Until Chernobyl Harrisburg, the state capital, situated in south-eastern Pennsylvania, had the dubious honour of being the scene of the world's worst nuclear accident, at the Three Mile Island power station on the Susquehanna River. Features of interest in the town are the State Capitol and the informative State Museum.
Harrisburg is the capitol of Pennsylvania. It's a small, picturesque community lying on the banks of the Susquehanna River. Many of its original eighteenth- and nineteenth-century buildings remain intact as is Harrisburg's small town feel.
The Art Association of Harrisburg, founded in 1926 presents six invitational exhibitions. The annual exhibits feature works in all styles and media by area, national, and international artists. The Art Association also offers art classes.
Address: Art Association Of Harrisburg, 21 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101-1625, United States
Phone: 1 (717) 236-1432, Fax: 1 (717) 236-6631
Fort Hunter Mansion is a fully restored nineteenth-century plantation complex with nine outbuildings. The surrounding 40 acre park overlooks the Susquehanna River and Blue Mountain Range. The grounds offer picnic pavilions, children's play equipment and a riverfront walking area.
Address: Fort Hunter Mansion, 5300 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110-1718, United States
Phone: 1 (717) 599-5751, Fax: 1 (717) 599-5838
Hours:
May 1 to December 31: 10am-4:30pm; Sun:12pm-4:30pm; Closed: Mon
Tips: The park is open daily from 8:00 am to dusk.
The Harrisburg Opera Association performs at the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts. Since its inception, local opera performers have presented several performances a year - to date over 45 productions have been enacted.
Address: Harrisburg Opera Association, 225 Market Street, 2nd Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101, United States
Phone: 1 (717) 236-7372, Fax: 1 (717) 236-8146
More than 100 interactive exhibits educate children and adults alike about the principles of science. For instance, The Cave allows visitors to climb into the depths of the earth, and the Skylights Astronomy Center enables visitors to take a virtual trip into the galaxy. There is also a STARLAB portable planetarium.
The Pride of the Susquehanna takes visitors along the river on an authentic paddlewheeler. The narrated tour offers a history of the city and the river. Dinner cruises are available.
Tips: Schedule varies. Phone for current timetable.
Located on the Capital Area Greenbelt, the park extends 5 miles along the east bank of the Susquehanna River. War memorials and a sunken flower garden are located in the park. Walking, bicycling, rollerblading, fishing and picnicking are allowed throughout.
The Capitol is an Italian Renaissance building covering two acres, containing more than 600 rooms and featuring a 272-foot dome as well as bronze doors, murals, stained glass windows and a marble staircase (designed after the one in the Paris Grand Opera House).
Hours:
8:30am-4pm; Sun:9am-4pm; Sat:9am-4pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
The State Museum of Pennsylvania features Civil War artifacts as well as archaeological, geology, paintings, decorative arts, animal dioramas and industrial exhibits. The museum is also home to a planetarium where visitors can learn more about the stars and planets.
Address: State Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120-0024, United States
Phone: 1 (717) 787-4979, Fax: 1 (717) 783-4558
Hours:
June 14 to June 30: 9am-5pm; Sun:12pm-5pm; Closed: Mon, Tue
July 1 to June 13: 9am-5pm; Sun:12pm-5pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Mon, Tue, Wed
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Tips: Free admission every third Saturday of each month.
The Susquehanna Art Museum, opened in 1989, is devoted to contemporary art including works by American painters, photographers and sculptures. It has served as Harrisburg's only dedicated art museum. The "Doshi" Gallery is run by a group of local artists to highlight new work by emerging and established artists, and the VanGo! Museum on Wheels takes original artwork into the community.
Address: Susquehanna Art Museum, 15 North Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101-2224, United States
Phone: 1 (717) 233-8668, Fax: 1 (717) 233-8155
Hours:
10am-4pm; Sun:1pm-4pm; Thu:4pm-8pm; Closed: Mon
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), American Independance Day (July 4), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26), New Year's Eve (December 31), Easter - Christian
Tips: Open Studio, an opportunity for artists to discuss and critique current work, meets the first Thursday evening of each month at the museum.
Opened in 1993, the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum outlines the history of fire fighting in Dauphin County and surrounding communities. The building was originally the Reily Hose Company No. 10. On display are various fire engines, helmets, belts, uniforms, and other firefighters' equipment.
Address: The Pennsylvania National Fire Museum, 1820 North 4th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102-1501, United States
Phone: 1 (717) 232-8915, Fax: 1 (717) 232-8916
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State Capitol, Harrisburg
State Capitol, Harrisburg
State Capitol, Harrisburg
State Capitol, Harrisburg
State Capitol, Harrisburg
Harrisburg
