Capital Area Greenbelt: A Hiker’s Paradise

Capital Area Greenbelt is a dedicated millennium trail for residents and visitors in need of a natural getaway. The recreational pathway runs in a ring around Harrisburg, offering a scenic track for hikers, bikers, skaters, and runners alike. If you're simply in the mood to take in the flourishing animals and plants, this is also a wonderful place to stroll with friends or walk your dog. A labyrinth of pathways and gardens makes it easy to get happily lost, but a series of well-marked signs and maps will help you find your way back home. In other words, you can get lost in the natural splendor without having to venture far from the bustle of the city.

Capital Area Greenbelt
1690 S. Cameron St.
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 921-GREEN
www.caga.org

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

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.

Susquehanna Outfitters: Your Ticket to the Great Outdoors

If you're planning a trip to the activity packed City Island Park or just want to explore Harrisburg at large, be sure to visit Susquehanna Outfitters. This fully equipped sports center offers equipment for all outdoors needs—the hard part is deciding what you want to do first. Water lovers can kayak or canoe on the placid river or enjoy swimming, fishing, and a lazy picnic at any of the river's secluded island spots. Bicycle fiends, meanwhile, can rent a pair of wheels to explore Riverfront Park and the Capital Area Greenbelt. And if you're geared up for a more elaborate expedition, sign on for one of the company's eco and heritage tours. If you’re on your own, this is a great way to meet new people or you can arrange to have a big outing with a group of friends—either way you're bound to have a blast.

Susquehanna Outfitters
City Island
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 503-0066
www.susquehannaoutfitters.com

National Civil War Museum: It's About People

On high land overlooking Harrisburg and the Susquehanna sits the National Civil War Museum.  Built in 2001, this non-profit museum prides itself on presenting the military and civilian aspects of the war without bias to the Union or Confederacy. Instead, it emphasizes the human side. Here you’ll find stories and artifacts not available anywhere else.  The total collection tops 4,400 artifacts and 21,000 archival pieces; of course many of these are only displayed on a rotating basis, or by appointment, or are still in the process of being catalogued and transcribed for access to an online database. 

Visitors generally spend from two to four hours in the galleries. Audio-visual presentations intersperse dioramas and exhibits.  So in addition to seeing weapons, you can watch videos explaining how they were loaded and fired. There’s a music station, displaying instruments and sheet music, where you’ll hear Civil War period songs. Throughout the dioramas, you can follow the story of particular characters of the time.  You’ll learn about camp life and what the war meant to women and children; you’ll see sides of slavery you may have previously missed. The museum continues to be a popular work in progress. Prepare for your visit with a look at the museum website. 

National Civil War Museum
One Lincoln Circle at Reservoir Park
Harrisburg, PA 17103
(717) 260-1861
www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

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

Experience PA's Heritage at the State Museum of Pennsylvania

True to its founding principal, the State Museum of Pennsylvania is the most prominent hub of cultural activity. With inspiring exhibits—both temporary and permanent—that illuminate the state's artistic heritage as well as programs at the planetarium, a hands-on learning center, and even a dinosaur lab, there's something for visitors of all ages to learn or explore. The collection's 3,000,000 objects represent the history and heritage of Pennsylvania, but don't worry about getting lost in the past. Curators care for the range of items while encouraging visitors to learn about the history and significance of each artifact through themed educational exhibits. Whether you're in the mood to volunteer, browse, or just learn about something new, the State Museum of Pennsylvania is the place to be.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania
300 North St.
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 787-4980
www.statemuseumpa.org

Donate to the Dauphin County Children & Youth Gift Drive

We would like to remind all of our residents that Thursday, December 2, 2010, is the deadline for the Dauphin County Children & Youth gift drive.

Please drop off your new, unwrapped gift by 5 p.m. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Art Association of Harrisburg: Visit the Hub of Artistic Harrisburg

The Art Association of Harrisburg has been at the heart of central Pennsylvania's cultural events since 1926. Housed in Governor Findlay's gorgeous historical mansion across the street from Riverfront Park, the organization encourages events throughout the city while also hosting exhibition opportunities for local and national artists alike. As the oldest Harrisburg gallery, this is the place to breathe in the city's artistic heritage while catching a glimpse of the legacy to come. With art classes for children and adults as well as a stunning catalog of archived photos and other works of art, this is also a resource for anyone in need of a research facility and plain old curiosity-seekers.

Art Association of Harrisburg
21 N. Front St.
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 236-1432
www.artassocofhbg.com

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

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