What's better than beer? How about beer paired with fun hiking trails, cool downtowns, unique shops, tons of dining options, and seasonal events?
Cumberland Valley is the perfect place to plan an easy weekend getaway where you can binge-watch sunsets, sample unique flavors of craft beverages, and fit enough fun into a two-day weekend that it feels like three.
Pick your favorite Beer Trail locations below, find out what is nearby, and sign up for your free digital passport. Your weekend is waiting for you.
Shippensburg, Gardners & Newville
The college town of Shippensburg is the western-most 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
- Appalachian Brewing Company, Shippensburg
- Big Hill Ciderworks, Gardners
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 University, and visit the Cumberland Valley Railroad 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 popular Pole Steeple Trail and overlook.
Mark Your Calendar
Check the events calendar for a full listing.
- Weekend Movies at Cumberland Drive-In (Seasonal)
- Central PA Chainsaw Carvers Festival (Spring)
- Corn Fest (August)
- Uprise (September)
- Shippensburg Beer & Wine Festival (September)
- Fall Furnace Fest (October)
- Cumberland Valley TrailFest (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 (soon to be eight!) of Carlisle's ten Beer Trail locations as you explore this tree-lined college town.
- Back Porch Brewing Inc, Carlisle (opening Summer 2023)
- Desperate Times Brewery, Carlisle
- Grand Illusion Hard Cider, Carlisle
- Hook & Flask Still Works, Carlisle
- Market Cross Pub & Brewery, Carlisle
- Molly Pitcher Brewing Company, Carlisle
- Seve-N-Dots Publik Pizza Place, Carlisle
- The Vegetable Hunter, 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 the downtown.
Get Outside
Lace your hiking shoes and pack your selfie stick. Find over 20 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)
- Amani Festival (May)
- Foundry Day (June)
- Sunflower Festival & Oops Sale (September)
- Harvest of the Arts (September)
- Halloweekend (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
- Hemauer Brewing Co., Mechanicsburg
- Isaac's Craft Kitchen & Brewery, Mechanicsburg
- Lovedraft's Brewing Company, Mechanicsburg
- Marzoni's Brick Oven & Brewing Company, Mechanicsburg
- Mellow Mink Brewing Company, Mechanicsburg
- SpringGate Arcona, 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 1700's 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 Paulus Mt Airy Orchards all offer u-pick options, as well as 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 (September)
- Dirt Track Racing at Williams Grove Speedway (Seasonal)
- Live Music at Lovedraft's Brewing Company
- 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. From boutique breweries to downtown distilleries, you'll have a hard time picking your favorite.
- Al's of Hampden / Pizza Boy Brewing, Enola
- Appalachian Brewing Company, Harrisburg
- Brewhouse Grille, Camp Hill
- Ever Grain Brewing Company, Camp Hill
- Grateful Goat Brewing & Provisions, Camp Hill
- The Millworks, Harrisburg
- The Watershed Pub, Camp Hill
- 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.
City Island & Harrisburg Attractions
The Susquehanna River corridor offers visitors plenty of fun indoor and outdoor activities. Spend an afternoon on City Island, where you can play mini-golf, take a scenic ride on the Pride of the Susquehanna, or catch a Senator's baseball game (and fireworks!). Susquehanna Outfitters offers kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals with shuttle service. Speed around the track at up to 50 mph at Autobahn Indoor Speedway, or play arcade games at Dave & Buster's. If you like history, visit the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building, State Museum of Pennsylvania, or National Civil War Museum.
Mark Your Calendar
Check the events calendar for a full listing.
- PA Farm Show (January)
- Great American Outdoor Show (February)
- Motorama (February)
- 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 the Cumberland Valley Ice Cream Trail. Download the fun passport and taste your way through unique flavors, funky pairings, and scoops of delicious ice cream, custard, and frozen yogurt.
