Have you ever visited Pennsylvania’s capital city?
Whether you’re looking for a way to overload yourself with Keystone State trivia or just get a change of scenery, Harrisburg — located 100 miles from Philly — can be a great day trip destination. Here are some suggestions for building your itinerary ⬇️
⭐ Embrace Your PA Pride
You can take a free, 30-minute guided tour of the Pennsylvania Capitol to learn about the building’s history and current use. Art lovers might find touring particularly fun. Designed to be a “Palace of Art,” the Capitol is filled with elaborate, Pennsylvania-made pieces.
Not too far from there, The State Museum of Pennsylvania offers an affordable ($7 admission for adults) and fairly extensive look at the Keystone State over the years, from its rocks to its racial integration efforts.
To see PA from yet another angle, visit in January to check out the Pennsylvania Farm Show. At our state’s version of a state fair, you’ll get a glimpse at PA’s agricultural industry, from farm animals to really delectable food. Definitely try the potato donuts — just trust me.
🗺️ Go Beyond the Capitol Complex
The city’s Midtown neighborhood has lots to offer, from an art museum to the Broad Street Market, a historic food market with dozens of vendors that’s in the process of recovering from a fire. My personal favorite spot in the area is Midtown Scholar, a big indie bookshop and cafe that sells new, used, signed, and rare books.
There’s also City Island, where you can enjoy the Susquehanna River waterfront while playing a round of mini golf, riding around on a little steam train, or catching a minor league baseball game.
Harrisburg is also home to the National Civil War Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate dedicated to — you guessed it — the history of the American Civil War.
🚆 Getting There
Amtrak’s Keystone Service train takes a little under two hours to get from Philly to Harrisburg, and tickets typically cost $35 each way. Both the Capitol Complex and City Island are within a mile of the train station; other attractions may require more walking or a rideshare to get to.
The drive from Philly to Harrisburg via the Pennsylvania Turnpike is a little over two hours. Tolls cost about $11 each way with EZPass, or about $23 without. You may also have to pay for parking.
Special thanks to my brother (and favorite Harrisburg regular) for sharing some recommendations with me for this guide!
