Visit Hershey & Harrisburg today unveiled new resources for visitor experiences in the Harrisburg Arts District, just in time for Summer. These include a new audio tour and updated maps to help locals, neighbors, and visitors explore the Harrisburg Arts District. The Harrisburg Arts District is perfectly suited for cultural tourism – a travel segment motivated by interest in arts, heritage, and authentic local experiences. The Capital City is thriving with performance venues, art galleries, museums, theatres, murals, monuments, public art, special events, and unique places to eat, drink, and shop.
“Harrisburg is full of arts and culture gems,” said President & CEO Sharon S. Myers. “The more tools we can offer to help people find and engage with these unique experiences, the more likely they will be to return and to encourage others to experience the city’s art scene.”
Updated Maps Include New Venues, More Monuments– New trifold maps go beyond the 3rd St.cultural corridor to include recently-opened venues like Capital City Music Hall and the UPMC Stage at Coronet Park, along with more of Riverfront Park to showcase a series of monuments and gardens. In an increasingly digital world, many visitors still love having a physical map to help orient their travels or to share with friends and family. The trifold maps are available at participating locations across the city.
New Audio Tour Highlights Riverfront Monuments– The Riverfront Park Monument Walk highlights monuments and gardens between Market Street and the Harvey Taylor Bridge. The audio stories are embedded in the mobile app, going into more detail about not just the artists or sculptors commissioned to create a piece of art, but also historical moments that shaped the city and its arts and culture community.
Visitors can use the mobile app to:
- search by categories to find murals, performance venues, events, museums, galleries, monuments, shopping, and places to eat.
- take audio tours of colorful murals and historic monuments.
- create and share a customized itinerary with planning and mapping features.
The free mobile app is available for both iPhone and Android devices. Find the details at hbgartsdist.com.
PA Council on the Arts – Creative Communities Grant
Visit Hershey & Harrisburg is a proud recipient of a 4-year Creative Communities Grant from PA Council on the Arts. The grant – $25,000 per year from 2026 to 2029 – will be applied to placemaking efforts.
VHH is in the process of exploring options for creative wayfinding signage or streetscape elements to guide visitors through the district’s galleries, studios, performance spaces, and public art to reinforce a cohesive sense of place.
“Placemaking is more than an aesthetic amenity,” said Myers. “It’s a critical piece of economic infrastructure that generates overnight stays, restaurant visits, retail activity, and lasting impressions that can turn first-time visitors into loyal advocates for the city.”
Tourism generates $4.37 billion in economic impact across Dauphin County. Arts & Culture Tourism to Harrisburg plays an important role in the local economy.
ABOUT VISIT HERSHEY & HARRISBURG
Visit Hershey & Harrisburg (VHH) is the official non-profit 501c6 partnership-based Destination Marketing Organization serving Dauphin County. Visit Hershey & Harrisburg is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive sales, marketing, and communication programs to compete for leisure, business, group, and sporting event travel market segments among leading and national destinations. VHH seeks to generate economic growth and stability through the marketing and promotion of travel to the Hershey Harrisburg region and to coalesce, develop, and expand its hospitality industry, products, and workforce.