What’s on your spring Bucket List this year? Check out our picks for the top 15 things to do this spring.
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My advice? Embrace the warmer weather, dust off your rain gear, and get outside as much as you can. There are a few things I hope we hold on to from 2020, and enjoying the outdoors is one of them. Get vaccinated, shop in-person, visit local businesses, have fun.
Check out our top 15 picks to make the most of spring around Harrisburg:
1 | Enjoy a Spring Picnic
If you haven’t yet been to Talking Breads, you’ll want to bump this to the top of your list. And while bread (and other delicious local treats) are available most days, be sure to make a date for an outdoor picnic with one of Talking Breads gorgeous grazing boards. You’re welcome to set-up outside at tables or make your own picnic spot, but stay tuned as Talking Breads adds new pergolas this spring, allowing for even more on-site picnicking options! Of course, don’t sleep on the boards, which are loaded with slices of house-baked bread, local cheese, meats, and more.
2 | Mix Up a Spring Cocktail
York-based spirits company, HOLLA Spirits, has delicious flavored vodkas in 13 varieties. Try the lemon or orange in one of these super fun Drink Bombs (available at Little Black Dress Camp Hill).
3 | Two Words: Iced Coffees
Cornerstone Coffeehouse serves up featured seasonal bevs every month — in addition to an extensive list of classic coffee, espresso, and tea drinks (smoothies, milkshakes … I could go on). I highly recommend grabbing whatever sounds best to you and enjoying it on Cornerstone’s outside seating — including its covered deck — alongside a salad (I’m currently obsessed with the Brussels Sprouts + Butternut Squash Salad) or sandwich. Pro tip: grab a “Healthy Breakfast Cookie” to stash in your bag for the next morning. A must for any Spring Bucket List!
4 | Update Your Home
It’s time for a spring refresh, and that goes for your home, too. You’ll want to check out Live in Color Boutique, located in the lower level of Neighbors & Smith in downtown Camp Hill to find affordable locally handmade items, new home decor, and refinished furniture. Feel good purchasing sustainably and locally!
5 | Find Harrisburg’s Best Burger
Something about the smell of a charcoal grill wafting through the neighborhood (and you can stock up on all your grilling essentials at R.G. Hummers!). But if you’re heading out, you might want to check out this list of Harrisburg’s Best Burgers, compiled by one Intern Jimi.
6 | Start a Garden
Get growing! Gardening is a Spring Bucket List must with Ashcombe in Mechanicsburg. Whether you’re planting flowers, creating a container herb garden, or diving in full-bore, Ashcombe Farm and Greenhouses has everything you need from dirt to seeds, containers to flowers, seedlings to tools. Way more than a garden center, they offer a range of services, events, plus loads more.
7 | Audit Your Closet
Let’s be real, are we who we were a year ago? It’s time to take a hard look at your closets, and I highly recommend using Threads of Hershey to guide you. Learn about their services here, my fall Closet Audit here, and my recent Spring Wardrobe Refresh here.
8 | Sip on Something New
The beverage industry is at peak innovation right now. We’re sipping these crave-able Weekend Water premium honey spritzers from Upper Reach, probiotic-infused Flying Embers Hard Kombucha, and PRESS (my favorite hard seltzer, hands-down). I can’t wait to try the new Crook & Marker *Margarita!!* and the spiked teas and lemonades from Howie’s Spiked! Stay tuned for more on all of these (be sure you’re following me on IG).
9 | Double Down on Self-Care
It’s no secret I’ve been finally taking some “Me Time.” I highly recommend getting a facial at Moxy Salon; massage at Elements Massage Mechanicsburg (don’t forget Mom), nail art designs at Polished Salon, Spa, & Wellness. And get wedding/party-ready with lash extensions from The Lash Lounge Mechanicsburg.
10 | Update Your Spring Wardrobe
First, see #7. Second, you’re going to want to get some fresh items to replenish and update that wardrobe. For local boutique shopping, you can’t beat Little Black Dress at Neighbors & Smith in downtown Camp Hill. And next door, newly opened Plum Bottom has the perfect footwear upgrade, plus bags and accessories! New-to-you works, too (and is uber sustainable). Visit Stash Vintage x The Midtown Dandy in the SoMa neighborhood of downtown Harrisburg for vintage and repurposed pieces, plus local art, candles, and some small vintage housewares.
11 | Drink the Perfect Spring Beer
The perfect spring beer is one sipped on a sunny patio — but some favorites make an appearance this time of year. Lancaster Brewing Co.’s Blue Trail, a Lemon Blueberry Shandy is an excellent as a post-hike refresher. Though a year-round offering, FLIGHT by Yuengling screams warmer weather lawnmower beer. I’ll be sipping these on yard work days for sure. Soon, it’ll be Tröegs Field Study season, and we can’t pass up a Hop Cycle release! And Cultivator is sure to appear as well, another true sign of spring.
12 | Plan Your Summer Brewery Tour
Explore Pennsylvania’s ever-growing beer industry! Check out Boneshire Brew Works’ new taproom which is now open at the former sip @ soma. Have you visited Hemauer Brewing, which opened in Mechanicsburg last year? BONUS: Get up to date on Pennsylvania beer news by watching Poured in PA: The Series FREE on YouTube (and the original feature-length doc is now on YouTube, too, as well as Amazon Prime!)
13 | Head to Hershey
Springtime in the Park kicks off this weekend for the most spring weekends ever (4)! A lot NEW is happening in Hershey, including the opening of Milton’s Ice Cream Parlor and The Sweeterie Confectionery Kitchen inside the new Hershey’s Chocolatetown.
14 | Prep for Travel
Get your AAA membership so road trips are stress-free. Bonus, members get access to AAA travel services (FREE, HELLO!), so you don’t even have to think about it. I especially dig some of the “solo friendly” trips available.
15 | Plan a Party
Hopefully (fingers crossed, get your vaccine) there is a lot to celebrate this season, and if you’re going to go big, you may as well get professional help. The JDK Group Catering & Events offers everything you need no matter what you’re looking to plan. Bonus: Check out JDK at Home for a variety of smaller-scale party fun, family meals, and more.
BONUS | Get a Start on Mother’s Day
Stay tuned for our upcoming Mother’s Day Gift Guide + Brunch Guide. Sign-up for our email list now! Want to be featured? Email me!
And that’s our 15 things to do this spring around Harrisburg! What’s on your spring bucket list this year?
