Attractions & Landmarks
The Capitol, City Island, the Walnut Street Bridge, Broad Street Market, and the historic downtown.
Things to Do in Harrisburg, PA
Everything worth doing in and around the capital city, sorted by category, plus the best free and family-friendly picks.
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By category
Museums
The Civil War, fire-fighting history, contemporary art, historic mansions, and hands-on science.
Parks, Lakes & Trails
Wildwood Lake, Italian Lake, Reservoir Park, the 20-mile Greenbelt, and the riverfront.
Events & Festivals
The Farm Show, Kipona, Artsfest, Pride, Juneteenth, July 4th, and monthly art walks, with dates.
Hershey & Hersheypark
Coasters, ZooAmerica, Hershey Gardens, and the free chocolate tour ride.
Day Trips
Gettysburg, Lancaster County, Carlisle, York, and Philadelphia by train.
Budget-friendly
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Free things to do in Harrisburg
Free
Tour the State Capitol
Guided tours are free every half hour on weekdays (8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.) and at 9, 11, 1, and 3 on weekends and most holidays.
Free
Walk the Walnut Street Bridge
Cross from Front Street to City Island on the 1890 pedestrian bridge. It's the best sunset view in the city.
Free
Susquehanna Art Museum
Contemporary art in Midtown. Admission is always free, with free parking behind the building.
Free
Wildwood Park trails
Six miles of trails and a mile of boardwalk. Open daily, dawn to dusk.
Free
Hershey's Chocolate World tour ride
Admission and the classic chocolate tour ride are free year-round. Other attractions inside are ticketed.
Free
3rd in the Burg
A free gallery walk every third Friday, 6–9 p.m., across Midtown and downtown.
Family-friendly
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Things to do with kids
Harrisburg Senators baseball
Double-A baseball on City Island from April to September, with fireworks nights all summer.
Whitaker Center science center
Hands-on science downtown. Open Monday and Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Pride of the Susquehanna
A 45-minute paddle-wheel cruise from City Island. Kids 3–12 ride for $10.
Hersheypark & ZooAmerica
Pennsylvania's biggest amusement park, about 15 miles east.
Olewine Nature Center
Live animals and exhibits at Wildwood Park, Tuesday–Sunday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free.
Local picks
Sample itineraries
Rainy-day plan
Start at the National Civil War Museum, which takes 2–3 hours. Then lunch at the Broad Street Market Stone Building, an afternoon at the Whitaker Center or the free Susquehanna Art Museum, and books and coffee at the Midtown Scholar.
Perfect summer Saturday
Coffee in Midtown, then the Saturday market on 3rd Street. Walk the Walnut Street Bridge to City Island for a riverboat cruise. Grab dinner on 2nd Street and finish at a Senators game with fireworks.