Discovering Arts & Culture

A Perfect Weekend in Cumberland Valley

Cumberland Valley is the perfect spot to immerse yourself in art galleries, theaters, and live performances. We’ve created a three-day weekend itinerary to give you the best of Cumberland Valley's arts and culture scene.

Lodging

Cumberland Valley’s hotels offer affordable accommodations with all the amenities to make your stay comfortable. Or, for a more personalized touch, choose one of the area’s unique B&Bs, where you’ll enjoy a peaceful retreat and warm hometown hospitality, making your weekend getaway truly memorable. 

For ultimate pampering, treat yourself to a stay at Allenberry Resort, a premier destination nestled in 57 acres of tranquility. Enjoy luxurious rooms, exquisite on-site dining, an outdoor pool, and access to the Yellow Breeches Creek and the Appalachian Trail. Plus, don’t miss out on theatrical and musical performances at The Playhouse and on-site treatments at their Longevity Center for an exceptional cultural getaway.

Day One

Start your weekend with a delicious breakfast at Down to Earth Cafe,  where you’ll find coffee, tea, smoothies, baked goods, and a small but delicious breakfast menu. Then head over to the Brain Vessel (The Gallery), where you can shop from an eclectic choice of unique handcrafted art. The store’s Teafinery features premium hand-blended and organic teas, local central PA honey, and infusions, plus a selection of tea accessories carefully crafted by local PA artisans.

Nearby Watershed Pub is the ideal lunch spot. Set in an 1830s-era building, this charming restaurant offers delicious artisan cocktails and dishes crafted with fresh, made-from-scratch ingredients. 

You can then spend the entire afternoon exploring Mechanicsburg’s art scene at places such as:

• Art Center School & Galleries
• Creative Grounds
• Metropolis Collective
• Pure Gallery

Once you’ve had your fill of incredible artwork, treat yourself to a casual but delicious dinner at Black N Bleu (our Meal Madness winner in 2024!). Finally, catch a show at the Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg to top off your evening!

Day Two

Day two is all about exploring the art scene in Carlisle. Start your morning off with Denim Coffee, located in downtown Carlisle, for coffee, a smoothie, or a baked good. Next, head to the Carlisle Arts Learning Center. You’ll enjoy a fabulous visual arts experience including mediums such as photography, ceramics, drawing, copper enameling, and painting. You could easily spend your entire morning there, so next on your itinerary is lunch at Mount Fuji for sushi or the Hamilton Restaurant, a local favorite (and the 2023 Meal Madness winner).

A trip to Cumberland Valley and Carlisle wouldn’t be complete without a visit to The Trout Gallery, a hidden gem on the campus of Dickinson College. Since opening in 1983, The Trout Gallery has grown to over 6,000 works with considerable holdings in works-on-paper. Highlights include prints by several major Modernist artists, 19th-century American and European prints, European and Asian decorative arts, African ethnographic material, bronze statues, antique coins, and artifacts

Spend the rest of your afternoon checking out Carlisle’s many art galleries and shops:

• Earth Artisan & Outfitter
• Ejecta Projects Art Gallery
• The Gallery at JN Studios
• The Garden Gallery
• The Pond Art Studios and K. Olson Ceramics
• Nancy Stamm’s Galleria

For dinner, enjoy One13 Social for an upscale casual vibe in the heart of downtown Carlisle. Then head to the Art Deco Carlisle Theatre, offering plays, musical performances, and films throughout the year. Be sure to check the schedule for the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, a national and internationally recognized school offering seasonal professional-level ballet performances in their Carlisle studio and other local venues.

Day Three

Head across the Susquehanna River into historic midtown Harrisburg for a meal at The Millworks, a unique location that combines art galleries and studios with an on-site restaurant and Biergarten. (Photo credit: Millworks Facebook page)

Then take a short 5-minute walk to the nearby Susquehanna Art Museum, which features 20,000 square feet of innovative and engaging exhibits from national and international artists.

This museum is the perfect way to end your trip on a high note!

As you can see, the art and culture scene in Cumberland Valley is popping. We can’t wait to see you!