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The Harrisburg Region is located in central Pennsylvania of the United States of America. The landscape includes numerous state parks, and the landscape is filled with hills and forests. The destination's name comes from the city Harrisburg, located at the bottom of the area. Other notable cities in the territory include Hershey to the east, Lewisburg to the north, and the municipality of State College to the northwest (home of Pennsylvania State University). Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania and has had various historical impacts within the United States, especially during the Civil War and the Industrial Revolution. The climate reaches extremes on a relative scale of temperatures, meaning that snow occurs in the winter, and the summers are known for being hot and humid.
Harrisburg is the state capital of Pennsylvania, despite being the 10th largest city in the state in terms of population.[5] It has been settled for over 200 years and sits on the west banks of the Susquehanna River. The river is one of the more prominent natural features within the Harrisburg Region, spanning hundreds of miles across the state. Visitors to the area often take guided riverboat tours of the river, considering that the Susquehanna River is "the centerpiece of Harrisburg."[2] The paddle-board riverboat used in the tour is one of the last remaining ones of its kind in the United States. The boat departs from City Island, which is on the town's southern portion of the river. Only a few miles to the east lies the city of Hershey, which is named after Milton S. Hershey. He is best known for creating the chocolate-producing company of the same name, and the headquarters for the company is located in the city. The Hershey's Chocolate World and Hersheypark are chocolate-themed attractions that draw in many visitors to the region. Not far from the theme parks is the Hershey West Distribution Plant, which is responsible for manufacturing and shipping many of the Hershey's chocolate products that make their way around the world.[3]
Apart from Hershey, other notable cities within the Harrisburg Region include Lewistown and the State College municipality. The latter is home to Pennsylvania State University. The college enrolls more than 20,000 students each semester and has an emphasis on business and engineering degrees. It is home to sports teams such as the Penn State Nittany Lions (for American football) and the Lady Lions (women's basketball).[4] Annually, somewhere around 10 million people visit the Harrisburg Region, at least according to statistical estimations. Based on tourism scoring, the "best time of year" to visit Harrisburg is from mid-June to late September. This is primarily to take advantage of the warm-weather activities offered in the area.[7] The destination's economy is greatly affected by its production of shoes, books, computer products, machinery, leather goods, textiles, and other products.[9] Harrisburg is also known for hosting America's largest auto show, displaying new cars and older vehicles alike.[1]
The city of Harrisburg lies at the bottom edge of the Harrisburg Region. The area stretches north, mostly outlined by interstates 76, 99, 80, and 81. The furthest city to the west of the territory is Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. The cap to the north is Milton, and to the far east, the limit is Lebanon. The general topography of the area is farmland divided and patterned with rolling green hills. When viewed from above, the landscape has a similar appearance to the patterns found on tigers or leopards. The Susquehanna River runs up the center of the Harrisburg Region, dividing on the banks of Northumberland, Pennsylvania. The unique geographic features in the area have allowed for the creation of multiple state parks, including Rothrock State Forest, Bald Eagle State Forest, and the Tuscarora State Forest. There are also many designated hunting areas within the hillsides of the Harrisburg Region. Some of the common wildlife known to the area include whitetail deer, monarch butterflies, skunks, groundhogs, red foxes, and cottontails. Bird watchers can catch sight of species such as the downy woodpecker, northern cardinal, eastern bluebird, American goldfinch, and the ruby-throated hummingbird.[8]
The nature within the area is mostly green, sustained by means of the 2.5-3 inches of rainfall that the destination receives per month (as an annual average).[7] The average temperatures for Harrisburg vary over the course of a year, typically ranging anywhere from 23 degrees (Fahrenheit) to 86 degrees. Rarely does the temperature drop below 11 or rise above 94. The different seasons are quite distinct and polarized one from another. The summers—peak seasons for tourism and travel—are warm and humid. The winters in Pennsylvania are notably cold. In January and February in particular, visitors can expect to see somewhere around an inch's worth of snow. When taken as a year-round average, the most common weather pattern is "partly cloudy."[7] The climate allows for the growth of plants such as yellow-flag iris, chicory, swamp milkweed, and witch hazel.[8]
