I visited the Cornwall Iron Furnace for the first time during their 345th Charter Day celebration,…read moreand I'm so glad I finally made the trip. This historic site had been on my list for a while, and with the beautiful weather and special event happening that day, it felt like the perfect time to go. Interestingly, I had only learned about the iron furnace a few months ago. I've always been fascinated by history especially the processes behind how things were made so visiting a place like this was incredibly intriguing. Seeing such an important piece of industrial history still standing today really makes you appreciate the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the people who built and operated it centuries ago. My group tour started at 12:45 PM and lasted a little over an hour. One thing I really appreciated was that we got to hear from several different volunteer guides throughout the tour rather than just one person leading the entire time. Each guide shared their own knowledge and perspective about different parts of the furnace and its operation. They were all incredibly informative and made the history easy to understand, even if you're not familiar with iron production. By the end of the tour, I honestly felt like I had learned dozens of fascinating facts about early iron-making, the daily lives of the workers, and how complex the entire process was. Workers often had 12-hour shifts to keep the furnace operating, which really highlights the amount of labor and coordination required. Standing inside the furnace structure itself was a unique experience. Even though it was warm outside, it actually felt noticeably cooler inside the building, which was surprising. You could really see the age of the structure and imagine the incredible amount of work that went into building and maintaining it. A few helpful things to know before you visit: Parking: Because of the Charter Day event, we were able to park directly on the property near the furnace building. However, there is also additional parking across the street and slightly down a hill, which requires crossing the road to reach the site. Restrooms are located inside the Welcome Center, where the gift shop is located. These appeared to be the only bathrooms on the property. Visitor tips: *Wear comfortable shoes, as there are stairs involved during the tour. *No food or drinks are allowed during the tour. *Plan to spend about an hour or a little more if you take the guided tour. Overall, this was a really enjoyable and educational experience. It gave me a much deeper appreciation for the hard work, skill, and innovation that went into early American industry. If you enjoy history, learning how things are made, or exploring unique historic sites in Pennsylvania, visiting the Cornwall Iron Furnace is absolutely worth adding to your list. Highly recommend taking the guided tour you'll walk away learning far more than you expect.

Built in 1742 and in use until 1883, the Cornwall Iron Furnace is "the only surviving intact…read morecharcoal cold-blast furnace in the Western Hemisphere." I absolutely love history and history museums and loved everything about it. My girlfriend, 11-year-old son and I visited on a Saturday afternoon on a trip to Harrisburg and Hershey. We took the tour and definitely got our money's worth ($18 for the three of us which included a AAA discount)! Started with a 15 minute video, then a guided tour by Beth which lasted over an hour, during which we got to see the furnace from all angles. Beth was very knowledgeable and also very patient with my son's many questions. The property also boasts a small museum and gift shop in the building that formerly housed the operation's charcoal. The gift shop is excellent. Among other things they have a range of cast iron products, as well as many cookbooks with suggested uses. This was an excellently run museum that I can definitely recommend to others who enjoy American history.

I'm going to cross this bridge, mark my words, market in your calendar…read more This is one of the many beautiful bridges crossing the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg. Old and glorious and part of one of the most picturesque views in all of the USA. The bridges crossing the river in Harrisburg are spectacularly old and gorgeous, and it's hard not to give any of them 5 stars.

This week's edition of Reviews That Do Not Matter features the Market Street Bridge by Aaron S…read more What a useless review, you say? You'd be correct. However, this is a great bridge over troubled waters (polluted Susquehanna River) that carries Harrisburgers to and fro City Island and the west shore. It certainly serves its purpose, but there are no porpoises underneath. Very picturesque this time of year. Enjoy the views.

Don't go out of your way to see this small dam under I-83 in Harrisburg. If you're walking along…read morethe riverfront, it's worth a brief stop and go. Not as many homeless people here anymore since they cleared out the encampment and are beginning construction on the highway expansion. Always be aware of your surroundings and lock your car if parking nearby.

If so interested or inclined, the below two pieces can give you a little light bed time reading as…read moreto the history of how the Statue came to be. www.atlasobscura.com/places/mini-statue-of-liberty-harrisburg www.abc27.com/digital-originals/how-the-mini-statue-of-liberty-came-to-be/ If you're so inclined to pay a visit, the only realistic way is on the water and ideally by kayak. In the current time, with the lack of rain, which has the Susquehanna very shallow, I don't see how else you can get here aside from a helicopter or walking on water. I know that you can put in north of the Statue in places like Duncannon or Halifax, but I prefer to do it the hard way which is at Fort Hunter and then trekking the mile plus upriver against the current. The only real way to approach from the south especially with the low water levels is to head over towards 322 to get around the large amount of rocks which guard the statue's front. Is there really something to see here? No, but it is a unique cultural oddity and to me worth a trip that few people ever get to experience up close.

This marker in downtown Harrisburg remembers an important American. War correspondent, lawyer and…read moreCivil War soldier. The marker reads, "Journalist, educator, lawyer. Born here, 1834. Taught in Liberia, 1857-61. Recruited Black soldiers in Civil War; noted as war correspondent. In Europe for freedmen's aid; was admitted to the English bar in 1870. Held major posts in Louisiana, 1873-83. Died nearby, 1892." At the age of 16, Chester attended Akron College, an African-American academy in Pittsburgh. In 1853, he moved to Monrovia Liberia where he attended Alexander High School and then returned to the United States in 1854 where he enrolled at Thetford Academy in Vermont. He later returned to Liberia where he taught school to Africans of former American slaves. During the Civil War, Chester served as a recruiter of black troops and raised the 54th and 55th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. After the war ended, he toured Europe and settled in London, becoming England's first African-American barrister. [Review 12127 overall, 1911 of 2019.]

