Have you ever wondered how the capital city of Pennsylvania would be? If you haven’t then it is time I introduce you to the city adored by foodies, art lovers, nature enthusiasts and the people who love visiting museums- Harrisburg. The city is filled with almost every wonder and many wonders, rich in history and culture, there is something for everyone in Harrisburg. No matter how many times I visit this majestic place, I still can’t get enough of it. It feels like visiting more and more. In this blog, I’ll write about the attractions in Harrisburg area to enhance your vacation experience, make sure you read until the end.
Scenic Attractions Around Harrisburg, PA
We all look for outdoor recreation when we go for a vacation. I’ve visited a few charming spots in Harrisburg for some relaxation and peace, such as:
Riverfront Park Harrisburg Pennsylvania
An ideal spot for spending a day with your loved ones by exploring the wide green spaces and well-maintained paths all around. Me and my family absolutely loved this spot as we got to wander around and view the serene and scenic escapes through biking, strolling around the paths and riverwalk.
Our whole day was filled with activities and peaceful retreats in this charming Harrisburg parks and recreation which made the best of our vacation in the city.
| Location | 200 S Front St, Harrisburg, PA 17104 |
| Hours | 6 AM – 9:30 PM |
Wildwood Park
One of my favorite things to do in Harrisburg was to explore around this stunning park with my family and view the various art in the wild. Yes, that’s right, this park has seventeen art sites spread in a 3.1 mile loop, you may walk the trails or bike around the space and get the fresh air.
Spotting the wildlife and birding along with the wide flora and fauna of the natural areas was my partner’s thing, so we strolled around and was lucky enough to witness plenty of it. The outdoor opportunities in this park are just endless.
| Location | 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, PA 17110 |
| Hours | 6 AM – 7 PM |
Exciting Activities in Harrisburg, PA
The fun doesn’t end with scenic strolls, there is much to it, be a bit adventurous with hiking, amusement park adventures and a bit sporty with golfing and fishing. Now, let’s go through the unique things to do in Harrisburg, PA.
Hiking Trails in Harrisburg
Finding the treasure of the nature trails’ beauty is always a special feeling, so I decided to go for a hike in the serene trails of the region with my family. Which was a great decision as Harrisburg offers some of the best hiking trails with the views of wildlife and nature, it enhanced our family bonding and created something special between us and made hiking one of the fun activities in Harrisburg, PA.
The best part is Harrisburg has some really captivating trails of easy to hard difficulty, so we decided to check out all of them. Among those my personal picks are:
| Name | Difficulty | Length | Type |
| Boyd Big Tree Preserve | Easy to difficult | 0.9-5.3 miles | Primitive |
| Clark’s Valley – Victoria Trail | Moderate | 5.4 miles | Primitive |
| Detweiler Park | Easy to Moderate | 0.3-1.6 miles | Primitive |
| Hawk Rock | Moderate | 1.6-2.7 miles | Primitive |
Make sure you have the necessary gears for hiking such as:
- Extra food
- Navigation
- Med kit
- Clothing
- Head lamp
- Hiking shoes
- Sun protection
Amusement & Adventure Parks in Harrisburg, PA
I could never miss out on the fun of some amusement parks whenever I go for a vacation, especially when I’m with my children. From our recent visit to Harrisburg we went to two of their best adventure parks- Dutch Wonderland and Hershey Park.
Hershey Park is the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania with 15 roller coaster rides which was extremely thrilling and a huge water park. The best part of Hershey Park is they have seasonal events and rides along with seasonal passes. We made the best out of our summer getaway in Hershey Park. Oh, can’t forget the food trucks, they are such delicacies.
| Ticketing | $45-269
Pricing varies according to the packages |
| Hours | 11 AM-8 PM on Saturdays
11 AM-7 PM on Sundays Closed on Monday through Friday |
Now this one is a paradise for the children, my family had a fun-filled day of adventure with many giggles, swings, soar and scream with their rides. Dutch Wonderland provide many rides, events and attractions more than 35 for every person in a family, no worries about your age, anyone can enjoy there as even I had one of the best times of my life there. There are so many seasonal surprises and special events for everyone.
| Ticketing | $25-55 |
| Hours | 11 AM-6 PM on Saturday, Sundays
Closed on Monday through Fridays |
Golf in Harrisburg
Golfing in Harrisburg can be extremely fun and competitive as there are some amazing courses which can be challenging for every golfer which makes it more great. My favorite golf courses there are Dauphin Highlands and Sportsman’s Golf Course.
First up is Sportsman’s Golf Course which is perfect for all skill levels, they have 5,300 yards from the front tees to the championship tees of 6,600 yards. I played in every tees and had a great time in this 18 hole course while viewing the picturesque setting in the background.
| Events | Group Outings, Leagues |
| Amenities | Pro Shop, 19th Hole Bar + Grill |
Dauphin Highlands was always a prime golf course in Harrisburg for everyone in Harrisburg, with their challenging par 3 of 172 yards that ranges to a wide-open par 5 of 541 yards, I personally loved playing this 18 hole course. I would say that the 17th hole is their signature one that requires tee over to the green gentle slope from the natural ravine.
| Events | Outings & Tournaments |
| Amenities | Golf Shop, Practice Facility |
Fishing in Harrisburg
Fishing can always be a fun thing to do while on a vacation to improve our mental health. In Harrisburg I’ve visited some spots for fishing, and I felt like Clark’s Creek and the Juniata River are the best ones among them. Clark’s Creek is perfect for stroked trout and wild brown trout. The cold water running from the DeHart Reservoir makes it ideal for summer fishing.
However, the Juniata river is a combination of amazing scenery and fishing. We angled a lot of smallmouth bass and some muskies, rock bass and a few catfish too. I just loved the feeling of angling in these spots as a fishing enthusiast making it one of my things to do around Harrisburg.
Make sure you have the necessary equipment and fishing license under Pennsylvania State as it might be required in some parts.
Wrap Up
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania which is widely known for the rich history and beauty of nature is a renowned tourist destination in the whole world. This state capital of Pennsylvania offers something for everyone, as I’ve stated in the article from scenic outlooks to amusement parks and fishing fun, you will fall in love with this place.
Now, it is time for you to plan your next adventure in Harrisburg along with your friends and family and create some unforgettable memories of your life. Choose Holidaykeepers, select from an array of holiday homes that are away from the ordinary.
Contact us for any further doubts or queries.
