Several years ago Harrisburg earned 2nd place in Forbes magazine's list of the
best places in the US to raise a family. It still deserves to be on that list today
because of the many attractions it offers residents and visitors.
Harrisburg is a historic city that has played a part in many conflicts,
especially the Civil War. It has a wide range of museums that celebrate this history without
glorifying any particular side of the battle. It's rich in culture with many locations for art-lovers
to view interesting pieces. Its green spaces are a relaxing and attractive escape from urban life.
Like and subscribe for more on what makes this capital city so great. Watch our video to learn
about the best things to do in Harrisburg, PA. Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex
Architect Joseph Houston spent 25 years and $13 million completing this building. It’s
one of the most popular capital buildings in the country today,
and former President Teddy Roosevelt once called it the most handsome building he’d ever seen.
The 14-foot brass Commonwealth statue sits outside and beckons you in. The 17 ½
foot, the 6000-pound dome is a ⅓-scale replica of the one at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
The inside is just as beautiful. The staircase is modeled after the one in the Paris Opera House.
Violet Oakley painted its 457 rooms, and they’re full of artwork,
statues, murals, and more. Tours are free every half-hour
Mondays-Fridays. You can go on the weekends in groups of 10 or more if you book in advance.
Civil War Museum This museum opened in 2001 with
help from the Smithsonian Institution. Over 24,000 pieces show the progression of the Civil War from
1816 to 1865. Come during one of the lecture events for an even more meaningful experience.
State Museum of Pennsylvania This museum goes as far back as possible,
chronicling the state's history from prehistory to the present day. Its most notable features
include a painting called The Battle of Gettysburg: Picketts Charge and a
restored mastodon skeleton. It also has exhibits focusing on the state's founder, William Penn,
and one called the Village Square that replicates a 19-century Pennsylvania town.
Fort Hunter Mansion and Park The Fort Hunter Estate was built
in 1725 and features 10 historic buildings. The 40-acre park is a beautiful walking spot
with a covered bridge and remnants of the Pennsylvania Canal Trail. Book a guided tour
with live colonial actors to hear the story of the estate as if you were visiting it in its prime.
City Island This 63-acre park used to house
Union soldiers as they crossed the Susquehanna River. Archeological evidence also suggests it
was used by the Susquehannock and Iroquois tribes. Today, it’s a popular entertainment spot with a
golf course, ball field, mini steam train, soccer stadium, batting cages, walking trails, and more.
Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat Cruise When you're ready to leave City Island,
take one of the only remaining paddle-wheel riverboats in the US. You'll get a beautiful
view of the surrounding area and, before you know it, the 45 minutes will have passed by.
Throughout the year, there are tours focused on various themes such as murder mysteries,
live music, or Maryland blue crabs.
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts The center has 3 floors of exhibits that
celebrate cinema, science, and the arts. They only take about a day to explore, but it’s one
of the best things to do in Harrisburg if you’re only staying for a short time.
You'll also find a range of entertainment spots, including a 4-story cinema screen,
hands-on exhibits at the Harsco Science Center, live shows at the Sunoco Performance Theater,
and an Esports area for video games. Reserve a ticket for the shows you want to see in advance.
Susquehanna Art Museum Now is the perfect time to visit this museum;
it recently moved to the Keystone Trust building and underwent a $12 million renovation. It now has
impressive architectural features such as 27-foot-high ceilings, marble floors,
and a restored 1923 bank vault. Enjoy 20,000 square feet of galleries
and art exhibitions focusing on national and international artists. The Artistic
Expressions exhibitions show artwork from local high school students. If you’re bringing the kids,
take them to the VanGo! Museum on wheels, an RV trailer with interactive exhibits.
John Harris and Simon Cameron Mansion This impressive mansion was built in 1766
by John Harris, the founder of Harrisburg. It was turned into a Victorian-style mansion
in 1863 when Senator Simon Cameron, Abraham Lincoln's Secretary of War,
bought it. His children were the mansion's last residents and donated it to the Dauphin
County Historical Society before their death. Go on a guided tour or participate in public
programs to see how the building's history and architecture have changed over the years.
Wildwood Park This 229-acre park
once fell into disarray but was restored by the National Audobon Society. It’s
since become one of the best things to do in Harrisburg, PA if you’re looking to escape
into a land full of natural beauty. It has a 3-mile paved trail and a wetlands area.
Wildwood Park is perfect for birdwatching, wildlife spotting, horseback riding, boating,
picnics, and more. It also has an Olewing Nature center with public exhibits and even
a zoo. Visiting is free, and that’s a massive deal for how much Wildwood Park has to offer.
National Fire Museum This 1899 Victorian Fire
House was transformed into a museum to celebrate the history of firefighting. It starts at the
beginning with horse-drawn engines and works up to the modern trucks of today.
