Overview
Martinsburg is a city of 17,000 people (as of 2019) in West Virginia. Founded in 1778, it was named in honor of Colonel Thomas Bryan Martin, a nephew of Lord Fairfax from Kent, who had moved to the general area around 1735.
4 sights · 1 things to do · 4 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 11 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Martinsburg
Apollo Civic Theatre
A historic theatre from 1913, now home to theatre performances, pageants, talent shows, festival events and other entertainment.
Historic downtown Martinsburg
Downtown Martinsburg, with its many shops and restaurants, has been undergoing revitalization since 1988.
Martinsburg Roundhouse
Three B&O Railroad shop buildings on 13 acres include a historic 1866 cast iron frame Baltimore and Ohio Railroad roundhouse, burned by "Stonewall" Jackson’s Civil War troops in 1862, quickly rebuilt and in service u…
Arts Centre
Located in the historic Old Federal Building with its original glass-walled elevator. Art classes and exhibitions.
Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival
Held in mid-October. Apple pie and dessert baking contest and auction, grand feature parade, royal gala reception and banquet, arts and crafts show and sale, car shows, pageant, pancake breakfasts, dancing, live entertai…
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 — 22 mi away. Directions
- IAD Washington Dulles International Airport, Dulles — 45 mi away (major hub). Directions
Martinsburg is on I-81 between Hagerstown, Maryland to the north and Winchester, Virginia to the south.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $54–$120 a night (typical $85), from 11 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $7 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$80, mid-range ~$130, comfortable ~$220.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge, Bed and Breakfasts in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Martinsburg Roundhouse, Apollo Civic Theatre, Historic downtown Martinsburg
- Lunch Chopsticks Asian Cuisine
- Afternoon Arts Centre, Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival
- Dinner Asian Garden
- Evening Brix 27
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
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
Martinsburg is on I-81 between Hagerstown, Maryland to the north and Winchester, Virginia to the south.
By train
- Train operators
- Routes stopping at Martinsburg:
- Capitol Limited operates daily between Chicago and Washington, D.C. including stops in South Bend, Elkhart, Waterloo, Toledo, Sandusky, Elyria, Cleveland, Alliance, Pittsburgh, Connellsville, Cumberland, Martinsburg, Harpers Ferry, and Rockville.
- Maryland Rail Commuter (MARC), +1 304-263-3376, . Open M-F 5AM to 9AM and 6PM to 8:30PM. Martinsburg is on the Brunswick line, which ferries passengers to Washington, D.C..
Get around
- Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority, 446 Novak Drive, +1 304-263-0876. Buses run from 6AM to 9PM on weekdays, and 8AM to 5:30PM on weekends (precise times vary by route). Serving north and south Martinsburg, Berkeley and Jefferson counties, Bolivar and Harpers Ferry. Fares $1-3.
See
See Martinsburg Roundhouse
Three B&O Railroad shop buildings on 13 acres include a historic 1866 cast iron frame Baltimore and Ohio Railroad roundhouse, burned by "Stonewall" Jackson’s Civil War troops in 1862, quickly rebuilt and in service until 1988. On 1,000 feet of the Tuscarora Creek, site of the first National Labor Strike of 1877.
Do
Events
- Downtown Martinsburg Chili Cook-off, downtown Martinsburg, +1 304-262-4200. Held in mid-July. Professional and amateur chili chefs compete to create the best chili in town; spectators can purchase ballot cards to taste and vote on the chilis. Admission $5.
Learn
- The local newspaper is the Journal News, 207 W King Street, +1 304-263-8931 or +1-800-448-1895.
Buy
Malls
Eat
Eat Asian Garden
Chinese and Japanese cuisine, with traditional Japanese seating available. Try the "Flaming Volcano for Two" drink.
Eat Chopsticks Asian Cuisine
The "custom bowls" can be ordered from the menu or you can build your own, Mongolian Barbecue-style. Popular location for sushi. Carry-out orders can be ordered online.
Eat Habanero Mexican Grill
Fairly inexpensive choice for Mexican favorites.
Eat Rock Hill Creamery
Premium homemade ice cream. Their "Mountain State Delight" flavor was created to celebrate West Virginia Day.
Drink
Drink Brix 27
Wine bar with a focus on food pairings. Extensive selection of wines with West Virginia's first automated wine machines. The first floor curates an ambiance of social interaction and wine exploration while the second floor offers private dining space for parties, special events, and group experiences.
Drink The Copper Still Pub & Grill
Mmm, the smell of greasy burgers and leather in a biker bar.
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Stay Comfort Inn
110 rooms. Exercise gym, outdoor pool, game room, gift shop. Complimentary continental breakfast.
Stay Hampton Inn
Splurge
Bed and Breakfasts
Stay Boydville Inn
Go next
- Charles Town is about 30 minutes southeast on WV-9.
- Hagerstown, Maryland is about 30 minutes north on I-81.
- Winchester, Virginia is about 30 minutes south on I-81.
- Harpers Ferry is about 40 minutes southeast on WV-9.
- Berkeley Springs is about 30 minutes northwest on WV-9.
- Frederick, Maryland is about 50 minutes east on I-81, then south on I-70.
- Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is about 1½ hours northeast on I-81.
- Washington, D.C. is about 2 hours east on I-81, then south on I-70, I-270.
Nearby
Hedgesville
City / town · 1 listings · 7 mi away
Shepherdstown
City / town · 13 listings · 9 mi away
Sharpsburg
City / town · 11 listings · 11 mi away
Charles Town
City / town · 19 listings · 13 mi away
Harpers Ferry
City / town · 24 listings · 15 mi away
Boonsboro
City / town · 6 listings · 17 mi away
Hagerstown
City / town · 48 listings · 18 mi away
Berkeley Springs
City / town · 47 listings · 18 mi away
My experience
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