When meetings break, groups in the Eastern U.S. seeking intriguing diversions will have a tough time resisting the diverse pleasures of south-central Pennsylvania. From thrills and spills at one of the nation’s most unique theme parks to escaping to the simple pleasures of Amish country—and everything in between—groups have no shortage of promising possibilities.
Here’s a look at some of the region’s most gratifying group experiences, beginning with Pennsylvania’s historically rich state capital.
Harrisburg
Resting along the Susquehanna River and serving as the state capital since 1812, Harrisburg has unsurprisingly served as a longtime center of politics and commerce. What might be less-expected are the countless leisure-time options for groups.
“Whether it’s a group coming for business or pleasure, they find the perfect mix of work and play,” says Rick Dunlap, director of communications for the Hershey-Harrisburg Region Visitors Bureau. “That is one reason we dubbed our region WorkPlay, PA.”
Live performances, tours and dining are all on tap for groups seeking to “capitalize” on their between- and after-meeting time in Harrisburg.
“In Harrisburg, groups can experience theater at Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts and stroll Restaurant Row for a variety of bars, restaurants and nightlife,” Dunlap says, adding a tip for those looking to explore the city’s days of yore. “The best single place for a group tour is the State Capitol Complex, designed as a Palace of Art and now designated a National Historic Landmark, which offers beautiful architecture and artwork in a variety of globally inspired styles.”
Museums are also a major draw, and with Pennsylvania’s prominent role in the conflict, The National Civil War Museum is practically a must-stop—particularly with 2011 serving as the 150th anniversary of the war’s origins. In addition to its trove of permanent artifacts and displays, the museum is showcasing special year-long exhibitions through 2015 shining a spotlight on the particular year of their sesquicentennial. Tours are self-guided, though groups of 10 or more can take an organized tour with a week’s notice. Event space is also available, including a regal Grand Rotunda room.
Another “hot spot” for group fun is the Pennsylvania Fire Museum, housed in a striking 1899 Victorian fire station. Groups can enjoy a virtual tour, meander through the hundreds of artifacts, peruse the charming gift shop, and bond over an extremely moving memorial to the NYC firefighters lost on 9/11/01.
For a diverse and dynamic look into the destination’s past, the State Museum of Pennsylvania actually holds more than 4 million objects and artifacts. Conveniently neighboring the Pennsylvania State Capitol, the facility also boasts a popular planetarium, and presents countless changing exhibitions in addition to its massive collection.
For attendees that might be inspired by taking in some on-field teamwork, Metro Bank Park—home to the Harrisburg Senators, a minor-league affiliate of the Washington Nationals—is rife with group possibilities. Groups can have a casual picnic, munch out in some all you can eat seats, pamper their party with a corporate suite or get up-close to the action in a unique dugout suite. The city is also home to the Harrisburg Stampede of the American Indoor Football Association, playing their home games at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center.
Hershey
While Hershey presents many other enticing experiences as well, the city’s legendary chocolate remains at the center of fun in the area.
“Groups can enjoy experiences in Hershey from Hershey’s Chocolate World to Hersheypark and ZooAmerica,” says Hershey-Harrisburg’s Dunlap. “Hershey is also home to the Antique Auto Museum and The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue.”
Groups wanting sheer thrills, spills and top-notch theme park fun should head to Hersheypark, while the Chocolate World will have chocolate lovers feeling like they died and went to Hershey heaven.
In addition to the rollercoasters and other thrill rides, groups of 20 and up can hold a company picnic—which the park has been hosting for over a century—partake of an “all-you-can-eat” catered luncheon at six different private dining areas, and receive substantial ticket savings. Other Hersheypark options include ZooAmerica, which presents educational workshops not just for kids but for grown-up groups as well. What better bonding experience than seeing wildlife nursed back to health, or building owl nest-boxes as a CSR project?
