Shepherdstown, West Virginia: An Unexpected Family Connection and a Scenic Stay at the Bavarian Inn
From Maryland, we continued into West Virginia on our summer 2025 road trip and headed to Shepherdstown. This stop included an eclectic general store, a little family-history curiosity, and an inn with some pretty spectacular views.
As with many of our road trip stops, the experience was a mix of things we loved and a few things I wish we’d known before booking.
O’Hurley’s General Store: A possible connection to the past
Our first stop in Shepherdstown was O’Hurley’s General Store, a store that seems to have just about anything and everything.
It’s the kind of place where you can wander around, browse the shelves, and discover things you didn’t know you needed. Even if you don’t have anything specific in mind to buy, it’s a fun place to explore.
But I had a more personal reason for wanting to visit.
A while back, I did some ancestry research for my husband and discovered that his O’Hurley ancestors had come from Ireland. When I realized there was a general store with the same name along our route, I couldn’t resist adding it to the itinerary.
In my mind, we were visiting something associated with his long-lost relatives!
Definitely long-lost, considering my husband is from Erie, Pennsylvania.
I have no idea whether there’s any actual family connection to the store, but that wasn’t really the point. It was a fun little detour inspired by our family’s history, and it made the stop more meaningful to me than an ordinary shopping trip.
I love when travel gives you an excuse to follow a random curiosity. Sometimes those are the stops that end up being the most personal.
Checking into the Bavarian Inn
After browsing the general store, we headed to the Bavarian Inn.
The inn has a Bavarian theme and overlooks the river, with views toward Maryland. The setting is beautiful, and the scenery was easily one of the highlights of our stay.
The property has a distinctive atmosphere, with Bavarian-inspired food and beer brewed on-site. It’s a memorable change of pace from a typical chain hotel, and the views make it feel like a destination in its own right.
The infinity pool was a highlight
One of our favorite parts of the stay was the infinity pool.
The view from the pool was phenomenal, and it was a lovely place to relax and take in the surrounding landscape. Sometimes a hotel amenity can make the entire experience, and this was definitely one of those times.
The setting was beautiful enough that I can understand why someone would want to stay here simply to enjoy the property.
An honest review of the accommodations
Although we loved the views, the room itself was a bit of a disappointment.
For the price, I expected something a little more updated. The room felt somewhat run-down, which made the stay feel expensive relative to the condition of the accommodations.
The overall experience was still enjoyable, thanks in large part to the setting, food, and pool. But the room didn’t quite live up to the price tag.
There’s also an important accessibility consideration that I wish I’d known beforehand.
Traveling with Grandma: Check the stairs before booking
Getting down to the rooms involves stairs, and I hadn’t realized this would be an issue when making our reservation.
My mom, aka Grandma, has mobility issues, so the stairs made getting to and from our room difficult. It was a frustrating discovery, especially when we’d chosen the property without realizing how challenging access would be.
For that reason, I wouldn’t book the Bavarian Inn again without first confirming that a suitable accessible room was available.
If you’re traveling with someone who has mobility limitations, I strongly recommend calling ahead and asking specific questions about:
- Whether there are stairs between the parking area and your room.
- Whether accessible rooms are available for your dates.
- Whether the route to the restaurant and other amenities involves stairs.
- What the property’s accessibility arrangements actually look like, rather than relying on general descriptions.
I learned this lesson the hard way on this trip: a beautiful property isn’t necessarily a practical one for every traveler.
Would I stay at the Bavarian Inn again?
The views, infinity pool, and distinctive atmosphere made the Bavarian Inn memorable. The general store was a fun stop, too, especially because of the connection I made to my husband’s ancestry research.
However, the combination of the room condition, price, and stairs means I wouldn’t automatically choose the inn again.
If accessibility weren’t a concern, or if I could confirm a suitable room arrangement in advance, I might consider it. But for our family, the stairs were a significant drawback.
Shepherdstown was still a worthwhile stop on our road trip, and the Bavarian Inn’s setting was beautiful. Just be sure to do your homework before booking, particularly if stairs are a concern.
Sometimes the best travel advice isn’t simply telling you where to stay. It’s telling you what you should know before you reserve a room.
Continue Following Our East Coast Road Trip
This stop was part of our summer 2025 road trip from Florida to Pennsylvania, where we explored seven states along the East Coast. Follow along with the rest of our journey for more historic sites, quirky roadside attractions, honest hotel reviews, and practical tips for traveling with family.
Read the full trip itinerary: Summer 2025: Our East Coast Road Trip from Florida to Pennsylvania
Explore more stops along the way:
- Georgia and South Carolina
- North Carolina’s Pickle Adventure
- Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia
- Crystal Grottoes Caverns and Antietam, Maryland
- Shepherdstown and the Bavarian Inn, West Virginia
- Flight 93, Punxsutawney Phil, and Erie, Pennsylvania