Harrisburg

Around Harrisburg

Photo: J. Passepartout · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Metro area · Pennsylvania · 615k people

Harrisburg

Locals say Central PA

Harrisburg · Carlisle

Chocolate, history, and the Susquehanna.

Chocolate brownGoldSusquehanna blue

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Welcome to Central PA, where the Susquehanna meets the sweet smell of chocolate. Whether you're here for the farm show, a Senators game, or a quiet drive through covered bridges, you'll find a friendly pace. Kick back, grab a whoopie pie, and enjoy the river views.

Clubs for Harrisburg

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The room

One room for everyone around Harrisburg. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

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Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Harrisburg. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

  • Hersheypark Iconic theme park with roller coasters and chocolate-themed rides.
  • Pennsylvania State Capitol Beaux-Arts dome with a grand rotunda and art.
  • City Island Island in the Susquehanna with baseball stadium and river views.
  • Hershey's Chocolate World Interactive chocolate tour and shopping.
  • Hershey Theatre Historic theater hosting Broadway shows and concerts.
  • Carlisle Fairgrounds Hosts Carlisle Events car shows and other expos.
  • Outdoors Hike a section of the Appalachian Trail
  • Outdoors Paddle the Susquehanna River
  • With kids Hersheypark
  • With kids ZooAmerica
  • Evenings Shows at Hershey Theatre or Giant Center
  • Evenings Bars and live music on Second Street in Harrisburg
  • Locals love Farm stands and PA Dutch markets
  • Locals love Covered bridge country roads

Through the year

  • Pennsylvania Farm Show January January
  • Carlisle Events car shows Spring and summer Spring and summer
  • Kipona Festival September Labor Day weekend
  • Harrisburg Senators home games April to September April to September
  • Hershey Bears home games October to April October to April

Central PA has four distinct seasons: hot, humid summers; cold, snowy winters; and mild springs and autumns. The best time to be out is late spring or early fall for comfortable temperatures and foliage. Best: Late spring (May-June) and early fall (September-October) offer mild temperatures and clear skies.

Talk like a local

“Red up”
to clean or tidy
“Slippy”
slippery
“Pop”
a carbonated beverage (soda)
“Crick”
a creek or small stream

Getaways

  • Lancaster Visit Amish country and markets
  • Gettysburg Explore the Civil War battlefield
  • York Historic downtown and farmers markets
  • Lebanon Covered bridges and Lebanon bologna

Local flavour

Teams

  • Harrisburg Senators MiLB
  • Hershey Bears AHL

Eat and drink

  • Hershey's chocolate The iconic local product, from Kisses to bars
  • Whoopie pies Pennsylvania Dutch dessert staple
  • Shoofly pie Molasses pie from PA Dutch tradition
  • Soft pretzels Pennsylvania snack, often with mustard
  • Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine Chicken corn soup, pot pie, and other farm-style dishes

Where people go

  • Hersheypark Amusement park and chocolate-themed attractions
  • Chocolate factory tours Hershey's Chocolate World and factory experiences
  • Pennsylvania State Capitol Historic building with a gold dome
  • Susquehanna Riverfront City Island, river walks, and boat launches
  • Covered bridges Scattered across the countryside
  • Farm stands and PA Dutch markets Fresh produce and local goods
  • Appalachian Trail access Near Carlisle and surrounding hills

Heritage and traditions

Harrisburg-Carlisle is proud of its role as the state capital, its deep Pennsylvania Dutch heritage, and the sweet legacy of Milton Hershey—plus a rich Civil War history and a resilient riverfront community.

This time of year in Harrisburg

  • Apple picking September-October Orchards around the area open in autumn for pick-your-own apples and cider.

Say it like a local: “spritzen” — to sprinkle or drizzle

Festivals

  • Harrisburg Artsfest May Memorial Day weekend celebration with juried art shows, live music, and food vendors along the riverfront.
  • Carlisle Summerfair June A juried arts and crafts festival in the historic downtown, featuring local artisans and live performances.
  • Harrisburg Wine and Jazz Festival June Wine tastings, jazz bands, and food trucks at Riverfront Park.
  • The Great Harrisburg BBQ Festival September Barbecue competitions, live music, and family activities on the city island.
  • Carlisle's Old Home Week July A community celebration with parades, historical reenactments, and local food.

