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What can visitors do in Harrisburg?
- The capital of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg offers visitors a choice of museums, attractions, and scenic parks.
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What are some top attractions in Harrisburg?
- Spend a morning at the 130,000 square foot Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, take a tour of the Pennsylvania State Capitol, explore the National Civil War Museum, and visit the State Museum of Pennsylvania.
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What activities are available for couples in Harrisburg?
- Couples can take a romantic riverboat ride on the Susquehanna River, listen to a performance by the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, and stroll through one of the city's parks.
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How far is Harrisburg from Philadelphia?
- Harrisburg is a 2-hour day trip from Philadelphia (106.9 miles via I-76 W).
Spend a day at the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts
Located on Market Street, the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts is Central Pennsylvania’s most important center for promoting art, culture, education, and science. Opened in 1999, the 130,000 square foot center contains three venues: the Harsco Science Center, the Select Medical Digital Cinema, and the Sunoco Performance Theater.
The Digital Cinema features programs such as The Vatican Museums 3D and Pandas: The Journey Home 3D, while the Harsco Science Center offers exhibits like KidsPlace and Forces of Nature. The center is open from Tuesday through Sunday and welcomes groups such as Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops, youth groups, and senior groups. The center can be rented for special occasions like birthday parties.
Address: 222 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA, Phone: 717-214-2787
Tour the Pennsylvania State Capitol
Located on North Third Street and State Street in downtown Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania State Capitol is Pennsylvania’s seat of government. Designed in the Beaux-Arts style in 1902, it was built and inaugurated in 1906. The Capitol houses the state Senate and House of Representatives as well as the offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.
Because of its many murals, sculptures, and stained glass windows, the building is referred to as a “palace of art,” and it has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. The Welcome Center located in the East Wing of the Capitol is open from Monday through Friday, and tours are offered nearly every day of the week.
Address: North Third Street and State Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Phone: 717-232-5343
Go for a walk at Fort Hunter Mansion and Park
Fort Hunter Mansion and Park is a preserved 18th century mansion and park with walking trails located on North Front Street in Harrisburg. The mansion sits on a bluff that overlooks the Susquehanna River. Professionally guided tours of the mansion are offered from May to December.
Throughout its long history, Fort Hunter has served as a wartime fort, a center for frontier trading, and a private residence. The mansion hosts events such as Archaeological Excavation, Fort Hunter Day, Downton Dressing: More Fort Hunter Fashions of the Downton Abbey Era, and more. The park is open every day, while the mansion is open from Tuesday through Sunday from May to December.
Address: 5300 North Front Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Phone: 717-599-5751
Visit the tasting room at Spring Gate Vineyard
Located on Devonshire Road, Spring Gate Vineyard is a family owned winery and vineyard near Harrisburg. Sitting on 60 acres of farmland that has been owned by only three families since the 18th century, the vineyard first opened in 2010. The property dates from the Revolutionary War, and beautiful fields, orchard, streams, and wildlife surround the property.
The old white barn is home to the winery and the tasting room as well as offices and space for private events. The tasting room is a rustic bar where visitors can taste wine, eat food, and enjoy music. There is also outdoor seating. The farm can be rented for special events.
Address: 5790 Devonshire Road, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Phone: 717-884-8048
Go wildlife watching in Wildwood Park
Located on Wildwood Way in the beautiful hills of Central Pennsylvania, Wildwood Park is an urban park on the outskirts of Harrisburg. It is a sanctuary for many plants and animals, some of which are endangered. Visitors can see the wildlife as they walk along the trails around the lake or on the boardwalks.
The park is also the home of the Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center, which was built in 1999. There are exhibits and glass bird blinds where visitors can observe the many species of birds that feed on the lake.
Address: 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Phone: 717-221-0292
Step back in time at the State Museum of Pennsylvania
The State Museum of Pennsylvania is dedicated to preserving the state’s culture and history. Also known as the William Penn Memorial Museum because of the large statue of Penn in the museum’s central hall, the museum is located on North Street in downtown Harrisburg.
