Pennsylvania's capital city and its surrounding areas promise a visit that is entertaining, educational, and

recreational.  Harrisburg sits upon the shores of the  Susquehanna River about 90 miles west of Philadelphia. The

State Capitol building features an impressive 272-foot dome, patterned after that of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The building’s elegant interior is a museum in itself with stained glass windows, 43 outstanding murals painted by Philadelphia artist Violet Oakley, and a grand spiral staircase made of marble.

Across from the capitol is the 68-acre City Park with several museums of natural science and history, including

the William Penn Memorial Museum. The State Museum of Pennsylvania, which covers the state's history from

prehistoric times to the present, displays many artifacts and work of art.  A Planetarium is also featured.

Whenever you visit, you will have four distinct seasons to enjoy it.  While the east coast of the state tends to

experience very hot temperatures, the summer in Harrisburg is actually quite pleasant.  It’s the perfect time to enjoy

Music Fest, the state’s largest holiday festival.  The pleasant warm temperatures linger far into autumn, with

October daytime temperatures in the 60’s F, making the change of seasons ideal for a stroll through one of the many

parks in the city.  You can expect a nice snowfall or two during the winter, so bundle up and get ready to enjoy some

of the many enjoyable outdoor winter activities. Spring brings a new day with temperatures averaging highs in the

60’s F and lows in the 40’s F.  Any season is a wonderful time to visit the city’s many museums and art galleries.

The Capital Area Greenbelt, a 20-mile parkway used for bicycling, jogging, walking, and nature studies, loops

around the city and passes through many scenic parks. Reservoir Park, 21st and Walnut streets, has art galleries,

gardens, plazas, fountains, playgrounds, basketball courts and other facilities. Riverfront Park, along a 5-mile

stretch of scenic waterfront, features sunken gardens, public art, and various memorials. Other recreational

facilities are in Italian Lake Park, 3rd and Division streets.

City Island, located in the middle of the Susquehanna River and only a few blocks from the State Capitol Building, has

been called Harrisburg’s Playground.  It’s a great place to spend time, whether day or night.  It is accessible to

pedestrians via the Walnut Street Bridge, as well as to limited vehicular traffic via the Market Street Bridge.  In

addition to being the “home port” for the Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat, it boasts two marinas and many other

attractions, including a beach for swimming, "Water Golf," a championship 18-hole miniature golf course, a mini steam train, a free nautical themed playground, Riverside Stadium home of the Harrisburg Senators (a baseball farm team for the Montreal Expos), Riverside Village Eatery, not to mention an arcade, batting cages and carriage rides. The whole family will love it!

Originally constructed to highlight the state’s extensive agricultural base, The Pennsylvania Farm Show Building

covers 14 acres at Cameron and Maclay Street. Among the many events held are the Pennsylvania Farm Show and the Auto Show in January, the Eastern Sportsman Show in February and the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in October.

Of special interest to Civil War buffs is the new Civil War Museum. Harrisburg also is a convenient distance to the

Gettysburg National Park, which is rich in historical documentation of the many aspects of the Civil War in

general and the Gettysburg battles in particular.

A visit to Harrisburg in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will reveal its natural beauty, its friendly and welcoming residents, and its many sites of historical significance.  The experience is sure to be memorable.

Population:                  52,376

Land area:                   8.1 square miles 

Time Zone:                  Eastern Time Zone (When its noon in Harrisburg, it’s 11:00am in

Chicago and 9:00am in Los Angeles). 

Harrisburg observes Daylight Savings Time from April – October

Location:                     The capital of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg rests on the Susquehanna River about 90 miles west of Philadelphia.

Weather:

Climate:

Local Seasons:

Harrisburg has four very distinct seasons.  As the capital of Pennsylvania, the city is located in the lower Susquahanna area near a plateau.  While the east coast of the state tends to experience very hot temperatures, the summer in Harrisburg is actually quite pleasant.  It’s the perfect time to enjoy MusicFest, the states largest Holiday festival.  The pleasant warm temperatures linger far into autumn, with October daytime temperatures in the 60’s F, making the change of seasons ideal for a stroll through one of the many parks in the city.  You can expect a nice snowfall or two during the winter so bundle up and get ready to enjoy some fun outdoor activities.  Or, if you prefer, a warm cup of cocoa by the fire is a terrific alternative.  Spring brings a new day with temperatures averaging a high in the 60’s F and lows in the 40’s F.  Why not take some time and visit one of the city’s museums or art galleries?  Whatever the season, Harrisburg has much for everyone to do and see. 

