Start here: Summer Open House Saturday, July 11, then make a weekend of it
Register for our Summer Open House
From Hersheypark thrills to historic sites, ballgames, and outdoor adventures, your Summer Open House can turn into a weekend your family will talk about all year.
Register by July 1 for a chance to win Hersheypark tickets and more!
- 3 winners receive 2 Hersheypark tickets each- 5 winners receive $50 local restaurant gift
Are you sports fans? Nature lovers? History buffs? Foodies?
Check out the options below to find the weekend itinerary that works for your family!
Choose your adventure.
Whether your family stays one night or three, these sample itineraries show how your Summer Open House can turn into a full Central PA experience.
A once-in-a-lifetime All-Star weekend
Thursday, July 9
- Orioles Christian Faith Night: Features player testimonies and a postgame concert. Game time is 6:35 PM vs Chicago Cubs; Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore. Perfect fit for Messiah families!
Friday, July 10
- Carlisle Sports Emporium (20 min from campus): Laser tag, go-karts, mini golf, arcade, batting cages
- Explore Messiah's athletic facilities: Sollenberger Sports Center (home of 33 national championship trophies), Starry Athletic Complex, Falcon Fitness Center
- Yellow Breeches Creek tubing or kayaking: You can launch right on campus!
- Catch a Lancaster Stormers game at 6:45PM at Penn Medicine Park (1 hour): Voted "Best Ballpark" in MLB Partner League Baseball three times! Great family-friendly atmosphere with the largest Kids' Play Area in minor league baseball.
Saturday, July 11
- Attend Messiah's Summer Open House (8:00 am - 3:30 pm)
- Visit the All-Star Village at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (free fan fest with interactive games, player meet-and-greets, prizes)
- Orioles game at 7:05PM vs Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore
Sunday, July 12
- All-Star Futures Game at at 12PM in Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia
- MLBx: a 3-on-3 knockout baseball competition featuring Phillies legends and celebrities
- Explore Philadelphia
- Explore Baltimore:
- Orioles game vs Kansas City Royals at 1:35pm in Camden Yards. Family Sundays and Kids Run the Bases events:
- Explore inner harbor for the day:
Monday, July 13 – Bonus Day (if you can stay!)
- Philadelphia: (America 250 celebrations!)
- T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park (8:00 PM)
Coasters, water slides, and summer adventure
Friday, July 10
- Hersheypark: Hit Candymonium, Skyrush, and Fahrenheit:
- Lunch at one of 40+ in-park eateries
- The Boardwalk water park to cool off (11 acres of slides and wave pools)
- ZooAmerica (included with admission) for a mellow end to the day
- Dinner in Hershey at The Chocolatier or Devon Seafood
Saturday, July 11
- Attend Messiah's Summer Open House (8:00 am - 3:30 pm)
- Roundtop Mountain Resort (25 min) for paintball, ropes course, or summer adventures
- Carlisle Sports Emporium (20 min from campus): Laser tag, go-karts, mini golf, arcade, batting cages
Sunday, July 12 – Day Trip Option
- (Church options below)
- Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster (1 hour) for a gentler amusement park experience (ideal if younger siblings are in tow),
- Return to Hersheypark for a second day
- For hikers: Ricketts Glen State Park (1.5 hours) for the Falls Trail (22 waterfalls!)—one of PA's most spectacular hikes
- Knoebels amusement park (1.5 hours)
- Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom (1.5 hours)
Where America's story comes alive
Thursday, July 9
- Day in Gettysburg: Arrive at Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center (30 min from Messiah)
- Film, Cyclorama & Museum experience
- Lunch at The Pub & Restaurant or Blue & Gray Bar and Grill
- Battlefield Car Tour
- Walk through Soldiers' National Cemetery
- Ghost tour with Gettysburg Ghost Tours
Friday, July 10
- Eisenhower National Historic Site (Ike's retirement farm) (Gettysburg)
- Lunch in downtown Gettysburg; explore shops on Lincoln Square
- Shriver House Museum or Jennie Wade House
- Catch "Oscar & Felix: A New Look at The Odd Couple" at Totem Pole Playhouse (opens July 10!) – a fresh, hilarious update to the Neil Simon classic, just 15 minutes from Gettysburg
Saturday, July 11
- Attend Messiah's Summer Open House (8:00 am - 3:30 pm)
- Visit the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg (free tours) and the National Civil War Museum
Sunday, July 12 – Day Trip Option
- (Church options below)
- Explore Philadelphia (2 hours) for Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the Museum of the American Revolution. With MLB All-Star Week in town, the city will be buzzing with America 250 celebrations!
Trails, creeks, farms, and mountain views
Thursday, July 9
- Hawk Rock via Appalachian Trail (2.7 miles out-and-back near Duncannon, 25 min north). Bring sturdy boots—it's rocky but the river views are stunning!
- Lunch in Duncannon at the Doyle Hotel (historic AT hiker stop)
- Cool off with tubing or kayaking on the Yellow Breeches Creek (flows through Messiah's campus!)
- Dinner at The Millworks in Harrisburg (farm-to-table with rooftop views)
Friday, July 10
- Children's Lake at Boiling Springs (20 minutes away) (easy walk, great for younger kids; the AT crosses right through town)
- Explore downtown Boiling Springs; grab coffee or lunch at Café 101
- Drive to Lancaster County (1 hour) for Aaron & Jessica's Buggy Rides through Amish farmland
- The Amish Farm & House tour – see a working Amish homestead up close
- Dinner at Good 'N Plenty Family Style Restaurant (PA Dutch cooking in a historic farmhouse)
Saturday, July 11
- Attend Messiah's Summer Open House (8:00 am - 3:30 pm)
- Or visit Mount Airy Orchards for pick-your-own fruit and scenic orchard walks (family owned by Messiah alumni)
- Fire pit dinner at Roundtop Mountain Resort
- Catch a movie at Haar's Drive-In (check website that week for what movie is showing!)
