As the capital of the Keystone State, Harrisburg is a magnet for groups and meetings. The nearby cities of Hershey, Lancaster and York provide their own unique allures for attendees, thanks to their variety of businesses, venues and activities. And together, these diverse cities offer an array of options for groups looking to inject outdoor excitement and natural beauty into their next gathering.
Hershey/Harrisburg
The Hershey and Harrisburg region is conveniently located to major population centers in the Mid-Atlantic region, and is surrounded by the great outdoors, according to Rick Dunlap, public relations director for Visit Hershey & Harrisburg, which as of August is the new name of the former Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau.
“This unique combination creates the perfect blend of convenience, abundant lodging options and affordability with a range of price points for venues and services that will make it easy for planners to find the sweet spot for their attendees or company outing,” he said.
Dunlap noted that when it comes to open-air ideas, planners are surprised by the expansive farmland, rolling hills and abundance of natural attractions that surround Harrisburg and the town of Hershey.
“Many of these planners, coming from the larger metro areas of the East Coast especially, will admit they first imagine Harrisburg as other typical capital cities, with sprawling urban landscape,” Dunlap said. “But Harrisburg, with naturally occurring boundaries such as the Susquehanna River and extensive mountain topography, has more defined, condensed boundaries. This creates a setting for meetings or corporate events that can have the amenities of a city while still having easy access to preserved areas just outside of the city limits.”
In Hershey, the story of the vast dairy farms enticing Milton Hershey to place his new milk chocolate factory in this area stands true today, as endless farmland givies way to rolling hillsides and serene country landscapes, according to Dunlap.
Indeed, the brand-recognition alone of the Hershey name could be enough to attract plenty of attendees. But the outside activities are just as irresistible as the city’s eponymous chocolate treats.
“There is truly something for everyone—from picturesque to high energy,” said Reilly E. Fies, communications manager for Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company, which operates Hersheypark, the theme park. “If you have attendees who would like to take a relaxing stroll, we have 23 acres of beautiful botanical gardens at Hershey Gardens that provide picturesque views of the town of Hershey. Pick up your golf clubs and play a round of golf on one of our two 18-hole or one nine-hole golf courses. If your participants want a high-energy teambuilding experience, they can select from archery tag, disc golf and more.”
Fies concurred that meeting planners are pleasantly surprised by the destination’s group options.
“From outdoor dinners to hands-on nature experiences to action-packed teambuilding, the outdoor offerings abound,” she said. “Working with the Hershey Resorts team, including Hershey Destination Services, the process of selecting, booking and bringing to life the selected outdoor activities is a seamless process.”
PageBreakAmong the unique outdoor group options at The Hotel Hershey are the Odyssey Course—a competitive ropes course and 100-foot zipline—and the Falconry Experience, which is designed to be both educational and entertaining, with a demonstration featuring hawks, falcons and a golden eagle.
Roundtop Mountain Resort, in nearby Lewisberry, is another venue that’s ideal for outdoor group activities. The attraction offers teambuilding competitions on a ropes course, as well as ski lessons and paintball competitions.
The Allure of Lancaster
“Meeting and incentive groups are attracted to outdoor events and activities in Lancaster because of the variety of venues we offer and the good weather we enjoy most of the year,” said Joel Cliff, director of communications at Discover Lancaster. “Pricing in the area is also quite reasonable, and you can’t beat our geographic proximity and accessibility to so many large- and medium-size markets.”
Outdoor events at historic sites offer memorable options for meeting planners in and around Lancaster. At Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, for example, groups can enjoy picnics and games on the grounds of a Pennsylvania German living-history attraction. Or they can opt for a reception at the Rock Ford Plantation, the landmarked 18th century home of Revolutionary War Gen. Edward Hand.
For a sporting ambience, planners can also consider making use of Clipper Magazine Stadium, which accommodates up to 10,000 attendees; Sickman’s Mill, where tubing is a big draw; and Ironstone Ranch, a working horse ranch in Elizabethtown.
Also well-equipped for groups is Refreshing Mountain, a year-round retreat and adventure center. The staff there can customize programs to include the venue’s two zipline courses, giant swing, ropes course and climbing tower. And at Cherry Crest Adventure Farm, teambuilding activities challenge participants to find their way through an intricately designed maze.
In Lancaster County’s Amish Country, the village of Bird-In-Hand offers groups a variety of experiences, including hot-air ballooning, an Amish farmland tour, a cornfield banquet or theater performances at Bird-In-Hand Stage, as well as lodging at the resort-style Bird-In-Hand Family Inn.
Yearning for York
“There’s so much to do outside in York County that meeting and incentive groups are sure to find an activity that fits the personality and skill level of their team members,” said Patrick Bourque, sales manager at the York County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “There’s nothing quite like a peaceful paddle in the Susquehanna River to reinvigorate and refocus staff, or a laser tag excursion to put their competitive spirit into overdrive.”
Bourque also noted that York County offers a mix of less-intense outdoor activities perfect to build cooperation and morale among attendees.
“It’s easy to imagine teams growing stronger together as they play a round of mini golf, navigate a corn maze adventure or just roast some s’mores over a nighttime campfire in the country,” he said.
Among the options for teambuilding is the 100-room Heritage Hills Golf Resort, which has an outdoor laser tag arena and mini-golf course, and Maize Quest Corn Maze & Fun Park, where teams compete to find their way through an especially challenging corn maze.
The 5,200-seat PeoplesBank Park, which is home to the York Revolution professional baseball team, offers a variety of outdoor activities as well, from batting practice to kickball and lawn games.
Or, for a relaxing outing infused with natural beauty, groups can join a company called Shank’s Mare Outfitters for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding on the picturesque Susquehanna River, among other activities.
