Overview
Harrisburg is the capital and 4th-largest metropolitan area of Pennsylvania, with a metro population of 592,000 people in 2020. Harrisburg is known as the host city of the Pennsylvania Farm Show, the largest free indoor agriculture exposition in the United States, the largest annual outdoor sports show in North America, an auto show, which features a large static display of new and classic cars, and Motorama, a two-day event consisting of a car show, motocross racing, and remote control car racing.
13 sights · 12 things to do · 6 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 8 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Harrisburg
State Capitol Building
The Capitol was designed in the American Renaissance Style by Philadelphia Architect Joseph-Huston (1866-1940), who envisioned the building as a "Palace of Art". Built and furnished at a cost of $13 million, the Capitol …
The State Museum of Pennsylvania
National Civil War Museum
The only museum in The United States that portrays the entire story of the American Civil War. Equally balanced presentations are humanistic in nature without bias to Union or Confederate causes. Open 7 days a week April…
Whitaker Center / IMAX
The mission of Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts is to serve as the center for scientific, artistic, cultural and educational activities to enhance the region's quality of life and economic vitality.
Pennsylvania National Fire Museum
The sights, sounds and history of firefighting come to life at The Pennsylvania National Fire Museum. Housed in the 1899 Victorian firehouse Reily Hose Company No. 10, the museum houses an outstanding collection of artif…
Walnut Street Bridge
The Walnut Street Bridge is an historic truss bridge connecting the east side of the city to the center of City Island. The bridge is a popular tourist destination even for those not interested in bridges. It has a compl…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 30°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jul and Sep. (climate data from nearby Baltimore)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MDT Harrisburg International Airport, Harrisburg — 8 mi away. Directions
- LNS Lancaster Airport, Lancaster — 32 mi away. Directions
- BWI Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Baltimore — 76 mi away (major hub). Directions
Harrisburg is served by a rather extensive highway system for a city of its size. Interstate 81, 83 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Interstate 76 all travel through or near the city. The Capital Beltway is comprised of I-81 to the north, I-83 to the east and south and PA-581 to the west of the city. U.S. Routes 22 and 322 also pass through the city and U.S. 11 and 15 pass just to the west.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning State Capitol Building, The State Museum of Pennsylvania, Gallery at Second
- Lunch Broad Street Market
- Afternoon Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center, Stage On Herr
- Dinner Cragin's Brick Haus Restaurant
- Evening Cafe Fresco
Day 2
- Morning Pennsylvania National Fire Museum, Midtown Cinema, Theatre Harrisburg
- Lunch Alvaro Bread and Pastry Shoppe
- Afternoon The Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat, Kipona
- Dinner Anastacia's Restaurant and Bar
- Evening Appalachian Brewing Company
Day 3
- Morning Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station, Salem United Church of Christ
- Lunch Palumbo's Italian Eatery
- Afternoon July 4th Food Truck Festival & Fireworks, Italian Lake Concert Series
- Dinner Ciervo's Pizza
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
During the week, you should have no problem finding a place to eat without much wait, but the weekends (especially in the summer) may require a bit of a wait at the popular restaurants during their prime time dinner crowd.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The Susquehanna River runs along the western edge of the city. It is the largest non-navigable river in the eastern USA, but has numerous small islands, and is an excellent recreational resource.
The city began in 1710 when John Harris built a trading post and later his son started a ferry.
Tourist information
- Visit Hershey Harrisburg website
Get in
By plane
Go Harrisburg International Airport (MDT)
Just outside of Harrisburg, in Middletown. You can get to the city by rental car, taxi, bus, or hotel shuttles which are accessible via the Multi-Modal Transportation Facility (MMTF).
Go Capital City Airport (HAR)
Across the Susquehanna river, in New Cumberland. You can get to the city by rental car, taxi, bus, or hotel shuttles. This is a general aviation airport with no scheduled flight, so you have to charter or fly your own plane into it.
By train
- Routes stopping at Harrisburg:
- Keystone multiple trips per day between Harrisburg and New York City with stops in Elizabethtown, Lancaster, Coatesville, Downingtown, Exton, Paoli, Ardmore, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Newark. Some trips operate between Harrisburg and Philadelphia.
- Pennsylvanian operates daily between Pittsburgh and New York City with stops in Greensburg, Latrobe, Johnstown, Altoona, Huntingdon, Lewistown, Harrisburg, Elizabethtown, Lancaster, Exton, Paoli, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Newark.
By car
Harrisburg is served by a rather extensive highway system for a city of its size. Interstate 81, 83 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Interstate 76 all travel through or near the city. The Capital Beltway is comprised of I-81 to the north, I-83 to the east and south and PA-581 to the west of the city. U.S. Routes 22 and 322 also pass through the city and U.S. 11 and 15 pass just to the west.
By bus
Capitol Area Transit (CAT) is the regional bus service for the greater Harrisburg area. Travelers to Harrisburg from Cumberland and Dauphin Counties can travel via CAT. CAT is also a convenient means of transportation from Harrisburg International Airport (HIA).
