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Harrisburg / Hershey |
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 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 centrally located 80 miles north of Baltimore, 100 miles west of Philadelphia, and 100 miles north of Washington D.C.
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 - Extract Out of A Centennial Celebration 1906 - 2006, Pennsylvania General Assembly.
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, 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.
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DO
- Appalachian Trail
- Capitol Tours and Welcome Center, East Wing Entrance, ? (800) 868-7672 (tournpa@os.pasen.gov), [9]. 8:30am-4pm. Advanced reservations are suggested and required for groups of 10 or more. Group size is limited to 80. 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 exibits allowing visitors to read, listen, touch, and interact with the displays. FREE.
- National Civil War Museum, 1 Lincoln Circle, ? (717) 260-1861 (info@nationalcivilwarmuseum.org, fax: (717) 260-9599), [10]. Wed-Sat: 10am-5pm | Sun: 12pm-5pm. 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 1 through Labor Day. Adults $8 | Seniors $7 | Students $6 | *Family Pass $30.
- Whitaker Center / IMAX, 222 Market St, ? (717) 214-ARTS (2787) (info@whitakercenter.org), [11]. 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, 1820 N 4th St, ? (717) 232-8915 (fax: (717) 232-8916), [12]. Tue-Fri: 10am-4pm | Sat: 10am-4pm | Sun: 1pm-4pm. 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. Adult $5 | Senior $4 | Student $3 | Family $15.
- 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 Kapona Celebration, which includes a street festival, boat race, and amusement rides.
- City Island, [13]. 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[14], 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.
- The Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat, 717.233.7211, [15]. Harrisburg’s authentic paddlewheel riverboat, is docked on City Island, and offers 45 min public cruises throughout the summer for $4.95 for adults and $3 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
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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.
- Scott's Bar and Grill, 212 Locust Street, 717-234-7599, [17]. One of the top restaurants in Harrisburg, specializing in steaks, they serve only the finest Angus Beef. They have a huge wine list and offer local beers from the Appalachian Brewing Company. Meals usually run between $15-$30. They have a comfortable upscale atmosphere as well as an outdoor deck that overlooks Chestnut St. for seating.
- Caffeine Connection is a reasonably priced coffeehouse located on 3rd St. across from the main steps leading up to the capitol building. It has a warm, cozy atmosphere and a great view of the capitol's beautiful architecture from the windows.
- Cragin's Brick Haus Restaurant, 229 N 2nd St, ? (717) 233-4287, [18]. The Brick Haus offers authentic German and American cusine including goulasch, sausages, seafood, and steaks.
- Ceoltas Irish Pub, 310 N 2nd St, ? (717) 233-3202 (ceoltasirishpub@yahoo.com), [19]. Ceoltas provides an authentic taste of Ireland. Ceoltas also attracts bands from all around to play at their venue.
- The Firehouse Restaurant, 606 N 2nd St, ? (717) 234-6064 (mrpyrite@aol.com, fax: (717) 234-6155), [20]. 11:30am-10pm (Mon-Thu) | 11:30am-11pm (Fri-Sat) | 4pm-9pm (Sun). The Firehouse is the oldest standing firehouse in Harrisburg. It operated as a firehouse until 1980. It has kept most of the original architecture and made some modifications, including a fire hydrant beer tap.
- Da'Pits Chicago Grill, 2101 N 2nd St, ? (717) 233-7487. Da'Pits is a Chicago-style grill is known for their delicious ribs. Everything is cooked over an open flame.
- Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 N Cameron St, [21]. 11am-11pm (Sun-Thu) | 11am-12am (Fri-Sat). ABC serves fresh innovative cuisine to match their handcrafted ales and lagers. Brewery tours every Saturday at 1pm.
- Passage To India, 525 South Front St, ? (717) 233-1202, [22]. Passage to India serves excellent Indian cuisine, open seven days a week, with a great view of the river while dining
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