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Harrisburg is the
capital of Pennsylvania. And it is a very interesting city for tourists
as well as residents. As you can see on this page, there is much to see.
One place - perhaps not an 'attraction' as usually perceived, is
Harrisburg's Riverfront Park, a five mile, scenic 'green area' bordering
the Susquehanna River. We have enjoyed the sunken gardens in this park;
it has been a great break after driving down the Interstate for hours.
Visitors'
Center - From I-81 take exit 66 and head southbound on Front Street. The Harrisburg Regional Chamber Visitors' Center is almost 5 blocks south of the Interstate at 3211 North Front Street, Suite 201. For more information, phone 1-717-232-4099. While not the primary tourism promotion agency for the area they do have some literature and can answer many of your questions.
The official tourism promotion agency for this region is the Hershey-Capital Region Visitors Bureau. Their offices are in the Harrisburg Transportation Center at 4th & Chestnut Streets, a rather rather inconvenient location. They do have a toll free phone, 1-800-995-0969, and are set up to respond to telephone inquiries. They will also mail out a tourist package if you so
request.
Our favorite hotel
is the Quality
Inn
right off I-81 (exit 72-A if northbound; 72 if southbound) Rooms are
(typically) between $50 and $60 and include refrigerators, microwaves
and dataports (if you bring along your notebook computer as we always
do). They also have suites (great if you're traveling with kids) which
(typically) are between $70 and $80.
»
click
here to reserve your room
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Art Association of Harrisburg
(School and Galleries) - The primary gallery for local artists. This is also an 'art school' and is heavily involved in supplying art for display throughout Harrisburg.
Gallery hours: Monday through Thursday from 9:30a to 9p; Fridays from 9:30a to 4p; Saturdays from 10a to 4p and Sundays from 2 to 5p.
For more information, phone 717-236-1432 or visit their web page:
AAH.
From I-81 take exit 59 and follow the PA-581 freeway. When you reach its merge with I-83, continue (northbound) toward downtown Harrisburg, crossing the Susquehanna River, to the first exit on the other side of the bridge (exit 43). After you exit, take the first left turn (Paxton St), and at the end of the street bear right onto Front Street. The Galleries are 6 blocks from the first set of tracks at 21 North Front Street.
From the Visitors' Center (see
above) just continue, southbound, down Front Street to their location at 21 North Front Street.
Doll House Museum - Features a display of some 5,000 dolls plus doll houses ranging from the tiny to the huge and some are truly works of art.
For hours of operation and other information, phone 1-717-233-3099.
From I-81, take exit 67. If northbound, keep to the right on the off ramp to head southbound on the US-22 freeway).
If southbound, keep to the left. Then follow US-22 southbound. US-22 becomes Arsenal Blvd and, then, Herr Street. Immediately after becoming Herr Street is the intersection of 20th Street. Turn right and follow 20th to State Street (9 blocks). The Museum is around the corner to your left at 2004 State Street.
Fort Hunter Mansion & Park
- Sited on a bluff overlooking the beautiful Susquehanna River, this is a combination historic and 40-acre recreational park including the Fort Hunter Mansion (now a museum) and other buildings of historic significance plus nature areas (and a beautiful nature walk), picnic facilities and children's playground.
Open from May through December (inclusive), Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30a to 4:30p; Sundays from noon to 4:30p. Admission $4; students $2.
For more information, phone 1-717-599-5751 or visit their web site:
FtHunter. Note: You can download their 'Walking Brochure' (in
.pdf format) - the icon is at the bottom of their web page.
From I-81, take exit 67. If northbound, stay to the left on the off-ramp to head northbound on the US-22 freeway. If southbound, you must stay to the right. Continue on US-22 to the Linglestown Rd (PA-39) exit. At the end of the off-ramp, turn left, drive to the end of the street and turn right on Front Street. The Park and Mansion are at 5300 North Front
Street.
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National Civil War Museum
- To quote from their literature: "The only museum in The United States that portrays the entire story of the American Civil War. Equally balanced presentations are humanistic in nature without bias to Union or Confederate causes."
