Carlisle Events

The Cars, the People, the Excitement. For more than 35 years, Carlisle Events has been a staple in the automotive community. Its passion is legendary to those who have made Carlisle, PA their “Automotive Hometown.” Carlisle Events hosts 10 seasonal automotive events at the Carlisle, PA Fairgrounds which attract enthusiasts from all over the world. Major events include the Spring Carlisle, All-Ford Nationals, All-GM Nationals, All-Chrysler Nationals, Bike Fest, All-Truck Nationals, Corvettes at Carlisle, and the Fall Carlisle. See our Calendar of Events page for specific dates.

Hershey

Hershey, The Sweetest Place on Earth. With thrilling attractions, luxurious accommodations, mouth-watering treats, and plenty to do the whole year round, it’s no wonder this chocolate-scented candy kingdom is such a popular destination for the whole family. Come and visit the town made famous by Milton S. Hershey’s company, where the streets are lined with Hershey’s Kisses-shaped street lights and the air is filled with the sweet smell of chocolate. Fun, sweetness and adventure await at Hershey’s Chocolate World. You’ll be greeted by giant Hershey’s Product Characters as you enter this delightful world of food, shops and entertainment devoted to all things chocolate. You’re invited to learn how chocolate is made at a special presentation. Experience Hershey’s Kiss Works and the sensational Hershey’s Really Big 3-D Show. Ready for all-out, non-stop family fun? Hersheypark is the “cleanest and greenest theme park in America” with more than 65 rides and attractions, including 11 exciting coasters, a five acre water play area that is reminiscent of the beaches and boardwalks of the Northeast, and more than two dozen kiddie rides. Plus live entertainment, photo ops with Hershey’s Product Characters, challenging games of skill, one-of-a-kind shops, and irresistible food.

Gettysburg National Military Park

A New Birth of Freedom. The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, the Union victory in the summer of 1863 that ended General Robert E. Lee’s second and most ambitious invasion of the North. Often referred to as the “High Water Mark of the Confederacy”, it was the war’s bloodiest battle, with 51,000 casualties. It also provided President Abraham Lincoln with the setting for his most famous address. Begin your visit to the park at the new Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center. Funded through donations coordinated by the Gettysburg Foundation, the new facility had its grand opening on September 26, 2008. The center features a museum gallery on the Civil War and Gettysburg, the film “A New Birth of Freedom”, the newly conserved Gettysburg Cyclorama, a bookstore and refreshment saloon. The park offers a full compliment of Summer Ranger Programs (mid-June through mid-August), battlefield walks, ranger-led anniversary battle walks, evening campfire programs, and special events on weekends including living history groups and band concerts.

Harley Davidson Factory Tour

Passion Forged In Steel. Established as an assembly facility in 1973, Harley-Davidson Vehicle Operations in York, PA. is the largest Harley-Davidson manufacturing facility. The York facility covers more than 230 acres and has over 1.5 million square feet under roof. Employees assemble the Touring and Softail® models, as well as limited production, factory-custom motorcycles. They perform a variety of manufacturing operations—from machining, polishing and chrome plating, to forming, welding and painting. At the Vaughn L. Beals Tour Center, you’ll explore exhibits that detail the plant’s history, and guide you through the manufacturing and assembly processes. You’ll also have the chance to sit on current production motorcycles and visit the gift shop for tour-related souvenirs. The Kids’ Rally, a specially designed area for visitors under the age of 12, makes the York facility an ideal family destination. Your journey begins with an introductory movie and continues on the factory floor where you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the people, processes and products of York Vehicle Operations. You’ll be guided through various manufacturing and assembly areas, watch as parts are manufactured and see freshly painted and chrome plated parts. Then it’s on to the end of the line, where every motorcycle is roll-tested prior to crating and shipping. Over the years, thousands of Harley-Davidson enthusiasts have made the journey to York. Tours are free and last approximately one hour.

Williams Grove Speedway

The Best In Sprint Car Racing. Located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, the half-mile Williams Grove Speedway has been part of the rich history of motorsports throughout the nation and the world since the gates were first opened in 1939. Tommy Hinnershitz won the first-ever event contested before weekly sprint car racing began in 1967. Prior to that time stock car racing was the norm before it evolved into coupes and the famed 30x90 bugs. The Cumberland County oval has been the playing field for not only some of the most recognized sanctioning bodies in auto racing but also for the finest drivers to ever strap themselves into an open-cockpit car. National champions like Ted Horn, A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti have raced at the Grove, which has laid the framework for what has come to be known as the best in the sprint car business competing on a regular basis. Today, Williams Grove hosts weekly programs of the best sprint car racing, featuring a family atmosphere and affordable prices.

Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course

You’re On the Right Track. Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course continues to build upon its foundation of history and tradition that has made it a major force in the sports and entertainment market in Central Pennsylvania. Turf racing is featured on a nationally-acclaimed seven-furlong course. For added excitement, the park simulcasts the nation’s best racing seven days each week. In 2006 approval was received from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board in Harrisburg, Pa., that granted a permanent Category 1 slot machine license to the track’s parent company. When completed, the facility will be a 365,000 square foot state-of-the-art integrated racing and gaming operation, opening with 2,000 slot machines.

Allenberry Playhouse

Allenberry Brings Broadway to Central Pennsylvania. The Allenberry Playhouse opened in the summer of 1949 and has become a leading attraction and activity at Allenberry Resort. The playhouse opened with a summer stock run of just 10 weeks. Today the season lasts more than 40 weeks, starting in March and running through December. For more than 50 years, Allenberry has presented professional casts performing Broadway musical, comedy, and dramatic productions. The theatre offers more than 400 seats, is air conditioned, and is wheelchair accessible.

Wishing Well Equestrian Center

Specializing in Horses and Fun. The Wishing Well Equestrian Center features s fully enclosed large indoor arena. If you would like to learn to ride, this is the right place. Wishing Well’s lesson horses are well trained and safe. They can accommodate riders from beginner through advanced, in Western and English disciplines. You can choose to learn balanced seat, hunt seat, western seat, equitation, dressage, eventing, and/or jumping. Lessons are offered 7 days a week. Wishing Well also offers trail rides to everyone 7 years of age and up, particularly popular during the fall foliage season. Enjoy Wishing Well’s scenic 293 acres on Cumberland County’s gorgeous North Mountain.

Army Heritage Center Foundation

Telling the Army Story … One Soldier at a Time. The Army Heritage Center Foundation continues to strive to expand the US Army Heritage and Education Center (AHEC) campus and enhance its programs. Currently, the Foundation is managing construction of phase one of the Visitor and Education Center, a key component of the Army Heritage and Education Center campus. The Visitor and Education Center (VEC) will be the focal point for all campus educational activities and will serve as the primary point of entry into the AHEC Campus.

Cumberland Valley Rail Trail

Rails to Trails Bike Trail … 11-miles, from Shippensburg to Newville. Trail enthusiasts can enjoy walking, jogging, bicycling, horseback riding and other non-motorized recreational uses. The trail, which is wheelchair-accessible, has a crushed limestone surface except for the last 1/2 mile at the Newville trail head which is paved. All of the road crossings between these two points have been graded to meet ADA specification and paved if it is a long grade. There are two missing bridges that limit access to 1 mile of trail at the Shippensburg end and 1/2 mile at the Newville end. Trail users will appreciate a variety of settings as the trail traverses wooded areas and farmland between the historic towns of Shippensburg and Newville. A shaded picnic area in the village of Oakville provides a pleasant rest stop along the way.

Meadowbrooke Gourds

Unique Hand-Crafted Gifts. Meadowbrooke Gourds is an ornamental crafts farm and company based out of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. 4 miles from Dogwood Acres Campground. This company produces several lines of Ornamental Gourd decorations and accessories and is considered one of the best Ornamental Gourd suppliers in the country.

Waggoner’s Gap Hawk Watch

A Prime Raptor Lookout. Waggoner’s Gap is small gap in the Kittatinny Ridge (also called Blue and North Mountain) where PA Route 74 crosses between Cumberland and Perry Counties. It was named for a family with extensive landholdings at the base of the mountain in Cumberland County, not for its use by wagons. Hawk watching and counting have been done from two sites over the years. The first, at the concrete tower along Route 74, was used as an alternate during inclement weather. The main site sits on the spine of the mountain 75 yards east of the highway. This site is essentially a rock pile with steep descents on both sides. This enables watchers to see both sides of the ridge from one spot. This gives the advantage of being able to see off wind birds easily and increases the wind directions that are productive without requiring a physical move. The ridge runs from the ENE to WSW. The nearest major ridge to the south is South Mountain, roughly 12 miles distant. The nearest major ridge to the north is Tuscarora Mountain, roughly 14 miles away. This expanse on both sides helps limit diffusion of the flight. Trees on both sides of the ridge limit visibility of low flying birds. They also prevent detection of low flying birds coming down the ridge until they are close to the lookout. It also prevents low flying raptors from seeing the hawk watchers until they are close. Best winds are NW and S, with higher numbers seen with NW winds, but closer views on the S winds.

Additional Local Businesses of Interest

North Mountain Butcher • Miseno Pizza and Ristorante • Kimberly’s Cafe & Creamery
 Longbeard Calls

More Information

Pennsylvania Tourism
Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau
Greater Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce