Nestled in the quiet, natural beauty of south-central Pennsylvania, guests to Cumberland Valley will love experiencing our rich collection of vibrant downtowns, savoring our distinctive dining and craft beers, interacting with more than 250 years of history, and exploring plentiful outdoor recreation opportunities. Combined with fun year-round festivals and events, Cumberland Valley is an ideal location for a weekend getaway in Pennsylvania. Here are some tips to help you plan your #WeekendEasy adventure.

Authentic and Eclectic Experiences

Couple enjoying draft beer and food at Ever GrainCumberland Valley Beer Trail

Tap, tour, and try a pint along the Cumberland Valley Beer Trail. Experience the unique flavors of local craft beers, wines, ciders, and spirits at more than 20 locations. Sign up for a free digital passport, check-in at participating locations, and start earning prizes. 

What's better than beer? How about beer paired with fun hiking trails, cool downtowns, unique shops, tons of dining options, and seasonal events? Read more to find suggestions for things to see and do nearby to our Beer Trail locations. You are sure to find the perfect pairing.

Hiking at Waggoner's Gap Hawk WatchOutdoor Recreation

With over 54,000 acres, 200 miles of trails, three state parks, two state forests, and scenic waterways, guests can discover and explore a serene and stunning landscape. Highlights include the 13-mile Cumberland Valley Rail Trail; the iconic Appalachian Trail, with the midpoint located in Pine Grove Furnace State Park; and Waggoner’s Gap Hawk Watch, one of the best locations in Pennsylvania to watch the fall hawk migration. There is no entrance fee to any of our state parks or forests and they are in close proximity to our downtowns. 

Downtown CarlisleDowntown Exploration

Cumberland Valley’s picturesque and walkable small towns are the crossroads for art, fashion, food, and history. With a diverse collection of galleries, specialty shops, restaurants, and museums, each town has one-of-a-kind finds that visitors won’t be able to resist.

Foodie Adventure

Uncover Cumberland Valley’s palate-pleasing cuisine – from comfort food and locally-grown farm products to ethnic specialties. Explore the bounty of each season at the 60,000-square-foot West Shore Farmer’s Market or at our local roadside farm stands.

A visitor strolls past the Appalachian Trail Museum along the A.T.Step Back in Time

Cumberland Valley makes history fun. Visitors can mix and match unique museums to fully immerse themselves in historical explorations. Learn about the story of the soldier at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center and Army Heritage Trail; dive deep into the history and emotional, physical, and spiritual human experiences of the Appalachian Trail at the seasonal Appalachian Trail Museum which is the only museum in the country dedicated solely to hiking; and get hands-on at the Rolls Royce Museum which displays a small collection of Rolls Royce and Bentley motorcars from older models to modern versions. Best of all, many of these attractions are free.

Location, Location, Location

Hit the road and be here by lunchtime. We are within a 2- to 3-hour drive of Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Baltimore, New York, and Pittsburgh. Cumberland Valley’s highways and scenic roads are easy to navigate and there is ample parking in our downtowns.

Visitors Guide

Before your arrival, order a copy of our Visitors Guide to make sure that you don’t miss out on our top must-see attractions, places to shop, and affordable accommodations.

Visitors CenterVisitors Center

Make the Cumberland Valley Visitors Center your first stop. Pick up free brochures, maps, and guides, or get suggestions from our friendly and knowledgeable staff on what to see and do while you’re here. While at the Visitors Center, get your first taste of why the Cumberland Valley has been consistently voted one of the Top 10 towns in America for craft lovers by American Craft Week. History on High-The Shop, which shares space with the Visitors Center -- features a selection of locally-made artwork and artisan crafts unique to the area-- including paintings, fine jewelry, textiles, pottery, metalwork, wood carvings, and clothing.

Lodging

Rest easy in Cumberland Valley with a variety of lodging options for every style and budget -- from luxurious accommodations and amenities for the discerning traveler to the intimate experience of a B&B or the comfortable and affordable rooms at our hotels.

What are you waiting for? Your #WeekendEasy adventure awaits. The hardest part is returning home.