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

John Harris-Simon Cameron Museum

If you’re interested in the rich history of the Dauphin County area, there’s no better place to learn about it than the John Harris-Simon Cameron Museum. Located in one of the oldest and most majestic buildings in Harrisburg (the Harris-Cameron Mansion) the Museum is an enormous building constructed from locally quarried limestone. Simon Cameron, the house’s second occupant, was best known as Secretary of War under Abraham Lincoln, and his family held onto the house until donating it to the Historical Society in 1941. Since then, the mansion has been carefully preserved and decorated to simulate 19th century life in the Harrisburg area, with each of the rooms arranged and decorated to provide insight into the lives of the families that lived there. The Museum also serves as the headquarters of the Dauphin County Historical Society, which presents a wide variety of educational programs, re-enactments and more. A visit here's sure to expand your mind.

John Harris-Simon Cameron Museum
219 South Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 233-3462
www.dauphincountyhistory.org

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

Midtown Scholar Bookstore: Read And Learn

The independent bookstore is a dying breed, but stalwarts like Harrisburg’s Midtown Scholar are bucking the tide. There are things you can get at a locally-owned business that you can’t from Amazon or Barnes & Noble – most importantly, customer service. The employees here know their literature, and are happy to offer recommendations that usually hit the mark. This is the largest academic used bookstore between New York and Chicago, with an unreal selection of over 100,000 volumes! The space is incredibly beautiful, illuminated with tons of light, and it’s easy to lose many hours browsing the stacks, finding rare treasures at great prices. A kids play area gives the little ones a place of their own to enjoy. The bookstore also hosts a café that serves up delicious free trade coffees and teas. Friday and Saturday night the Midtown Scholar Bookstore uses some space for free concerts by local musical acts.

Midtown Scholar Bookstore
1302 North Third Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 236-1680
www.midtownscholar.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

Visit the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts For Educational Entertainment

There's no need to choose when to visit the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts. The unrivaled facility in downtown Harrisburg is the home to several resident arts companies, science exhibitions, and plenty of educational and entertainment-oriented programs. Whether you're in the mood to see a recently released movie on IMAX, check out three-floors worth of interactive science displays (all hands-on, of course), or take in a top-notch dance or theater performance, the Whitaker center is the place to be. True to its dedication as a resource for educational and expressive experience, the facility also offers 16 flexible spaces to accommodate practice spaces, private viewing events (for up to 1,500 guests), and elegant lobbies for private functions or gatherings. The Whitaker Center is one of the pulsing centers of Harrisburg's cultural activity.

Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts
222 Market St.
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 214-ARTS
www.whitakercenter.org

From the Latest Blockbusters to Cherished Classics, Midtown Cinema Has it All

The Midtown Cinema is the ideal destination for movie buffs and cinema-lovers of all inclinations. Founded in 2001, the theater gets back to the heart of film's glory days thanks to screenings of unique new and classic movies. Independent productions, foreign films, and beloved favorites all get equal footing at this open-minded playhouse. Putting a fresh spin on the classic concession stand, the Reel Café is yet another reason to stop by Midtown Cinema with its range of premium coffee beverages, weekly special drinks, and all the usual coffee house snacks. Whether you're in the mood to see a particular movie or just feel like being surprised, you'll always be glad you stopped by Midtown Cinema.

Reily Midtown Cinema
250 Reily St
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 901-6218
www.midtowncinema.com

See, Touch, and Experience Art at the Susquehanna Art Museum

Born from four arts educators’ dream to cultivate greater creative awareness in the surprisingly art deprived state capital, the Susquehanna Art Museum has been one of the best destinations for visual art lovers since 1989. Focused on the idea of being a "museum without walls" the facility is an all-accessible venue for visitors of all ages. The Doshi Gallery for Contemporary Art spotlights the work of regional artists, the Creation Station offers hands-on classroom experience for different age groups, while four rotating temporary exhibitions feature a diverse body of work worth stopping in to see. As a local resource for arts education and experience, the Susquehanna Art Museum is an invaluable hub of creative activity and encouragement for Pennsylvania's central capital. 

Susquehanna Art Museum
301 Market St.
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 233-8668
www.sqart.org

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

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