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Here comes another summer! We only get so many in our lifetime, so let’s take advantage of these long warm days, and the kids being out of school to plan a few adventures and make memories with the people we love! I’ll get you started, with ideas for making memories with your family this summer in the Hershey/Harrisburg Area.

Food Fun starts in Hershey

Complete a culinary trail. You know that Hershey is the home of the Great American Chocolate bar and you’ve probably been to Chocolate World a hundred times. However, did you know about the Sweet Treat Trail? Have you checked out the Scooped Ice Cream Trail? Maybe cheese, charcuterie, or bread is more your jam?! There’s a delicious adventure for everyone here in the heart of Pennsylvania!

If you’re looking for a fun way to spend your day, a visit to The Turkey Hill Experience in Columbia, PA is entertaining for the entire family. You can make your own ice cream flavor in their taste lab, sample teas and even star in your own commercial. Learn about how this iconic central PA business got started at their highly-interactive visitors center.

Arts & History in Harrisburg

Visit all 44 Harrisburg Murals by Sprocket Mural Works. Download the map here! 

Visit museums and exhibits in your own back yard and learn something new. Most of us visit museums and historic sites when we go on vacation, but how many of your home-town museums have you been to?! Have you ever stepped inside our State Capitol Building? It’s open to the public for self-guided tours! Do you have an aspiring artist in the family? The Harrisburg Art Association offers classes in a variety of media for pre-teen to adults.

City Life in Harrisburg and Beyond

Head on over to Harrisburg’s City Island and enjoy a 45 minute cruise on the Pride of the Susquehanna. Cruises leave at Noon, 1:30 and 3:00 p.m. every day from memorial day through labor day. While there, you might also enjoy some Senators baseball, take up a game of mini golf, or grab something to eat at one of the cute snack shacks located along the waterfront.

Take a Day Trip to Philly, NYC, DC, or Baltimore or visit them all! Harrisburg and Hershey are located so close to these iconic cities which are full of food, theater, art and history museums, and so many fun things to do. You don’t even have to brave the traffic if you arrive by Amtrak train.

Embrace Outdoor Life in Pennsylvania

If Exploring Nature is more your thing, Pennsylvania is a beautiful place to hike or bike! Check out Rails to Trails Top 10 list for PA or 18 paths to explore in PA. If you want to stay local, Swatara State Park is full of great trails for hiking or biking. For example, I recently had a chance to hike Bear Hole Trail and see Bordner’s Cabin. Situated by a beautiful waterfall, that was fun to climb, this site has a fascinating history and beautiful views.

Pick your own Produce. Central PA is bursting with fresh produce through summer and fall. Farms, orchards and garden centers can be found around every corner. Pick-your-own opportunities start in June with strawberries and stretch into the autumn with apples, pumpkins and sunflowers! Check out Strites Orchard in Harrisburg, Shenks Berry Farm in Lititz, and Country Joy Flowers in Elizabethtown to name only a few!

Now if Farm life fascinates you, and you especially love those furry creatures, you might be just the person to enjoy a Snuggle a Goat Session at Batz Farm in Grantville.

I hope these ideas get you started as you plan an awesome summer with your family and friends! Make the most of every moment, and don’t forget to take pictures… and print them! 📸😊 …and maybe even scrapbook them. 😂

Schedule your Photo Session

While you’re having all this fun with your family and making memories, consider scheduling a professional family photo session. Your personal photos are invaluable and will be cherished for a lifetime! Cell phone photos are great for this, but each year or even every other, isn’t it nice to have a professional capture beautiful wall-worthy photographs as well?!

With the kids out of school, and long summer days, scheduling may be a little easier than it will be in the fall. Your session can be casual and candid or highly polished. It’s all up to you. Reach out today to chat about your family photos!