What’s on your spring Bucket List this year? Check out my picks for the top things to do this spring.
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It’s the perfect time to explore new businesses, try something new, eat and drink delicious treats. Below, I have ideas for ways to treat your mind, your body, your calendar. And when in doubt, dust off your rain gear, take your allergy meds, and get outside as much as you can.
Check out my top picks to make the most of spring around Harrisburg:
1 | Take in Spring in Camp Hill
The easiest way to kick off spring is with a premade event celebrating the season. Camp Hill’s Spring Fling is this Saturday, March 26. The day is loaded with shopping, features, special drinks, live music, entertainment, kids’ activities, and more at 26 participating businesses along Market Street in downtown Camp Hill.
I’m still working on finalizing my schedule, but I know I’ll be visiting Plum Bottom for some summer-ready sandals, Little Black Dress for spring updates, and refueling at Cornerstone Coffeehouse.
2 | Dance off those winter blues
You — yes, you! — can learn to dance at EM STUDIOS, a NEW, hip-hop-based, drop-in style dance studio for teens and young adults located in Hershey. Regardless of your dance background (or lack thereof), Em Studios welcomes you to into their studio. Drop-in on classes of interest or grab a studio pack.
3 | Call it What it is: Iced Coffee Season
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 new menu item. I’ll be grabbing one of those Spring Zinger smoothies at this weekend’s Spring Fling for sure.
4 | Get Moving
Last month, I started working at Burn30 Personal Fitness. I’m really loving having a custom workout made just for me (and the accountability of an appointment that’s mine, so I have to show up). Next month, Burn30 is adding all-new Barre Intensity and HIIT (High Impact Interval Training).
HIIT classes (45 min) will be Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. Barre Intensity (45 min) will be Saturday mornings at 11:30 a.m.
I’m a huge HIIT class fan. I saw major results when I used to work out with NSP before they closed, so I’m excited to get back to this at Burn30. And I sampled the Barre Intensity class, and let me tell you, it’s intense. I love the ability to combine these different systems, along with my twice-weekly personal training, into a fitness program that works for me.
All classes are $16 per session. Burn30 personal training members get one free class a month (if you want to join or have questions about Burn30, contact me!). Schedule online scheduling here!
5 | Expand Your Mind (FREE | GIVEAWAY)
In this season of growth, it’s a great time to work on inner healing and stress reduction. Reiki is a gentle, holistic, hands-on energy healing technique for stress management and deep relaxation. Reiki by Rickie is owned by Rickie Freedman, an amazing woman who is both a Reiki Master and Teacher and a Physical Therapist.
Rickie is offering FREE 30-min Reiki Sessions for 8 readers to EXPERIENCE the Gentle Touch and Deep Healing of Reiki! Feeling IS Believing! Look for the giveaway next week on my Instagram.
I’ve been seeing Rickie for a few months. I wanted to help shake off some of the stress of the past two years, unblock my creativity, and let go of some old stuff no longer serving me. I look forward to my Reiki sessions, and love the detoxifying effect they have on me mentally and physically! If you’re not sure, be sure to enter my giveaway so you can try Rickie for free.
6 | Plan a Picnic
New business alert! Grab a premade charcuterie board from Simply Flavorful Ltd in Walden. This cute new shop not only has a wide selection of olive oils and balsamic vinegar to enhance new spring dishes, they also offer all the fixings for the meat and cheese boards of your dreams (including the boards). Be sure to check them out.
7 | Plan a Trip
Travel is back, so get your AAA Central Penn membership (← promo code!) so road trips, travel planning, and more are stress-free. In addition to roadside assistance (most popular program!), 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” AAA Discovery trips available.
8 | Visit Harrisburg’s “Tasting Row”
Discover SoMa Harrisburg this spring! Every month, we’re hosting Pennsylvania breweries, wineries, distilleries at pop-up taprooms, “sip @ 17” (17 S. 3rd Street) and “sip @ soma” (23 S. 3rd Street), during 3rd in the Burg Fridays and preceding Thursdays. Think of it as a “Tasting Row” in downtown Harrisburg. Add in local artists, live music, and a food truck, and it’s a can’t miss.
- April 14-15: Appalachian Craft Spirits and Hemauer Brewing Co.
- May 19-20: Mark & Val’s Wine and East End Brewing
- June 16-17: Cristiano Winery and Pour Man’s Brewing Co.
Plus, the SoMa Block Party Series starts in May, bringing in MORE of the above, under the lights on a closed S. 3rd St. Add Thursday, May 19 to your calendar now for the first of the season.
9 | Baby Your Plant Babies | GIVEAWAY
Upgrade your plant accessories this spring. Why Knot Handmade Macrame offers something for everyone from DIY kits to jewelry to plant hangers. If you’re interested in learning how to macrame yourself, you can even check out Why Knot’s upcoming event schedule.
I’ve given Why Knot plant hangers as gifts, and it’s about time to update my own. They’re offered in a variety of colors and sizes, sure to match whatever decor — or plants — you’re looking to elevate (pun intended!).
Why Knot is giving away a Best Sellers Bundle next week! Stay tuned to my Instagram for details!
10 | Head to Hershey
Springtime in the Park kicks off next weekend, which means Hersheypark is open April 2-3, 9-10, and 15-17! This year, I’m excited to be featured as one of Hershey’s Sweetest Families, so you’ll see my takes on all the fun throughout the season. Here are some ideas to get you started this spring!
- Ride Your Favorite Coasters
- Try All-New Treats At The SweeterieSM Confectionery Kitchen
- Take A Picture With The HersheySM Characters
- Visit ZooAmerica® North American Wildlife Park
- Enjoy Sweet Family Times In The Sun
11 | Book a BBQ
Our go-to for delicious BBQ is hands down MoMo BBQ Co. Ease back into backyard hosting by having MoMo cater your next event! We’ve used MoMo BBQ for family gatherings, birthday parties, even neighborhood food truck nights! Find specials at their Rossmoyne Business Park location updated daily on Facebook!
12 | Become a Friend of PA Eats
If you’re looking for a way to give back this season, consider becoming a Friend of PA Eats. PA Eats is a nonprofit publication with a dual mission to uplift Pennsylvania’s food culture and help empower food insecure Pennsylvanians.
This is accomplished through thoughtful editorial on Pennsylvania growers, producers, bakers, restauranteurs, brewers, artists, farmers, and more on PAEats.com — and a series called Nourish PA, which provides recipes and videos to help empower those in need. The Nourish PA recipes feature food items commonly found in food banks, and they are distributed to pantries across the state through a unique partnership with Feeding Pennsylvania.
You can GET INVOLVED by becoming a Friend of PA Eats and helping support this mission. Choose the individual or business membership level that is right for you!
BONUS | Get a Start on Mother’s Day (May 7!)
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 my 12+ things to do this spring around Harrisburg! What’s on your spring bucket list this year?
