The Harrisburg center point is approximately the area of Broad Street Market and the area of Fire Museum Greater Harrisburg.
Tourists visit Harrisburg year round because of the city's rich roots in American history, particularly the Civil War and the Industrial Revolution. However, from a weather standpoint, the best time to visit Harrisburg is in the fall when temperatures are moderate and comfortable. The spring is also pleasant.
Summers in Harrisburg are typically hot and humid with occasional heat waves. The month of July often sees temperatures in the high 80s. Summer thunderstorms are also common. If you want to visit Harrisburg during the summer, be sure to carry a water bottle and wear sunscreen if you're going to spend a lot of time outside.
It gets pretty cold in the winter with average temperatures in the 30s. If you're visiting Harrisburg during the winter, be prepared to drive in the snow and plan plenty of extra travel time to manage the delays. It's best to find a hotel close to downtown so that you're only a few minutes from the most important sightseeing destinations.
The Red Roof Inn Harrisburg North is a great place to stay if you're looking for special discounts for seniors and AAA Club members. Plus, staying at this hotel puts you just minutes from the Shoppes at Susquehanna Marketplace, as well as several restaurants and bars. Many people consider the Red Roof Inn an excellent value for the price. You'll enjoy modern rooms, free Wi-Fi, and quiet spaces.
Another excellent hotel to try if you're looking for discounts is the Days Inn Harrisburg North. It's just a short drive from Dixon University Center and Wildwood Park. Both AAA and AARP members can ask for discounts on rooms. In addition to great service, you get free parking, free Wi-Fi, access to an outdoor seasonal pool, a 24-hour fitness facility, and continental breakfast.
Candlewood Suites Harrisburg-Hershey also offers discounts to seniors and AAA members up to 15 percent. It's a good place to stay if you're going to be in Harrisburg for more than a week because there are on-site laundry facilities and lots of other accommodations to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. You can swim year round in the indoor pool, exercise in the 24-hour fitness center, and bring your pets along for the fun.
The Crowne Plaza Harrisburg-Hershey hotel is one of the most popular choices in Harrisburg because of its downtown location and extra amenities. You'll find an indoor pool, lounge/bar area, conference space, fitness facilities, and computer station all for guest use. Guest reviews also rave about the 24-hour front desk with staff willing to take care of anything for you, including your dry cleaning and laundry. There is also a valet and breakfast service with a surcharge.
Another excellent hotel to try if you're looking for value is the Holiday Inn Express Harrisburg NE. All guests enjoy free parking, free Internet, and a complimentary breakfast buffet. There is also a 24-hour fitness facility, indoor pool and spa, and refrigerators and microwaves in every room. The Holiday Inn Express caters mostly to business travelers, but families are welcome. The hotel has a 24-hour business center, coffee in the lobby, laundry facilities, and free newspapers.
Two of the most important things to see in Harrisburg are the Whitaker's Museum of Arts and Science and the Pennsylvania State Capitol building. You can spend all day exploring the attractions in downtown Harrisburg. There are boutique stores everywhere you look with historic storefronts.
Another important stop in Harrisburg is the National Civil War Museum that houses interesting war artifacts. You can take a tour of the museum after you visit the State Capitol. The Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex is also a fun stop in the downtown area of Harrisburg if you want to see agricultural shows. However, the complex also hosts car shows, sporting events, and other activities. Check the event calendar to see what's happening at the Farm Show Complex while you're in town.
Many people who visit Harrisburg also put nearby Hersheypark on their list of things to do. The famous Hershey Chocolate World offers themed attractions that are great for families. It's the perfect day trip from Harrisburg. Before you head to Harrisburg, decide what attractions you want to see so you can get a hotel that fits within your budget and location requirements.
Below are the GSA reimbursement limits for hotel spending in Harrisburg, PA excluding taxes per night. See gsa.gov for more details.
Applies to Dauphin County excluding Hershey
| Season Begin | Season End | Lodging Rate | Meals & Incidentals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Jan, 2026 | 31-Dec, 2025 | $124.00 | $74.00 |
Below are reviews of the city of Harrisburg, PA from an actual visitor's perspective.
The Family Reunion was amazing!
The hotel is close to Hershey Park and next door to a nice restaurant with good food and reasonably priced.
I thought PJ Wheilans Restaurant was quite good. We also enjoyed our visit to Hershey Park.
We were just passing through on our way from Maine to Pittsburgh.