Before any settlement was created in the area, the territory was most known for the Susquehanna River. It derives its name from a Native American tribe of the same name that was known to frequent the surrounding landscape. In the early 1700s, Europeans began to settle the area of Harrisburg, and by 1791 the town was officially incorporated into the state. Twenty-one years later, in 1812, it was made the state capital of Pennsylvania. Since that time, it has never lost that status—despite the growing sizes of other cities such as Pittsburg and Philadelphia.[1] Soon after the city's conception, an ornate brick capitol building was constructed (in 1822). That building would eventually burn down in the late 1800s, forcing the town to build a new one.[1]
During the American Civil War, Harrisburg acted as a trading center for the Union Army. Because of its strategic location, it became a target for invasion over the course of the war. Another point of historical importance was the role that Harrisburg played during the Underground Railroad. It served as one of the final stops that runaway slaves would use to migrate north to Canada.[10] As far as the history of resources is concerned, Harrisburg was once instrumental in the development of steel and iron for the eastern United States. This was further facilitated by the heavy railroad traffic that the region received.[1]
In more recent history, Harrisburg mayor Stephen Reed caused the city to fall into fiscal difficulties during his time in office from the late 1900s to the early 2000s. He was eventually accused and charged with multiple counts of extortion and theft. Perhaps most devastating of all of the town's losses was the financial decline of the Harrisburg incinerator. The building had been used to burn garbage and other materials and was once a large potential source of the town's income. Plans have been put into motion to reverse its debt and get it to profitable levels once more.[11] The town's population is 47.3% black, 22.6% white, 11.8% white Hispanics, 5.36% Asian, and 4.5% black Hispanics. There are roughly 50,000 people who live in Harrisburg.[5]
The Canna Country Inn is located on the rolling farmland of South Central Pennsylvania. The restored German-built barn dwells in between Lancaster Country and Gettysburg. The Canna Country Inn has a total of six rooms available to the public during all seasons of the year, and is able to host events. One unique thing about the property is that the building is over a century old, and has seen several seasons of renovations to help preserve the history. The Canna Country Inn recently affiliated itself with another company that is close by called The Warrington Club, which is a shooting sports club that guests are able to visit.
...Read MoreAunt Susie's Country Vacation Rentals is owned by Heather and Chris Bonillas and is located in Hesston, Pennsylvania. They have seven separate lodgings, settled all around Raystown Lake, a large reservoir that draws in an abundance of people annually. The various units are mostly cabins or have a cabin-esque style and sit on acres of private property consisting of trees, hills, rivers, and mountains. The cabins can be ideal for large group gather as some can sleep up to twenty people. Aunt Susie's is open year-round.
...Read MoreLocated in Harrisburg Pennsylvania, the City House Bed and Breakfast is a 10-minute walk from downtown and the property backs up to the Susquehanna River. There are four rooms available for visitors, named William, Bryce, Helen, and Elizabeth. The business also hosts events such as weddings, business retreats, and parties. Each room has a coffee maker as well as a desk and chair so guests can work if necessary. There is free wifi for visitors, and breakfast is complimentary. The owners strive to create an environment that is welcoming and peaceful, in order to give guests the opportunity to relax and have a calm vacation.
...Read MoreThe 1825 Inn Bed and Breakfast, located in Palmyra, Pennsylvania, features eight guestrooms that are available throughout the year for guest reservation. Of the eight rooms, six of them are found on the second floor of the main house, while the other two are in a separate building behind the main house. The two rooms that are in a separate building, both of which are called Cottage Rooms, each have a king bed and a twin pull-out bed, allowing for three occupants per room, as opposed to the rooms in the main house that each only have accommodations for two people. All rooms at the bed and breakfast have private bathrooms and independently controlled air conditioning, and there is Wi-Fi available across the property. Breakfast is provided to all patrons of the establishment every morning, generally consisting of either a savory or sweet entree, fruit, and juice or coffee.
