Half Day

Get your journey spinning at the Mechanicsburg Museum. The museum is a collection of historic buildings throughout the town (that was named after the mechanics that first settled there) that preserve the unique stories of Mechanicsburg and the surrounding area. Spend an afternoon exploring the Stationmaster's House, the Washington Street Station, Frankeberger Tavern, the Freight Station and the Passenger Station. The Passenger Station is located right along the railroad tracks and along with the Stationmaster’s House tells the story of the railroad that ran through Mechanicsburg starting in 1831. The Frankeberger Tavern is a preserved tavern built in 1801. George Frankeberger offered warm meals and a place to sleep to cattle drivers who would roll into town.

Continue your Mechanicsburg journey at the Rolls Royce Museum. This historical museum is home to Rolls Royce and Bentley displays and a research library for these unique automobiles. If you appreciate restoration and classics, this is the stop for you!

Full Day

Extend your discovery of all things with wheels on the Army Heritage Trail at the U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center in Carlisle. The mile-long outdoor trail features fourteen exhibits that include large scale reconstructions of an interpretation of the Vietnam helicopter air assault at la Drang, a French and Indian War way station, Redoubt Number 10 from the Revolutionary War siege of Yorktown, a section of the Antietam battlefield, a Civil War winter encampment with cabins, a WWI trench system, a Current Operations HESCO Bastion barrier checkpoint, and other smaller exhibits featuring armor, aircraft, and artillery.

After exploring Carlisle head to West Fairview for a visit at the Historical Society of East Pennsboro. This historical gem invites railroad lovers to browse the collection of items from the famed Enola Yards. From its beginnings through 1956 the Enola Yards was the largest freight yard in the world and still operates today on a smaller scale.

Make it a Weekend

Spend an entire weekend in the Valley exploring all the opportunities for things on wheels. The Cumberland Valley Rail Trail tells the story of the abandoned railroad, while you cruise down the path on bike wheels. This 11-mile rail trail follows the path of the old railroad from Shippensburg to Newville. The flat surface is perfect for leisurely biking and hiking. The interpretive signage tells the historical and agricultural significance of the trail and area.

After an afternoon of biking, cool down indoors at the Antique Automobile Museum of America in Hershey. This museum is home to over 100 cars, buses and motorcycles set in period displays with special exhibits. There are lots of opportunities to preserve your memories and capture photos of you and your traveling buddies with antique cars and displays.

Keep your wheels rolling at the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing in York Springs. This museum is home to one of the most extensive collections of racing memorabilia in the country and displays the historic race cars of racing's "Golden Era".

Continue your weekend of exploring at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Lancaster. Learn about the importance of the railroad industry to the state from the beginnings and the first tracks to current operations. While in Lancaster, take a train ride at The Strasburg Railroad.

Take a day to discover the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum located in Hamburg. This museum and historical society tells the story of the Reading Railroad, one of the world’s largest corporations, made even more popular by the game Monopoly.

Dining Suggestions

Ride into Kristy’s Whistle Stop in Enola for a retro lunch or dinner. This classic drive-in serves up summertime favorites in a 50’s atmosphere.

Enjoy an afternoon drive out to Twirly Top Drive-In in Gardners. This drive-in offers good old-fashioned burgers, hotdogs and ice cream.