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Explore the Cumberland Valley and beyond

Carlisle Barracks sits in the Cumberland Valley, with easy access to small-town downtowns, outdoor recreation, historic sites, and major destinations across Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic. This page should help students and families quickly understand what is nearby, what is worth a day trip, and what to save for a longer weekend.

For official tourism and trip-planning resources, check out Visit PA and Visit Cumberland Valley, Carlisle Barracks Leisure Travel Services, and Outdoor Recreation for local guidance on activities, hunting, fishing, and area adventures.

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The appearance of hyperlinks to civilian enterprises does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Army of any website, product, or service. These links are provided in support of the stated purpose of this Department of Defense website.

Area public schools

Area private schools

Homeschooling

Medical

Carlisle City Services

Motor Vehicles/Firearms

If you are new to the area, start with a few easy, high-value destinations close to Carlisle.

  • Explore downtown Carlisle for restaurants, shops, local events, and small-town character

  • Visit Gettysburg for battlefield history, museums, and historical interpretation

  • Spend a day in Hershey for family attractions, entertainment, and nearby cultural sites

  • Head to Harrisburg for sports, concerts, museums, and the Pennsylvania State Capitol

  • Plan a longer trip to Philadelphia for Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, museums, and major league sports

The region offers outdoor activities across every season, whether you want something close to post or a full weekend adventure.

  • Join running or biking clubs on post

  • Go boating at Raystown Lake

  • Kayak or canoe on the Susquehanna River

  • Experience whitewater activities at Ohiopyle in the Laurel Highlands

  • Mountain bike on South Mountain

  • Hike in Pine Grove Furnace State Park or along the Appalachian Trail

  • Camp in Pinchot State Park

  • Swim at the Carlisle Barracks pool

  • Fish local rivers and creeks, including fly-fishing on the Yellow Breeches

  • Take golf lessons at the Carlisle Barracks golf course and driving range

  • Explore additional adventure options such as spelunking, skydiving, and ATV trails

 

For Letterkenny Army Depot hunting information, call the Natural Resources Office hotline at (717) 267-8200.

By season: 

Fall
Fall in the region includes pumpkin picking, hayrides, leaf watching, football weekends, Oktoberfest at Carlisle Barracks, the National Apple Fest in Arendtsville, and hunting on state game lands.

Winter
Winter activities include skiing, snowboarding, and tubing at nearby ski areas, along with ice skating at Twin Ponds, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.

Spring and summer
Warmer months are ideal for hiking, boating, outdoor festivals, baseball, races, family travel, and garden visits such as Longwood Gardens.

Students and families have access to a wide range of local, regional, and professional sporting events throughout the year.

Baseball
Catch local and regional teams such as the Harrisburg Senators, Lancaster Barnstormers, and York Revolution, or plan trips to see the Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Baltimore Orioles, or Washington Nationals.

Football
Football fans can follow the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Washington Commanders, and Penn State Nittany Lions.

Basketball and hockey
Basketball options include the Philadelphia 76ers and Washington Wizards, while hockey fans can follow the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, and Hershey Bears.

Signature events
The region also offers unique events such as Jim Thorpe Sports Days and trips connected to traditions like the Army-Navy Game.

Pennsylvania offers exceptional access to American history, military history, museums, performance venues, and visual arts.

History and heritage
Explore Gettysburg Battlefield, Gettysburg’s Beyond the Battle museum, the National Civil War Museum, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Valley Forge, the Pennsylvania State Capitol, the Army Heritage & Education Center, the Heinz History Center, the Cumberland County Historical Society, and the long history of Carlisle Barracks itself.

Arts and culture
Regional options include Hershey Theatre, the Harrisburg Symphony, the Whitaker Center, local artists and galleries on Pomfret Street, Fallingwater, the Barnes, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Franklin Institute, the Andy Warhol Museum, the Rodin Museum, the Philadelphia Zoo, ZooAmerica, and Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens.

When you are ready to explore beyond the immediate area, Pennsylvania offers memorable weekend destinations for students, couples, and families.

  • Visit Amish Country and Lancaster County

  • Spend a day at Hersheypark or Knoebels Family Amusement Resort

  • Travel to Bethlehem during the holiday season

  • Explore the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon

  • Visit Reading Terminal Market or Philadelphia’s historic districts

  • Tour Yuengling, the nation’s oldest brewery, or explore the many regional microbreweries within a few hours of Carlisle

  • Visit Eastern State Penitentiary, including seasonal tours

  • Attend a performance at Sight & Sound Theatres

  • Stop at Lake Tobias Wildlife Park, the Pennsylvania Farm Show, Shippensburg Corn Festival, Carlisle Harvest of the Arts, or Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney