Perfect Pairings: Things to Do + Cumberland Valley Beer Trail

Shippensburg, Gardners & Newville

The college town of Shippensburg is the westernmost town of Cumberland Valley and is close to Gardners and Newville, where visitors will find some of the best outdoor recreation in the county.

Beer Trail Locations

• Big Hill Ciderworks, Gardners (shown below)
• Whiskers Brewing Inc, Newville

Get Outside

Hike or bike your way through the Cumberland Valley. The Cumberland Valley Rail Trail is a 13-mile rail bed perfect for biking. Visitors will cruise by beautiful farmland dotted with interpretive signage about agricultural impacts and Civil War history. Start at Shippensburg Station with a visit to the Cumberland Valley Railroad Museum and the Conrail Museum, then end in Newville. Colonel Denning State Park, also located in Newville, is home to the popular Flat Rock Trail, a strenuous 2.5-mile hike to a stunning 180-degree vista. Or, visit Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Gardners and explore the midway point of the Appalachian Trail, the Appalachian Trail Museum (open seasonally), Fuller and Laurel Lakes, and the challenging Pole Steeple Trail and overlook. Best of all, Whiskers Brewing Inc has a dog-friendly outdoor patio if you bring your pup!

Mark Your Calendar

Check the events calendar for a complete listing.

• Weekend Movies at Cumberland Drive-In (Seasonal)
• Central PA Chainsaw Carvers Festival (April)
• Newville Fountain Festival (June)
• Shippensburg Community Fair (July)
• Corn Festival (August)
• Shippensburg Beer & Wine Festival (September)
• Uprise (September)
• Shippensburg Pumpkin Festival (October)
• Fall Furnace Fest (October)

Carlisle & Boiling Springs

Downtown Carlisle is a walkable, historic town featuring Dickinson College. And you won't want to miss nearby Boiling Springs, a charming village and a designated Appalachian Trail Community.

Beer Trail Locations

Walk to seven of Carlisle's ten Beer Trail locations as you explore this tree-lined college town.

• Appalachian Brewing Company 1757 Grille, Carlisle
• Back Porch Brewing Inc, Carlisle
• Desperate Times Brewery, Carlisle
• Hungry Run Distillery, Carlisle
• Market Cross Pub & Brewery, Carlisle
• Molly Pitcher Brewing Company, Carlisle
• Seve-N-Dots Publik Pizza Place, Carlisle
• Totem Pole Ranch & Winery, Carlisle
• The Winery at the Long Shot Farm, Carlisle

Explore Carlisle

Park your car and traverse historic downtown Carlisle on foot. Instagram your favorite dishes from a variety of restaurants, or pick up a souvenir as you visit the 40+ downtown merchants featuring antiques, artisan crafts, chocolates, and boutique finds. Check out military equipment at the U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center, craft your own gourd at Meadowbrooke Gourds, or play at the arcade, mini-golf courses, or go-kart tracks at the Carlisle Sports Emporium, all located a short drive from downtown.

Get Outside

Lace your hiking shoes and pack your selfie stick. Find over 25 miles of hiking trails, including five scenic overlooks at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center. Have fun playing in nature's playground as you rock scramble to amazing views on the White Rocks Trail or at Waggoner's Gap Hawk Watch. Picture-perfect Children's Lake offers easy day-hike options on the Appalachian Trail.

Mark Your Calendar

Check the events calendar for a full listing.

• Carlisle Ice Art Fest (February)
• Carlisle Events Collector Auto Shows, Auctions & Parades (April-October)
• Foundry Day (June)
• Bluegrass on the Grass (July)
• Cumberland Valley Fly Fishing & Outdoor Festival (August)
• Sunflower Festival (September)
• Harvest of the Arts (September)
• Garden Harvest Day (October)
• Market of Curiosities (late November/early December)
• Farmers on the Square (weekly)

Mechanicsburg & Dillsburg

Mechanicsburg covers a large area, including a charming downtown with local businesses, a bustling commerce area with many big-box stores, and scenic farmlands.

Beer Trail Locations

From charming taprooms to casual restaurants, you'll find a variety of Beer Trail settings on your journey.

• Appalachian Brewing Company, Mechanicsburg
• Big Bottom Brewery, Dillsburg
• Cold Springs Inn Brewing Co., Mechanicsburg
• Eichelberger Distillery @ Dills Tavern, Dillsburg
• Hemauer Brewing Co., Mechanicsburg
• Isaac's Craft Kitchen & Brewery, Mechanicsburg
• Midstate Distillery, Mechanicsburg
• Wolf Brewing Co., Mechanicsburg

Uncover History

The greater Mechanicsburg area is rich in history and features numerous opportunities to explore. Visit the Mechanicsburg Museum, a collection of four preserved 1800s buildings, to learn about the Cumberland Valley Railroad. The Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association operates a 90-acre fairgrounds featuring a running steam locomotive, sawmill, and steam boiler house. Visitors can view these historic assets in action during events throughout the year and can even conduct the steam locomotive! Visit Civil War & More to learn about the Civil War in Cumberland Valley. The Rolls Royce Foundation & Museum houses a changing collection of Rolls Royce and Bentley Motorcars. Dill's Tavern and Plantation is an interactive education center featuring an original 1700s tavern, as well as reconstructed facilities, including a rye whiskey distillery, barn, summer kitchen, woodshed, bake oven, and wheelwright shop.

Get Outside

Use one of the numerous Mechanicsburg access points to the Yellow Breeches Creek and spend an afternoon kayaking or tubing down this scenic water trail. Tube rentals and transportation shuttles are available from Creekside at Liberty Forge. Pick your own berries, beans, flowers, pumpkins, and more from local farmers' markets. Oak Grove Farms, Paulus Farm Market, and Mt Airy Orchards all offer u-pick options, a variety of produce, baked goods, ice cream, meats, plants, and more, plus fun fall-themed activities.

Mark Your Calendar

Check the events calendar for a full listing.

• Jubilee Day (June)
• Annual Steam Show (August)
• PA Tea Festival (September)
• Dirt Track Racing at Williams Grove Speedway (Seasonal)
• Williams Grove Farmers Flea Market (Sundays)

West Shore & Harrisburg

The communities of Camp Hill, Enola, Lemoyne, New Cumberland, and Wormleysburg, collectively referred to as the West Shore, dot the shores of the Susquehanna River. Across the river lies the Pennsylvania capitol city of Harrisburg.

Beer Trail Locations

The West Shore has a collection of funky locations to enjoy. With several boutique breweries, you'll have difficulty picking your favorite.

• Al's of Hampden / Pizza Boy Brewing, Enola
• Boneshire Brew Works, Harrisburg
• Ever Grain Brewing Company, Camp Hill
• Grateful Goat Brewing & Provisions, Camp Hill
• Isaac's Craft Kitchen Brewery, Lemoyne
• The Millworks, Harrisburg
• The Watershed Pub, Camp Hill
• Wild Rabbit Pies & Pints, New Cumberland
• Zeroday Brewing Company, Harrisburg

Explore Camp Hill

Downtown Camp Hill is dotted with boutiques, day spas, and restaurants. Spend a few hours filling your shopping bags with clothing, jewelry, home goods, gourmet coffee, and chocolates. Enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants, or get it to go and enjoy a picnic at downtown Willow Park or nearby Negley Park. For a truly unique experience, book an appointment at Dissolve Float Spa, where visitors effortlessly float in a pod filled with 10" of heated water and 900 pounds of Epsom salts. Finish at Pennsylvania Bakery, a local favorite featuring cases of delicious pastries. Read more about Camp Hill's many offerings.

City Island & Harrisburg Attractions

The Susquehanna River corridor offers visitors plenty of fun indoor and outdoor activities. Spend an afternoon on City Island, playing mini-golf, taking a scenic ride on the Pride of the Susquehanna, or catching a Senator's baseball game (and fireworks!). Susquehanna Outfitters offers kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals with shuttle service. Speed around an indoor track at up to almost 50 mph at K1 Speed (formerly Autobahn Indoor Speedway), or play arcade games at Dave & Buster's. If you like history, visit the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building, the State Museum of Pennsylvania, or the National Civil War Museum.

Mark Your Calendar

Check the events calendar for a complete listing.

• PA Farm Show (January)
• Great American Outdoor Show (February)
• Motorama (February)
• Iron Bridge Music Festival (June)
• New Cumberland Apple Festival (September)
• East Pennsboro Pumpkin Festival (October)
• West Shore Farmer's Market (Fridays & Saturdays)

Top Off Your Weekend

Perhaps one of the most perfect pairings is combining the Cumberland Valley Beer Trail with one of our other trails, including the Coffee & Chocolate Trail (February-May), Ice Cream Trail (May-September), Foodie Flavor Trail (June-November), and Family Adventure Trail (July-May).

Stay the Night

Cumberland Valley has comfortable and affordable hotels with well-appointed modern guest rooms or suites. They are easily accessible from major highways and their convenient locations mean you are never too far from the action. 

For an added level of comfort, stay at one of our truly unique B&Bs, where you can enjoy luxurious accommodations and personalized service.

See all of our lodging options.