The Little Black Truck: Slow Smoke

Barbecue is sweeping the nation as one of the hottest new food trends, and lovers of slow-cooked meat have plenty of options. In Harrisburg, one of the best options is the Little Black Truck. The Little Black Truck's a roving smokehouse that serves up spectacular meat cooked to incredible tenderness. The pulled pork here is excellent: every bite is permeated with the most wonderful smoky flavor, which reacts amazingly to the sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. The portions are huge — a single sandwich is more than enough to fill you up. If you don’t feel like barbecue, The Little Black Truck also offers extremely good burgers, topped with gooey melted cheese and a delicious horseradish sauce. The homemade chili is also a high point, perfectly spicy and laden with delicious meat. Don’t come here expecting a salad, but if you’re in the mood for some epic meats, the Little Black Truck certainly won’t disappoint.

The Little Black Truck
3809 Paxton Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 877-7636
www.facebook.com/TheLittleBlackTruckBBQ

The HodgePodgery: A Little Bit Of Everything

People are getting more and more interested in celebrating their local culture, and shops like Harrisburg’s HodgePodgery are helping that happen. This charming boutique selects its wares by one criteria: they must be handmade by artists and artisans residing less than a hundred miles from Harrisburg. Thankfully, the area has an incredibly wide variety of talented folks making all kinds of cool stuff. Over 150 artisans are represented, offering housewares, clothing, and even soaps. A real emphasis here is on reusing, recycling and repurposing materials, and a lot of the merchandise has a funky vibe. The owner and staff are all super friendly and very happy to help you shop for what you need. The HodgePodgery also hosts a number of classes taught by artists, including sewing, photography, soldering and more. Locals love this place because they know they’ll walk out the door with something unique that they couldn’t get anywhere else.

The HodgePodgery
1100 North 3rd Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 236-0150
www.thehodgepodgery.com

Five Senses Gardens

All this city life can make a soul pine for the natural world! Luckily the Five Senses Gardens are right here for Harrisburg residents and visitors alike to enjoy. Situated on the Capital Area Greenbelt, this lovely and distinctive park has endured some seriously adverse conditions in recent years, but thanks to the efforts of a very dedicated group of volunteers has rebounded and continues to serve the community. As you might guess from the name, the park is divided into five individual “gardens,” each one of which is designed to stimulate a specific sense! The sight garden offers flowering plants and beautiful botanicals that tantalize the eyes with color. The sound garden plays host to a wide variety of songbirds. The smell garden boasts a number of different plants that emit distinctive and pleasurable odors. The taste garden offers mint, blueberries and other examples of nature’s bounty. And, finally, the Labyrinth uses the sense of touch to navigate a maze. This is an experience not to be missed.

Five Senses Gardens
www.caga.org/five_senses_gardens

West Hanover Winery: 38 Varieties of Wine RIght Around the Corner

The award-winning West Hanover Winery is the place to go for a sampling of Pennsylvania's best homemade wines. Though Pennsylvania doesn't have the same renown as California Wine Country, this selection of American wines is equally aromatic and savory—plus you don't have to deal with the crowds and outlandish prices of the West Coast's destinations. From 38 top-quality varieties of wine to summer concerts and tasting tours, this long-running establishment is perfect for an impromptu outing or a special celebratory event (including weddings, anniversaries, or private parties). Come to West Hanover Winery with an open palette or pack a picnic to enjoy the stunning surroundings and welcoming customer service.

West Hanover Winery
7646 Jonestown Rd.
Harrisburg, PA 17112
(717) 652-3711
www.westhanoverwinery.net

Tap into Troeg’s Brewing Company

Introduce yourself to Tröeg’s Brewing Company. Harrisburg is home to its prize-winning lagers, ales, and stouts! The Trogner brothers set up shop here in 1996. They know their brewing. A dozen brews are available, including the Scratch of the moment—scratch selections are experimental beers, created in sampling quantities and available only in Tröeg’s Tasting Room. You’ll want to visit the Tasting Room to try JavaHead oatmeal stout, flavored with coffee beans and cocoa ot Troegenator Double Bock, a frequent award recipient, including a 2010 World Beer Cup Gold Medal winner. A taste will compel you to return for seasonal winners like Flying Mouflan and Mad Elf Ale.

