Where to stay (for cheap) near Harrisburg, PA?

May 19, 2006 11:11 AM

Where to stay (for cheap) near Harrisburg, PA? What to do while there?

MrsMoonPie and I are taking the little MissMoonPie to a weekend girl scout thing at Hershey Park. She'll be staying there, while we'll be free to explore the area.

Since the park facilities will be filled with screaming pre-adolescent girls, the two of us would like to stay elsewhere for the weekend. We'd like to camp, if possible, drive-up, unload-the-car style, or perhaps stay in a cheap (but decent) hotel. Any suggestions?

posted by MrMoonPie to travel & transportation (12 comments total)

If you want to camp, the state runs lots of campgrounds that are cheap and generally pretty nice. Their website is here.
posted by octothorpe at 12:44 PM on May 19, 2006

If you're willing to go into Harrisburg proper, you could visit The State Museum of Pennsylvania, tour the Capitol Building, or catch an IMAX movie at the Whitaker Center. All three attractions are clustered together smack in the middle of the city. Parking is available on-street, but you'll be better off in a garage (Walnut Street Parking Garage is right there, and connects to the Whitaker.)

Don't forget that Lancaster is right down the road. The Central Market is open Saturday mornings; the Heritage Center and the Quilt and Textile Museum are right next door. These are all right in the middle of the city, and there's plenty of lot parking. If you're into vinage wear, Zap & Co. is a few blocks away, tucked amid a few neat shops.

There's a Renaissance Faire mid-way betwwen Hershey and Lancaster. Or maybe you'd like to go exploring the Pennsylvania Dutch country?

I've had friends stay here and they had no complaints about the camping. FWIW, they went to a concert in Hershey, and then explored Lancaster.

Hershey itself is okay... if you like gardens, do visit the Hershey Gardens.

Can you say more about what you're interested in, or would like to see?
posted by MonkeyToes at 12:51 PM on May 19, 2006

Vintage, not vinage. Zap's doesn't do Tarzan-wear.
posted by MonkeyToes at 1:33 PM on May 19, 2006

The real point of the trip is to drop off my daughter at her event on Friday night, then pick her up again on Sunday. So we're pretty open to, well, whatever.

We're into food, so the Lancaster market might be just the thing. I've been before, actually, but my wife hasn't.

I didn't see any state park campgrounds very close to Hershey. The closest seems to be Gifford Pinchot; does that seem about right?

The Pine Grove KOA looks to be the most convenient campground to Hershey and Lancaster, though it looks a bit, you know, like a KOA. It might be our best cheap option.
posted by MrMoonPie at 1:40 PM on May 19, 2006

Central Market is best before noon; stands start closing at about 1, and it's pretty quiet after 2. There's an okay pub/restaurant right next door to the Market, or you can venture out a little ways to the wonderful Jethro's Bar and Restaurant, an excellent place to hang out and enjoy good food. Highly recommend it. Grab a booth in the bar and settle in for a while.

There's a good summary of Lancaster food tours here.

Enjoy your time in the area, and travel safely.
posted by MonkeyToes at 1:54 PM on May 19, 2006

Last one, really: Go here, and search for "camping." That should generate a list of campgrounds for you. Have fun.
posted by MonkeyToes at 2:07 PM on May 19, 2006

The other alternative would be for us to let my daughter travel to the event with her troop. My wife and I could drive up at our leisure on Saturday, spend the night somewhere in the Harrisburg-Lancaster area, then pick up our girl on Sunday morning, do some more sightseeing, then head back to our home in DC.

If we go that route, I'd be happier staying in a cheap hotel, I think. Any ideas for this plan?
posted by MrMoonPie at 2:32 PM on May 19, 2006

List of hotels/motels here and here. Those listed along Route 30/Lincoln Hwy are (generally speaking) close to the ginormous outlets in Lancaster, so they may offer tourist-friendly rates. Sorry I couldn't be of more help on the lodging.
posted by MonkeyToes at 3:11 PM on May 19, 2006

I strongly second hitting the State Capitol for the free tour and the State Museum next door. Both are fascinating. Be sure to find the Rube Goldberg "how laws are made" machine in the Capitol. It isn't on the tour.

Parking is a quarter for 15 min. at the meters around there. I'd park elsewhere (maybe on the island where the riverboat and baseball stadium are?) and take a bus or cab down.

There are also some caves in the area, if you like that kind of thing. The one we went to in Hershey was ok.
posted by QIbHom at 8:53 AM on May 20, 2006

We're back. We didn't do much of anything in Harrisburg, but we absolutely loved Lancaster, far in excess of our expectations. Thanks, all!
posted by MrMoonPie at 10:17 AM on June 5, 2006

Oh, and for the curious, we stayed at the Red Roof Inn. Perfectly serviceable, clean and nicely-appointed room for the price, and across the street from a decent (though expensive) seafood place called Pesce.
posted by MrMoonPie at 10:43 AM on June 5, 2006

Mr. Moonpie, I just today (7/7) saw your response. I'm so glad that you enjoyed your visit -- Lancaster is a quirky, interesting little city, with lots to do. Come on back now, y'hear?
posted by MonkeyToes at 6:40 PM on July 7, 2006