S Water and S Mount Parvo streets. The Star Lodge, at 218 S Lawrence St, is a Federal I-house, built around 1795 by Charles Washington as housing for enslaved workers. A Queen Anne-style home, built around 1850, stands at 318 E First St. A duplex with Federal motifs, built around 1790, stands at 215 N Lawrence St.
Do
Nestled in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Commission (JCPRC) owns or operates eight county parks, comprising of over 250 acres of land, located throughout the county. The parks boast of varied facilities, including picnic areas, athletic fields, tennis courts, nature trails, and playgrounds. The JCPRC strives to provide the best facilities for all residents to use and enjoy.
Recreation & outdoor activities
Buy
Eat
Eat Mi Degollado Mexican Restaurant
Authentic Mexican.
Eat Hillbrook Fine Dining
This unique, fine dining experience offers guests award winning meals created with passion.
Drink
Drink Abolitionist Ale Works
Local Brewery.
Drink Paddy's Irish Pub
Irish pub and restaurant with big screen TVs, darts, and fireplace, plus cornhole on the patio.
Sleep
Go next
Nearby
Harpers Ferry
City / town · 24 listings · 7 mi away
Shepherdstown
City / town · 13 listings · 11 mi away
Berryville
City / town · 1 listings · 11 mi away
Bluemont
City / town · 4 listings · 12 mi away
Brunswick
City / town · 10 listings · 12 mi away
Martinsburg
City / town · 26 listings · 13 mi away
Sharpsburg
City / town · 11 listings · 13 mi away
Winchester
City / town · 32 listings · 18 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.