One can sense history and community converging in the city of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Harrisburg is deeply rooted and appreciated for the varied textures of the area’s past. The community is recognized for the beautiful capital city, with a proximity close to the regions of York, Gettysburg, Lancaster, Hershey (10 minutes) and the Pennsylvania Amish country. Visitors can enjoy historical exhibits, one of the oldest symphonies the country, see the history of art painted on the walls of the Capitol, ethic foods that take pride in home cooked specialties, and educational re-enactments. Many other attractions that draw visitors include; trout fishing, the Appalachian trail, the Hershey Park, and the historic rail services. Riverfront Park and City Island offer a host of family fun and activities along the beautiful banks of the Susquehanna.
Where to Stay
A wide array of accommodations greet families and business associates as well. Worthy of note is The Four Points by Sheraton - Harrisburg, offering a 6500 yard championship golf course fully equipped health club and a 13-station Nautilus center and a Jacuzzi. Additional winning options include the Wyndham Harrisburg-Hershey, Wyndham Garden Hotel, Homewood Suites, Comfort Inn Riverfront, Harrisburg-East, Crowne Plaza Harrisburg-Hershey, which is located on the banks of the Susquehanna River and within walking distance to all of downtown Harrisburg.
Dining
Wake up early to a hearty meal of eggs and milk, fresh from the farm; or partake of recipes inspired from the rich, Germanic heritage, that are cooked up and served on restaurant tables all across the region. One might savor the fragrance of apples and dumplings, chicken potpie and sweet Lebanon bologna. Tasty souvenirs of jams, jellies and relishes are fresh from area for taking home. Perhaps a sample of shoo fly pies would be a treat to try. Family restaurants dish up the local favorites, while upscale metropolitan hot spots offer a wide array of cuisines. Some of the sumptuous options include: Cafe Fresco, Cantones’ Southern Italian Restaurant, The Appalachian Brewery and Restaurant.The Bradley Mansion offers a Victorian tea room dining in their restored setting.
Entertainment
The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra can be traced back to the early 1930s when a group of dedicated and resourceful music lovers decided, to form a symphony in the city of Harrisburg. The country was in the throes of the Great Depression, but the group forged ahead, giving their first concert at William Penn High School in Harrisburg on March 19, 1931. The conductor on that occasion was George King Raudenbush, who was to become the orchestra’s first music director.
By the end of 1931 the orchestra had moved its concerts to the newly-opened Forum Auditorium in the Education Building, part of the Capitol Complex, where it still performs to this day. The 1931-32 season included four concerts. Operating under the umbrella of the Harrisburg Symphony is the Harrisburg Youth Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1953 and one of the oldest youth symphonies in the country. The Youth Symphony performs the annual Holiday Spectacular in December, plus a number of other events in the Forum, at Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg, and at several area high schools.
Shopping
The Harrisburg Mall has over 90 retail stores for a variety of options for shopping. Another distinctive option is Strawberry Square, an intercity development with upscale varieties. The retail complex is located in a one million square foot office facility in the heart of Pennsylvania's capital city. It has been recognized for its award-winning contemporary design and authentic city block restorations. Within this area there are a blend of atrium shops, eateries and offices.
Things to do
When it comes to making learning fun, families and school groups flock to the heart of the region where heritage and culture are provided through hands-on nature programs, larger-than-life IMAX® films or interactive displays in the themed museums.
Hands-on displays are at the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts. The Center is located in Harrisburg’s Strawberry Square, with more than 200 individual “hands-on, minds-on” exhibits on a variety of educational topics.
One of the largest exhibition facilities in the east is the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg featuring 26 acres of arenas and exhibition space under one roof. The large arena seats 7,200 and has a floor space measuring 250’ by 125’. The equine arena in the Farm Show Complex is a versatile facility capable of hosting an array of events year round.
An outstanding architectural building in the Harrisburg area is the Zembo Mosque built in 1929. It features a ballroom/auditorium seating 2,300 with complete stage facilities, a lobby and the Tile Room for smaller groups, and a small dining room and lounge on the lower level located in uptown Harrisburg.
Written by: Karen J. Lee
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