The brewery with the town's name on the can isn't in town. Harpers Ferry Brewing is in Virginia, a short drive from Lower Town, and most of the area's wineries are a little farther along the same road, around Hillsboro. This guide sorts out where each brewery, winery and distillery actually is, which ones say they welcome dogs and children, and how to get back safely. Hours are as each business posted them on November 8, 2026; they change with the seasons.
Know before you go
| Harpers Ferry Brewing | 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Purcellville, Virginia — not in Harpers Ferry, WV |
| Hours (as of Nov 2026) | Daily from noon; to 8pm Sun–Tue, to 10pm Wed–Sat — brewery site |
| Dogs at Harpers Ferry Brewing | Leashed and outside only |
| Breweries in town | None. Restaurants and pubs in town serve beer and wine — Eat guide |
| Winery cluster | Hillsboro, Virginia, along Charles Town Pike and Harpers Ferry Road — Town of Hillsboro |
| Drinking in the park | Prohibited by the park compendium — NPS |
| Getting home | Plan a sober driver; rideshare can't be counted on here |
Is Harpers Ferry Brewing in Harpers Ferry?
No. Harpers Ferry Brewing is at 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Purcellville, Virginia 20132, on the Virginia side of the Potomac. From Lower Town you cross the Shenandoah River on US 340 into Virginia, then turn off to Adventure Center Lane, which Harpers Ferry Brewing shares with Harpers Ferry Adventure Center. The brewery's own site advertises river views, kid-friendly and dog-friendly visits, and weekend food trucks.
Harpers Ferry Brewing hours, as posted on November 8, 2026:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Sunday, Monday, Tuesday | Noon–8pm |
| Wednesday–Saturday | Noon–10pm |
Dogs must be leashed and stay outside. The brewery also runs group shuttles, the BrewBUS (up to 44 people) and the BrewVAN (up to 10), with a five-hour minimum; book through Harpers Ferry Adventure Center at 540-668-9007. If you are combining the brewery with a river trip, see our Harpers Ferry Adventure Center guide.
Are there breweries in Harpers Ferry itself?
No brewery operates in the town of Harpers Ferry. You can still get a beer or a glass of wine in town: pubs and grills in Lower Town and Snallygasters Cafe & Wine Bar on Washington Street in Bolivar are listed by the merchants' association. Alstadts Ale House is at River Riders, 408 Alstadts Hill Road. See where to eat in Harpers Ferry for the full list.
Which breweries are near Harpers Ferry?
Four breweries are within a short drive, in three states. Each address and detail below comes from the brewery's own website.
| Brewery | Where | What its site says |
|---|---|---|
| Harpers Ferry Brewing | 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Purcellville, VA | River views; kid- and dog-friendly; leashed dogs outside; food trucks on weekends |
| Hillsborough Winery & Brewery | 36716 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro, VA | Estate winery and brewery in a 19th-century stone barn; small-batch beers, including grape-infused styles; outdoor patio |
| Smoketown Brewing Station | 223 W. Potomac Street, Brunswick, MD | Dog-friendly patio with views of the bridge and passing trains; food menu |
| Abolitionist Ale Works | 129 W Washington Street, Charles Town, WV | Tue–Thu 4–9pm; Fri–Sat noon–9pm; Sun noon–8pm (as of Nov 2026); food menu |
The Town of Hillsboro also lists Harvest Gap Brewery, Old 690 Brewing Company, Notaviva Craft Fermentations and Wheatland Spring Farm and Brewery in the Hillsboro area. Check each brewery's site for hours before you go.
Which wineries are near Harpers Ferry?
The closest wineries are in and around Hillsboro, Virginia, along Charles Town Pike and Harpers Ferry Road, east of Harpers Ferry. The Town of Hillsboro lists 15 wineries, vineyards and cideries in its area. These four are among the nearest, with details from their own sites:
| Winery | Address | Hours (as of Nov 2026) | Dogs and kids, per the winery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breaux Vineyards | 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Purcellville, VA | Daily 11am–6pm; closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas | Leashed, vaccinated dogs in the Old Tasting Room (Vin97) and outdoors; well-behaved children everywhere except the covered patio |
| 868 Estate Vineyards | 14001 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro, VA | Wed, Thu, Sun 11am–5pm; Fri–Sat 11am–6pm | Pets outdoors only; families welcome with supervised children |
| Two Twisted Posts Winery | 12944 Harpers Ferry Road, Purcellville, VA | Mon and Thu–Sun 11am–6pm; closed Tue–Wed | Not stated; call 540-668-6540 |
| Hillsborough Winery & Brewery | 36716 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro, VA | Check its site | Not stated |
Reservations differ. Breaux takes online reservations for groups of six or fewer and requires them for some seating. 868 Estate requires them for groups of eight or more. Both let you picnic outside but not bring outside food into the tasting rooms.
Is there a distillery near Harpers Ferry?
Yes. Catoctin Creek Distilling Company has its tasting room at 120 W Main Street in Purcellville, Virginia, and says tours are offered daily. Hours, dog and child policies are not posted on its home page, so check before you go.
Which breweries and wineries are dog- and kid-friendly?
We list a place as dog- or kid-friendly only when its own website says so. As of November 2026, these do:
- Harpers Ferry Brewing: "Kid Friendly and Dog Friendly"; dogs leashed and outside.
- Smoketown Brewing Station: a dog-friendly patio.
- Breaux Vineyards: leashed, vaccinated dogs in Vin97 and outdoors; well-behaved children in all areas except the covered patio.
- 868 Estate Vineyards: pets in outside areas only; families welcome, with parents keeping track of their children.
For the others, call ahead. In Virginia, Two Twisted Posts notes that you must be 21 or over to drink, and it checks ID. Planning the rest of the day around a dog or children? Pets can't ride the park shuttle; see Harpers Ferry with dogs and kids.
How do you get back without driving after drinking?
Choose a designated driver before you leave. Harpers Ferry and the Virginia wine area around it are rural, and rideshare cars can be scarce, especially on weekday evenings and after dark, so you may wait a long time or find no car at all. Practical options:
- A sober driver. The simplest plan for a winery or brewery afternoon.
- A group shuttle. Harpers Ferry Brewing's BrewBUS and BrewVAN carry groups to and from the brewery within about an hour's drive; book ahead through Harpers Ferry Adventure Center (540-668-9007).
- Stay close. If you book a room or campsite nearby, the drive back is shorter; see where to stay and camping near Harpers Ferry. Don't plan to walk back along US 340.
- Mind the shuttle clock. If you parked at the Visitor Center, the park shuttle's last run is 5:30pm in standard time as of November 2026 (7pm during daylight saving time). See parking, fees and shuttle.
My advice
Decide who's driving before the first tasting, or book the brewery's BrewVAN if you're with a group. I'd rather settle that at breakfast than at the bar.
Can you drink in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park?
No, not as a rule. The park compendium prohibits drinking alcoholic beverages and having open containers in the park. Check the compendium for any exceptions. Restaurants and pubs in town serve alcohol on their own premises.
A brewery-and-hike day near Harpers Ferry
- Morning hike. Climb Loudoun Heights on the Virginia side; the NPS lists up to 7.5 miles with 1,377 feet of climbing.
- Lunch at Harpers Ferry Brewing from noon, a short drive away on the same side of the Shenandoah.
- Afternoon at a Hillsboro winery, with a sober driver.
- Dinner up the hill in Harpers Ferry or Bolivar; see where to eat.
More planning help
- Where to eat in Harpers Ferry
- Things to do in Harpers Ferry
- Harpers Ferry fall foliage: peak season for winery visits
- Where to stay in Harpers Ferry
