Best Museums in Harrisburg, PA
Looking for museums in Harrisburg? Below you'll find 7 local options with their address, phone number, website and opening hours, plus practical advice on choosing the right one.
What they do: Art, history, science and children's museums. Many offer free days and discounts for students and families.
This guide lists 7 museums in and around Harrisburg, spread across 3 ZIP codes. 4 have a phone number you can call directly from this page, 7 link to their own website, 4 are open on weekends. Listings are organized so you can compare them at a glance and contact them directly.
Top 7 Museums in Harrisburg
Listings are shown in no paid order: no business can pay to appear or to rank higher on this page.
1 Susquehanna Art Museum
- Address 1401 North 3rd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102
- Phone (717) 233-8668
- Website susquehannaartmuseum.org
Opening hours
| Mon | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tue | Closed |
| Wed | 10 AM-7 PM |
| Thu | 10 AM-5 PM |
| Fri | 10 AM-5 PM |
| Sat | 10 AM-5 PM |
| Sun | 9 AM-6 PM |
2 Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts
- Address 222 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
- Phone (717) 214-2787
- Website whitakercenter.org
Opening hours
| Mon | 10 AM-5 PM |
|---|---|
| Fri | 10 AM-5 PM |
| Sat | 10 AM-5 PM |
| Sun | 10 AM-5 PM |
3 Historic Harrisburg Association
- Address 1230 North 3rd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102
- Website historicharrisburg.org
Opening hours
| Mon | 9 AM-4 PM |
|---|---|
| Tue | 9 AM-4 PM |
| Wed | 9 AM-4 PM |
| Thu | 9 AM-4 PM |
| Fri | 9 AM-4 PM |
| Sat | Closed |
| Sun | Closed |
4 Pennsylvania National Fire Museum
- Address 1820 North 4th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102
- Website pnfm.org
Opening hours
| Thu | 10 AM-4 PM |
|---|---|
| Fri | 10 AM-4 PM |
| Sat | 10 AM-4 PM |
| Sun | 12 PM-4 PM |
5 State Museum of Pennsylvania
- Address 300 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120
- Website statemuseumpa.org
Opening hours
| Wed | 9 AM-4:30 PM |
|---|---|
| Thu | 9 AM-4:30 PM |
| Fri | 9 AM-4:30 PM |
| Sat | 9 AM-4:30 PM |
| Sun | 12 PM-4:30 PM |
6 National Civil War Museum
- Address 1 Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg, PA
- Phone (866) 258-4729
- Website nationalcivilwarmuseum.org
7 Centennial Barn
- Address 53000 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA
- Phone (717) 599-5751
- Website forthunter.org
How to choose museums in Harrisburg
- Check seasonal hours, since many attractions change their schedule in winter.
- Look for discount days, family passes and membership options.
- Check parking and accessibility before you go.
- Pack for the weather. Pennsylvania weather changes quickly, especially in spring and fall.
- For state parks, check the DCNR website for alerts, closures and reservations.
Local tips for Harrisburg
As the state capital, Harrisburg is home to most Pennsylvania licensing boards and state agencies, which makes it easy to verify professional licenses or visit agencies in person.
Many businesses that serve Harrisburg are across the river in Camp Hill, Lemoyne and Mechanicsburg, or in the eastern suburbs of Hershey and Hummelstown.
Harrisburg is in Dauphin County, and local phone numbers use the 717 and 223 area codes. Popular areas include Downtown, Midtown, Uptown, Allison Hill, Shipoke, Bellevue Park, Capitol Heights.
Frequently asked questions
Which museums in Harrisburg are open on weekends?
According to their listed hours, these are open on Saturday or Sunday: Susquehanna Art Museum, Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, Pennsylvania National Fire Museum, State Museum of Pennsylvania. Hours can change on holidays, so call before you go.
Which areas of Harrisburg do these museums cover?
The museums on this list are located in ZIP codes 17101, 17102, 17120. Many businesses also serve nearby neighborhoods and suburbs, so ask when you call.
Are Pennsylvania state parks free?
Yes. Pennsylvania state parks don't charge an entrance fee, although camping, cabins, some pools and special activities have fees.
What are the best times to visit attractions in Harrisburg?
Weekday mornings are usually the quietest. Summer weekends and school holidays are the busiest.
Where can I find trails near Harrisburg?
Use the DCNR's ExplorePAtrails.com and local park websites to find trails by length, difficulty and activity.
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More outdoors & attractions guides in Harrisburg
Business data for this page comes from © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), reviewed and formatted by Pennsylvania Connection.
Information is collected from public sources and may change. Please confirm hours, prices and availability directly with each business. Business owner? Ask us to update your listing.