Place Rabbittransit
Weekday RabbitEXPRESS service from York on Route 83N and from Gettysburg on Route 15N.
By foot
The Appalachian Trail is just west of the city.
Get around
By car
Parking - meter parking is enforced M-Sa 8AM-7PM. The typical cost is $3 per hour with 15 minutes increments. Parking garages charges around $4 for 30 minutes or less and then escalating beyond that. Garages and metered parking are run by the Harrisburg Parking Authority.
By foot or bike
Harrisburg is a very walkable city, especially the downtown, midtown and uptown sections which are laid out in a simple grid without much change in grade. There are many beautiful walking and biking trails that run along the Susquehanna River. You can also walk or ride your bike across the Walnut St. Bridge to City Island without worrying about safety because it is blocked off to cars.
By bus
Rabbit Transit provides bus service in and around Harrisburg. Most routes run every hour, and the schedules are on Google Maps, the Transit App and Rabbit's website. You can use cash or by tickets on the Transit App.
By taxi
By limo
- Londonderry Limo Harrisburg Limo Service +1 717-838-8050.
See
Harrisburg has been an important location for statewide transportation since selected as the capital of Pennsylvania in 1812. The canal system and subsequent development of railroads, highways and airlines in the early century played a key role in transforming Harrisburg into a commercial and distribution center for Pennsylvania and the east. The city is 80 miles (130 km) north of Baltimore, 100 miles (160 km) west of Philadelphia, and 100 miles (160 km) north of Washington D.C.
See State Capitol Building
The Capitol was designed in the American Renaissance Style by Philadelphia Architect Joseph-Huston (1866-1940), who envisioned the building as a "Palace of Art". Built and furnished at a cost of $13 million, the Capitol features paintings, stained glass and furnishings by some of the best artisans of the day. The state capitol of Pennsylvania is a beautiful architectural masterpiece that encompasses many artistic designs and marvels. The capitol building is an Italian Renaissance-style statehouse. It includes collections of art, sculptures and large murals. On the floor of the main hallway are tiles that show Pennsylvania's history, symbols, insects and animals. The capitol dome rises 272 feet (83 m), and was modeled after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, and it's magnificent staircase looks like one from the Paris Opera. Over 100,000 people per year enjoy a free tour of Harrisburg's Capitol building. The tour is about a half hour long, and takes you through some of its most impressive rooms, including Italian in the House Chamber, French in the Senate Chamber and the English in the Governor's Reception Room. These are just a few of the capitol's over 600 rooms. The Welcome Center at the Capitol teaches about Pennsylvania's Government by displaying 18 informative exhibits allowing visitors to read, listen, touch, and interact with the displays.
See Pennsylvania National Fire Museum
The sights, sounds and history of firefighting come to life at The Pennsylvania National Fire Museum. Housed in the 1899 Victorian firehouse Reily Hose Company No. 10, the museum houses an outstanding collection of artifacts from the hand-drawn equipment of yesterday to the modern tools of today.
See Walnut Street Bridge (People's Bridge)
The Walnut Street Bridge is an historic truss bridge connecting the east side of the city to the center of City Island. The bridge is a popular tourist destination even for those not interested in bridges. It has a complex and interesting history. See the Wikipedia article for more information. Because it is so popular, it gets busy frequently. For those looking to tour the bridge, either in part or in full, it is recommended that you do so during the mid-morning hours (9AM-noon) on Sunday and Monday. Tuesday-Saturday tend to be busier days as there are more activities on City Island midweek. Pedestrians should walk on the bridge on the steel grid grating section of the deck and bicycles should use the paved concrete side of the deck.
See Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station (TMI)
The worst commercial nuclear accident in the United States happened here on March 28, 1979, when Reactor #2 suffered a partial meltdown. Look for the historical marker and take some memorable photos before the remaining reactor shuts down in 2019.
See Cathedral of Saint Patrick
Roman Catholic cathedral and mother church of the Diocese of Harrisburg. The Baroque Revival style cathedral was completed in 1907.
Galleries and art
Do
Theaters
Do The Gamut Classic Theatre
Located in Strawberry Square, has its own Shakespeare Festival that puts on a few plays each year for a few weeks at a time. Tickets are $25 ($17 for students and seniors), with buy-one-get-one-free discounts on Fridays and "Bring Your Own Price" discounts on Sundays. During the summer, the theatre also puts on a free production of a Shakspeare play in Reservoir Park. The Gamut is also the home of the Popcorn Hat Player's Children's Theatre. Tickets are $6.
Do Stage On Herr (Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center)
The newest addition to Harrisburg's theater scene. A 3,500 square foot (330 m2) venue with soaring ceilings in a former gym, the space has been renovated and is now home to plays, concerts, comedy, art, parties and more. This is now closed as of April 2026.