Informative guided tours are provided at fixed times on Saturday afternoons by reservation, so plan well in advance. Soft pretzels can accompany the tastings, but realize that beer, not food, is what this brewery does.

Tröegs Brewing Company
800 Paxton Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 232-1297
www.troegs.com

The Coliseum: Fun For Everyone

Dubbed an “entertainment megaplex,” The Coliseum is a 35,000 square foot destination offering a little something for everyone. Start with the massive bowling alley, which boasts incredibly high-quality lanes that are kept in perfect condition and illuminated by a futuristic light show. Flat-screen projection TVs offer sporting events, music videos, and other cool stuff to watch. If you’re all bowled out, head into the awesome game room, which features over 100 video games, tests of skill, and more. There’s even pool tables and dartboards for the more adult sportsman. The Coliseum also hosts a restaurant on the upper level, offering a variety of American classics. Thursday nights see ten cent hot wings, which are remarkably popular among the locals. Some note that prices can be a bit high, but they do offer a wide variety of coupons and special deals for cost-conscious families. On the weekends, The Coliseum can get packed since it's such a popular destination!

The Coliseum
415 Saint Johns Church Road
Camp Hill, PA 17011
(717) 972-1001
www.coliseumfun.com

Who Are The Greatest Male Athletes In History?

Since the beginning of time, great athletes have inspired onlookers with their dazzling physical abilities. If you’ve ever spent time watching major sporting events like the Super Bowl, the World Series, and the Olympic games, then you know just how moving it can be to witness great athletes in action. Here are five of the most astounding male athletes in history:

Treat Yourself to a Meal at Mangia Qui

Mangia Qui—together with Suba, its upstairs Spanish tapas bar—is a consistent favorite among discerning diners. Here you’ll find the best of regional Italian and Spanish dishes, performed with agriculturally sensitive local, seasonal ingredients. You can feast righteously and gloriously, though not necessarily inexpensively. Extensive, imaginative menus excite the palate; the dishes merit every bit of that anticipation. Your toughest decision is whether to go for the tapas or the entrées, and you may end up with a little bit of everything. From almond stuffed dates wrapped in bacon and topped with cheese and seafood tacos, to ceviche and calamari, amazing pastas and Tuscan Grill beef, and so much more, Mangia Qui requires repeat visits. Mixed drinks and wines raise a fine meal to exquisite.

Mangia Qui offers lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday, and Sunday brunch. Suba opens at 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.  Live music begins at 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Mangia Qui
272 North Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 233-7358
www.mangiaqui.com

Cafe Fresco: Asian Fusion From An Award-Winning Chef

Since 2005, Café Fresco has been Harrisburg’s premiere spot for top-notch Asian fusion food, delivering amazingly diverse and tasty dishes to appreciative eaters from all around the state. Award-winning chef Travis Mumma has carefully conceived the menu to contain nothing but essential dishes, and diners rave over his presentation. Start out with the house Tigerlily Martini, made with fresh lychee for a unique flavor twist. The seafood is all exceptional, with the Chilean sea bass with creamy miso and the sesame encrusted Ahi tuna being notable standouts. If you don’t feel like fish, Café Fresco has a wide variety of other delectable dishes on the menu, ranging from a tender roasted duck breast to remarkably good pizzas—slightly unusual for a restaurant with such open Asian influences. For budget-conscious diners, a visit during Happy Hour is great for a menu of food and drink specials.

Café Fresco
215 North 2nd Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 236-2599 ‎
www.cafefresco.com

Pennsylvania State Capitol: A Landmark of Power and Beauty

Combining all the best of classical grandeur and contemporary power, the Pennsylvania State Capitol is a breathtaking building and home to the keystone state's governmental seat. A public destination open to all visitors, it is an architectural gem and a historical symbol of the founding state's storied role in America's evolution. Dedicated in 1906—with none other than president Theodore Roosevelt in attendance—the building has long been an iconic landmark both inside and out. The interior features variously inspired details such as Renaissance designs, stained glass, as well as French, Greek, and Victorian aesthetic influences. Beyond the sprawling rooms and hallways, the central, Michelangelo-inspired 272-foot dome is not to be missed. But no matter what, this is a beautiful place to get a sense of Pennsylvania's political past as well as a glimpse of its future.

Pennsylvania State Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 787-6810
www.pacapitol.com

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