PA Counties

10 Must-See Attractions in Dauphin County

A collage of 4 attractions in Dauphin County, PA, including Hersheypark, the AACA Museum, Indian Echo Caverns, and Lake Tobias Wildlife Park.

If you’re looking for the best things to see and do in Dauphin County, you’re in the right place!

A map of Pennsylvania showing Dauphin County highlighted in red.

The county was established in 1785 and is named in honor of Louis Joseph, Dauphin of France, the first son of King Louis XVI.

The Dauphin County historical marker in Harrisburg, PA.

Harrisburg, the state capital of Pennsylvania and its ninth-largest city, serves as the county seat.

The Dauphin County courthouse in Harrisburg, PA.

One of Dauphin County’s “sweetest” claims to fame is being the birthplace and headquarters of the Hershey Company, primarily famous for its chocolate and candy products, especially iconic brands like Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bars, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and Hershey’s Kisses.

Hershey's Chocolate World is free to enter and open year-round.

From museums and wildlife parks to cavern tours and botanical gardens, here are 10 of the best things to see and do in Dauphin County.

Simply click on the blue text links on the map above or in the descriptions below to read more in-depth information about each destination.

Machine Technology exhibit at the State Museum of Pennsylvania.

1. Lake Tobias Wildlife Park

Lake Tobias Wildlife Park in Dauphin County is a family-friendly destination where visitors can enjoy wildlife encounters in a beautiful Central Pennsylvania setting.

A collage of four photos from Lake Tobias Wildlife Park in Dauphin County, PA, featuring a white bison, brown bison, and a rhea in a grassy field, visitors feeding fallow deer from a safari bus, two giraffes near a shaded feeding area, and the park’s wooden entrance sign with a banner celebrating 61 years under a blue sky.

Located near Halifax, this 150-acre wildlife park and zoo has become a beloved stop for animal lovers of all ages.

A large elk with impressive velvet antlers stands beside a safari bus at Lake Tobias Wildlife Park in Dauphin County, PA, reaching toward a visitor’s hand offering a carrot along a dirt road through a wooded area on a sunny day.

2. The AACA Museum

The AACA Museum in Hershey is consistently ranked as one of the top automotive and transportation museums in the United States!

Exploring the AACA Automotive Museum in Hershey Pennsylvania.

The museum is dedicated to the preservation and presentation of America’s motor vehicle history in an educational and entertaining environment.

The AACA Museum’s Cammack Gallery is home to the world’s most extensive Tucker collection.

3. Hersheypark

Hersheypark is PA’s largest and most-visited theme park, located in a town that bills itself as “the sweetest place on Earth!”

Exploring Hersheypark - PA's Sweetest Amusement Park

Spanning more than 120 acres and containing more than 70 rides (including 14 roller coasters), Hersheypark is the largest theme park in North America NOT located in Florida or California.

The Jolly Rancher Remix at Hersheypark takes riders forwards and backwards on the same track at a max speed of 47 mph.

4. Hershey Gardens

Hershey Gardens opened in 1937, with Milton Hershey’s simple request to “create a nice garden of roses.”

Exploring Hershey Gardens and Butterfly Atrium in Dauphin County Pennsylvania

Located on a hill directly across the road from the entrance to Hersheypark, Hershey Gardens, with its 23 acres of themed gardens, statues, ponds, and botanical beauty, is a wonderful respite from the hustle and bustle of the busy theme park.

The Butterfly Garden in the Children's Garden is literally shaped like a butterfly.

5. Indian Echo Caverns

Indian Echo Caverns is a beautiful “show cave” located 3 miles west of Hershey in Dauphin County.

Exploring Indian Echo Caverns near Hershey Pennsylvania.

The caverns are named in honor of the Susquehannock Indians, who are believed to have been the first humans to explore the caverns.

Large flowstone formations inside Indian Echo Caverns near Hershey.

6. The National Civil War Museum

The National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg explores the significant events, individuals, and narratives that defined the American Civil War.

The collage features four images from The National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The first image is the museum's entrance sign, the second shows a life-size diorama of an artillery soldier in action, the third is an exhibit of Union military uniforms and weaponry, and the fourth contains a quote from General William Tecumseh Sherman next to medals and ribbons. Together, these images offer a glimpse into the museum's efforts to chronicle and honor the history of the American Civil War.

It does this by showcasing a carefully curated collection of relics, elaborate dioramas, and dynamic multimedia installations, spread out across two floors and 66,000 sq. ft. of display space.

This image shows an exhibit at The National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, PA, featuring artifacts and imagery related to General Robert E. Lee. A quote from Lee is displayed prominently: "There never were such men in an army before. They will go anywhere and do anything if properly led." Below the quote, Civil War artifacts are showcased, including a rifle, a glove, and a hat. Portraits of General Lee and CSA Gen. Stonewall Jackson accompany the items. The exhibit provides historical context to the leadership and impact of these Confederate generals during the Civil War.