The Soldiers & Sailors Monument is a reasonably standard Civil War monument. It's tall, made of…read morestone, and has several statues placed on or around it. The monument does have several features that make it stand out. 1. It's located directly across from the Lancaster County Convention Center, so it's easy to access. 2. It's located almost in the middle of the street with busy roads surrounding all sides but one. 3. It's been updated with more plaques and new information as more conflicts have occurred. Take a second to read the plaques when walking by, they provide interesting information about the conflicts.

This phallic salute to soldiers and sailors has a rich history dating back beyond its July 4, 1874…read moreerection. The 1744 Treaty of Lancaster between the British and Iroquois was signed at this very spot in the old Lancaster courthouse. On September 27, 1777 the Second Continental Congress met in that same building, which burned down just 6 years later. Originally designed as a tribute to Lancastrian Union soldiers killed during the American Civil War, the statue now also represents those who have served in subsequent American military conflicts. Basically, if you fight for our country, Lancaster will honor you with a giant stone penis on top of which a robed woman sporting a sword and crown of stars called the "Genius of Liberty" turns her back on the defeated confederacy. Oh yeah, and there's 4 little men at the shaft representing the branches of the armed forces. Totally overshadowed by the badass penis climbing lady. Take a look next time you're in town.

Who doesn't like talking a stroll or bike ride over old shaky? Hard to believe Walnut Street Bridge…read morewas once open to vehicular traffic back in the day considering the size of cars way back when. Great views from on or under the bridge allow you to enjoy the river and scenery. Nice walk to city island to enjoy a baseball game or just recreate. Highly recommend a walk through Riverfront Park to enjoy all the area has to offer.

Someone was like, are you reviewing ALL the bridges, and I was like... "walnut ALL of them."…read more The bridges over the river Susquehanna are absolutely gorgeous. You can't really imagine a more beautiful sight in downtown Harrisburg, than these stunning bridges crossign the river. This is one of the beautiful old bridges that spans this gorgeous stretch of water. The cool thing is, this is a pedestrian bridge! How awesome is that? I bet you didn't even think those existed in the US. It no longer crosses the river because portions collapsed in 96 due to flooding, and it was never restored. Now it's open to pedestrians, basically as a long pier on either side.

Sometimes social media plants a tiny little seed that sits in the back of your mind for months…read more That was the White Cliffs of Conoy for me. I'd seen photos of the cliffs the previous fall and immediately added them to my ever-growing "I need to go there" list. Fast forward to an early August Thursday when I had a day off work and was planning a full Lancaster County adventure. Naturally, the White Cliffs became the very first stop of the day. Before heading out, I did a little homework. There are two common ways to reach the cliffs via the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail. The shortest route begins at Koser Park in Bainbridge and is a 1.5-mile walk or bike ride heading south. You can also start from Riverfront Park, which is about a 3-mile walk or ride heading north. I opted for Koser Park, and when I pulled in just before 8am, I found plenty of parking and was immediately greeted by beautiful views of the Susquehanna River before I even started walking. The trail couldn't have been easier to follow. It's wide, completely paved and almost entirely flat, making it perfect for walkers, runners and cyclists of just about any skill level. I was so excited to finally see the cliffs that I found myself walking much faster than I normally do. About a mile and a half down the trail, I reached the remains of the Billmeyer company town, followed almost immediately by the White Cliffs rising about 30 feet above the Susquehanna River. One of the coolest things I learned is that the cliffs aren't actually a natural formation. They're the remnants of a limestone and dolomite quarry that dates back to the mid-1800s. Across the railroad tracks sit the ruins of the old limestone factory and what remains of the Billmeyer ghost town, which was abandoned after the quarry closed in the 1950s. Nature has slowly reclaimed the entire area, creating this fascinating mix of industrial history and natural beauty that makes the visit feel even more special. What surprised me most? I had the entire place to myself! Not another person. On a gorgeous August morning. I happily wandered around taking photos, shooting panoramic videos and simply soaking in the peace and quiet. It felt like one of those magical travel moments where you can't quite believe you have such a beautiful place all to yourself. One word of caution, though...there are very few barriers or safety features around the cliffs themselves. If you're visiting with young children or dogs, keep a close eye on them. The drop to the river below is very real, and while the township has determined the area is safe to visit, there are still remnants of the old quarry and industrial site scattered around, so paying attention to where you're walking is a good idea. By the time I headed back toward the parking lot, I couldn't stop thinking about how perfect this would be for a picnic. Sunrise. Sunset. A sandwich. A blanket. And that incredible view of the Susquehanna. Honestly, I might need to start a Pennsylvania Picnic Bucket List, because the White Cliffs of Conoy would immediately earn the very first spot! The White Cliffs of Conoy turned out to be every bit as beautiful as I'd hoped they would be. Sometimes those places you've been dreaming about for months really do live up to the hype. And this was definitely one of them!