Came here on Sat 10/25 to hike with a couple gf's and brought my doggo, Linc, since it's a dog…read morefriendly trail. I work out but I wasn't ready for this trail as a first time hiker lol! I wore sneakers but would have greatly benefited from hiking boots for more ankle support after slipping and tripping my way along the dense leaf covered dirt trail that continued to get more rocky on the ascent. Also, you will need to climb some legit large rocks/boulders to reach the Pulpit Rock overlook but the challenge was well worth it for the views! My gf's & I chose the easy way down which was to take the gravel road alongside the observatory that eventually transitions to pavement. Even the decline of this road was steep in itself. No easy way up or down haha! I saw people of all ages and fitness levels along my hike and plenty of cute dogs! Bring snacks and water to re-energize during a rest break. My one friend packed some TP and I thought it was a great idea cuz you just never know when you might have to go! Parking lot is a joke with ~20-25 spots but many ppl, including us, parked along Reservoir Rd so make sure to get here early in the morning or expect to walk a couple extra miles just to reach the start of the trail.

Great spot for a day hike, with beautiful views at the two main lookouts - Pulpit Rock and the…read morePinnacle. The hardest part of the hike is getting to Pulpit Rock, as it starts with a fairly steep road to get to the trail, and then some more elevation climb as you get up to the lookout. From there, it's probably another 2.5 miles or so to get to the Pinnacle, but the elevation gain is minimal. Both of these stops provide great views, with lots of raptors flying around if you're lucky! Bring snacks and water, especially on a hot day, and cameras to take pictures!

Living only about 30 minutes away, I had always assumed Boyd Big Tree Preserve was simply a tree…read moresapling area used by DCNR. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that it's actually a 1,025-acre conservation and recreation area that straddles Blue Mountain and serves as habitat for large trees of many species and deep-forest birds, especially warblers. The preserve offers a peaceful, natural setting for passive recreation like birding, nature walks, and hiking, with an extensive 12-mile trail system ranging from easy to difficult. Every trail connects to at least one other, making it easy to customize a hike based on skill level. From wildflowers at your feet to the towering canopy created by the "big trees" that give the preserve its name, the scenery feels beautifully unaltered. While the trails are best used from March through October, the area is open year-round, including winter recreation and cross-country skiing. I visited on the first Saturday in January on an overcast but beautiful 32-degree day. With no recent rain, snow, or ice, it felt like the perfect opportunity to explore. Upon arrival, I found a paved parking lot with just a handful of cars. Parking was plentiful that day, though I imagine it could get tight during peak seasons since there's only one relatively small lot. PRO TIP: Grab a printed trail map before heading out. Cell service was spotty, and my online map wouldn't load once I arrived--but printed maps were readily available at the parking area. Boyd Big Tree Preserve features seven well-marked trails, clearly blazed and varying in difficulty. For easier hikes, the Lower Spring Trail (1.1-mile loop, lavender blazes) and Pond Loop Trail (1.2-mile loop, pink blazes) are great choices. Moderate options include the Coach Trail, Creek Trail, and Upper Spring Trail, while the most challenging hikes are the Janie Trail and East Loop Trail. After some advance research, I chose the 1.2-mile Pond Loop Trail, which offers opportunities to spot wildlife near a popular watering hole. The pink blazes didn't hurt either. The trail was an easy, leisurely one-hour walk with minor elevation changes along a small gravel path. Aside from one set of fast-approaching footsteps behind me (a runner who briefly made my heart skip a beat), the trail was completely empty--perfect for quiet reflection. I spent some time sitting on a bench near the fully frozen pond hoping to spot wildlife, but the only visitor was a lone squirrel. On my way out, I stopped at Stroh's Cemetery, located near the entrance to the preserve. This historic cemetery dates back to 1819 and was originally a family graveyard before becoming a community burial ground. Though many headstones are missing, more than 130 graves remain. Recent DCNR restoration efforts are clearly visible, with cleaned and repaired gravestones and thoughtful landscaping that respectfully honors those buried there. Overall, I'd absolutely recommend Boyd Big Tree Preserve for a peaceful walk in the woods. Is this the place for extreme hiking? Probably not. But if you're looking for a quiet, scenic spot to stretch your legs, enjoy nature, and unplug for a bit--this is a solid choice close to home.

