Sunbury area
Around Sunbury area
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Greater area · Pennsylvania · 255k people
Sunbury area
Locals say Susquehanna Valley · “The River City”
Where the rivers meet and the hills hold stories
Susquehanna River blueAppalachian green
Welcome to the Susquehanna Valley, where the river brings us together. Whether you're here for the covered bridges, the farmers markets, or just to relax in a small town, you'll find a friendly wave and a good story.
Clubs for Sunbury area
No clubs for Sunbury area yet.
The room
Sunbury area is big: its rooms are its areas'. This is Sunbury's; the others are below.
One room for everyone around Sunbury. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Sunbury area. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Shikellamy State Park Overlook at the confluence of the Susquehanna's branches
- Milton State Park Riverside park with trails and fishing
- Montour Preserve Lake, trails, and birdwatching
- Sunbury Riverfront Park Concerts and events along the river
- Northumberland County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Sunbury's downtown
- Susquehanna River The valley's central waterway for boating and fishing
- Outdoors Fishing on the Susquehanna River
- Outdoors Hiking at Shikellamy State Park
- With kids Picnicking at Shikellamy State Park
- With kids Fishing with the kids at the river
- Evenings Live music at Sunbury Riverfront Park
- Evenings Concerts at the amphitheater
- Locals love Covered bridges
- Locals love Riverfront parks
Through the year
- Sunbury Riverfest July Summer music and food festival along the riverfront
- Danville Iron Heritage Festival August Celebrates the region's iron industry with food and history
- Northumberland County Fair August County fair with livestock, rides, and local exhibits
- Milton Harvest Festival October Fall festival with local produce, crafts, and parades
Humid continental with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for being out.
Talk like a local
- “Youins”
- Plural 'you'
- “Pop”
- Soda or soft drink
- “Crick”
- Creek
- “The Valley”
- The Susquehanna Valley region
Getaways
- Selinsgrove Island Park and Susquehanna University
- Lewisburg Downtown shops and Bucknell University
- Bloomsburg Bloomsburg Fair and riverfront
- Williamsport Little League World Series and river walk
Local flavour
Rooting for Penn State Nittany Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia 76ers
Eat and drink
- Pierogies
- Halushki (cabbage and noodles) Hearty dish common in the region's Slavic communities
- Potato candy
Where people go
- Covered bridges Scattered across the valley, beloved landmarks
- Riverfront parks Gathering spots along the Susquehanna
- Small-town main streets Brick storefronts and family-owned shops
- Farmers markets Seasonal produce and local crafts
Heritage and traditions
This region is proud of its industrial heritage—coal mining, iron, and electricity—and its tight-knit river towns along the Susquehanna, where Eastern European traditions like pierogies and polka still thrive.
This time of year in Sunbury area
- Apple picking and cider making Fall Fall at local orchards, a family favorite.
Say it like a local: “Slippy” — Slippery
Landmarks with a story
- Joseph Priestley House National Historic Landmark in Northumberland, home of the scientist who discovered oxygen.
- Fort Augusta Colonial fort built in 1756 at Sunbury, now a museum and park.
- St. Cyril and Methodius Church Historic Slovak Catholic church in Danville, reflecting the region's Eastern European heritage.
- Sunbury Historic District Victorian-era architecture and riverfront history.
Food traditions
- Kielbasa and sauerkraut Brought by Polish and Slovak immigrants to the coal towns, often served at church dinners and holidays.
- Halupki (stuffed cabbage) Rice and meat wrapped in cabbage, simmered in tomato sauce—a Slavic comfort food.
- Whoopie pies Chocolate cake with cream filling, a Pennsylvania favorite at bake sales and farmers markets.
- Scrapple A Pennsylvania Dutch breakfast meat made from pork scraps and cornmeal, often served with maple syrup.
Music and arts
- Polka music A staple at church picnics and heritage festivals, reflecting Slavic roots.
- Barn quilts Colorful quilt patterns painted on barns, a folk art tradition seen across the countryside.
A little history
- 1883 Sunbury becomes the first city in the world to have electric street lighting, using Edison's three-wire system.
- 1756 Fort Augusta built to protect the frontier during the French and Indian War.
- 1800s Anthracite coal mining booms in Shamokin and Mount Carmel, attracting Eastern European immigrants.
- 1794 Joseph Priestley settles in Northumberland after fleeing England.
- 1900s Danville becomes a major iron and steel center with the Montour Iron Works.
Rivalries
- Shamokin vs Mount Carmel high school football Long-standing local gridiron battle
- Danville vs Milton high school sports Friendly competition between neighboring towns
- Penn State vs Pitt football Fans in the valley split between the two
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Fishing tournaments on the Susquehanna
- Outdoors Hunting for deer in the fall
- Outdoors Snowshoeing or cross-country skiing
- With kids Riding the carousel at Knoebels
- With kids Getting pierogies from a church bazaar
Locals speak with a Central Pennsylvania accent, often using 'pop' for soda and 'crick' for creek. The plural 'you' is sometimes 'youse'—not 'yinz' (that's Pittsburgh).
Only here
- Sunbury was the first city in the world to have electric street lighting (1883).
- Knoebels Amusement Park, the largest free-admission park in the US, is in nearby Elysburg.
- The region has a high concentration of Slavic heritage, with many churches and cultural traditions.
- The Susquehanna River is the longest river on the East Coast, and the region is known for its covered bridges.
New here? A few tips
- Learn to say 'pop' for soda and 'crick' for creek—locals will appreciate it.
- Embrace the river: kayak, fish, or walk the riverfront in Sunbury.
- Be ready for snowy winters—invest in a good snow shovel and warm boots.
- Try a pierogi from a local church dinner, not just a store-bought one.
- Visit Knoebels for a cheap family day out—admission is free.
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Areas in Sunbury area
Nearby
Every areaWilliamsportPennsylvaniaThe Lumber City with a little league heartJuniata CountyPennsylvaniaWhere the Juniata winds through quiet farmland.PottsvillePennsylvaniaWhere the hills are black with historyLock HavenPennsylvaniaWhere the river meets the mountain, and the pace slows down.HarrisburgPennsylvaniaChocolate, history, and the Susquehanna.LebanonPennsylvaniaLocal rooms for Lebanon Valley.LewistownPennsylvaniaLocal rooms for Juniata Valley.Scranton–Wilkes-BarrePennsylvaniaWhere the mountains meet the mines
Bloomsburg-Berwick-Sunbury, PA CSA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.