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

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
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 Majestic Theater are top sights worth seeing.

Gettysburg Historic District
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Ross

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

Ross
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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
After the rain, discovered this mushroom art on West Chestnut Street.

Chestnut Hill

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Chestnut Hill and surrounding area, you can visit Fulton Theatre and Central Market.

Chestnut Hill
The Nittany Lion Inn
The Nittany Lion Inn
3 out of 5
200 West Park Avenue, State College, PA
The price is P7,817 per night from 2 Mar to 3 Mar
P7,817
P8,677 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 2 - Mar 3
Stay at this 3-star historic hotel in State College. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Popular attractions Bryce Jordan Center and ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (998 reviews)
Lovely stay
"Fantastic property. All the comforts of home. Walkable to campus and downtown SC."

Reviewed on Feb 11, 2025

The Nittany Lion Inn
Cartoon Network Hotel
Cartoon Network Hotel
3.5 out of 5
2285 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA
The price is P4,570 per night from 20 Feb to 21 Feb
P4,570
P5,072 total
includes taxes & fees
Feb 20 - Feb 21
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! (1,681 reviews)
"The hotel itself was a great experience but the property quality in the rooms would have been a 5 star if I couldn’t hear word for word the conversations or the guest on both sides of our room. The walls must be paper thin. I woke up early in the morning to a conversation in the room next to ..."

Reviewed on Feb 9, 2025

Cartoon Network Hotel
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 P3,124 per night from 23 Feb to 24 Feb
P3,124
P3,467 total
includes taxes & fees
Feb 23 - Feb 24
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! (1,109 reviews)
"We had stay at this location in the past for a trade show and it was easy to get to and nice place to stay . we stayed 9 nights - seeya next year"

Reviewed on Feb 14, 2025

Ramada by Wyndham Harrisburg/Hershey Area
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 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (37 reviews)
"The property is new and the rooms still have that new room smell - lovely! The area around the hotel is being developed. This hotel has limited office hours and appears to have mostly long-term guests. The family that runs the hotel are very kind. Some suggestions: add some kind of towel bar and ..."

Reviewed on Feb 9, 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! (232 reviews)
"We Love staying at Hershey Suites, it’s like our home away from home with close proximity to all the local restaurants shopping and attractions."

Reviewed on Dec 29, 2024

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.

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