Central Pennsylvania

Travel Guide

Central Pennsylvania featuring a square or plaza and heritage architecture
Harrisburg which includes heritage architecture and a church or cathedral
Central Pennsylvania showing fall colors
The Hershey Story Museum featuring interior views
National Civil War Museum showing a statue or sculpture

Head to this beautiful stretch of Pennsylvania to discover its heritage of Amish communities, revolutionary history, great parks and rolling pastureland.

Central Pennsylvania sits in the very heart of the state, offering visitors an array of historic, cultural and natural attractions. Pennsylvania was once a key location for the British Empire today relics of revolutionary history abound here. Visit the battlefields, relax in the modern cities and get out and hike in the natural beauty.

The Appalachian Mountains cross Central Philadelphia. Consider a day hike on the Appalachian Trail. For more outdoor exploration, travel west to the Pennsylvania Wilds and Cherry Springs State Park. In the pasturelands of Lancaster County gain insight into the traditional ways of the Pennsylvania Dutch communities. Here some of the country’s oldest Amish settlements exist, the thousands-strong community leading a simple lifestyle and tending their land with horses and mules.

For revolutionary history, travel to Gettysburg. Small-town charm and a rich past combine to create a pleasant base for your tour of all the sites within the Gettysburg National Military Park. Learn about the famous Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 and President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.

Drive to the state capital of Harrisburg and the surrounding landscape to experience craft wineries and breweries. Stand on the steps of the Pennsylvania State Capitol building, attend a show at the Hershey Theatre or learn more about U.S. military, social and political history at the National Civil War Museum.

Attend a race at the Bedford Speedway in Bedford, which has been in operation since 1936. The site also hosts the Bedford County Fair. Be sure to see Old Bedford Village, where military and civilian reenactments, colonial crafts and exhibits entertain adults and children.

Philadelphia International Airport is a major gateway to the Central Pennsylvania region. There are several smaller regional airports too for closer connections. Enjoy driving through this part of the state, where peaceful agricultural scenes, with horse carriages and red-sided barns, create a truly bucolic setting.

Where to stay in Central Pennsylvania

Gettysburg which includes heritage architecture and a bridge

Gettysburg Historic District

If you're spending some time in Gettysburg Historic District, Gettysburg Museum of History and Jennie Wade House are top sights worth seeing.

Gettysburg Historic District
Historic Downtown Lancaster

Historic Downtown Lancaster

Historic Downtown Lancaster is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Central Market or Fulton Theatre.

Historic Downtown Lancaster
Pennsylvania featuring interior views

Downtown Harrisburg

Downtown Harrisburg is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Pennsylvania State Capitol and Riverfront Park while in the area.

Downtown Harrisburg
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Prospect Heights

While there might not be top attractions in Prospect Heights, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Fulton Theatre and Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square.

Prospect Heights
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Ross

Ross might not have many top sights, but Penn Medicine Park and Central Market are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Ross
Square One Coffee could easily become one if my favorite coffee houses. Great latte

Musser Park

When in Musser Park, you can plan a visit to Central Market and Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Musser Park
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 P3,656 per night from Jul 9 to Jul 10
P3,656
P4,059 total
Jul 9 - Jul 10
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,410 reviews)
"Pool area appeared clean and well kept although we arrived too late to use it. Room was exactly what we needed, it was clean, the bed was comfortable me and the ice machine was nearby. The refrigerator also came in handy."

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2025

Ramada by Wyndham Harrisburg/Hershey Area
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Harrisburg-Hershey
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Harrisburg-Hershey
3 out of 5
265 N Hershey Rd, Harrisburg, PA
The price is P5,012 per night from Aug 7 to Aug 8
P5,012
P5,563 total
Aug 7 - Aug 8
includes taxes & fees
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 pool in ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,653 reviews)
"Room and property was nice. No shampoo however so that was a letdown."

Reviewed on Jul 4, 2025

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Harrisburg-Hershey
Cartoon Network Hotel
Cartoon Network Hotel
3.5 out of 5
2285 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA
The price is P5,422 per night from Jul 16 to Jul 17
P5,422
P6,019 total
Jul 16 - Jul 17
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly hotel in Lancaster. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the pool and the clean rooms ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,775 reviews)
"Excellent position staff very kind"

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

Cartoon Network Hotel
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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (100 reviews)
Almost Perfect
"Clean, comfortable, and quiet. Not a single complaint. Love spaciousness of rooms and full kitchen. Recommend to everyone."

Reviewed on Jun 25, 2025

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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (251 reviews)
"Amazing"

Reviewed on Jul 2, 2025

The Suites at Hershey
Round Top Campground
Round Top Campground
2 out of 5
180 Knight Road, Gettysburg, PA
Book a stay at this family-friendly campground in Gettysburg. Enjoy laundry facilities, tennis courts, and a gift shop. Popular attractions Gettysburg National ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (17 reviews)
"Cabin was nice and convenient, the showers and grounds has some great stuff to do for kids and families, gift shop is nice, staff was fantastic, ants became an issue they were all over the sink, counters and even in the bed rooms, that was the only issue, besides that everything was great"

Reviewed on Jun 2, 2025

Round Top Campground
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.

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