Harrisburg, PA

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Hershey Harrisburg Visitors Bureau
Pennsylvania State Capitol showing heritage architecture and interior views
Harrisburg which includes outdoor art
Pennsylvania State Capitol featuring heritage architecture, interior views and an administrative buidling
Harrisburg featuring a bridge and a river or creek
Visit Pennsylvania’s capital to discover fascinating American Civil War history, some of the state’s best museums and glorious Victorian and neoclassical architecture

Harrisburg is full of attractions for American history buffs and features one of the world’s largest museums dedicated to the American Civil War. While the American Civil War never quite reached Harrisburg, it still changed the city forever. Located within 40 miles (64 kilometers) of the Mason-Dixon Line, Pennsylvania’s state capital was a major point of deployment for Union troops. Learn about the local history  and discover some of Pennsylvania’s most prized buildings and cultural institutions. 

Harrisburg became Pennsylvania’s state capital in 1812 due to its location in the heart of the state. Don’t miss the stunning neoclassical Pennsylvania State Capitol building, completed in 1906. Take a half-hour guided tour of the capitol to see the frescoes painted throughout the grand interior.

Explore one of Harrisburg’s most famous attractions, the National Civil War Museum. See  25,000 American Civil War artifacts in this museum’s collection, including rifles, uniforms and many Civil War-era documents. While some of the objects were possessions of Civil War leaders like Abraham Lincoln and Robert E. Lee, others belonged to average soldiers. Both Union and Confederate soldiers are buried in the Harrisburg Cemetery, located just east of the city center.

Harrisburg’s other museums provide information on the city’s earlier history. Visit the Fort Hunter Mansion on the site of an old British military fort built in 1756 to prepare for the French and Indian War. Take a guided tour of the colonial mansion or explore the 40-acre (16-hectare) grounds, which lie along the Susquehanna River. Visit the State Museum of Pennsylvania to see some of the state’s most interesting findings in archaeology and paleontology, including a mastodon skeleton unearthed in nearby  Marshalls Creek.

To reach Harrisburg, take a bus or a train from Philadelphia, which is located about 110 miles (177 kilometers) southeast. After your visit, find more Civil War history in Gettysburg, a 45-minute drive south from Harrisburg.

Where to stay in Harrisburg

Pennsylvania featuring interior views

Downtown Harrisburg

3/5(4 area reviews)

Central core neighborhood with a lively "Restaurant Row" on North Second Street, Downtown Harrisburg offers attractions like City Island, Riverfront Park, and the Capital Area Greenbelt. Discover boutique shops in SoMa and the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts.

Downtown Harrisburg
Ramada by Wyndham Harrisburg/Hershey Area
Ramada by Wyndham Harrisburg/Hershey Area
2.5 out of 5
300 N Mountain Rd, Harrisburg, PA
The price is NT$1,902 per night from Apr 27 to Apr 28
NT$1,902
NT$2,112 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 27 - Apr 28
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Harrisburg. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7/10 Good! (1,235 reviews)
"Pool and staff were great"

Reviewed on 2025/4/23

Ramada by Wyndham Harrisburg/Hershey Area
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Harrisburg Northeast - Hershey
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Harrisburg Northeast - Hershey
3 out of 5
8000 Jonestown Rd, Harrisburg, PA
The price is NT$2,354 per night from May 11 to May 12
NT$2,354
NT$2,612 total
includes taxes & fees
May 11 - May 12
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Harrisburg. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,241 reviews)
"Everything was fantastic every one there is very friendly and helpful in many ways would be glad two return again."

Reviewed on 2025/4/24

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Harrisburg Northeast - Hershey
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Harrisburg-Hershey
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Harrisburg-Hershey
2.5 out of 5
265 N Hershey Rd, Harrisburg, PA
The price is NT$2,184 per night from May 1 to May 2
NT$2,184
NT$2,424 total
includes taxes & fees
May 1 - May 2
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Harrisburg. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,527 reviews)
"Clean, affordable and friendly staff"

Reviewed on 2025/4/20

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Harrisburg-Hershey
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
stayAPT Suites Harrisburg-Hershey
stayAPT Suites Harrisburg-Hershey
3.5 out of 5
435 Port View Drive, Harrisburg, PA
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Harrisburg. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Pennsylvania Farm ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (47 reviews)
"Checkin was an easy process. Very friendly front desk help, but the rooms were not cleaned properly. I had a pull out sofa that was dirty."

Reviewed on 2025/4/10

stayAPT Suites Harrisburg-Hershey
The Suites at Hershey
The Suites at Hershey
3 out of 5
176 E Hershey Park Dr, Hershey, PA
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly apartment in Hershey. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Hersheypark and Hersheypark ...
9/10 Wonderful! (234 reviews)
"Absolutely beautiful ❤️ had an amazing stay"

Reviewed on 2025/4/16

The Suites at Hershey
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Harrisburg

3.9
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
441
5 - Excellent 22%
4 - Good
1042
4 - Good 52%
3 - Okay
457
3 - Okay 23%
2 - Disappointing
36
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
20
1 - Terrible 1%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Right now there isn’t much to do with most everything shut down due to Covid 19

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Mostly stayed in, due to COVID. Brought our own wine.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Harrisburg is my city. I was born and raised here and I can say that Harrisburg has come a long way.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Some areas were a little too abandoned looking for my taste.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

The town was nice, the ramada inn needs an overhaul and new management.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Farm show complex events great

Cities near Harrisburg