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

Animal Kingdom Rules: ZooAmerica

ZooAmerica is just the right place for a short, sweet wildlife excursion. Accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, ZooAmerica’s origins date back to first decade of 1900, and is now part of Hershey Park—though it can be visited separately. Animals are organized according to their habitat—for instance, you’ll find alligators and crocodiles in the Southern Swamps and vampire bats, Gambel’s quail and Gila monsters as some of the representatives of the Great Southwest.

ZooAmerica has a number of conservation and breeding programs. The organization works with students and volunteers to create appropriate nesting boxes for American kestrels and peregrine falcons. These are then placed strategically in the wild where their natural nesting spots have been compromised or have disappeared. The zoo sponsors a variety of camp and educational outreach programs as well. After-hours events are exciting and informative. For more information, call (717) 534-3900, or visit: www.zooamerica.com.

A Great Park In the Blue Mountains: Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area

The Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area is one of Pennsylvania's newest state parks. Straddling the Blue Mountains with 1,025 acres of pristine wilderness, the park is home to many species that are ordinarily hard to find on a quick outdoors trip. From unique large trees to deep forest birds, fields of wildflowers, and seasonal gatherings of butterflies, this is a haven for nature lovers as well as anyone who wants to get back and reconnect with the quiet simplicity of the natural world. Visitors are encouraged to explore on their own, but guided tours and special focus programs offer a more in depth experience for anyone looking to learn a little along the way.

Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area
Fishing Creek Valley Road
State Road 443
Harrisburg, PA 17112
(717) 567-9255
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/boydbigtree.aspx

Ride the Trails of Civil War Generals

Here’s a new way to take in the Gettysburg scenery: go horseback. Confederate Trails of Gettysburg premiered its first season in 2010.   Small groups of six guests are led along scenic equestrian trails behind the Virginia Monument to Spangler Farm where they can glimpse Peach Orchard and Little Round Top in the distance. A two-hour option continues along through Pitzer’s Woods to Longstreet Tower. Perhaps from there you can catch sight of the Eisenhower Farm.

The pace is comfortable for novice riders (only age 8 and above). The operators have accommodated individuals with a range of disabilities and they assure nervous prospects that, upon request, they’ll send a person to walk alongside the horse to ease their anxiety. This is not a historic tour, so riders seeking informative narratives might wish to get that background before setting out on this venture. However, when children are in the group, consider requesting in advance a living history re-enactor at no additional charge. Helmets (provided) are required for guests under age 18, and adults who decline must sign a waiver. Reservations go rain or shine. Military families receive a 10 percent discount. Check the website for additional details.

Confederate Trails of Gettysburg
www.confederatetrailsofgettysburg.com

Oyster Mill Playhouse: Curtain’s Up

Live theater can add an important facet to a city’s cultural life, and Harrisburg locals are lucky to have the Oyster Mill Playhouse in their town. Nestled in a gorgeous converted oyster mill on the banks of the Conodoguinet Creek, the space was converted in 1988 and has hosted a robust variety of theatrical performances since. A completely volunteer-run non-profit theatre company is the space's exclusive tenant, putting on eight shows a year that run the gamut from comedy to drama. The playhouse is quite small, which means that you’re guaranteed an intimate evening with the actors. On the flip side, that also means that shows sell out quickly, too. In addition to the scheduled performance, the troupe raises funds by conducting entertaining murder mystery parties at your location, with clever improvisation bringing your guests into a hilarious and suspenseful world of deduction. The Playhouse’s lobby features a rotating gallery of work from local visual artists as well.

Oyster Mill Playhouse
1001 Oyster Mill Road
Camp Hill, PA 17011
(717) 737-6768
www.oystermill.com

Atomic Warehouse: It’s A Blast

If your interests lie in the art and design of the 20th century, Harrisburg’s Atomic Warehouse is going to feel like a paradise on Earth. Specializing in art deco, Mission, and mid-century modern design, the two gigantic floors are packed to the rafters with incredible merchandise plucked from the vault of history. Atomic Warehouse's owner is obsessed with his finds and will gladly regale you with the details of their provenance. Even if you’re not going to buy anything, Atomic Warehouse is still an incredible place to spend an afternoon digging through treasures. Of course, the staff would really prefer it if you bought something! From amazing furniture to vintage magazines, Atomic Warehouse has something for every interest. Some complain that prices are a little high, but it’s not like a factory can just make more of this stuff. There is literally no other store like this in the country, so visitors should be thankful that it even exists.

Atomic Warehouse
1021 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 236-1900
www.atomicwarehouse.com

Raise a Glass to Gettysburg at Hauser Estate Winery

Hauser Estate, a young winery with robust presence, is gathering a following. On what was once an apple orchard, Hauser Estate is committed to preserving agriculture in the Gettysburg area.  They’ve perched their tasting room and rental facilities to take advantage of a 360-degree view of the countryside, while the wine-making takes place underground. Besides arranging catering to your own special events, Hauser Estate offers happy hour on Thursday evenings and After Hours weekend parties with live entertainment. The Tasting Room is open seven days a week. You can taste Hauser’s products at two other sites—in Gettysburg and Chambersburg—as well.

Hauser produces a number of different choices for different tastes, including reserve wines and Jack’s Hard Cider. The winery gives the nod to local history with its Jenny Wade White, named for the only civilian known to be killed in the battle of Gettysburg; and Devil’s Den Red, named for the site where Union soldiers died from Confederate sniper fire.

Hauser Estate Winery: Tasting Room and Winery
410 Cashtown Rd
Biglerville, PA 17307
(717) 334-4888
www.hauserestate.com

Asia Mall: Shop The Orient

The countries of Asia, especially Japan, are widely known for the cleverness and diversity of their consumer products. While some make it to American stores, the vast majority of them must be imported at a costly rate. Harrisburg’s Asia Mall combines a wide number of retailers under one roof. The K&H Supermarket is the largest – this multi-ethnic grocery store covers a number of bases. From exotic vegetables like winter melon and durian to packaged noodles and other goods, you’ll find just about everything you need to cook authentic Asian meals here. They also sell skin care and beauty products, utensils, and much more. Kim Son Bakery offers a variety of delicious Asian baked goods, from sesame buns to donuts. Asia Nail Supply sells mainly to the trade, but if you’re looking for exotic nail polish or manicure supplies, their selection is great. A number of Thai and Vietnamese restaurants fill out the mall. The experience alone makes a trip here worth it!

Asia Mall
1030 S. 13th Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104
www.yelp.com/biz/asia-mall-harrisburg

Popcorn Hat Players: Theatre With Salt

If you’re looking for a more irreverent take on the stage, Harrisburg’s Popcorn Hat Players might whet your appetite. This much-loved local children’s theatre troupe has been putting on shows since 1993, using professional actors and directors to bring top-quality performances to children of all social and economic backgrounds. Plays put on by the troupe include adaptations of classic Mother Goose rhymes as well as fairy tales like The Little Mermaid and Rumpelstiltskin. Their performances are very entertaining. Although the stagecraft is serious business, each show has a real sense of humor that will keep kids riveted to the stage. And, of course, the Popcorn Hat Players throw in a few jokes for the grown-ups as well. Ticket prices are incredibly reasonable – just seven dollars – which makes it an excellent entertainment value. The troupe also runs a number of educational and outreach programs and mentors a group of young actors who perform in a yearly show.

Popcorn Hat Players
Third Floor
605 Strawberry Square
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 238-4111
www.gamutplays.org/popcorn

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