Hersey Park or other local things to do

[NinaBella]

Traveling from FL to PA tomorrow and my flight lands t 8:15 AM at BWI. We have nothing on our schedule tomorrow but picking up one item form Walmart before we go to bed at our hotel. Do you think spending maybe just 4 hours at Hersey Park is worth it? It will be the weekend so will it be crowded like Disney. I am thinking of just skipping in and trying to find other local things to do in Harrisburg or along I-83N between BWI and Lewisburg, PA. Perhaps in Harrisburg we can find something to kill time? The Susquehanna has been pretty along our drive in the past. I am wondering if there is anything to do along the river? I know short notice question. I till just be myself and 14 year old daughter on this trip in a rental car.


I found this link: http://www.visitcentralpa.org/things-to-do/top-20-river-spots-in-the-susquehanna-river-valley

We have done #11 on the list last summer.

 

[MarBee]

I probably wouldn't bother doing the park if I only had 4 hours, but maybe the Hershey museum or Chocolate World (which is free) would be a good idea for you. There's also Zoo America there. Have fun!

 

[luv2sewtjr]

There is no way I would go to Hershey park for only 4 hours. Lines are long and it is expensive. If you're in the BWI area and have a car, I would probably go to the Inner Harbor of Baltimore. There's shopping and restaurants, the aquarium, ripleys believe it or not and the science center. One of my kids is a history buff and I recommend Fort McHenry. We've toured one of the ships there. There are some smaller art museums in the area and the Baltimore museum of industry gets good reviews and isn't too spendy. There are cheesy pedal boats that my kids would love to rent! There's also often entertainment

 

[nj disney family]

The Turkey Hill Experience is not far off 83. All the ice cream you can eat for $10. If you are going somewhere with a freezer, for a few dollars more you can create your own flavor.

 

[miztressuz]

I want to be helpful but I can't think of anything other than shopping There's outlets and shopping malls and antiques.. I'm trying to think of all the flyers you find in the hotels in the area and really that's all I remember aside from the usual amusements (mini golf/arcade/batting cage places). Near Hershey Park area is Indian Echos cavern, which if you like that kind of stuff I've heard is good.... and I think there's a mini golf/arcade place right near it. I think there's a riverboat cruise or something on the Susquehanna.
ETA: ah ha, I think this was the sight seeing cruise I saw advertised. Pride of the Susquehanna http://harrisburgriverboat.com/publiccruises/

Everything else is kind of off the path, we have family in the area so we're out there a couple times a year and say "we should do something different" check the flyers and then go... hm, ok

 

[miztressuz]

The Turkey Hill Experience is not far off 83. All the ice cream you can eat for $10. If you are going somewhere with a freezer, for a few dollars more you can create your own flavor.

Ah yes, good one. For some reason I thought it was more east like going to lancaster so I dismissed it (directionally challenged this morning). But since it's closer to the river, OP coming up from Baltimore it's on the way.

One of these days we'll make the detour for it.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I agree with the others, I wouldn't do Hershey Park for 4 hours. But I probably would do the chocolate tour. I drove that stretch of road for most of my childhood and young adulthood and there was really nothing spectacular to see or do. I have an aunt and cousin who live in Harrisburg and there are some areas you just want to stay out of.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

The Turkey Hill Experience is not far off 83. All the ice cream you can eat for $10. If you are going somewhere with a freezer, for a few dollars more you can create your own flavor.

We were just there a few weeks ago. You can do the make your own ice cream thing but you eat it there.....you wouldn't need a freezer.

OP, where will you be staying?

 

[suebeelin]

We just moved out of central pa about 30min from Lewisburg.

Theres knoebels. It's a pay by ride amusement park. It's cute. Rides are $1.50-2/kiddie ride and $3ish/adult ride.

Stop by Weiss supermarkets to pick up a $20 ticket book for $16.

If you go when it opens (11am), the lines are short. There's funnel cakes, cotton candy and kettle popped popcorn. It's sort of a local attraction. They also have a small mini golf thing in the middle of the park.

It's 40min southeast of lewisburg so it's on your way there.

 

[Thing 1]

We really like the Chocolate World. Spring for the trolley ride. Entrance is free but some experiences do cost. We easily spent a few hours here. We have done the Turkey Hill thing as well.

 

[570traveler]

We just moved out of central pa about 30min from Lewisburg.

Theres knoebels. It's a pay by ride amusement park. It's cute. Rides are $1.50-2/kiddie ride and $3ish/adult ride.

Stop by Weiss supermarkets to pick up a $20 ticket book for $16.

If you go when it opens (11am), the lines are short. There's funnel cakes, cotton candy and kettle popped popcorn. It's sort of a local attraction. They also have a small mini golf thing in the middle of the park.

It's 40min southeast of lewisburg so it's on your way there.

I second Knoebles! We live about 10 minutes from Knoebels. If you have the time, I'd highly recommend stopping there. It's free admission and parking. They have tons of great food and the prices are reasonable.

I'd stay away from Hershey park if you only have 4 hours.

If you are a history buff, you could always come up Route 15 and stop at Gettysburg.

There's also a nice science museum in Harrisburg.

 

[570traveler]

We are away right now, but I saw they are calling for bad storms in central PA this weekend, so I'd definitely check the weather!

 

[melmel]

You could check out a factory tour, York claims to be the factory tour capital of the world... http://www.yorkpa.org/factory-tours/tour/

Some are better than others and not all are directly on your path but could be worth the side trip.

 

[JenzyHP]

I enjoy Gettysburg a lot.

 

[Malibustyle23]

I have an aunt and cousin who live in Harrisburg and there are some areas you just want to stay out of.

I hate to hijack a thread and may end up making a new as well but your post raised some concerns for me.

We plan to go to Hershey next month for two days in the park. No big deal we have done it before. But I bought tickets to the Civil War Museum in Harrisburg on Groupon. We plan to do that before Hershey. To get a lower room rate since we shouldn't be in the room often for the 3 nights I looked into Harrisburg area since it was cheaper than Hershey. I am looking at the Clarion on Nationwide Drive. Should I be concerned about any of this?

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I hate to hijack a thread and may end up making a new as well but your post raised some concerns for me.

We plan to go to Hershey next month for two days in the park. No big deal we have done it before. But I bought tickets to the Civil War Museum in Harrisburg on Groupon. We plan to do that before Hershey. To get a lower room rate since we shouldn't be in the room often for the 3 nights I looked into Harrisburg area since it was cheaper than Hershey. I am looking at the Clarion on Nationwide Drive. Should I be concerned about any of this?

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I checked in with my aunt. She said downtown Harrisburg and its immediate perimeter. Also mentioned southside, Allison Hill, City Center and midtown.