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Free Things To Do In Harrisburg, PA

by Pankaj Upreti
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Things To Do In Harrisburg

This place is one of the best place to visit in Pennsylvania because it has a lot of tourist spots. However, if you are running on a budget sometimes it can be difficult to explore a city.

To assist you in this matter, this article will help you figure out free things that you can do in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. From tours to museums, we assure you of a good time. Read on to know more:

Must-Visit Places In Harrisburg, PA

Here is a list of places that you can visit for free in Harrisburg, PA. 

1.Fort Hunter Conservancy

Fort Hunter Conservancy makes for one of the best free places to visit in Harrisburg. This place is a popular hiking spot as the view from the top of the hill is considered to be splendid.

After a strenuous hike, you would be able to enjoy the view of downtown Harrisburg and it will thrill you to the core. The hiking trail is surrounded by wooded forests so you would feel really close to nature.

2.City Island

If you are planning a day's trip to Harrisburg and wondering how to make the best of it, you must consider a visit to City Island.
City Island | Photo Credit – David Flores

If you are planning a day’s trip to Harrisburg and wondering how to make the best of it, you must consider a visit to City Island.

This is a great place to spend some quiet town with your loved ones and take a stroll in the streets of City Island which are marked for their Victorian style bungalows. If you are a biker you will have fun cycling on the streets as it is beautiful to look at.

3.Letort Falls

If you are in downtown Harrisburg and looking for free things to do then you must make your way to Letort Falls Park.
Park | Photo Credit – bobistraveling

If you are in downtown Harrisburg and looking for free things to do then you must make your way to Letort Falls Park. In this small park you will be able to set your eyes on Letort Falls, which is a small cascade.

The falls makes for a great place for trout fishing so make sure that you carry your equipment with you. You can also spend some time here enjoying the beauty of nature.

4.Broad Street Market

Broad Street Market | Photo Credit – Governor Tom Wolf

Broad Street Market is considered to be the oldest market in PA. Visit this market if you wish to explore the local culture of Harrisburg, PA.

Here you will find a lot of locals selling their produce. Even if you do not buy anything you will still have a nice time checking out their items.

Parks That You Can Visit For Free In Harrisburg, PA

Do you like the idea of spending some time outdoors? If yes, here is a list of parks that you can visit for free in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

1.Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area

If you are looking for space where you can spread a mat and read your book in Harrisburg, this is just the right place for you.
Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area | Photo Credit – Gerry Dincher

Almost 1000 acres in area, the Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area is one of the best free places to visit. The tree is home to huge trees and wildflowers. If you are looking for space where you can spread a mat and read your book, this is just the right place for you.

If you are planning to indulge in some outdoor activity, this park is ideal because it is also popular for being a hiking area.

2.Italian Lake Park

One of the fun things to do in Harrisburg is to visit the Italian Lake Park. Located in north Harrisburg this place is ideal for a date as here you can simply sit back and enjoy the beauty of nature.

The park is characterized by its fountains, antique street lights, and Japanese-style bridge. In Summers, you also have the chance to catch some live music in the park. A visit to the park will make for a tranquil experience and we highly recommend it.

3.Riverfront Park

A public park that runs parallel to Susquehanna River, Riverfront Park is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Harrisburg, PA.
Riverfront Park | Photo Credit – Christopher Bley

A public park that runs parallel to Susquehanna River, Riverfront Park is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Harrisburg, PA. There are no admission charges in the park and here you can spend some quality time with your loved ones.

The park is ideal for a family picnic and we highly recommend you to stay till sundown to watch the magnificent sunset. The park is also used as a space for outdoor activities like jogging, biking, and hiking so you will not run out of things to do.

4.Wildwood Park

One of the best free things to do in Harrisburg is to visit the Wildwood Park located in Central Pennsylvania.
Wildwood Park | Photo Credit – bobistraveling

One of the best free things to do in Harrisburg is to visit the Wildwood Park located in Central Pennsylvania. This is one of the best places to visit as you can plan here a number of activities with your entire family.

You can plan a picnic and spend some quality time watching the birds and flowers of Wildwood Park. If you are into biking, this could be an ideal place to visit. Kids are bound to have a good time at the park because there is a lot of space to play.

5.Negley Park

One of the best things to do for free in PA with your family is to visit Negley Park. The park is famous for the view it provides of the skyline of Harrisburg.

The park is beautiful to look at because it is located on the opposite shore of the Susquehanna River. Visit this park with your family to have fun watching the sunset on the Harrisburg skyline.

Some Free Self-Guided And Guided Tours That You Must Take In Harrisburg

One of the best things to do in Harrisburg is to take a tour of some of its famous locations. Here is a list of tours that you can take without spending any money. 

1.Tours Of Pennsylvania Capitol

Located in Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania Capitol is one of the most important buildings in the United States of America. It is the seat of government for the state of Pennsylvania and is radiant to look at.

When in Harrisburg, you have the chance to take a guided tour of the Pennsylvania State Capitol for absolutely free of cost. The tours are offered on all days of the week and will introduce you to the history of the building. You also have the chance to see your state ministers working inside the building.

