Top Things To Do In Harrisburg

p>Harrisburg is located in Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna Valley. As a hub for both railroad and water transportation, Harrisburg played an important role in the American Civil War. Today, that historic tradition is maintained in the city’s many museums and renovated cultural centers. Its proximity to the entertainment in Hershey, PA and the Susquehanna River make it a prime destination for thrill seekers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Here’s how to make the most of your time in this fun-loving city.

Online Booking - Round of Golf at Tree Top Golf Course
Online Booking - Round of Golf at Tree Top Golf Course
1624 Creek Road, Manheim21.2 mi
3.8
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
icon-blank icon
23 ratings
$11
Tee Times
VIP Wine-Tasting Package with Tour and Wine Glasses for Two or Four at West Hanover Winery (Up to 48% Off)
Up to 48% Off VIP Wine-Tasting Package at West Hanover Winery
7646 Jonestown Road, Harrisburg9.4 mi
4.5
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
443 ratings
$48 $33
31% discount_off
Wine Tasting with Cheese, Crackers, Chocolates, Winery Tour and Wine Glasses for Two People
Two-Hour Stained Glass Workshop for One or Two at Rainbow Vision Stained Glass (Up to 49% Off)
Up to 49% Off Two-Hour Stained Glass Workshop
3105 Walnut St, Harrisburg2.2 mi
4.9
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
521 ratings
$50 $26
48% discount_off
2 Hour Introductory Stained Glass Workshop for One
2, 3, 4, 6, or 12 Paintball Passes with Safety Gear and Gun Rental from Paintball USA Tickets (Up to 90% Off)
Paintball USA Tickets — Up to 90% Off
15 Locations7.5 mi
4.3
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
11,196 ratings
$70 $9
87% discount_off
Two Open-Play Passes with Safety Gear and Gun Rental for Two People
$99 for Paintball Package for Up to Six People at Outdoor Xtreme Linglestown ($254 Value)
61% Off Paintball Package for Up to Six at Outdoor Xtreme
1 Iru Lane, Harrisburg7.5 mi
4.9
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
76 ratings
$254 $99
61% discount_off
Paintball Package for Up to Six People
Glass-Fusing Pendant Workshop for One or Two at Rainbow Vision Stained Glass (Up to 55% Off)
Up to 55% Off Glass-Fusing Pendant Workshop
3105 Walnut St, Harrisburg2.2 mi
4.9
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
521 ratings
$50 $25
50% discount_off
Glass fusing pendant workshop for one person
Paintball Open-Play Admission Passes from Paintball Promos Passes (Up to 93% off)
Paintball Open-Play Admission Passes from Paintball Promos Passes
14 Locations7.5 mi
4.5
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
206 ratings
$70 $7
90% discount_off
Two Open Play Passes for Admission, Gun and Mask Rental (paintball and air not included)
Up to 13% Off on Kids Fitness Classes at Hershey HIIT
Up to 13% Off on Kids Fitness Classes at Hershey HIIT
628 Walnut Avenue, Harrisburg8.6 mi
$75 $65
13% discount_off
One Hour Kids Fitness Classes
$14.95 for Scavenger Hunt Game for One Group at It's A Scavenger Hunt! ($44.95 Value)
67% Off Scavenger Hunt Game at It's A Scavenger Hunt!
online_deal
3.4
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
icon-blank icon
5 ratings
$44.95 $14.95
67% discount_off
Scavenger Hunt Game for One Team (Up to 4 Players)

Pennsylvania’s capital has many different things to see. Explore the state capitol building or get front-row seats to a Senators game, just some of the top things to do in Harrisburg.

Below are some of the best things to do near Harrisburg:

  • Explore the Pennsylvania State Capitol, one of the most renowned capitol buildings in the nation for its priceless architecture
  • Spend an afternoon viewing civil war artifacts at The National Civil War Museum
  • Cheer on the Harrisburg Senators as they take on their rivals at FNB Baseball Field
  • Marvel at the natural beauty of the Susquehanna River on a lively 3-course dinner cruise
  • Make your own chocolate at the nearby Hershey Chocolate Museum in Hershey, PA