Landmarks with a story

  • Fort Hunter An 18th-century frontier fort and mansion on the Susquehanna, now a museum with period gardens.
  • The National Civil War Museum A comprehensive museum in Harrisburg exploring the Civil War from both Union and Confederate perspectives.
  • U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center In Carlisle, this center preserves military history with exhibits and a walking trail.
  • Carlisle Indian Industrial School site The former boarding school for Native American children, now marked by a historic sign and cemetery.
  • Hershey Cemetery Final resting place of Milton and Catherine Hershey, with a simple marker and scenic views.
  • John Harris Mansion Home of the city's founder, now a private club but historically significant.

Food traditions

  • Scrapple A Pennsylvania Dutch breakfast meat made from pork scraps and cornmeal, often fried and served with maple syrup.
  • Chow-chow A pickled vegetable relish, a PA Dutch staple served as a condiment or side dish.
  • Apple butter Slow-cooked apple spread, often made in autumn at community 'apple butter boils'.
  • Fasnacht A potato-based doughnut traditionally eaten on Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday) before Lent.
  • Pennsylvania Dutch pot pie A hearty stew with square noodles, chicken, and vegetables, distinct from the baked pie version.

Music and arts

  • Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra A professional orchestra performing at the Forum and other venues, a cultural cornerstone.
  • Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet A renowned ballet school in Carlisle, known for its rigorous training and performances.
  • Susquehanna Art Museum A contemporary art museum in Harrisburg's Midtown, showcasing regional and national artists.
  • Hershey Theatre A historic venue hosting Broadway shows, concerts, and the Hershey Bears' mascot events.

A little history

  • 1712 John Harris establishes a ferry on the Susquehanna, founding the settlement that becomes Harrisburg.
  • 1794 Carlisle is a staging ground for the Whiskey Rebellion, with protests against the federal whiskey tax.
  • 1879 The Carlisle Indian Industrial School opens, one of the first off-reservation boarding schools for Native Americans.
  • 1903 Milton Hershey builds his chocolate factory in Derry Township, creating the town of Hershey.
  • 1906 The current Pennsylvania State Capitol is completed, a Beaux-Arts masterpiece.

Rivalries

  • Hershey Bears vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL hockey rivalry
  • Harrisburg Senators vs. Reading Fightin Phils AA baseball rivalry
  • Dickinson College vs. Gettysburg College Local college rivalry
  • Carlisle vs. Harrisburg for 'capital' bragging rights Friendly town pride
  • Game day Hershey Bears hockey
  • Game day Harrisburg Senators baseball
  • Outdoors Fishing for shad in the Susquehanna
  • Outdoors Birdwatching at Wildwood Park
  • With kids The National Civil War Museum
  • With kids Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts

Locals speak a Midland American English with a subtle Pennsylvania Dutch flavor. You might hear German-influenced words like 'red up' (to clean) and 'outten' (to turn off), and a slightly flat, friendly tone.

Only here

  • The Three Mile Island cooling towers are a silent landmark of a historic nuclear accident.
  • The Hershey Bears are the oldest continuously operating professional hockey team in North America.
  • You can tour a chocolate factory and see the state capitol in the same day.
  • The Appalachian Trail's midpoint is just north of here, in Duncannon.
New here? A few tips
  • Embrace the seasons: summers are hot and humid, winters cold and snowy—each has its own charm.
  • Learn the traffic patterns on I-83 and US-322; rush hour can be slow, especially around the Capitol.
  • Try a whoopie pie and a soft pretzel within your first week—they're local staples.
  • Take a free tour of the Pennsylvania State Capitol; the architecture is stunning.
  • Don't miss the Pennsylvania Farm Show in January—it's a huge state tradition.

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Part of Harrisburg area

Nearby

Every area
YorkPennsylvaniaFirst capital, forever homeLebanonPennsylvaniaLocal rooms for Lebanon Valley.Juniata CountyPennsylvaniaWhere the Juniata winds through quiet farmland.LancasterPennsylvaniaLocal rooms for Lancaster County.GettysburgPennsylvaniaA place where every field has a story.SelinsgrovePennsylvaniaQuiet river town with a heart of farmland.SunburyPennsylvaniaWhere the rivers meet and the hills hold storiesLewistownPennsylvaniaLocal rooms for Juniata Valley.

Harrisburg-Carlisle, 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.

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