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

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

Get Your Sports Fix at the SkyLine Sports Complex

You can always spot a good sports complex when there are numerous resident and visiting teams that come to use the facility. The SkyLine Sports Complex is just that, with a stadium and multiple fields that are home to the Harrisburg City Islanders soccer team and Central Penn Piranha football team. Whatever the shape of the ball or the length of the field, there's always something to see and plenty of teams to cheer for when you come down to SkyLine. The reasonably marked tickets make this a great destination for a group of friends and there's plenty of room for a quality tailgate pre-party, so stock up the car and roll out. The newly renovated venue is also in tip-top shape—from the stadium seats to the freshly planted grass—so there's no need to worry about getting stuck at a decaying relic of bygone sports glory.

SkyLine Sports Complex
City Island
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 255-3020
www.harrisburgevents.com/Common/City_Island.html

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

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

How to Celebrate Halloween in Harrisburg

1. Check out Spirit Halloween for your last minute Halloween needs. The gigantic superstore has every costume you can possibly dream of, from scareworthy frocks to garments with sex appeal. You'll also find decorating supplies galore to make your pad look festive and freaky for the big night.

2. Scare yourself silly at the 2nd Annual Harrisburg Zombie Walk on October 30, 2010, from 4 – 6 p.m.! Meet at the Harrisburg Mall to watch this scary spectacle, or make youself look ghastly to walk with the rest of the city's living dead. A spooktacular zombie bar crawl will follow at 8 p.m.! Check out the Harrisburg Zombie Walk Facebook page for details. 

3. Taking your kids trick-or-treating, or enjoying a night out for yourself? Check out the CDC's Halloween Health & Safety Tips to keep you and your little trick-or-treaters safe and sound.

4. Get in the spirit. Halloween may seem like a holiday that's meant for kids, but adults can enjoy it too! Host a costume party at your house, check out local community events, and most imporant of all, have fun!

Harrisburg's Finest Musical Venue: The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra

Get a taste of classical music with a visit to the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra. Featuring top trained musicians of all styles and instruments, this orchestra is one of the best organizations for high-quality music lovers. Led by beloved music director Stuart Malina, the orchestra runs a range of popular events such as the Masterworks Series (spotlighting seven pairings of masterworks every year) and the Capital BlueCross Pops (focusing on three pairs of lighter, contemporary works). Other special events range per season to cater to particular holiday events, social gatherings, and weather-contingent concerts. But if you want to get in on the action, check out the educational program of lectures, clinics, and demonstrations, or head down to support the Harrisburg Youth Symphony's free performances.

Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra
800 Corporate Circle
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9346
(717) 545-5527
www.harrisburgsymphony.org

Harrisburg City Island: An Island Getaway You Can Do in a Day

Harrisburg City Island is a stunning park right in the middle of the busy state capital. This beautiful and popular destination preserves the natural beauty of the local greenery, while offering more attractions than any visitor could hope for. Kids and adults alike can enjoy batting cages and a full arcade or pick up a kite to glide along the easy breeze and stop off at the antique carousel. There's also a scaled version of a Civil War era steam engine train to ride, classical horse drawn carriages, riverboat tours, and docks for boaters of all kinds. Forget isolated desert islands, Harrisburg City Island is one piece of water-locked turf you'll be happy to get stranded on.

Harrisburg City Island
Off Market Street Bridge
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 255-3020
www.harrisburgevents.com

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