Crafted on the north side of a mountain and optimized for taking walks in the woods, Boyd Big Tree…read morePreserve Conservation Area has some nicely varied terrain and the trails are well marked. Tip: If you make it to the top, you'll be rewarded by an impressive view of the Susquehanna valley :-) While dogs are allowed in Boyd, the wilderness is largely unspoiled by facilities. About the only thing that's been built here is a bathroom at the trail head. Note that you'll need to bring water when you come, and it's wise to wear something blaze orange if you're there in season.

Beautiful clean and well maintained large park. Great family environment. Picnic tables with Grills…read moreare scatter throughout the park. Designated fishing areas. Boat rental available, prices are honestly steep. Prepare to pay close to $100 for 3 hours depending what you chose to rent. There is NO swimming area. Paragliding is allowed with proper registration. Dog friendly park. With trash receptacles and even doggy bag dispensers which I saw at the far end of the Dam Dam is walkable and a nice place to cool off and feel the breeze coming over the lakes surface.

Well paved, nice for walk or run or picnic and fishing. Dog friendly. Well maintained. Lots of…read moreshades and don't need to worry to loft from the track

One of my favorite trails in the Harrisburg area! Riverfront Park is a beautiful, well-kept place…read moreto get outside and enjoy some time along the river. The trail is paved and easy to walk or bike A great way to bike uptown or downtown while enjoying the river views A great spot to watch the sunset Plenty of benches along the way to sit and relax The park and trail are well maintained It's a great place for a walk, bike ride, a relaxing evening, or simply enjoying the views. Definitely one of my favorite places in the area to get some fresh air.

Nice park with some benches along the way. There's a path you can walk alongside the river. Haven't…read moregotten to explore it yet but the bridge in the background connects Harrisburg downtown to City Island.

Very very nice quiet spacious park, very well kept. Nice place to take a picnic lunch tooread more

Cute little park with a playground, tennis court, two swing sets and basketball hoops. Has a small…read moreparking lot and tiny walking trail. It's right next to a swim club. Not the biggest park but clean and well maintained.

Ned to go somewhere serene?! If so this is your place!! There was dogs and people enjoying the…read morewaterfall. Amazing location for a picnic as well. There are several large rocks that you can sit down and enjoy the views. A great spot to get photos as well. Make sure you bring proper shoes as you will be in the element and it will get slippery and wet out there. I will definitely be back when it's warmer to enjoy the warm water!

Great hike for all ages and most abilities. I went hiking with my brother and his family and they…read morehave 4 kids ages 3-9. There is a Porta Potty at the beginning of the trail in the parking lot. The trail is well maintained. The are parts where the elevation is a little steep and long. If you have lunch issues then the elevated parts may be an issue. There is one part where you have to cross the river that requires some balance and walking across stones or through the water, whichever you prefer. The trail has tree roots on it in several parts, so watch your ankles so you don't roll them. There are benches along the way to sit rest on and there are benches at the end of the trail overlooking the falls. The falls has a little pool below it that is fun for the kids who like to wade in it. There are large flat stone spaces where you can sit and observe the falls.

This is one of those places that makes you want to stay a little longer than you planned. The views…read moreare beautiful, the area feels peaceful, and there's plenty of space to just walk around and enjoy being outside. The overlook was definitely my favorite part. The colorful rocks give the place a unique character, and once you get up there, the view is absolutely worth it. Great spot to clear your head, take some photos, and spend some time in nature. I'll definitely be back.

One of the most beautiful state parks in Maryland. Amazing views of the valley and is only a 2 mile…read moredrive away from iconic High Rock. It is situated right on the Appalachian Trail and is a perfect place to enjoy a peaceful picnic. A great play area makes this an ideal location for get togethers for families.