We came for Hershey Park
City was great. Easy driving.
Harrisburg is my new home. We just moved here from the Lehigh Valley and a lack of A/C brought us to your hotel, and we feel lucky to have found you.
Harrisburg, while the capitol of PA, has a small-town feel. Easy to get around to see the sights. Convenient to nearby East Coast destinations.
Location is just where needed to be. location was perfect,
We enjoyed visiting the Capitol building which is very impressive. We also enjoyed a beautiful family wedding.
Visited family and toured Hershey.
Easy to get too off the highway
Air show.
Harrisburg is nice.
Beautiful homes! Everything is very convenient.
Beautiful city, but the receptionist's treatment, and his words were only to negative our day
Seems nice
Harvest Seasonal Grille has awesome food!
The architecture and the city's age is endlessly interesting!
Entertainment!
The river and her bridges!
Location was nice, hotel was clean, and they had free parking.
Tractor Pull!
Everyone we interacted with were friendly and helpfull. Turkey Hill at Dotson court, The Marriot, M & T Towing and NTB on Jonestown Rd. Everyone was so helpful and kind. Thank you.
The staff is always friendly. Rooms are always clean and comfortable. Great Outdoor Show and restaurants.
I was there for the Farm Show
Manor on Front concert!
We were for a Tall Cedar function. We did not go around the city.
I like the shopping center nearby & restaurants
I like the shopping center nearby & restaurants:
Horse sale downtown was nice and food was great!
Very clean and very friendly staff! Great shopping and restaurants,
Great shopping and restaurants!
Historic.
Very nice.
Sites are close by. Nice little town.
Very friendly city.
Visited for a lacrosse tournament.
Very helpful staff.
Harvest Seasonal Grill is a terrific place to eat!
Hershey Park
Packages including discounted tickets at City Island rides, baseball and golf, etc. Free shuttles to Hershey Park and other prime venues.
Had a great time!
Everything that you can do! Minutes away from Hershey and Lancaster. The Outlet Shopping was Amazing.
The room was clean, and the staff was friendly! Capital Diner was delicious.
Plenty of shops and restaurants nearby.
Staff was friendly and the room was clean. The delicious diner next door to this hotel - we'd give it a 10 out of 10 - just wonderful!
Was there overnight to take flight out in morning
Close to shopping and many restaurants with easy access to the main highway.
Love attending the shows at the Farm Complex!
We visited the Farm Show complex, only 3.5 miles travel.
We came for the Farm Show. The hotel was close to road access.
Capital building and the riverwalk!
Very quiet.
Well located hotel.
The food was good 😊 and the candy bar thank you again ❤️💕
Proximity to Hershey and many other enjoyable sites!
Good restaurants!
Hops & Barley Pub
We went to Hershey which was close by.
Peaceful and interesting little city.
Nice!
Nice!
Hotel was 20 minutes from Hershey Park.
It had nice shopping areas.
Hershey Park
Hershey Park/Chocolate World.
A beautiful city.
Hershey Park and the Trolley at Chocolate World.
Close to the hospital with shuttle service.
The hotel was clean, and the room were clean and comfortable. Very familiar with the city, everything went well.
Hotel was in a great location!
I enjoyed the tourist options available within a reasonable range!
There was an amazing pizza place right across the street called Papa Joes! I was able to walk to 2nd and Charles and Bass Pro which my 4 year old loved.
We appreciated feeling safe.
Great restaurants and location; easy to get back to highways.
Decent food at diner next to hotel!
Proximity to airport.
We were at the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference where Kelly Ann Conway was our featured speaker. Very good hospitality there.
Love the restaurants!
My stay was to visit The Great Outdoor Show and Bass Pro.
Was at the Hershey Giant Center for cheerleading competition.
Antique shopping and farm show!
Everything was close to the hotel!
Everything is pretty easy to find, from eateries to shopping, everything is pretty accessible.
Farm Show, City Island, Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Broadstreet Market, El Sol Mexican Restaurant (excellent) the river and riverside parks.
Hosted a reception at a very good restaurant adjacent to the hotel!
Very nice place
It is a very creative, cultural town. Just a feel good place. I like the varied architecture and the river though Harrisburg is pretty with the islands here and there.
Close to Hershey Park and shopping centers!
Downtown Harrisburg was very energetic with great atmosphere!
Very nice area!
Close to all attractions.
We were there for such a short time. We had an great time at the Club XL Live while we were there.
The city was scenic.
Very nice!