With more than three million objects, the museum consists of four floors of exhibits that cover the history of Pennsylvania from the prehistoric era to the present day. The collection features numerous Civil War artifacts as well as artwork and dioramas. Some of the planetariums shows include Dynamic Earth, Grossology and You, and Solar Superstorms.
Address: 300 North Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Phone: 717-787-4980
Take the kids to the National Civil War Museum
The National Civil War Museum houses a permanent collection of 24,000 objects related to the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865 as well as post-war history. Housed in a two-story brick building, the museum is located on Lincoln Circle and is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution.
There are 17 galleries and a theater that tell the entire story of the war in an objective way starting from 1850 and leading to 1876. Understandably, the museum emphasizes the war years. The exhibits contain artifacts, documents, manuscripts, and photographs, and the museum also has a temporary exhibit gallery.
Address: One Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Phone: 717-260-1861
Learn about history at the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum
Located on North Fourth Street, the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum is housed in the 1899 Victorian firehouse called the Reily Hose Company No. 10. Dedicated to the state’s fire fighting heritage, the museum displays a large collection of artifacts that range from historic equipment from the past to the fire tools typically used today.
The museum’s collection includes examples of hand-drawn fire fighting equipment as well as many pieces of vintage fire apparatuses. Exhibits include artifacts, informational displays, images, and much more, all related to the history of fire fighting in the region. The museum also contains a video presentation area and gift shop.
Address: 1820 North Fourth Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Phone: 717-232-8915
Go on a boat ride aboard the Pride of the Susquehanna
The Pride of the Susquehanna is a 120-passenger riverboat that offers rides on the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg. Located on Championship Way, the riverboat offers daily sightseeing cruises during the summer months. The narrated cruises last 45 minutes, and they provide passengers with information about the history and sights of the region.
Passengers can enjoy the ride from inside the climate-controlled salon with its Galley Snack Bar, or go up to the open-air top deck for fresh air and sunshine. The riverboat also offers a classic two-hour evening dinner cruise that features a three-course meal and a performance by live musicians.
Address: 11 Championship Way, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Phone: 717-234-6500
See a Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra performance in the evening
The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra has a long history that goes back as far as the Great Depression; it gave its first concert in 1931 at the William Penn High School in Harrisburg. Shortly thereafter, the orchestra moved to the Forum Auditorium, which still serves as its performance venue today.
The orchestra’s musicians come from Central Pennsylvania as well as from major cities such as Baltimore, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Operating under the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, the Harrisburg Youth Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1953, is one of the oldest youth symphonies in the United States. Education programs include Musical Chairs and Welcome to the Concert, among others.
Address: 800 Corporate Circle, Suite 101, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Phone: 717-545-5527
Map:
Best Time to Visit
Places to Stay
Tips for Visiting
Spring (March-May) – Ideal for exploring parks and historical sites.
Hilton Harrisburg – A centrally located stay with modern amenities.
Visit the Pennsylvania State Capitol – A must-see for history and architecture lovers.
Summer (June-August) – Great for riverfront activities and festivals.
Staybridge Suites Harrisburg – A family-friendly option with spacious rooms.
Explore City Island – Enjoy baseball games, mini-golf, and river cruises.
Fall (September-November) – Crisp weather and colorful foliage.
Best Western Premier The Central Hotel – A comfortable stay near top attractions.
Drive through Wildwood Park – A scenic area perfect for birdwatching and hiking.
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents:
- 1. Spend a day at the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts
- 2. Tour the Pennsylvania State Capitol
- 3. Go for a walk at Fort Hunter Mansion and Park
- 4. Visit the tasting room at Spring Gate Vineyard
- 5. Go wildlife watching in Wildwood Park
- 6. Step back in time at the State Museum of Pennsylvania
- 7. Take the kids to the National Civil War Museum
- 8. Learn about history at the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum
- 9. Go on a boat ride aboard the Pride of the Susquehanna
- 10. See a Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra performance in the evening