Harrisburg on the Susquehanna River

The capital of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg is on the Susquehanna River. It is an interesting city with many things to do and see.

The Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex includes the Capitol building which is among the most impressive in the U.S. and a well-known landmark of the Harrisburg skyline. It is a National Historic Landmark and is a 1/3-scale Renaissance-style replica of the St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy. There are 475 rooms and four floors filled with artwork, statues, murals, and a grand staircase in the main rotunda which was designed after the one in the Paris Opera House. Free tours are available.

Stop by the Finance Building next door featuring bronze statues, elaborate scones, and painted murals.

The National Civil War Museum is one of the largest museums dedicated to chronicling the American Civil War. The museum opened in 2001 and is associated with the Smithsonian Institution. You can see displays of war artifacts, weapons, manuscripts, and memorabilia. There are over 21,000 war pieces in the museum archives. The museum has regularly scheduled lecture events.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania offers a look at Pennsylvania's history from the beginning of the Earth and the dinosaur period to the modern day. There are many interesting exhibits. You can even learn about the wildlife of the state. Among the permanent exhibits is the largest Civil War painting on a single canvas The Battle of Gettysburg: Pickett’s Charge.

Fort Hunter Mansion and Park will not only take you back into history but also through a lovely 40-acre park that stretches along the banks of the Susquehanna River. You can walk through it on your own or get a guided tour. You can take a look at the Victorian mansion and see what life was like for the affluent in America in 1725. The mansion is on the National Register of Historic Places. There are over ten buildings on the site and remnants to see from the Pennsylvania Canal Trail.

The City Island Complex is a 63-acre island and park in the middle of the Susquehanna River. During the Civil War, it was used by Union soldiers as a resting place before they crossed the river to defend the city from the Confederate Army. It has been discovered that once Iroquois Indian tribes lived here. Today the island is used for entertainment and recreation with attractions like a golf course, ball field, small-scale steam train, a minor-league soccer stadium, batting cages, walking trails, and one of the best views of the Harrisburg skyline particularly at sunset.

The Whitaker Center for Science and Arts offers visitors three floors of exhibits and experiences ranging from science and movies to live performances of dance, music, and theater. There is an art gallery and entertainment for children. Among the many highlights is a four-story cinema screen that shows Hollywood movies. At the Backstage Studio, you can go behind the scenes of Hollywood movie magic and become a DJ making your own music.

The Susquehanna River is the centerpiece of Harrisburg. The Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat Cruise will get you out on the river. It is one of the only remaining paddle-wheel riverboats in the U.S. The riverboat cruise operates from spring to autumn and departs from City Island. You’ll get an awesome view of the city skyline from the river. The narrated tour will give you an overview of Harrisburg. There are special-themed tours like the Murder Mystery Cruise, Wing Night, Live Music excursions, or the Maryland Blue Crab Cruise.

The Susquehanna Art Museum is located in the Keystone Trust Building. It sits in the heart of Midtown Harrisburg with over 20,000 square feet of art space and galleries. It showcases both nationally and internationally known artists. The building has impressive features like the 27-foot high ceilings, marble floors, and the 1923 bank vault.

Take a tour of the John Harris and Simon Cameron Mansion. This is a 250-year-old mansion overlooking the Susquehanna River. The city’s founder John Harris built it in 1766. It was renovated into a Victorian mansion in 1863 by U.S. Senator Simon Cameron who was President Lincoln’s Secretary of War. Today the mansion is home to the Dauphin County Historical Society and is open to the public. You can take a guided tour or visit during one of the scheduled public programs.

Wildwood Park sits on the fringe of Harrisburg. The 229-acre park is a great place for bird-watching. Along a three-mile paved trail, you can enjoy nature and different species of flora and fauna, a wetlands area, and wildlife. It is also a great place to have a picnic.

The Pennsylvania National Fire Museum has found its home in an 1899 Victorian-style Fire House with exhibits that highlight the evolution of fire hydrants, fire trucks, and fire alarms. There is horse-drawn equipment on display. One of the highlights is the Gamewell Alarm Room which dates back to the 1800s. It was the fire dispatch console used during the nuclear incident at Three Mile Island in 1979.

You can walk or bike along the Capital Area Greenbelt Trail. The 20-mile paved surface stretches through Harrisburg and is a great way to see different neighborhoods, It connects with many sightseeing points of interest like the National Civil War Museum. There are also guided tours available.