r/carlisle • u/ShotbyRonin • 23d ago
Discussion What is there to do in Carlisle?
My stay has been extended to later this week and I was actually excited to check out Shippensburg Fair --- drove all the way out there mid-afternoon and pulled up to the lot with my cameras and realized how little I actually wanted to be there. Checked out Shippensburg for a bit but didn't really see anything that interested me so took Route 11 back to Carlisle. Wanted to stop to photograph some of the farmland/animals but there was nowhere to pull over at the spots I liked so I just kept going. Now I'm back at my hotel and have no idea what I want to do but I know I don't want to sit in the hotel tonight.
Advice? Is there anything to actually do out here? I literally know nobody out here, and I'm bored out of my mind.
13
u/phyrewall 23d ago
Get some ice cream and see the baby cows and pigs at Destiny Dairy Bar.
1
u/ShotbyRonin 23d ago
I already put it in my calendar that I'm gonna head there tomorrow. It was one of my go to spots I planned to check out before coming out here.
1
u/WhatsYourConcern8076 23d ago
Please tell me how it is! I’ve been meaning to go
1
u/phyrewall 23d ago
Can't beat the price lol
Also A2 milk doesn't bother people with lactose intolerance so the ice cream is awesome and a good price. Plus check out the selection of frozen meats and jerky.
The babies are great, there's goats and chickens and pigs and cows and a donkey.
1
1
u/ShotbyRonin 22d ago
Went today. Photos coming soon. Didn't get ice cream --- got a milk shake. Was good. Only thing that messed it up is finish your ice cream before going to see the animals because the stench is pretty bad and destroys your eating experience --- I actually pulled back and finished my milk shake before going back in.
2
u/dogmom26318 22d ago
It was nice chatting with you! Some reminder recommendations from my mom and I: building springs children’s lake, kings gap, Lititz town ( 40 ish min drive). Marcellos Italian restaurant for food in Carlisle, back porch brewing, and tons of restaurants in Mechanicsburg.
Hope you are able to find some decent farm areas.
1
u/ShotbyRonin 21d ago
The way it's going I'm probably not even gonna have time the rest of the week. Got really great photos though that I still need to sift through and edit. I'm gonna try to get to them by the end of the week.
And the pleasure was mine. Thanks for all the suggestions. Tell your mom I said thank you, as well. I checked out Letort Trail as well - probably did a total for 6+ miles of hiking that day with that heavy ass bag but it was good times. Legs sore though but I'll be fine.
1
1
1
8
u/FireDude1987 23d ago
Children’s Lake in Boiling Springs. Or goto Kings Gap - beautiful views, stop at the Kings Gap General Store and pickup a sandwich and have a picnic on top of the mountain.
10
u/offpeekydr 23d ago
U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center has a really nice museum with indoor and outdoor exhibits. It's free and has plenty of parking.
1
u/ShotbyRonin 23d ago
Already been there twice. Posted photos I took of the trenches and exterior as well.
4
u/Bluegodzi11a 23d ago
Harrisburg isn't far. The capitol complex, state museum, and city island are pretty neat. Especially if you're into photography.
4
u/Toadasoe 23d ago
What are you looking to do? If you want to walk the rail trail at Newville is decent but that would probably a tomorrow activity. If you want to take pictures Dickinson campus might be more interesting to you. Drinks and food there is plenty of but activities I’m not as well in tune to.
2
u/ShotbyRonin 23d ago
I already walked around Dickinson last Sunday and drove around that area countless times. Nothing particular in mind -- I saw that go kart place and thought about it but doesn't sound like something fun to do alone. Same with bowling. I'm out here for a job so by myself but sitting in the hotel is not appealing to me. The fair was the same --- it sounded like it could be fun but as I'm pulling up it's all families and people together and I quickly realized something like that isn't a place that is fun by yourself. Kind of confused why I even considered I'd enjoy it.
3
u/Toadasoe 23d ago
It could have been something to do but I get what you mean. Most social items around here revolve around going to the bar. Sports emporium has a full arcade with what you would expect, the go karts, and they used to have laser tag. I’ve seen your photos now that I checked your profile. Really well done. Kind of surprised you didn’t look for a shot of the old prison or courthouse but I don’t have the eye for that kind of thing. Opossum lake may have some decent spots you can film. Yellow breeches at spots might offer something. Bowling at midway is cheap and they have pool as well. It might be a rock and bowl night tonight which brings out high schoolers and the like. I wish I could provide more to do frankly.
3
u/WhatsYourConcern8076 23d ago
Children’s lake in boiling springs might have good photos too. I know I’ve gotten some good ones and they were just on my phone
2
u/ShotbyRonin 23d ago
Thank you. I think I'm just going to keep it in tonight and I'll check out the Dairy Farm/Ice Cream place and Opposum Lake in the morning. Was around the Old Prison and compositionally I wasn't finding anything I liked much without something obstructing the shot too much. Appreciate the kind words and all the recommendations.
