Alvaro Bread and Pastry Shoppe: More Than Just Sweet Treats

If you’re looking for classic old-school Italian bread, the Alvaro family has a loaf for you. This local favorite, housed in a completely refurbished brick building, has become a hangout for eaters looking not only for baked goods but also Italian classics. Everything is made on the premises, and regulars rave about the pizzas, which are made with the perfect amount of fresh ingredients on a delicious crust. Portions are gigantic and prices are incredibly reasonable. If you’re there for dinner, make sure at least one person at your table orders from the amazing fresh pasta menu—the house-made ravioli are some of the best in town, packed with flavor and cooked to incredible tenderness. Spaghetti is also incredible, with unique thick noodles perfectly supporting a dense, flavorful sauce. For dessert, you have plenty to choose from—Alvaro’s cakes and cookies compete with incredible gelato. This place is a definite winner.

Alvaro Bread and Pastry Shoppe
236 Peffer Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 238-1999
www.alvarobread.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

Lancaster Brewing Company: Tip A Glass

Pennsylvania has a number of high-quality microbreweries advancing the art of craft beer. The Lancaster Brewing Company is no exception. Established in 1840, it’s one of the oldest breweries in Pennsylvania. As the years have gone by, it’s become a very popular local watering hole with its combination of excellent beers and top-quality food. An outpost of the brewery recently opened in Harrisburg and locals have been giving it rave reviews. If you want an overview of what they brew, the beer sampler lets you get a taste of four beers for a mere ten bucks. The food is competent but unexceptional, with a crabcake sandwich and the mussels appetizer winning special mention. While you’re waiting for your food, take a few minutes to explore the incredibly detailed “History of Beer” mural – you’re bound to learn something.

Lancaster Brewing Company
469 Eisenhower Boulevard
Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 564-4448
www.lbcharrisburg.com

Progress Grill: A Taste of History

The moniker of Harrisburg’s Progress Grill is a little ironic—in a town that has seen a great deal of gentrification in the last decade, this local institution has stayed firmly stuck in the past. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, mind you, as there’s still plenty of room in this world for old-school quality. The retro formal Progress Grill has been welcoming locals for decades, serving up American classics with skill. Service is some of the best in town—with a tradition of excellence like this place has, that shouldn’t be too surprising. Known for their steak and seafood, regulars rave that the prime rib is some of the best to be had anywhere, the crabcakes are spectacular, and the rack of lamb is a winner as well. One complaint about Progress Grill is that the prices are a touch too high, but you’re paying for history here.

Progress Grill
3526 Walnut Street
Harrisburg, PA 17109
(717) 652-7348
www.progressgrill.com

Gamut Classic Theatre: A Classic Act in Harrisburg, PA

Gamut Classic Theatre combines the talents of the Harrisburg Shakespeare Festival and the Popcorn Hat Players Children's Theatre into one production company. The former focuses on a yearly celebration of the British playwright, featuring a sampling of the bard's most popular works along with free performances, comedy send-ups, and even a symbolic birthday party. The latter component of the company is dedicated to entertaining children and their families in a unique setting, bringing folk tales, fairytales, and fables to life in creative—and at times improvisational—ways. Gamut is committed to bringing the power of theater to Harrisburg, but the popularity and high quality of each production means that the players are often on the road to perform for other communities. But with frequent performances throughout the year and an educational outreach program that includes a theater school, educational residencies, and resources for local teachers, this is a true hub for Harrisburg's thespians and theater appreciators.

