Looking to experience the best of the mighty Susquehanna in Harrisburg? Check out this list of seven great things to do!
Disclaimer - This is a sponsored blog post by the Visit Hershey Harrisburg tourism bureau. As always, my opinions are unbiased and my own. I want to thank the Visit Hershey Harrisburg tourism board for their generosity!
The Susquehanna River is a staple of downtown Harrisburg. There are a ton of amazing ways to explore this river and I keep trying new ones as I come back to the area. Whether you want to be on the river itself via boat, walking or hiking alongside it, or just soaking in the views, there is a way to experience the Susquehanna!
Read on for seven amazing ways to explore the Susquehanna!
Table of Contents
- Take a Boat Ride on the Pride of the Susquehanna
- Rent a Kayak with Blue Mountain Outfitters
- Walk over the River to City Island
- Mini Golf with River Views
- Talk a Walk Back in Time at Fort Hunter Mansion and Park
- View the Susquehanna's Statue of Liberty from Cove Mountain
- Wander along the Capital Area Greenbelt
- Other Ways to Explore the Susquehanna River
Take a Boat Ride on the Pride of the Susquehanna
After a two year hiatus in 2024 and 2025, the Pride of the Susquehanna is back offering boat tours. This sixty-foot paddle boat was custom built for this river, where depths can be as shallow as three feet and is one of only six authentic paddlewheel riverboats in the United States. It’s got two paddle wheels and is owned by the Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society.
The red and white boat is docked at City Island, so I’d recommend parking downtown and walking on the pedestrian bridge over to the island to get the full experience of seeing it from shore.
We took the 45 minute public tour which had a great overview of the history of the boat. We spent most of the tour on the outside deck to get views of downtown from the river and see some birds. However, the indoor salon transports you back in time as you look at all the historical pictures hung on the walls.
To book your tour, visit the Pride of the Susquehanna website. As of 2026, adult tickets are $20, seniors are $15, and kids are $10 (unless they are under 2, then they’re free).
Want to plan a whole itinerary around your time with the Susquehanna River? Check out my guide to an itinerary for The Best Outdoorsy Weekend in Harrisburg!
Rent a Kayak with Blue Mountain Outfitters
The best way to experience the Susquehanna is from river level with kayak rentals from Blue Mountain Outfitters. The Marysville-based outfitter provides everything you need for a six mile paddle route from near their shop to just north of City Island, including full service drop off and pick up. We loved the views of the Rockville Bridge from up close, seeing a bird sanctuary, and just enjoying a beautiful day on the river.
Note that this route does require self navigation, minor whitewater, and some challenging paddling. I do not recommend it for beginner paddlers or children unless they are in a kayak with an adult. Blue Mountain offers all safety equipment including life jackets, whistles, and waterproof phone cases.
You will need to watch a safety video before embarking on your adventure. I also recommend taking pictures of the map with the suggested route so that you navigate appropriately.
To experience our paddle for yourself, check out my YouTube video all about our Susquehanna River adventure with Blue Mountain Outfitters!
Walk over the River on the Way to City Island
Take the Walnut Street pedestrian bridge from downtown to City Island, an island oasis in the middle of the Susquehanna. Also known as The People’s Bridge, this bike and walker bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, the same year it was closed to cars. This important bridge connects downtown Harrisburg and the Greenbelt to events on City island.
After strolling over, enjoy all City Island has to offer, including riding the Pride of the Susquehanna or visiting Harrisburg Beach Club. This bar offers river-side seating and cornhole. It was a great place to relax and sip on a delicious mocktail. We went during the World Cup, so we got to watch some soccer projected on the side of the building.
Check out the baseball schedule during your visit to catch a game by the Harrisburg Senators, the city’s minor league team. While the baseball stadium doesn’t have river views the way PNC park does (river views are only from the rear concessions), it does offer the best stadium hot dog I’ve ever had from Spot Dogs. The “Hot Mess” special had pulled pork and crispy onions on it and was a whole meal to itself. I LOVED IT.
Note that while the bridge has a sidewalk, the main part of the bridge has a grate so hold onto your keys and phone!
Loving the mocktails at Harrisburg Beach Club? Check out my guide to the best mocktails in Harrisburg (with a bonus outdoor adventure paired with each one!)
