Chambersburg
Around Chambersburg
Photo: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Pennsylvania · 159k people
Chambersburg
Locals say Cumberland Valley · “The Burg”, “Apple Capital”
Heart of the Cumberland Valley
Cumberland Valley GreenHarvest GoldAppalachian Earth
Welcome to the Cumberland Valley! Whether you're here for the orchards, the trails, or the small-town charm, you'll find a friendly pace and plenty of open space. Grab a cider, take a walk, and settle in.
Clubs for Chambersburg
No clubs for Chambersburg yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Chambersburg. 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 Chambersburg. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Appalachian Trail National scenic trail passes through the county
- Caledonia State Park Offers hiking, swimming, and a historic iron furnace
- Capitol Theatre Historic performing arts venue in Chambersburg
- Renfrew Museum and Park Historic house museum and park in Waynesboro
- Franklin County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Chambersburg
- Cumberland Valley Rail-Trail Multi-use trail along a former rail line
- Outdoors Hike the Appalachian Trail
- Outdoors Swim at Caledonia State Park
- With kids Go apple picking at local orchards
- With kids Visit the Renfrew Museum
- Evenings Catch a show at the Capitol Theatre
- Evenings Cheer at a dirt track race at Lincoln Speedway
- Locals love Apple orchards
- Locals love Covered bridges
Through the year
- Franklin County Fair September September
- Old Market Day May May
- Waynesboro Summerfest July July
- Cumberland Valley Antique Machinery Show August August
- Lincoln Speedway season opener April April
Four distinct seasons with hot summers, cold winters, and pleasant transitions. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for outdoor activities, with mild temperatures and colorful foliage.
Getaways
- Hagerstown Visit Antietam National Battlefield
- Gettysburg Explore the Gettysburg National Military Park
- Harrisburg Tour the Pennsylvania State Capitol
- York Check out the York Central Market
Local flavour
Rooting for Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Penn State Nittany Lions, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals
Eat and drink
- Apple butter A local staple made from the region's abundant apple harvest
- Apple cider Fresh pressed from nearby orchards, especially in autumn
- Pennsylvania Dutch-style chicken pot pie A hearty noodle stew, not a pie, common in the region
Where people go
- Apple orchards The region is known for its apple production, with many orchards open to visitors.
- Covered bridges Historic covered bridges dot the countryside, a classic Pennsylvania sight.
- The Appalachian Trail The trail passes through the area, offering hiking and scenic views.
- Historic downtowns Chambersburg, Waynesboro, and Greencastle have preserved Main Streets with local shops.
- Farmers markets Weekly markets feature fresh produce, baked goods, and local crafts.
Heritage and traditions
Chambersburg is proud of its Pennsylvania Dutch heritage, its resilience after being burned during the Civil War, and its rich agricultural landscape of apple orchards and farmlands.
This time of year in Chambersburg
- Apple harvest Fall Pick-your-own orchards in September-October.
Say it like a local: “dunk” — dip
Festivals
- Chambersburg Civil War Weekend June Living history and reenactments commemorating the 1864 burning.
- Chambersburg Christmas Candlelight Tour December Historic homes and churches open for candlelight tours.
Landmarks with a story
- Old Franklin County Jail Now a museum with exhibits on local history and the Civil War.
- John Brown House Where abolitionist John Brown stayed before Harpers Ferry.
- Trinity Lutheran Church Founded in the 18th century, a landmark in downtown Chambersburg.
- Zion Reformed Church Another historic congregation with a prominent steeple.
- Memorial Square The heart of Chambersburg, with a fountain and war memorials.
Food traditions
- Shoofly pie PA Dutch molasses pie, often served at breakfast.
- Scrapple Pork mush, fried and served with maple syrup.
- Fasnacht Potato doughnuts eaten on Shrove Tuesday.
- Chow-chow Pickled vegetable relish, a PA Dutch staple.
- Whoopie pies Chocolate cake with cream filling.
Music and arts
- Pennsylvania Dutch folk music Traditional German-influenced music at local festivals.
- Bluegrass and country Popular at local venues and events.
- Totem Pole Playhouse Professional theater in Fayetteville.
A little history
- 1730s Founded by Benjamin Chambers at the confluence of the Conococheague and Falling Spring.
- 1864 Burned by Confederate troops under General McCausland, the only Northern town to suffer such a fate.
- 1859 John Brown stayed in Chambersburg before his raid on Harpers Ferry.
- 19th century Became a railroad hub and apple-growing center.
Rivalries
- Eagles vs Steelers NFL fan split
- Penn State vs Pitt College football rivalry
- Orioles vs Nationals MLB fan split
- Waynesboro vs Greencastle Local high school football rivalry
- Game day Dirt track racing at Lincoln Speedway
- Game day High school football
- Outdoors Hunting in Michaux State Forest
- Outdoors Birdwatching along the Conococheague
- With kids Visiting the Old Jail Museum
- With kids John Brown House
Locals speak with a neutral American accent, but Pennsylvania Dutch influences show in words like 'redd up' (clean up), 'dunk' (dip), and 'smear' (spread).
Only here
- The only Northern town burned by the Confederacy during the Civil War.
- The Conococheague Creek, named by Native Americans, flows through town.
- Old Market Day, a tradition since the 1790s, brings the town together.
- The Lincoln Speedway is a legendary dirt track.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the four seasons: hot summers and cold, snowy winters.
- Traffic is light, but watch for farm equipment on rural roads.
- Try a shoofly pie and scrapple for breakfast.
- Visit the farmers market for local produce.
- Learn to say 'Conococheague' (ka-nah-kah-jeeg).
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Part of Washington–Baltimore
Nearby
Every areaHagerstown–MartinsburgMarylandWhere the mountains meet the valleyGettysburgPennsylvaniaA place where every field has a story.HuntingdonPennsylvaniaHeart of the Juniata ValleyBedfordPennsylvaniaGentle hills, covered bridges, and the quiet rhythm of farm life.LewistownPennsylvaniaLocal rooms for Juniata Valley.HarrisburgPennsylvaniaChocolate, history, and the Susquehanna.YorkPennsylvaniaFirst capital, forever homeAltoonaPennsylvaniaWhere the rails climb the Alleghenies
Chambersburg, PA. 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.