As for Chocolate World, visitors can take a tour of a simulated factory, put their imaginations to use in creating their own “ultimate” chocolate bar, go on a chocolate tasting adventure (for groups of 20 to 60 people) or take a tasty trolley ride through Chocolate Town. A dazzling multimedia 3-D show is yet another possibility.
Other off-site fun in the city might include catching a show at the Hershey Theater, a marvelous 1933 showcase of classic films and live performances, or taking a relaxing stroll at the Hershey Gardens. The latter attraction comprises 11 theme gardens, an oak grove, an arboretum and a seasonal butterfly house, and offers discounted admission for groups of 15 or more. Professionally guided garden tours ranging from 90 minutes to two hours are also available for groups of up to 25.
Spectator sports fun is also on tap, and Dunlap remarks that “the region has been named The Top Minor League Sports Market in America for two consecutive years.” Adding to the aforementioned baseball and football action in Harrisburg, Hershey showcases its own Bears (of the American Hockey League), taking to the ice at the sleek and expansive Giant Center. Luxury suites hosting up to 22 guests are available for groups wanting to do their own thing, and reduced general seating is also on tap for groups of 15 or more.
Lancaster County
While Lancaster might be best known for its rich and widespread Amish heritage and culture, there truly is much more to the region for groups to explore. Among the biggest surprises no doubt is a fantastic arts scene showcasing both the performing and visual arts.
“Our historic yet hip city is home to 125-plus arts-related venues and organizations, all of which totals at least a $70 million estimated economic impact,” says Joel Cliff, media relations manager for the PA Dutch CVB.
Cliff adds that it’s unusual for a city the size of Lancaster to have a major regional theater that produces its own shows (the Fulton Theatre), a symphonic orchestra (Lancaster Symphony Orchestra), two arts museums (Lancaster Museum of Art and Demuth Museum, the latter of which is the home of a major American modernist artist), an accredited four-year fine arts college (Pennsylvania College of Art & Design) and a heritage center with a world-class quilt collection (Lancaster Quilt & Textile Museum).
“You won’t find such a breadth and diversity of quality arts anywhere else in a single downtown space in the state between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh,” Cliff remarks.
Additional offerings provide groups with the chance to explore Lancaster’s foodie side.
The charming little Kitchen Kettle Village—a hodgepodge of old-time shops, dining and lodging—is now presenting business-focused seminars and other learning opportunities that combine corporate savvy with learning about canning, quilting and other activities. The Cannin’ & Jammin’ Experience, for example, provides groups of 12 and larger with a chance to cook, can, taste and take home some vittles, working alongside local farm women in the village’s canning kitchen.
The Turkey Hill Experience shows off more than 26,000 square feet of interactive exhibits that include making your own ice cream flavor and even designing the packaging.
As for group dining excitement, downtown Lancaster’s Ma(i)son is a new farm-fresh restaurant providing sophisticated yet simple flavors in a hip, rustic setting. Groups of up to 28 can do a buyout of the cozy yet comfortable establishment.
When it comes to experiencing the Amish flavors of the region, Hershey Farm provides some promising possibilities. Programs such as Dine with the Amish are available at the inn and restaurant, with the opportunity to join members of the Amish community in conversation over a shared meal. Or groups can sign up for their Amish Camp program, which fully immerses participants in the Amish lifestyle, from an Amish-style fashion show to storytelling from one of their community elders.
Similar experiences, offering recreated versions of the Amish farming life, include Amish Country Homestead, Amish Farm & House and Amish Village.
Yet another intriguing possibility is Lancaster County Tours, operated by a group of five collaborating bed and breakfast properties in the area. The tours blend culinary excursions and advice with fine dining experiences and informative explorations for the ideal group learning experience. Each tour is unique, and includes travel through the Amish countryside with visits to local artisans, shops, farms and restaurants.
Lancaster also showcases the heralded Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, presenting a stellar collection of historic locomotives and vintage railroad cars, and rated among the top five railroad museums in the world. Right across the road, groups can hop aboard America’s oldest short-line railroad for a scenic 45-minute excursion.
