

Located about an hour and a half northwest of Harrisburg in Centre Hall, it’s the only cave in Pennsylvania on the National Register of Historic Places, and it’s one of the most exciting day trips in Pennsylvania. Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Parkĭid you ever think it’d be possible to tour a cave by boat? It’s a possibility at Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park. You can also opt to have a picnic and enjoy 4 miles of trails at Colton Point State Park instead. Leonard Harrison State Park is where you can enjoy scenic views of the canyon and explore 585 acres of trails, waterfalls and wildlife. On a drive along the west rim, you might catch a glimpse of woodpeckers, wild turkeys or other migratory birds. If you’re still craving trains after the museum, make a stop at nearby Choo Choo Barn Traintown, USA, where you can observe a 1,700-square-foot miniature animated train display.ĭrive two hours north of Harrisburg to take in the breathtaking views at Pine Creek Gorge, also called the “Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania.” You can view this 1,000-foot-deep gorge from either Leonard Harrison State Park on the east side or Colton Point on the west. The Railroad Museum features one of the best collections of railroad artifacts in the entire world.ĭiscover and explore more than 100 locomotive and railroad cars, photographs, artifacts and art - all part of Pennsylvania’s railroading past. Railroads helped build this nation, and Pennsylvania was a major player in the railroad industry. Railroad Museum of PennsylvaniaĪ little over an hour from Harrisburg in Strasburg, Pennsylvania, is the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.

Now, the Fulton Opera House offers contemporary performances and is one of only eight theaters in the United States that is also a national historic landmark. See a show in this beautiful historic building or tour the theater and learn more about its history.Īfter the show, head down a few blocks to Spring House Brewing Company for arcade games and brews, or take a two-minute walk from the theater to visit their taproom on King Street.

In 1873, the center became the Fulton Opera House after a performance for orphans and widows of the Civil War. The back wall of the theater is the remains of the original jail. In the 1700s, the theater was the site of a jail and a massacre of Native Americans. The Fulton Theatre has a rich and fascinating history. There are tons of ways to spend a day in Lancaster, and one of our top choices revolves around a visit to the Fulton Opera House, also known as the Fulton Theatre.
#Things to do near lock have pa free#
Eisenhower’s farm and home just a short distance outside of town.ĭine at the 1776 Dobbin House Tavern for a meal in a historical setting and take their free tour, or sip on a craft cocktail at the Mason Dixon Distillery and Restaurant.Ībout an hour’s drive southeast of Harrisburg, you’ll find the historic city of Lancaster. Visit the Jennie Wade House, where Wade was killed by a Confederate bullet while she stood in her kitchen, or tour President Dwight D. There are also plenty of museums to tour in Gettysburg. Make sure to visit the eerie rock structures of Devil’s Den and peer out of the castle-shaped observation deck at Little Round Top on your tour. Tour the 6,000-acre Civil War military park on your own, in your car or with a guided tour by Segway, carriage, bus or horse. You can easily make a day out of a trip to Gettysburg. All this history is only 47 minutes away from Harrisburg. An estimated 51,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing by the end of the battle. The Battle of Gettysburg took place from July 1 to July 3, 1863, and thousands of soldiers lost their lives. Gettysburg is the site of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. Here’s a list of the best day trips in Central Pennsylvania, all of which can easily turn into memorable day trips. Best of all, many of them are free or affordable. With several cities in the area, like York and Lancaster, and numerous quaint towns scattered throughout the region, plenty of indoor and outdoor activities are available. There are plenty of unique day trips in Central Pennsylvania. But you don’t have to drive a couple of hours to have a great time, either. If you live in the Harrisburg area, you already know you’re not too far from major cities like Philadelphia and New York City. There are so many fun things to do in Pennsylvania.