Gamut Classic Theatre
605 Strawberry St.
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 238-4111 ‎
www.gamutplays.org

Color Me Mine: Show Your Artistic Side

People looking to flex their creative muscle have been coming to Harrisburg’s Color Me Mine for years. The wide range of artistic activities on offer at Color Me Mine encourage repeat visits. Here’s how it works: first, you select from the literally hundreds of ceramic pieces available to paint on. This stuff runs the gamut from plates and tiles to more complicated pieces, and the prices are very reasonable. Second, pay an eight-dollar studio fee and then start painting. The fee covers everything you’ll use at Color Me Mine… and there’s a lot of stuff. The sheer number of paints and glazes available boggles the mind, and the staff is always available to help you with your artwork. Once it’s done, you leave it there to be fired in the kiln and come pick it up approximately five days later. It’s a great creative outlet for people of all ages, and Color Me Mine offers a number of special deals and packages throughout the week.

Color Me Mine
5110 Jonestown Road
Harrisburg, PA 17112
(717) 909-8170
www.harrisburg.colormemine.com

Eco-Friendly Beauty Solutions

Like makeup and passionate about the environment? Check out these eco-friendly beauty solutions, sure to keep you — and the planet! — looking good:

Use Organic Makeup
Numerous companies manufacture products made from plant oils, minerals, and various extracts. These products are not only environmentally-friendly, they're also healthier for your skin. You'll be helping your skin and planet at the same time.

Go Cruelty Free
Cosmetics companies will often test their products on animals. Alternative testing methods are available, however. Look for a Leaping Bunny Logo on the packaging, and you'll know it's cruelty free.

Recycle
Take part in a makeup recycling program. More and more stores and recycling centers are accepting makeup containers for recycling. Also, stores like MAC and Origins have programs to turn in containers, some of which can get you more makeup!

Conserve Water
Invest in a low-flow shower head and limit your shower time. You'll be saving lots of water! Turning off the water for activities like shaving and brushing teeth can also go a long way in helping the environment.

Avoid Disposables
Not only does a reusable razor help reduce landfill waste, it will be cheaper for you in the long run. Also, you'll be doing a lot of good by cutting out disposable sponges and Q-tips when applying makeup. Use brushes or your fingers whenever possible.

 

Dine at Award-Winning Bricco!

When you’re delighting in superlative food, it’s super-delightful to know you’re also enjoying locally sourced ingredients.  At Bricco, you’re dining in the hands of award-winning masters—and their students—while supporting nearby farms and entrepreneurs. Bricco’s chefs Finch and Viscount received the 2010 Governor's Award for Excellence in the Culinary Arts. Bricco represents a collaboration between the Olewine School of Culinary Arts at Harrisburg Area Community College and Harrisburg Hotel Corporation, managing general partner of The Hilton Harrisburg.

Your menu selections pay glorious homage to the finest of Mediterranean cuisine. Seafood “towers” and “raw” offerings compete to steal the show from the beef and, yes, pizzas. And then how can you select from among additional entrees like roasted duck, short ribs and quail, or tapas options? Don’t miss some of the fabulous bottles from Pennsylvania vineyards or the diet-sabotaging desserts.  Guiltlessly indulge for lunch Monday through Friday and for dinner, seven days a week.  You’ll become a fan of Olewine’s and Ciao! Bakery, as well.

Bricco
31 South Third Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 724-0222
www.briccopa.com

Arepa City: The Griddle Sings

If you’ve never had an arepa, the Central American corn cake, you’re in for a real treat. These small fried cakes have a taste that perfectly harmonizes sweet and savory, and they’re often filled with cheese or meat and topped with a tangy cole slaw. Harrisburg's Arepa City uses theirs to make what are essentially sandwiches: awesome arepa sandwiches! Regulars rave about Arepa City's slow-roasted pork leg, its chorizo sausage and potatoes, and its epic Miliciosa – roast pork, avocado, and grilled queso fresco. But don’t think that the menu at Arepa City ends there. Its owners work hard to bring awesome food from all over Latin America to grateful diners. From savory, delicious tostones to delicious empanadas, this place has it all. Even better, they’re open late at night – perfect for filling the belly after a long night at the bar. Prices here might seem a little high but but the portions are huge.

Arepa City
316 North 2nd Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 233-3332
www.arepacity.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

Next Page »