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

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