Highlights include the Gamewell Alarm Room and the fire dispatch console used during the
nuclear incident at Three Mile Island in 1979. This museum is one of the best things to do in
Harrisburg, PA for visitors and residents of every age, but young future firefighters
will especially love everything on display. Like and subscribe to ViewCation for more
travel recommendations. Keep watching to discover more of the best things to do in Harrisburg, PA,
including art collections, havens of natural beauty, and a famously sweet amusement park.
Capital Area Greenbelt This 20mile paved loop
through Harrisburg lets you see all of the city's neighborhoods. Its road,
biking, and walking sections connect many of the other spots on this list,
including the National Civil War Museum and several of the city's best parks and gardens.
The Greenbelt has its own arboretums and museums, but don’t miss the engagement
of the Five Senses Garden or its beautiful butterflies. You can traverse them on your own,
but guided tours are also available. Broad Street Market
This market opened in 1860 to provide food to Union Soldiers in the nearby Camp Curtin. Today,
over 40 vendors set up stands on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. They sell local food,
wine, jewelry, and gifts to visitors. It’s also home to the oldest market house in the US.
FNB Field This is the home base of the Harrisburg Senators,
a minor league baseball team and AA affiliate of the Washington Nationals. It also offers events
for children and fireworks that blow up over the Susquehanna River. Get a hot dog at the Giant
Picnic Pavillion while you watch a game. Check the website for the schedule and ticket deals.
Appalachian Brewing Company This was the first brewery
in Harrisburg, and there hasn’t been another since it was built in 1951.
It sits in a historic building with brick walls, wooden beams and hardwood floors, and ceilings.
You can take a tour or enjoy it on your own. The beer is great, but the extensive food
menu includes items like soups, salads, sandwiches, tacos and quesadillas, and more.
Cathedral of St. Patrick The stunning architecture is the
first thing you’ll notice when you pull up to this beautiful cathedral. Once you go inside,
the design becomes even more impressive. There are 45 imported German stain glass windows.
You’ll also see multiple shrines to past bishops of the diocese and fresco paintings that mirror
those in Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The cathedral is also one of the only ones in
Pennsylvania that still says Latin mass. Autobahn Indoor Speedway & Events
This 40,000-square-foot venue is known for its go-kart track. The karts go up to 50 mph, and up
to 10 can race at once. You can track your speed and progress, which may encourage you to sign up
for the league that meets on Mondays at 7 pm. The Millworks
An abandoned warehouse became one of the best things to do in Harrisburg, PA when it was
renovated and turned into an art showcase. The waiting list for booking a loft is long because
everyone wants a piece of this location. The Millworks also has a gift shop and a
restaurant and brewery. Special events include parties and painting workshops.
Sprocket Mural Works Mural Fest This special event began in 2017
and focuses on celebrating and creating street art. Artists painted murals on 18
walls in 10 days the first time. The Fest takes place in September
this year. Over 300 artists will work together to paint murals on 10 walls in
10 days. Watching them at work is a thrill, but you can also buy their art year-round.
View it on the Sprocket Mural Works website, which will also tell you where to find it in person.
Bird in Hand The US Hot Air Balloon
team works here, 40 minutes east of Harrisburg. They’re surrounded by open fields and farms,
an ideal place for going up in a hot air balloon. There are private balloons for small groups
and larger shared ones for 10-12 people. Make sure to get up early and take off at
sunrise when the wind is calm. Bring light clothes and comfortable shoes.
Strite’s Orchard This 300-acre local
business has been around for over 100 years. One of the main features that kept it going for so
long is that it lets you pick fruits and veggies from the orchard. Their shop has its own brand
of farm-fresh products, and they also partner with other local farms to give you more variety.
Echo Caverns Native Americans
once used these caves for storage and shelter, but they've since become one of the best attractions
to visit in Harrisburg, PA. The expansive tunnels are always 52 degrees no matter the time of year.
You’ll need to book a 45-minute tour to see them, but be sure to visit the gift shop and petting
zoo as well. Echo Caverns is also a popular space for weddings and other special events.
Hershey Park USA Today gave this park the #9 spot on their list
of their reader’s favorite amusement parks in the US. It’s 121 acres of chocolatey fun. The lights,
decorations, and even the massage treatments at the hotel are inspired by sweets. You can taste
international chocolates at the Hershey Story Museum, make your own bar at Hershey’s Chocolate
World, and more. Hershey Gardens
You may not expect to see a gorgeous 23-acre garden across the street from Hershey Park,
but that’s part of its charm. The butterfly atrium is a major attraction, and the garden also has
other themed areas and year-round events. Midtown Scholar Bookstore
Bookworms can spend an entire day exploring the over 200,00 books on display here. It’s
been voted the Best Independent Bookstore in the area for over 14 years, and it’s easy to see why.
It has a huge collection of used and rare books, a downstairs cafe, regular talk and tours, and more.
What is your favorite city in Pennsylvania? Let us know in the comments below. Like and subscribe
to ViewCation for more on the best locations to visit in the best cities in each state.