Mechanicsburg, PA Road Trips

On April 12, 1828 the borough was given the name Mechanicsburg after the increased settlement of Conestoga Wagon mechanics to the area. Designated as a water station for the restocking of locomotives in the 1800s, railroads played a vital role in Mechanicsburg's development linking the town to the business and industry world. Grain and feed companies, lumber yards, and numerous factories were intentionally placed along these tracks to attract more business. During the 19th century an average of 25 trains chugged through the town daily carrying travelers, mail, newspapers, coal, and food. However, today only six trains travel through each day. This number did not used to be this high until Norfolk Southern gained more work on the local sub-line running through Mechanicsburg. Today Mechanicsburg is most well known for being the hometown of Shawn Abner, Del Beshore, Brett Michaels, Ricky Rockett, and Karen Bill. Mechanicsburg has had many nicknames throughout the years. It was first known to be called Drytown because of the intense droughts in the winters and summers, Pinchgut, which is a German term meaning a small town with very few people, and Staufferstown after Henry Stauffer who owned much of the land in the colonial time. The last nickname was Creekville because of the many creeks and small bodies of water located in Mechanicsburg.

Art & theatre Art Center Schools and Galleries- 18 Artcraft Drive Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg- 915 South York St. 1 Allenberry Resort Inn and Playhouse, 1559 Boiling Springs Rd., Boiling Springs, ☏ +1 717-258-3211. A 15-minute drive from downtown Mechanicsburg. There are always a few great shows playing at a time and the dining is wonderful. This would be a great place for a date or a nice family outing. (updated Apr 2025) Oyster Mill Playhouse. 2nd Floor Gallery, on South Market Street in downtown Mechanicsburg. This particular gallery is very upscale and deals with investments. William Ris Gallery, 5 minutes outside of Mechanicsburg in [1] Camp Hill. This gallery specifies in traditional and contemporary regional/national art. History Mechanicsburg is rich in history with easy access to the historical sites throughout town. The town played a large part in the Civil War and it is considered the most northern exchange by Confederate and Yankee troops. The Frankenberger Tavern, the oldest building still standing in town, is found on 217 East Main Street. The museum used to be owned by George Frankeberger who built the log home in 1801 as a hotel for travelers. George was later murdered in his home and to this day the tavern is rumored to be haunted. The Stationmaster's House was built in 1866 by the Cumberland Valley Railroad for the station master and his wife. Found on 4 Strawberry Alley, the home is now restored and furnished with antiques and reproductions from the period to portray a middle-class household during the 19th century.

If you happen to travel to Mechanicsburg the second week in June the famous Jubilee Day street fair runs all day long. Rain or shine Market Street is annually shut down for the longest street fair on the east coast. Food, games, crafts and rides fill the town roads giving everyone a little taste of Mechanicsburg culture. The large Conodoguinet Creek runs right through the borough. During the warmer spring and summer months the Conodoquinet is a perfect spot to spend a day fishing, tubing, and kayaking with endless places along the water to enter and exit The Yellow Breeches Creek is also a few minutes from downtown. On McCormick Drive in Mechanicsburg you will find a quaint little road along the creek where many gather for family activities such as boating, kayaking, fishing, and picniking. Mechanicsburg is a short drive away to the larger Susquehanna River. Here you can go boating, fishing, or enjoy a tour of the river on the Pride of the Susquehanna. If you want to enjoy a leisurely day out on the golf course Mechanicsburg is home to two courses: Armitage Golf Club located on 800 Orrs Bridge Road and Rich Valley Golf on 227 Rich Valley Rd. Liberty Forge, ☏ +1 717 795-9880. Features a driving range, golf course, and an event center. Paulus Farm Market on 1216 S. York St. Ashcombe's. Features great farms and greenhouses. This particular atrraction features goods and also has a place for events. The Climbnasium. Full service indoor and outdoor climbing facility in a beautiful historic building.

