Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park , Lancaster This family fun park has a range of rides for adventurers of all ages , including a water park and a monorail that encircles the whole park . Daily shows , including story time with Princess Brooke and a high-drive telling of the Frog Prince , keep visitors entertained between rides . Info : 866.386.2839 , www . dutchwonderland . com
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary , Kempton A research center and wildlife sanctuary created specifically for the protection of birds of prey . Visitors can learn about and observe raptors , ospreys , hawks , and more . Info : 610.756.6961 , www . hawkmountain . org
Hersheypark , Hershey The country ’ s sweetest amusement park . More than 65 rides , including 11 roller-coasters , 9 water rides , and 20 kiddie rides . Weekly concerts and shows , as well as games and other attractions like an “ old time ” photo shop . Info : 800 . HERSHEY , www . hersheypark . com
Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery , Lititz Visit America ’ s first commercial pretzel bakery , and learn the secrets that make it so special . Tour the bakery , watch bakers hand-twisting each pretzel , and get a hands-on twisting lesson . Info : 717.626.4354 , www . juliussturgis . com
Land of Little Horses Farm Park , Gettysburg Get up close and personal with miniature horses and other animals . Daily events include arena performances and educational “ close encounters ,” during which visitors can interact with animals directly . Info : 717.334.7259 , www . landoflittlehorse . com
Roundtop Mountain Resort , Lewisberry Skiing , snowboarding , and tubing on 100 % manufactured snow . Sixteen trails serviced by 10 lifts , plus a full resort , equipment rental , and NASCAR racing . During the warmer months , Roundtop offers paintball , ropes courses , and 18 zip lines . Info : 717.432.9631 , www . skiroundtop . com
MUSEUMS
AACA Museum , Hershey Created by the Antique Automobile Club of America as a way to celebrate the important role that cars have played in history of the United States , the AACA Museum contains more than 100 cars , trucks , buses , and motorcycles from every era of America ’ s automotive history . Info : 717.566.7100 , www . aacamuseum . org
Appalachian Trail Museum , Gardners Located near the midway point of the famous hiking trail from Maine to Georgia , this mountain documents the history of the Trail and its hikers . Info : 717.486.8126 , www . atmuseum . org
Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitors Center , Gettysburg Commemorates the crucial battle that was the turning point in the American Civil War . Home to one of the largest colletions of Civil War memorabilia in the country , as well as a library and research center for scholars and enthusiasts . Info : 717.334.1124 ex . 8023 , www . nps . gov / gett
Hands-on House Children ’ s Museum of Lancaster , Lancaster Interactive children ’ s museum for kids 2-10 , featuring a variety of self-directed exhibits , like a machine shop , a farm , and the outdoor Mason ’ s Active Adventure Garden . Classes and other organized events are also available . Info : 717.569 . KIDS , www . handsonhouse . org
44 . | EXPLORE PA 2017
Indian Steps Museum , Airville Celebrates the culture and history of Native Americans , specifically the Algonquian , Susquehannock , and Shawnee inhabitants who lived in the Susquehanna Valley in the 17th and 18th centuries . Many artifacts in the collection date as far back as 10,000 BCE . Info : 717.862.3948 , www . indiansteps . org
Lancaster Museum of Art , Lancaster A collection of “ the best art available ,” the museum features artworks in all media from both locally and internationally known artists . Lectures , classes , and other programs also available . Info : 717.394.3497 , www . lmapa . org
National Civil War Museum , Harrisburg The largest museum in the world dedicated exclusively to the American Civil War , including more than 24,000 artifacts , manuscripts , documents , and photographs . Info : 717.260.1861 , www . nationalcivilwarmuseum . org
National Toy Train Museum , Strasburg Designed to look like a Victorian Era California train station , the museum includes examples of dozens of different types of toy trains , many of which are interactive , from 1800 to the present . Info : 717.687.8976 , www . nttmuseum . org
National Watch and Clock Museum , Columbia The largest collection of horological items in North America , containing more than 12,000 clocks , watches , and other timepieces documenting the history of time and timekeeping . Info : 717.684.8261 , www . nawcc . org
North Museum of Natural History and Science , Lancaster Home of Central PA ’ s largest planetarium , as well as permanent and rotating exhibits exploring topics from dinosaurs to space travel . More than 300,000 unique objects on display to teach visitors about biology , anthropology , geology , paleontology , and astronomy . Info : 717.291.3941 , www . northmuseum . org
Pennsylvania State Capitol , Harrisburg With a dome inspired by Michelangelo ’ s design for St . Peter ’ s Basilica , and other rooms that incoroporate other Renaissance styles , the Capitol building is both the home of the Commonwealth ’ s General Assembly and a National Historic Landmark . Includes several educational exhibits . Info : 800 . TOUR . N . PA , www . pacapitol . com
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania , Strasburg Celebrates the region ’ s railroad history with more than 100 train cars dating from the 19th and 20th centuries , a locomotive simulator , and model trains . Info : 717.687.8628 , www . rrmuseumpa . org
State museum of Pennsylvania , Harrisburg Dedicated to documenting every aspect of Pennsylvania ’ s history , from ancient geological events to a recreation of a Coca-Cola factory . Info : 717.787.4980 , www . statemuseum . pa . org
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts , Harrisburg A beautiful performance space , IMAX theater , and science museum in one complex . Catch a concert from world-calss perfromers , watch a documentary or the altest blockbluster in IMAX , or get hands-on expderience with a variety of scientific exhibits . Info : 717.214 . ARTS , www . whitakercenter . org
ATTRACTIONS
America ’ s Largest RV Show , Hershey The name says it all ! With more than 30 acres of RVs , camping equipment , and thousands of accessories , plus educational seminars , this is a can ’ t-miss event for RV and camping enthusiasts ( Industry days : Sep 8-9 ; Public days : Sep 10-14 ). Info : 888.303.2887 , www . largestrvshow . com
Fall Carlisle Collector Car Swap Meet and Corral , Carlisle Buy , sell , trade , or just observe classic cars and everything automotive at one of the largest car swap meets in the country ( Oct ). Info : 717.243.7855 , www . carlisleevents . com / events / fall-carlisle
Franklin County Fair , Chambersburg Experience a traditional country fair , complete with parades of 4-H raised livestock . Entertainment , games , and a gun raffle are among the other highlights of this week-long fair ( Jul ). Info : 717.597.8178 , www . franklincountyfair . org
Kutztown Folk Festival , Kutztown Celebrates the unique history of 19th century PA Dutch settlers . Attendees can dance a cake-walk or wathc reenactments of a hanging and a Mennonite wedding . Or just browse the hundreds of handmade quilts and enjoy the freshly baked bread and other family-style food ( Jun 28-Jul 6 ). Info : 888.674.6136 , www . kutztownfestival . com
Little Buffalo Festival , Newport The focus is on artistic expression and environmental awareness . Peruse handmade crafts inspired by nature , attend a tai chi workshop , or learn how to build a harp ( Oct ). Info : 717.567.7023 , www . littlebuffalofestival . com
Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show , Mount Gretna Annual outdoor art festival benefiting the community of Mount Gretna . In addition to the artwork of more than 250 artists in all media , the show features live music , the community ’ s famous food court , and a beautiful natural setting in the woods ( Aug ). Info : 717.964.3270 , www . mtgretnaarts . com
National Apple Harvest Festival , Biglerville Commemorating 50 years in 2014 , this festival celebrates the annual apple harvest with all things apple , plus more than 300 arts and crafts vendors , dozens of live entertainers , antique car displays , and more ( Oct ). Info : 717.677.9413 , www . appleharvest . com
Pennsylvania Farm Show , Harrisburg The largest indoor agricultural show in the country . Rodeos , contests , and a bounty of locally grown food ( Jan 4-11 ). Info : 717.787.5373 , www . farmshow . state . pa . us
Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire , Manheim Transports visitors to 16th century England , where they can socialize with pirates , jesters , and even Queen Elizabeth I herself ! A variety of live entertainment , including jousting , juggling , and music , as well as period-appropriate food and drink , make this event a truly immersive experience ( weekends , Aug-Oct ). Info : 717.665.7021 , www . parenfaire . com
Perry County Community Fair ,Newport Traditional county fair , featuring contest , animals , games , live entertainment , and rides . Participate in the annual chili cookoff , attend the crowning of Miss Perry County Fair , or watch the swine weigh-in ( Aug 19-23 ). Info : 717.567.6779 , www . pecofair . org
York Fair , York Older than the United States itself , the York Fair ( founded in 1765 ) includes all the hallmarks of an old-fashioned country fair , as well as unique attractions like helicopter rides , camel rides , an animal birthing center , and strongman competitions ( Sep ). Info : 717.848.2596 , www . yorkfair . org