Open Monday through Saturday from 10a to 5p; Sundays from noon to 5p. Admission: $7; students, $5. For complete schedule of fees, see
HoursFees.
For more information, phone 1-717-260-1861 or 1-866-BLU-GRAY (toll free) - or - visit their web site:
NatlCivilWar.
From I-81, take exit 69 (North Progress Avenue) and turn right at the end of the off-ramp. Follow Progress Avenue southbound to Walnut Street (US-22) and turn right. Follow Walnut to the Parkside Cafe (about 2.5 miles). US-22 bears right at Herr Street but you must stay on Walnut.)
Turn left at the Parkside Cafe (immediately after the intersection of Parkway Blvd) into the entrance to Reservoir Park and proceed up the hill to the parking area.
Pennsylvania National Fire Museum
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Dedicated to Harrisburg's fire department, the museum provides an accurate and complete history of
fire fighting in the Harrisburg area. On display are many items related to fighting fires. The building, originally housing Reily Hose Company #10, was first placed in service in 1899 and has been completely restored.
Open Tuesday through Friday from 10a to 4p; Saturdays from 10a to 5p and Sundays from 1 to 5p. Note: We were told that they are not always open on weekends but someone will be there if you call ahead the week before.
For more information, phone 1-717-232-8915. We found an un-official web site on AOL at:
FireMuseum.
From I-81, take exit 67 (keep to the right on the off ramp to head southbound on the US-22 freeway) and follow US-22 to Maclay Street. Turn right and continue on Maclay to 4th Street. Turn left and the
Fire Museum is on the corner of Dauphin Street (1820 N. Fourth Street)..
West Hanover Winery - The first - and only - operating winery in the area, the West Hanover Winery has become an entertainment center. Frequent concerts (you may just catch one of them).
For more information, phone 1-800-532-7994 (Toll Free).
From I-81 take exit 77. If northbound, turn right; if southbound, turn left. Follow PA-39 (Hershey Road) to Jonestown Road (2 blocks from the Interstate) and turn right. The winery is at 7646 Jonestown Road (about a mile from Hershey Road).
Whitaker Center for Science & the Arts
- As of this writing, the Whitaker Center is unique in the United States. This huge set of buildings, encompasses a total of 130,000 square feet, presents science and the arts approaching the arts from a science perspective. Exhibits, many of them 'hands-on', are complemented by several large-format multi-media theatres (including an IMAX® Theater) to fulfill the Whitaker
objective of educating while entertaining. If you are traveling with children, this is a 'must see' attraction. We urge you to spend some time perusing their web site:
Whitaker.
Hours of operation are different for each of the six venues. Please consult the schedules page of their website for current schedules:
Schedule.
'THE BOX' is the central ticket source for the Harsco Science Center, Select Medical IMAX® Theater, Sunoco Performance Theater and all other events at the Whitaker Center.
For details on admission fees and discounts, please consult their web site:
tickets.
For more information, phone 1-717-221-8201 or visit their web site:
Whitaker.
From I-81 take exit 59 and follow the PA-581 freeway to where it joins I-83 northbound (heading toward Harrisburg
downtown). Continue on I083 northbound to exit 43 (2nd Street). Follow 2nd Street to Market Street (4th stoplight) and turn right onto Market Street. Follow signs for parking. Whitaker Center is located at 222 Market Street. For information, location and parking discounts, see:
parking.
Wildwood Lake Sanctuary
- This 212-acre combination of lake, wetland, forest, meadow, and stream features a network of trails and boardwalks. Two of the boardwalks are handicapped accessible. Bird blinds and spotting scopes help increase the enjoyment by visitors and others not having binoculars.
Open from dawn to dusk. Admission: FREE!
For more information, phone 1-717-221-0292 or visit their web site:
WildwoodLake.
From I-81 take exit 67. If northbound, stay to the right on the off-ramp to get on the US-22 Freeway southbound. If southbound, stay to the left. Follow US-22 south to the end of the freeway at Maclay Street. Turn right here and go to Industrial Road. Turn right and follow Industrial Road to Wildwood Way (just on the other side of the Interstate). The entrance will be to your right at 100 Wildwood
Way.
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Hotels
in Harrisburg
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