Events in HarrisburgView All

Up to 30% Off on Cinema / Movie Theater at Reel Cinemas Lancaster 7
Up to 30% Off on Cinema / Movie Theater at Reel Cinemas Lancaster 7
1500 Christopher Place, Lancaster32.4 mi
4.8
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
2,274 ratings
$30.50 $21.50
30% discount_off
Two General-Admission Tickets to Any Movie
One-, Two-, or Three-Day Ticket to Busch Gardens and Water Country USA (Up to 50% Off)
Up to 50% Off Admission to Busch Gardens Williamsburg
2 Locations
4.8
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
4,391 ratings
$104.99 $72.99
30% discount_off
Single-Day Admission to Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Ages 3+): Valid Through 11/05/2023
Entrance Tickets and Store Credit at World of Little League Museum and Official Store (51% Off)
51% Off at World of Little League Museum and Official Store
525 U.S. 15, South Williamsport
4.8
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
92 ratings
$21 $10.50
50% discount_off
Admission for four: includes four entry tickets, four audio tour-guide rentals, and a $10 in-store credit
Experience the World from a New Perspective at One World Observatory - Your Iconic Landmark Destination!
The City from Above: One World Observatory's Spectacular Skyline Views
285 Fulton Street, New York
4.7
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
7,471 ratings
$48 $33
31% discount_off
Standard Admission Experience for One Adult (Ages 13–64)
Busch Gardens Tampa Admission with All-Day Dining Option, 2- or 3-Park, or Unlimited Visits (Up to 45% Off)
Up to 45% Off Admission to Busch Gardens Tampa
10165 McKinley Drive, Tampa
4.5
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
406 ratings
$134.99 $94.99
30% discount_off
Busch Gardens Tampa Single Week Day Admission with All-Day Dining: Valid 365 days from purchase
3 Hour Dinner Theater Ticket Pass - Magic Variety Show
3 Hour Dinner Theater Ticket Pass - Magic Variety Show
online_deal
$65
3 Hour Dinner Theater Ticket Pass - Magic Variety Show
KIDZ BOP Never Stop Live Tour on August 12 at 6 p.m.
KIDZ BOP Never Stop Live Tour - Up to 43% Off
550 W Hersheypark Dr., Hershey
$52.50 $30
43% discount_off
KIDZ BOP Never Stop Live Tour at GIANT Center on August 12, 2023
260+ bought
1-Day Admission to LEGOLAND® New York Resort (Up to 41% Off)
Admission to LEGOLAND® New York Resort
One LEGOLAND Dr., Goshen
4.4
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
176 ratings
$101.64 $60.20
41% discount_off
LEGOLAND New York Admission (Ages 3+)
Limited Time Offer: Buy 2 Days, Get 3 Days FREE! Valid for Select Promo Tickets. Save Up to $166 on Select Dates.
Limited Time Deal- Buy 2 Days, Get 3 Days FREE with Select Tickets*
6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando
$164
PROMO: Buy 2-Day Ticket, Get 3 Days Free
10,000+ bought

Ride a roller coaster at Hersheypark if excitement is the mood. For something more tranquil, go bird watching in a nearby nature preserve.

Below are a few popular attractions near Harrisburg:

  • Catch an exclusive touring performance at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center
  • Enjoy the serene stained glass scenes splayed across the walls of the Cathedral of St. Patrick
  • Venture to the Susquehanna Art Museum, a bank-turned-art-museum in midtown featuring original exhibitions and performances
  • Explore more than 35 acres of natural wildlife habitat at the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo
  • Cast off from Penn’s landing to enjoy the panoramic sunset views aboard the Spirit of Philadelphia

Harrisburg offers something new to try each and every day. Try a variety of fine cheeses at a local creamery or bike along the riverfront.

Below are a few examples of exciting activities near Harrisburg:

  • Try an eccentric iced coffee cocktail at the Midstate Distillery
  • Picnic on the bluff of Fort Hunter Park before touring the Fort Hunter Mansion
  • Spend the day biking along Riverfront Park and the Capital Area Greenbelt
  • Catch some thrills on one of Hersheypark’s world class roller coasters
  • Milk an afternoon at the Caputo Brothers Creamery with a cheese tour or Farm Table Dinner

Looking for things to do in Harrisburg at night? Ghost hunt the city’s historic ghouls on a nighttime tour or enjoy a pint at one of the Harrisburg’s social brewery tasting rooms.

Below are some nighttime activities near Harrisburg:

  • Spend a few hours enjoying a variety of local ales and lagers at the Appalachian Brewing Co. Brewpub
  • Enjoy a night of orchestral music at the Harrisburg Symphony
  • Become a ghost hunter for an hour on a Gettysburg Ghost Tour
  • Choose from over 30 different wines by the glass at Ad Lib Craft Kitchen & Bar
  • Get down on the dancefloor at Level 2, an upscale lounge downtown

Watch the kids rejoice at the chocolate-themed Hersheypark amusement park, engage with local heroes at the firefighter museum or burn rubber at the go-kart track. Harrisburg is brimming with fun things to do with kids.

A few family-friendly things to do near Harrisburg include:

  • Learning all about Pennsylvania firefighter heritage at the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum
  • Racing against friends and family in a personal go-kart at Autobahn Indoor Speedway & Events
  • Delight kids and ‘kids at heart’ at Land of Little Horses Farm Park, where performing animals take the stage to share giggles galore
  • Entering a colorful miniature world of handcrafted buildings and operating railroads at Roadside America
  • Taking a family-friendly ghost tour with Gettysburg Ghost Tours for spooky stories and laughs

If it’s raining, no need to stay at home. Harrison’s museums, movie theaters, and bookshops allow for plenty to explore.

A few examples of Harrisburg indoor activities include:

  • Visiting the Broad Street indoor Farmers Market, the oldest continuously operated market hours in the U.S., for fresh produce and meats
  • Seeing a blockbuster film at Westshore Movie Theater
  • Sipping a chai tea latte with your head buried in a book at Midtown Scholar Bookstore and Cafe
  • Exploring the atrium shops and upscale retailers at Strawberry Square
  • Enjoying the handmade sculpture and visual art inside the Village Artisans Gallery

Harrisburg is home to many green spaces that welcome visitors to relax for a bit. That includes Reservoir Park, Wildwood Park, Riverfront Park, and the Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area.

Here are a few outdoor things to do in Harrisburg:

  • Bike ride along the well-kept trails at Riverfront Park
  • Gasp at the drama of a Shakespeare in the Park Performance at Reservoir Park
  • Explore Cherry Crest Adventure Farm, the 5-acre corn maze, pumpkin patch, slides, wagon rides, and petting zoo
  • Leisurely sip a warm cider at Strites Orchard
  • Stargaze from your campsite at Little Buffalo State Park