Where to stay

Book a hotel in Downtown Harrisburg to explore the city's excellent museums and visit the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex, a must-see for those interested in politics. As well as taking a self-guided tour of the Beaux-Arts building, visitors can see exhibits and even watch a live senate session in the majestic State Capitol building. The nearby State Museum of Pennsylvania has displays on everything to do with Pennsylvania, from space exploration to the Civil War. Midtown is the most convenient neighborhood to stay for visitors wanting to see works by international, national, and local artists at the popular Susquehanna Art Museum and to visit the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts.

As the site of several battles during the American Civil War, as well as the location of Camp Curtin, a major Union Army training camp, Harrisburg is a top destination for history buffs. Consider accommodations in the neighborhood of Penbrook to be within walking distance of the National Civil War Museum, home to one of the world's best collection of artifacts relating to the War Between the States. The district of Progress is a good area for hotels and restaurants, and only a short drive from the museum and Harrisburg Cemetery, a burial ground for soldiers from the American Revolution. Alternatively, book a room in Allison Hill to stroll past the Victorian architecture of the Mount Pleasant Historic District.

Harrisburg is surrounded by beautiful rural areas to explore. Book accommodations in Uptown Harrisburg and be a short drive from the urban oasis of Wildwood Park with its woodland hiking trails. Following the river north, Hawk Rock has spectacular views of the Susquehanna Valley. Consider hotels in Linglestown to be closer to Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area, a state park with miles of hiking trails to explore. By staying in hotels in Skyline View, serious hikers can take a 25-minute drive northeast and join the Appalachian Trail at Swatara State Park.