...Read MoreThe Railroad House Inn is located in Marietta, Pennsylvania, a town found on the edge of the Susquehanna River. The inn is open year-round, excluding certain holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, and offers nine units for reservation. The rooms vary slightly in size and amenities. There are two units that can accommodate pets. Those who stay at the business are able to get a discount on the restaurant that is located in the basement of the building. The restaurant is open in the evenings from Wednesday to Saturday and in the afternoon on Sundays. Events such as weddings and anniversaries can be held at the wedding venue on the grounds. Visitors can spend time tubing down the Susquehanna River or hiking along Northwest Lancaster County River Trail. The inn was built in 1823 and has been used as a hotel since it finished construction.
...Read MoreGolden Eagle Inn is found in Bedford, Pennsylvania, a city located on the Raystown Branch Juniata River. The city has multiple museums and restaurants, and outside of the town, one can find opportunities to participate in outdoor recreational activities such as hiking and biking. The business is open year-round and offers ten units. Those who stay at the inn are invited to eat breakfast at the restaurant the following morning. People with reservations at the inn can also receive a discount on lunch and dinner menu items at the restaurant. The business also has a pub in the basement of the building that serves alcoholic beverages each evening, Monday through Saturday. Golden Eagle Inn first opened its doors as an inn in 1794 and was initially called Pennsylvania House. According to the manager, several noteworthy people, including George Washington, have visited the business.
...Read MoreThe Red Cardinal Bed and Breakfast is located in the Pennsylvania countryside just outside Carlisle. There is one room available for reservation in the farm-style home with a private bath, queen-sized bed, and personal air conditioning. A farm-to-table breakfast is served every morning with eggs from the owners Joanne and Billy's chickens and vegetables from their vegetable garden. Fresh pastries are also served at the morning meal. The home is just a few minutes from the Appalachian Trail, which brings many hiking and nature-oriented groups to the Red Cardinal Bed and Breakfast. The bed and breakfast is open year-round and has the most guests between May and October.
...Read MoreThe Jackson House Bed and Breakfast, built in 1859, is located in Railroad, Pennsylvania, adjacent to the Heritage Rail Trail. The house includes six guest rooms, four of which are in the main house, while the other two are in the Cottage. The owners, Amanda and Damon, hope the visitor's experience at their bed and breakfast is "comfortable and relaxing.” Each morning, breakfast is prepared by Damon and served to those staying at the property. According to Amanda, breakfast tends to be the most mentioned by guests in their reviews. Diverse types of attractions and activities are available nearby, depending on the time of year, as well as in other cities that visitors can travel to within an hour.
...Read MoreLocated in Gettysburg, Pennslyvania is The Inn at Lincoln Square. The property was originally built in 1824 and was operated by several owners before the current owners, Gus Zucco and Hillary Styer, took charge. The property owners allow people to reserve one or more of the five available units. Of the total rooms, three are king-bed suites located in the main house and two are townhouses. The buildings sit on less than a one-acre plot of land. Guests are to follow all of the rules and policies of the property, but if they require assistance, they can generally reach the owners during most hours of the day via phone. Moreover, various activities and attractions can be found in Gettysburg, and many pertain to the town's history.
...Read MoreHillside Farm Bed and Breakfast
Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, is where the Hillside Farm Bed and Breakfast is located. There are currently two cottages available for reservations on the property, and occasionally the main house may open up three other rooms for guests. The main house offers a dining room and living room as common areas for visitors. Also available to visitors are various features on the property, such as the gardens and a fire pit. Hillside Farm Bed and Breakfast is open year-round and tends to be busiest during the months of August and October. Gary, the owner, mentions that a high majority of his guests come for the different activities in the area, one primarily being visiting sports venues such as The Nook. Other attractions in the area include Mountain Hope Winery, various Amish areas, Fulton Opera, Nissley’s Vineyard, Moon Dancer Winery, and museums.
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