Play some Putt Putt with River Views
What makes mini golf better on a hot day? A nice breeze and some beautiful river views. The Water Golf on City Island offers a unique and challenging mini golf course. As someone who is very much a recreational golfer, The course is mostly shaded, which is great for avoiding a sunburn. My favorite spot on the course was the Susquehanna Overlook next to the 13th hole. We actually let another group pass us because we were enjoying the overlook so much.
One round for adults is $11 and kids are $9. If you have a group over 12, they offer a group rate of $1 off for groups 12-25 and $2 off for over 25 people. The clubhouse also sells ice cream if you want a sweet treat after all 18 holes.
For more information and to plan your visit, visit Water Golf’s website They’re open 10a – 10p Memorial Day thru Labor Day.
Take a Walk Back in Time at Fort Hunter Mansion and Park
The Fort Hunter Mansion offers guided tours of a set of unique historical buildings that date back to the French and Indian war. Tours are 45 minutes long and limited to 12 participants, so prebooking is highly recommended to guarantee a spot on the tour you’d like. As of summer 2026, tickets are $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, or $6 for children. The mansion is open yearly from May 1 to December 23rd. If you don’t have time for a tour, the gardens are free to explore and beautiful in the spring.
If historical mansion tours aren’t your thing, Fort Hunter Park is still worth a visit. This 40 acre park along the river showcases views of Fort Hunter Mansion and the Susquehanna River. Check out the swings in the park for views of the Rockville Bridge, the longest stone arch train bridge in the world.
Love having a nature walk and want to take it outside the city? Check out my guide to the Best Hikes near Harrisburg!
Views of the Statue of Liberty from Cove Mountain
Did you know that the Susquehanna River has its own Statue of Liberty? I have always struggled to see her while driving along the river and during my June visit, I wanted to spend some more time looking at her so found a hike with a view at Cove Mountain.
According to Atlas Obscura, this replica of the original Statue of Liberty was erected as a prank to commemorate the centennial of the original in 1986. The first replica was destroyed in 1992, but the locals liked their Lady Liberty and had an official once commissioned to replace it. When she was first constructed, no one would ‘fess up to the prank until in 2011 (long after the statute of limitations for pressing charges passed) when a local lawyer publicly admitted to the original placement.
Hike at Cove Mountain Preserve to check out views of the river. The moderate trails do require some climbing (the “mountain” in the name is real) but the views are worth it. It may be hard to take pictures with phone cameras, but my OM System did a great job capturing Lady Liberty of the Susquehanna.
You can also check out views of the Rockville Bridge from these trails as well. While views are better when the foliage is thinner, I was still able to see everything I needed from the small gap in the trees in full summer.
For more information about hiking at Cove Mountain, check out my guide to this preserve [COMING SOON]
Wander along the Capital Area Greenbelt
The Capital Greenbelt trail runs right along the Susquehanna in downtown Harrisburg. This walking and biking trail runs is a 20 mile loop total, with about eight miles that have views of the Susquehanna River.
I wandered along the trail to get views of the river. One of the scenic overlooks has great river views, but if you do a 180 turn, you’ll also see great views of the Capitol Building. I recommend walking to the State St location of Little Amp Coffee Roasters for a pick me up in a cute cafe (note that this location doesn’t have breakfast sandwiches – but their other one does!)
For more information and to plan your trip, visit the Capital Area Greenbelt Trail website.
Other Ways to Explore the Susquehanna
- State Game Lands: Clemson Island – only hunters with a boat can get to this state game land in the middle of the river. While I’m not a hunter, I would like to explore this island (NOT during hunting season!)
- Kayak and camp on some of the river’s islands – I have always wanted to river camp and I’ve heard Islands 93 and 89 are GREAT campsites
- Stand up paddleboard – We almost SUP-d near City Island on our June trip, but ran into some logistical issues. I’m adding it to the list for next time! If you have paddle boarding on your list – check out what to pack for stand up paddle boarding!
Planning a river adventure? Let me know in the comments below or send me a DM @torytalkstrails with any questions or comments!!
While the above ways are ways that I have explored the Susquehanna, I still have a long list of ways that I want to experience this awesome river!