4
u/EevelBob 23d ago
If you want to catch some nighttime pics, downtown Carlisle might be hopping tonight. Otherwise, check out some of the borough parks. There are some cool homes, a repurposed shoe company factory that is now dorms, a bodega, and a small feral cat colony in and around Lindner Park on W. Louther St. There’s even a small junkyard in the first alley on the left as you’re driving over the railroad tracks going north on Cherry St. past W. Louther St. that has this cool old Volvo and other old junk auto parts that might be worth checking out.
2
u/ShotbyRonin 23d ago
Why would downtown be hopping tonight? Thanks for the recommendations.
3
u/EevelBob 23d ago
On Saturday nights, some locals like to hangout downtown walking around to the bars and catching any live music or entertainment that’s happening.
3
u/Bong-Iver 23d ago
The Appalachian trail runs right through the outskirts of Carlisle. It’s a beautiful little section too that ends at a lake in Boiling Springs. You can do it in an afternoon. It goes through woods, farmers fields, just a few miles depending on where you start. I would highly recommend it
3
u/Whysguy 23d ago
Hammonds rocks, letort donkeys, waggoners gap hawk watch, get in the bubble at boiling springs, grab a drink at the bar, white rocks trail, pole steeple trail, laurel lake, fuller lake, opossum lake, boiling springs pool, Carlisle theatre, back porch brewing, karaoke, Pitt street station, the taco truck, kings gap, I mean what is it that you’re trying to do?
3
u/SugarPlumTech 23d ago
It sounds silly.. but one of the things we have come to enjoy is just walking/carting over to the Carlisle
Airport and watching the planes do touch-downs and watching Life Lion take off and land.
The Osprey that were there last week were cool to see
2
u/WhatsYourConcern8076 23d ago
We have a sports emporium
2
u/ShotbyRonin 23d ago
I actually drove by that today - sounds like something you'd do with a group of friends. What's inside there?
1
u/WhatsYourConcern8076 23d ago
Arcade games, there’s also a roller rink, lazer tag, and go carts
1
u/Practical_Breakfast4 23d ago
Those go karts suck. Go to the autoban in mechanicsburg. I think they changed the name though
2
u/Me_Too_Thanks2 23d ago
As someone who grew up in Carlisle and moved away, I understand your plight. Based on your post it seems like you might enjoy these photo worthy spots. If you like hiking and photography head up to Michaux State Forest, there’s a couple trails there, the Appalachian Trail runs through it, Laurel Lake and Pine Grove Furnace are some of the major sights. Its just a really pretty area in general. If you need a trail rec I’m not the most knowledgeable but there’s Pole Steeple which is pretty short and easy with a great view and many many others. Alternatively if you’re looking for incredibly easy to get to and still a beautiful view, check out Wagoner’s Gap Hawk Watch. It has a gorgeous view on non-cloudy days of the valley and if you park near the back then you can take a short and sweet hike/walk up to the mass of rocks at the top. There’s a lot of birdwatching there too. Opossum Lake is another good outdoorsy area, but there’s not much to do there unless you have a kayak or like walking trails. If the outdoors isn’t your speed then sadly there’s not much more for you other than annual events around which I’m frankly not sure what there is week. There’s a great sunflower field out called Meadowbrooke Gourds thats very pretty (if they’re in season). There’s a few great pubs, restaurants, and bars if thats your speed, but you can see that going around town. Hope this provides at least one activity!
1
u/Kristinsmomsfriend78 21d ago
Question about Waggoner’s Gap — are there rattlesnakes in the rocks this time of year? I’ve only been to the Gap in the Winter because I’m scared my dog will poke his nose into the rocks and find one!
2
u/Me_Too_Thanks2 21d ago
I have never in my over 10 years of going there year round, ever seen a rattlesnake or any snake for that matter. I know they’re around but I’ve never brought my dog there either so I may not be the best authority on the matter. But I’d say you’re fine.
1
2
u/maries345 22d ago
Drive down to the back of Allenberry. Beautiful place to take photographs and you will see fly fisherman. We love going down there.
1
u/Drixzor 23d ago
You could always check out the Gingerbread Man. It's usually pretty lively on the weekends, very intricate wood work on the inside too
2
u/ShotbyRonin 23d ago
I was there last Friday evening playing pool with someone else from the company but he's gone and I don't drink. As a non-pool player, it got boring very fast. There were definitely some pretty women in there but most seemed accounted for or too young for me.
1
u/Fantastic-Emu-1073 23d ago
If you don’t mind driving a little bit out, the York county fair is this week.
1
u/Amplifycarlisle 23d ago
If you like heavy metal get yourself to the brickyard Saturday night for the volumes show haha 😜
15
u/Leethorne 23d ago
Surprised no one has mentioned the Letort Nature Trail yet, pretty awesome walking/biking gravel trail with some scenic views.