7. Harrison-Cameron Mansion

The Harris-Cameron Mansion is a historic house-turned-museum that showcases both Georgian and Victorian architectural styles, reflecting its evolution over time through a series of eight different owners.

A collage of four photos featuring the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA. The top left image shows the mansion's exterior, with stone walls, green shutters, and a red roof with dormer windows. The top right image captures a formal dining room decorated with floral wallpaper, a chandelier, a decorative fireplace, and antique furnishings. The bottom left image highlights a Victorian-era bedroom with a carved wooden bed, lace curtains, and an ornate rug. The bottom right image displays a historical marker indicating the mansion's inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 by the United States Department of the Interior.

As one of Harrisburg’s oldest buildings, the mansion was originally constructed in 1766 by John Harris Jr., the founder of the city.

An antique wooden sideboard inside the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA, displaying a collection of blue and white porcelain serving dishes, including tureens and bowls with intricate patterns. Above the sideboard hangs a framed portrait of a man in 19th-century attire, holding a folded piece of paper. The background features floral-patterned wallpaper with delicate white blossoms, enhancing the room’s elegant and historic atmosphere.

8. The State Museum of Pennsylvania

The State Museum of Pennsy lvania in Harrisburg preserves the natural and man-made history of the Keystone State, from prehistoric times to the present day.

A collage of 4 images from the State Museum of Pennsylvania, including a mastodon, a diorama or prehistoric inhabitants, a PIper Cub airplane, and an exterior image of the museum.

Originally called the William Penn Memorial Museum, the circular building itself was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014, owing to it’s “Mid-20th Century Modern Style”.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania is located next to the State Capitol complex.

9. The Pennsylvania Farm Show

The Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg is PA’s State Fair, and billed as “the largest indoor agricultural expo in the United States.”

Exploring the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg.

This annual event showcases a wide range of Pennsylvania’s agricultural enterprises, providing a small glimpse into the sector that employs almost 500,000 individuals and adds $132.5 billion annually to Pennsylvania’s economic output.

Beeswax and honey exhibits at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg.

10. The Pennsylvania Christmas and Gift Show

The Pennsylvania Christmas and Gift Show is one of the largest Christmas shows in the United States!

Enjoying the Pennsylvania Christmas and Gift Show in Harrisburg.

More than 500 vendors fill the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg for this everything-Christmas show, which includes décor, apparel, toys, food and drinks, live entertainment and more.

The Pennsylvania Christmas and Gift Show is great for people who are are shopping for gifts, looking for holiday ideas, or simply want to enjoy some Christmas-themed fun.

Nearby Attractions

7 Must-See Attractions in Schuylkill County is your guide to the best things to see and do in Dauphin County’s neighbor to the northeast.

A collage of four images featuring notable attractions in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The top left picture shows the iconic D.G. Yuengling & Son brewery building, a red brick structure with white trim windows, decorated with American flags and a church spire in the background. The top right image displays a large stone with a plaque commemorating Muhammad Ali as a three-time heavyweight champion, set in a serene wooded area. The bottom left photo captures a classic car garage with shiny vintage cars, including a green 1950s convertible, surrounded by automotive memorabilia. The bottom right image depicts tourists on a coal mine tour, seated in a mine car as they descend into the dimly lit depths of the earth.

18 Must-See Attractions in Lancaster County is your guide to the best things to see and do in Dauphin County’s neighbor to the south.

A collage of images from Lancaster County PA.

16 Must-See Attractions in Cumberland County is your guide to the best things to see and do in Dauphin County’s neighbor to the west.

A collage of four photos highlighting attractions in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. The top left image features a serene lake surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage, with a wooden bench overlooking the water. The top right image shows a Civil War memorial in a cemetery, with a statue of a soldier, an American flag flying above, and headstones and memorial markers in the foreground. The bottom left image displays a preserved World War II Sherman tank on a concrete platform, set against a bright sky and open landscape. The bottom right image captures a bustling car show with colorful classic and modern vehicles, vendor tents, and crowds of visitors at a large outdoor venue.

5 Must-See Attractions in Perry County is your guide to the best things to see and do in Dauphin County’s other neighbor to the west.

Collage of four scenic attractions in Perry County, Pennsylvania, including a dock extending into the calm waters of Little Buffalo State Park’s Holman Lake, a hiker exploring the dramatic interior of a tunnel, the historic Shoaff's Mill, and two hikers overlooking the Susquehanna River from a rocky vista near Hawk Rock.

Discover more than 1000 exceptional destinations worth exploring all across Pennsylvania with the interactive PA Bucket List Travel Map!

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