Other
- Appalachian Trail
- Riverfront Park and City Island. Along the banks of the Susquehanna you can enjoy a scenic bike ride, cruise the river on the Pride of the Susquehanna, or rent a canoe, paddleboat, or jet ski to experience all the Susquehanna River has to offer. Riverfront Park is also popular for afternoon lunches and provides an unbeatable view of Harrisburg's July 4th fireworks and Labor Day Weekend's Kipona Celebration, which includes a street festival, chili Cook-Off, boat race, and amusement rides.
- City Island, . A unique park that sits in the center of the Susquehanna River, accessible by the east side of the Walnut St. Bridge, and is home to small shops, miniature golf, a restored carousel, train, carriage rides, and the Senators, a minor league baseball team. Home games for the Senators usually start at 6:35PM, and Sundays at 1:05PM, with box seats only costing $8 and general admission $5. The Riverside Village Park offers a variety of food from crab cakes to ice cream and is open daily from 11AM-8PM after May 13th. Water Golf, City Island's 18 hole miniature golf course costs $5.50 for adults and $4.50 for children.
Do The Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat
Harrisburg’s authentic paddlewheel riverboat is docked on City Island and offers 45 min public cruises throughout the summer for $9 for adults and $4 for children. The Pride also hosts dinner cruises once a week or you may rent the boat for a private party. City Island also gives horse drawn carriage rides that tour the island and can be reserved for special occasions. Or you can choose to tour the island on The General, City Island's Civil War-Era steam train that is located next to the carousel. Harrisburg and City Island also have two working marinas to dock your boat, a sandy beach for swimming, volleyball courts, and a multipurpose grass field for sports and concerts that is available for rent.
Do Pennsylvania Farm Show
Usually held about the second full week of January, the Pennsylvania Farm Show is the largest indoor agricultural event in America. See Champion Horse Pulling Contests, Sheep-to-Shawl Contest, Square Dance Contest, Arena Carriage Racing, Livestock judging and more. Many Pennsylvania Farm products are on display. Parking is offsite, often for a $5-10 fee. The best reason to go is the food!
Festivals and parades
Harrisburg is known for its many parades and street festivals that take place, especially in the summer time.
Learn
Buy
Shop The Shops on Third
A little more upscale shopping than Strawberry Square. They include such shops as the famous Sparky and Clarks, as well as other one of a kind boutiques.
Shop Broad Street Market
Comprised of two large historic buildings that house an array of foods from Amish produce and meats, to an international deli and cheese shop, to organic and whole foods. Located on Verbeke St and 3rd St.
Eat
During the week, you should have no problem finding a place to eat without much wait, but the weekends (especially in the summer) may require a bit of a wait at the popular restaurants during their prime time dinner crowd.
Restaurant Row and Downtown
Eat Cragin's Brick Haus Restaurant
The Brick Haus offers authentic German and American cuisine including goulasch, sausages, seafood, and steaks.
Eat Palumbo's Italian Eatery
Serves pizza, subs and other Italian dishes near the center of town for a reasonable price.
Midtown
Eat Alvaro Bread and Pastry Shoppe
Authentic fresh made Italian dinners, breads, pastries and desserts. An Olde Uptown neighborhood favorite.
Eat Anastacia's Restaurant and Bar
Cozy, great neighborhood spot for authentic Puerto Rican food and daily specials.
Eat Broad Street Market
Nearly 40 vendors serving up fresh, local organic produce, meats, baked goods and freshly prepared meals.
Eat Ciervo's Pizza
Pizza, subs and sandwiches.
Drink
Harrisburg's downtown atmosphere dynamically changes throughout the day. During the day, you can explore the coffee shops and quickly prepared meals designed to accommodate the government and downtown workforce. Early evening you can hop between restaurants during their happy hour specials (typically 5-7PM). Harrisburg has a small, vibrant night life for those who enjoy good food, good company, and good drinks.
Drink Appalachian Brewing Company
ABC serves fresh innovative cuisine to match their handcrafted ales and lagers. Brewery tours every Saturday at 1PM.
Drink Cafe Fresco
The only spot in Harrisburg so far that is completely smoke free. Unlike other bars in downtown Harrisburg, it has a chic modern atmosphere with Asian inspired cuisine that goes along with their extensive wine and drink menu. The music has a laid back lounge feel and on occasion Cafe Fresco has a live jazz band trio that performs in the back corner. The decor matches a sountern California look that gives the place an upscale feel. Level 2 is an upscale lounge and bar above Cafe Fresco that features DJs, drink specials and a small menu.
Sleep
Accommodations in the Harrisburg area give you plenty of options at reasonable prices compared to larger metropolitan areas. More expensive hotels are located in closer proximity to Hershey and Baltimore.
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Stay safe
Keep in mind that Harrisburg's crime rate is higher than the national average. However, most areas that tourists and out-of-towners frequent are completely safe. Typical street smarts should keep most people out of trouble.
Harrisburg is within range of Three Mile Island nuclear reactor. If you hear a siren, turn your radio on.
Go next
Nearby destinations suitable for day trips include:
Nearby
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