What to do in Central Pennsylvania, PA

Activities, attractions and tours

Central Pennsylvania showing heritage architecture and a square or plaza
Central Pennsylvania showing heritage architecture and a square or plaza
Harrisburg which includes heritage architecture and a church or cathedral
Central Pennsylvania featuring autumn leaves
The Hershey Story Museum showing interior views

Central Pennsylvania Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Central Pennsylvania has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Central Pennsylvania is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Central Pennsylvania to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Central Pennsylvania Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Central Pennsylvania.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Central Pennsylvania attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.


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Top places to visit

1. Hersheypark

Plummet, splash and spin on the confectionery-themed coasters of Hersheypark, a destination inspired by the sweet produce of Hershey’s. Visitors of every age will find a ride to suit their tastes, with a wide array of high-speed, big-drop attractions sitting alongside gentler attractions for younger visitors. A water park and selection of chocolate-filled restaurants further add to the appeal of this exhilarating family destination.
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Hersheypark featuring a water park

2. Sight and Sound Theatre

If you’re a fan of live musical performance, be sure to include a show at the Sight and Sound Theatre in your visit to Lancaster County. The Ronks location, just outside of Strasburg, is the first of two operated by the entertainment company, which produces Broadway-style Christian stories live on stage. The second location is in Branson, Missouri.
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Sight and Sound Theatre

3. Hershey's Chocolate World

The town of Hershey thrived because of the beloved candy that is celebrated at Hershey's Chocolate World. Watch shows, explore a replica factory and take part in hands-on chocolate experiences. Spend an entire day learning about and tasting Hershey's candy and at the end of it all, you can decide whether there is ever such a thing as too much chocolate.
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Hershey\'s Chocolate World which includes signage and markets

4. Hersheypark Stadium

Hersheypark Stadium is an impressive open-air venue that hosts a variety of musical concerts and sports events. Lying between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, it is a cultural cornerstone of the region and has hosted many big names. Step into the rectangular arena and feel the excitement as the stadium lights up for night events.
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Hersheypark Stadium showing music, night scenes and nightlife

5. Dutch Wonderland

Plan a day of fun on your visit to Dutch Wonderland. Brave the roller coasters and flying trapeze. Exploration Island and its dinosaur fossil dig will excite budding archaeologists in the family. On a hot Pennsylvania summer day, you’re likely to head to the water park to cool off. Designed with young children in mind, the park offers more than 35 rides, attractions and shows to delight the whole family.
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Dutch Wonderland

What to do in Central Pennsylvania


Discover the most popular places to visit in Central Pennsylvania

Explore areas of 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
Cannons and a monument on the battlefield at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

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
The state capital of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg.

Downtown Harrisburg

Central core neighborhood with a lively "Restaurant Row" on North Second Street, Downtown Harrisburg offers attractions like City Island, Riverfront Park, and the Capital Area Greenbelt. Discover boutique shops in SoMa and the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts.

Downtown Harrisburg
Hershey Gardens opened in 1937 with Milton Hershey’s request to “create a nice garden of roses.” More than 75 years later, the small rose garden has blossomed into 23 acres of botanical beauty providing visitors with unique experiences and enriching opportunities.

North Hershey

While visiting North Hershey, you might make a stop by sights like Hersheypark and Hershey Gardens.

North Hershey
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Holmes-Foster

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Holmes-Foster and surrounding area, you can visit Penn State University's Blue and White Golf Courses and The Arboretum at Penn State.

Holmes-Foster
Park

Downtown Hershey

If you're spending some time in Downtown Hershey, Hersheypark and The Hershey Story Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Hershey

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 


 

Day trip destinations from Central Pennsylvania

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