Getting There:

By car:

The Hershey-Capital Region of Pennsylvania is located right along the beautiful Susquehanna River, near the center of the Commonwealth.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-73) passes right through the center of this region, as does Interstates 81 and 83, and Pennsylvania Routes 11, 15, 322, 422, 74, and 743.

Numbered streets run north and south, parallel to the river. North-south addresses are divided by Market Street.

By Air:

Commercial flights land at Harrisburg International Airport (MDT), located about nine miles southeast of downtown Harrisburg on the east side of the Susquehanna River.

717-948-3900

Capital City Airport (HAR), located four miles south of downtown on the west side of the river, handles corporate flights.

717-774-0145

Transportation from airport to downtown

Rental Cars:

Most major rental car companies are located at or near the airports as well as downtown.

Taxi:

Cabs can be found at the main terminal at Harrisburg International.

At Capital City Airport, cabs must be ordered by phone.

Yellow Cab

717-944-0200

By Bus:

The city is served by Greyhound

411 Market St. Harrisburg PA 17101 717-255-6970

By Train:

Amtrak  Station

4th and Chestnut Sts. Harrisburg, PA 17101  

Getting Around Town:

The best way to get around town is by either rental or personal car. 

National Holidays:

New Year's Day: Jan. 1

Martin Luther King, Jr., Day: 3rd Mon. in Jan.

President's Day:  3rd Mon. in Feb.

Memorial Day: last Mon. in May

Independence Day: July 4

Labor Day: 1st Mon. in Sept.

Thanksgiving Day:  4th Thurs. in Nov.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: Dec. 24 and 25

New Year's Eve: Dec. 31

Events

 July

American MusicFest

Riverfront Park, City Island

717-255-3020

Admission Free, except for certain concerts.

The American MusicFest is Pennsylvania's largest Independence Weekend Music Festival. Hosting over 200 hours of musical entertainment with over 80 musical & entertainment performances, the American MusicFest offers you All Your Favorite Music, in One Weekend!!  The American MusicFest stretches over 12 blocks on Harrisburg's Riverfront Park and uses much of City Island for its activities and concerts. With eleven stages on Riverfront Park, City Island and downtown, the festival brings music from local, regional, national, and international artists and performers throughout the holiday weekend. As always the American MusicFest concludes with a Gala Fireworks extravaganza.

Call for exact dates and hours

July and August

Italian Lake Concert Series

Third and Division Streets

717-255-3020

Admission Free

Set among the beautifully restored Renaissance gardens of Italian Lake, the concert series features eclectic and versatile acts like the Arcona Reel Band, Dixieland Express Band and the klezmer group called Simple Gifts. The concert series also hosts string quartets, brass ensembles, big band and Dixieland style music.

Performances are given over six consecutive Sunday evenings during July and August.

September

Kipona

RiverFront Park & City Island Parallel to Susquehanna River)

717-255-3020

Kipona is Central Pennsylvania’s largest annual festival. One of the oldest annual festivals in the nation, Kipona (which means “sparkling water” in Native American language) was named one of the top ten festivals in the state by the Pennsylvania Festivals Association. Kipona activities include a Riverfront Park festival of food, children’s rides, entertainment from several stages, nightly barge concerts, the State Chili Cook-Off, drag boat races, arts and crafts, and a wide variety of other entertainment. The festival is capped by the largest fireworks display of the year.

November

Holiday Parade At A Glance

Downtown Harrisburg

Admission Free

The Harrisburg Holiday Parade is the largest annual parade in Central Pennsylvania. Each year thousands of spectators visit downtown Harrisburg to watch the parade in person, and thousands more enjoy the parade on television. The Parade features more than a dozen bands, several giant helium balloons, and a variety of specialty units and floats.

December 31

Countdown – Harrisburg’s New Year’s Eve Celebration

Downtown Harrisburg

717-255-3020

Admission Free

The Mayor’s annual New Year’s Eve Celebration features musical entertainment, food, hot drinks, jugglers, carriage rides, a fireworks display, and the dropping of a giant lighted strawberry at midnight to the delight of the crowds inside the City Government Center and outside on Market Square. Residents from Central Pennsylvania gather in downtown Harrisburg to ring in the New Year at the area’s largest New Year’s Eve Celebration. The New Year’s Eve Celebration will feature something for all ages, including live music, strolling jugglers, clowns, carriage rides, children's theatre performances, and plenty of food, drink, and merriment. The evening concludes as a giant lighted strawberry descends into Market Square and a fireworks and laser show illuminate the sky, ringing in the New Year with a bang.

Call for exact schedule and hours