In and out of town, Mechanicsburg has an endless variety of restaurants from small diners to commercial franchises. In-town dining York Street Grille, 398 N. York Street, has a great home-like atmosphere with reasonably priced food and an assortment of beer. The Colony House, 125 West Main St. A low key, laid back diner. A perfect spot for Sunday morning breakfast. Sal's Pizza, 304 North York Street. If you're in the mood for pizza, hoagies, or burgers Sal's will be sure to please. Josie's German Delicatessen is a great German delicatessen with great reviews. They make warm food and prepare all their dishes with authentic German ingredients. Josie is known for her beer and bratwurst and lentil soup. Diener's is known to have a great breakfast. It is on Market Street and is very small and family oriented. Just outside of town is The Peppermill Restaurant, with excellent homestyle cooking. The Derry Church Artisan Chocolates. A shop in the countryside, it has a very expensive French cuisine of fine chocolates. Rakestraws- a historic ice cream shop that has been in Mechanicsburg for a very long time. This ice cream parlor is famous for their black raspberry flavor. The Mechanicsburg Diner is a very inexpensive dinner option and has a fun decor of the 1950s.

York Street Grille, 398 N York St, ☏ +1 717-795-1768. A great townie-bar with live music, a happy hour, and a full bar. Snapper's Bar and Grill, 120 W Allen St, ☏ +1 717-697-9475. Has an outstanding bar menu and is known for a place for mingling singles. The Gingerbread Man, 26 W Main St, ☏ +1 717-697-8882. A bar known to host large, loud crowds. Aroogas Grille House and Sports Bar (off of Route 15, a few minutes from Mechanicsburg). It is known for its ice cold beer, wings, and sports bar. If you're a bit older and would like to enjoy dinner with your drinks you would love The Brew House Grille, on State Street in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. If you're tight on money, Moe's Bar and Sports Grille is the place to go. The food and drinks are unbelievably cheap yet the environment and quality is still excellent. It is at 4709 Gettysburg Pike.

Wingate by Wyndham Mechanicsburg, 385 Cumberland Pkwy, ☏ +1 717-766-2710. The Marriot, 4921 Gettysburg Rd, ☏ +1 717-766-9006. Hampton Inn Harrisburg West, 4950 Ritter Rd, ☏ +1 717-691-1300. La Quinta Inn, 350 Bentcreek Blvd, ☏ +1 717-790-1520. Comfort Inn West, 6325 Carlisle Pike, ☏ +1 717-790-0924. Comfort Suites, 2055 Technology Parkway, ☏ +1 717-732-8804. Econo Lodge, 650 Gettysburg Rd, ☏ +1 717-766-4728. Best Western Plantation Inn, 381 Cumberland Pkwy, ☏ +1 717-766-0328. Homewood Suites by Hilton, 5001 Ritter Rd, ☏ +1 717-697-9101.

Harrisburg International Airport is approximately 16 miles (25 km) from the center of Mechanicsburg. The Multi-Modal Transportation Facility (MMTF) is a four-story facility that provides services for all ground transportation including taxis, limos, rental cars, shuttles, and buses making it easy for travelers to get from point "A" to point "B". Philadelphia International Airport is a two-hour drive away and is sometimes more cost efficient to fly into for travelers coming farther distances. Harrisburg is home to the Harrisburg Amtrak Station. The Amtrak train moves at an average speed of 100 miles per hour (160 km/h) and sells reasonably priced tickets. The train is cheap, timely, and an economical means of transportation. Located at 4th and Chestnut Street the station is a quick 8 miles to Mechanicsburg. Harrisburg is home to many taxi companies willing to drive the 8 miles into Mechanicsburg including Capital City Cab Services, American Taxi, Personal Driver Services, and AAA Alpine Taxicab Company. Averaging $10-12 for a taxi ride into town these cab services are perfect to get a traveler to Mechanicsburg in a timely fashion. Being that Mechanicsburg connects into the Carlisle Pike, a major trucking road, many highways connect to the area which makes it easily accessible by car. Coming from the north take I-81 to Exit 3, Carlisle Pike. Coming from the east or south take I-83 exit 4, Mechanicsburg. Coming westbound take PA Rt. 581. The Pennsylvania Turnpike, I-76 takes you to Mechanicsburg off the Harrisburg West exit.

Taxi New Yellow Cab LLC +1 717-238-7252 Keystone Cab Co. +1 717-234-4400 Capital City Cab Services +1 717-939-6363 AAA Moonlight Taxicab Co +1 717-243-4343 Limousines Henderson Limousine Services Unique Limousine Car rentals Hertz Rent-a-Car Enterprise Rent-A-Car Sensible Car Rental Avis Rent A Car Car Rentals from Budget