This is a park with a little something for everyone. You pass tennis courts as you make your way…read moreinto the park which is nice. There's also a baseball field, pavilion with lots of tables, and plenty of open grass/ field. There are also two separate playground areas, one for ages 2-5 and then another for 6-12. If you're there during peak times on a Saturday the amount of children/ tweens and parents there can feel a bit overwhelming. So I would advise trying to avoid peak times on a Saturday. Sundays seem a little more calm. There are so many cool features at this playground your child will definitely have fun and wear themselves out! There's also a waterway/ creek that has ducks in it frequently and what appears to be a path/walkway/ walking trail. This park has everything you need for a day or afternoon at the park!

Nice place to have lunch, nature trail and lots of wildlife. Quiet and restful Come here to relaxread more

I visited Historic Rock Ford on Sunday and learned so much. The house was built around 1794 for…read moreGeneral Edward Hand, an adjutant general to George Washington during the American Revolutionary War. Rock Ford is a Georgian-style mansion, where General Hand lived with his wife and children until his death in 1802. His wife passed away in 1805 and only briefly remained in the Hand family before becoming a home for tenant farmers for the next 150-ish years. The house was saved from destruction by the Junior League in 1958 and then renovated and restored to what it looks like now. I learned all this and more from our guide Priscilla, who was wonderful. She told us about the man, the family, and the house, as well as the enslaved people and indentured servants who are a part of the home's history, too. The tour lasted a little over an hour, so I didn't have time to find the John J. Snyder, Jr. Gallery of Early Lancaster County Decorative Arts, which is also on the property. The house was beautiful, and the information I learned from Priscilla about General Hand and his house was very interesting. If you're interested in history and historic homes, the Historic Rock Ford is worth a visit!

One of many historic buildings in the area is Rock Ford, a brick mansion with a large garden. They…read morehost tours throughout the week, which is the only way to see the inside. There are a parking lot and a visitor center with a kind staff person behind the desk. They also have restrooms inside the center.

Hershey Trolley Works is a fleet of guided trolley bus tours that began operations in Hershey,…read morePennsylvania in 1988. It was founded by the Hershey Company. The operation first began at the tram circle inside Hersheypark. After a successful run, the operation moved its base outside Hershey's Chocolate World two years later where it still runs to this day. Hershey Trolley Works operates a variety of different tour experiences throughout the year, including seasonal tours. Visitors on the tour will learn about the life of Hershey founder Milton S. Hershey, see historic sites around the town of Hershey, and be entertained by a group of musical theater actors who take on the roles of the trolley conductors. My family and I recently visited Hershey while we were visiting our cousins in Pennsylvania. My wife and I had both separately visited Hershey when we were children, but this was the first visit for our own children. We thought that a ride on the trolley tour sounded like a good way to start the day and see all of the various Hershey Chocolate-related sites around town. Tickets can be purchased right inside Hershey's Chocolate World. The employee behind the counter informed me that the Historical Trolley Tour is about 70 minutes, but that the Summer Family Trolley Tour lasts 45 minutes and is more family-oriented. We decided to opt for the latter and we were glad that we did. Some of the sites we saw from the confines of the trolley bus included the original historic Hershey Factory (converted to corporate offices in 2015), Milton Hershey's birthplace, Highpoint Mansion (historic home of Milton and Catherine Hershey), Hersheypark, and the iconic Hershey Kiss-shaped streetlights on Chocolate Avenue. Our conductors/actors were wonderful and entertaining! Throughout the tour, attendees were given samples of Hershey Kisses, fun size Hershey Bars, and fun size Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Our sons both loved the tour and never complained about being bored. For any families looking to visit Hershey, we recommend starting your visit with a Hershey Trolley Works tour!

We went to chocolate world today and the first thing we did that was on our list was this trolley…read moreride. Don't miss this because it's truly an educational trip around Hershey PA. I learned so many fun facts that I never knew before. The trolley with wooden seats was quite original. During the tour they hand out a variety of Hershey chocolates. A large chocolate bar is handed out at the end. I think this venue is not great for small children since their attention span is limited and this might be a bit much. But if you can space out the chocolate treats you might be able to pull it off with them in tow !!! Highly recommend.