2.Tour Of The Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence

If you are interested in knowing about the lives of the governors of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, you must embark on a tour of the Pennsylvania Governor's Residence.
Governor’s Residence | Photo Credit – Governor Tom Wolf

If you are interested in knowing about the lives of the governors of Pennsylvania, you must embark on a tour of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence. This guided tour will give you the opportunity to understand closely the lifestyle of former governors by visiting their official homes.

You can also opt for a self-guided tour of the residence. The tours happen from April to June, September, and October. The days of the tours are Tuesdays and Thursdays. So make sure that you time your visit as per their schedule.

3.Brewery Tour At Appalachian Brewing Company

If you are looking for free things to do on Saturday in Harrisburg, consider taking a brewery tour at Appalachian Brewing Company. This brewing company is the oldest in Harrisburg and they offer free brewery tours on Saturday afternoons.

This tour will come across as an event where you would be acquainted with the processes that go behind brewing beer. This is one of the best things to do on your vacation as it will also give you the chance to taste some free beer and soda.

4.Hershey’s Chocolate Tour

If you are taking the trip to Harrisburg along with your kids and looking to do free things, one of the best things to do would be to take a tour of Hershey’s Chocolate World. The tour has been designed in a way to appeal to young children as it has elements of animatronic creatures and songs.

Not just this, the adults would have fun being introduced to the world of chocolate and the processes behind it. The guided tour ends with complimentary chocolates which is one of the most exciting parts of the tour.

So if you love chocolates, make sure that you take out time for a free tour at Hershey Chocolate World. The tour will take you about two hours so you would still have the rest of the day to indulge in other activities as per your plan.

Artistic Places You Can Visit For Free In Harrisburg, PA

If you want to experience Harrisburg at its best you must check out cultural spaces. Here is a list of such places that you can visit for free. 

1.Galleries At The Millworks

Millworks is one of the best places to visit in Harrisburg because it is a combination of restaurant, brewery and artist’s studio. This place is family friendly and makes for an amazing place to spend some time with them.

Here you can indulge in some sumptuous food at their restaurant and spend the rest of your time trying out their beer. Not just this, if you wish to spend less money you get that option with their artist’s studio where you can check out their art collection absolutely free of cost.

Here you will find works of over thirty artists and if you feel like spending some bucks, you can also buy the art pieces.

2.Rose Lehrman Arts Center

The Rose Lehrman Arts Center at Harrisburg Area Community College is known for showcasing the school’s art collection. If you are interested in spending some time exploring art, this is one of the best spots in the city.

Not just this, there are a number of lectures that happen in the center so make sure that you keep an eye out for them.

3.Art Association Of Harrisburg

The Art Association of Harrisburg works with the mission of promoting visual arts through exhibitions and educational programs. This is one of the best places to visit on a day trip to Harrisburg because here you can spend your time admiring the art work of local and well as global artists.

Art Association of Harrisburg and both a standard gallery and a purchase gallery. This makes sure that if you choose to spend money you can buy some interesting artworks.

Museums To Visit For Free In Harrisburg, PA

Make the most of your visit to Harrisburg by visiting these museums absolutely free of cost.

1.The State Museum Of Pennsylvania

Located in Downtown Harrisburg lies one of the most popular museums in PA: The State Museum of Pennsylvania.
The State Museum Of Pennsylvania | Photo Credit – Governor Tom Wolf

Located in Downtown Harrisburg lies one of the most popular museums in PA: The State Museum of Pennsylvania. It is also known by the name William Penn Memorial Museum as its central hall is adorned with a huge statue of Penn.

If you are interested in learning about the history of Pennsylvania then this museum is a great place for you as here you will find a number of artifacts as source material.

One of the major attractions of the museum is its frequently organized exhibitions that help people understand the artifacts in the museum in an intimate fashion. A visit to this museum will prove to be an educational experience and we recommend it.

2.Rolls-Royce Foundation Museum

Automobiles | Photo Credit – Mike Kalasnik

If you are interested in cars and want to spend your time surrounded by them, this is just the place for you. A visit to the Rolls-Royce Foundation Museum is one of the best free things to do in PA because here you will have the chance to look at some vintage Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars.

The collection is not huge but is enough to give you a detailed account of the history and development of automobiles.

3.Weightlifting Hall Of Fame And Museum

Located South of Harrisburg is one of the best places to visit in PA, Weightlifting Hall of Fame and Museum. This museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich history of strength sports. From Olympic weightlifting to bodybuilding, this museum has information about it all.

The museum is built on an area of eight thousand square feet. When at the museum, make sure that you take out time to check out their exhibit called Strongmanism, which will be the highlight of your visit.

4.US Army Heritage Center

This museum in Harrisburg is an ideal place to visit with your family and we highly recommend it.
Museum | Photo Credit – Governor Tom Wolf

If you are interested in the history of the United States of America and want to learn it for free, this is just the place for you. US Army Heritage Center is one of the most important museums in Pennsylvania because it is dedicated to remembering and imparting the rich history of the USA.

The museum is an important part of War College and is an ideal place to know more about the US Army. The museum has designed a number of interactive exhibits that enable the visitors to understand the artifacts in the museum better. This museum is an ideal place to visit with your family and we highly recommend it.

Please also read about the things to do in Fishers.


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