Even though Shepherdstown, West Virginia is a small town, you'll find plenty to do, so plan two nights or more at a local bed and breakfast or hotel. Shepherdstown is the oldest town in West Virginia, chartered in 1762. Many of the homes and buildings in Shepherdstown bear the bricks of the 1790’s. During the Revolutionary War the town flourished as a commercial center growing to 1000 residents by 1775, about the same population as today. Shepherdstown served as an open-air hospital during the Civil War, namely after the Battle of Antietam just across the Potomac River. Outdoor activities abound in Shepherdstown as well. The C&O Canal Path, a favorite for hikers and bikers, is just on the Maryland side of the Potomac River, easily accessible from the Rumsey Bridge pedestrian walkway. Raft, kayak and tube on the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers with rentals located in Shepherdstown and Harpers Ferry. In the summer and fall, local orchards offer pick-your-own apples and pumpkins and cut-your-own Christmas trees for the holidays. Lodging in Shepherdstown include hotels and a bed and breakfast. Today, Shepherdstown is home to Shepherd University, the Contemporary American Theater Festival, and a number of trendy shops and galleries, jewelry stores, art galleries, bakeries, and a wide range of restaurants from casual to ethnic to gourmet. The Shepherdstown bed and breakfast is just one block from the German Street district of shops and restaurants, while the local hotels are on the outskirts of Shepherdstown.