Sunday, July 12 – Day Trip Options
- (Church options below)
- For hikers: Ricketts Glen State Park (1.5 hours) for the Falls Trail (22 waterfalls!)—one of PA's most spectacular hikes
- Head to the 71st Annual Blueberry Festival at Hollabaugh Bros in Biglerville (20 min). Pick-your-own blueberries, homemade blueberry ice cream, wagon rides, live music (free admissions) (festival runs 12–4 PM)
- For families: Strasburg Rail Road (1 hour)—America's oldest operating railroad through Amish country—plus the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
- For explorers: Wildwood Park, Lake, Nature Center in Harrisburg (6 miles of trails, boardwalks over wetlands) and Boyd Big Tree Preserve (12-mile trail system through mature forest)
- Lake Tobias: Fun family activities and animal attractions in Central PA including safari tours, petting zoo, reptile shows and more!
Sweet treats, local eats, and culinary adventures
Thursday, July 9
- Drive to Lancaster (1 hour) and start at Lancaster Central Market—the oldest continually operating farmers market in the US. Sample local cheeses, baked goods, and PA Dutch specialties.
- Lunch at Miller's Smorgasbord (legendary PA Dutch buffet)
- Explore downtown Lancaster's Gallery Row ; stop for coffee at Mean Cup or Prince Street Cafe
- Dinner and a show! Catch "Disney's Mary Poppins" at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre – a Broadway-caliber production with a delicious buffet dinner included (*limited availability left)
Friday, July 10
- West Shore Farmers Market (Camp Hill, near Messiah) – local produce, meats, Amish baked goods (open 8am-5pm)
- Explore downtown Mechanicsburg:
- Denim Coffee
- JoJo's Pizza
- (REMOVED ANNE'S CUPCAKERY - OUT OF BUSINESS) (Could add in Board and Brush, Dalacia, Poached, The Mercantile, Freebird Yoga Studio, Kanagawa, Revolutionary Hot Sauce, etc)
- Urban Churn craft creamery in Camp Hill- owned by a Messiah alum!
- Lancaster Stormers game at Penn Medicine Park – enjoy local ballpark food favorites like soft pretzels, Doritos walking tacos, and deep-fried Oreos!
Saturday, July 11
- Attend Messiah's Summer Open House (8:00 am - 3:30 pm)
- Explore Lancaster:
- Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse, PA (40+ shops featuring local jams, fudge, relishes, and Amish crafts)
- Stop into Lancaster Cupcakes on Orange Street to support another Messiah alum business owner and get a delectable after-dinner treat!
- Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market for more local treats
- Near Lancaster: Explore Lititz (1 hour) ("America's Coolest Small Town") – visit
- Wilbur Chocolate for handmade truffles
- Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery (America's first pretzel bakery)
- Tomato Pie Café
- Dinner at historic Hickory Bridge Farm (farm-to-table in a restored barn) (near Gettysburg, 50 minutes) or The Millworks in Harrisburg (22 minutes) (local craft beer and rooftop dining)
Sunday, July 12
- (Church options below)
- Visit Hershey:
- Hershey's Chocolate World (free tour + make your own candy bar)
- Dinner at the Chocolate Avenue Grill
- Other dining options in Hershey (including seafood, taverns, cocoa beanery, ice cream parlors and other restaurants)
Arts, music, and creative inspiration
Thursday, July 9 – Day Trip to State College (1 hour)
- The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts runs July 8–12, 2026
- Arrive for the Sidewalk Sale & Exhibition (150+ juried artists)
- Lunch at one of downtown State College's restaurants
- Live performances on multiple stages throughout downtown
- Visit the Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State
- More live entertainment until 11 PM; grab dinner downtown
Friday, July 10
- Susquehanna Art Museum in Harrisburg (22 min)
- Visit Midtown Scholar Bookstore (and café) (22 min)
- Walk the Harrisburg Riverfront (20 min) and explore Broad Street Market
- Tour the Pennsylvania State Capitol (stunning architecture) (free tours) (22min)
- Tour the National Civil War Museum
- Dinner at The Millworks in Harrisburg (farm-to-table with rooftop views) (22min) and shop the local artisan gallery
- Dinner and a show! Catch "Disney's Mary Poppins" at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre – a Broadway-caliber production with a delicious buffet dinner included (50min) (*limited availability left)
- Or catch “Joshua” at Sight & Sound Theatre in Lancaster (1hour)
Saturday, July 11
- Attend Messiah's Summer Open House (8:00 am - 3:30 pm)
- Explore Messiah's campus galleries like the Oakes Museum of of Natural History
- Catch a movie at Haar's Drive-In (check website that week for what movie is showing!)
- Head to Carlisle (20-30 min):
- Visit Central Pennsylvania’s Oldest and Largest Fine Art Gallery: The Garden Gallery
- Dinner options:
Sunday, July 12 – Day Trip Option
- (Church options below)
- Return to State College for the festival's final day (closes 4 PM)
- Or head to Philadelphia (2 hours) to experience the All-Star Village at the PA Convention Center
- Check out the Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the Museum of the American Revolution. With MLB All-Star Week in town, the city will be buzzing with America 250 celebrations! (it's free and packed with interactive exhibits!)
Planning made easy.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s happening during your Summer Open House weekend:
| July 8–12 | Central PA Festival of the Arts | State College | 1 hour |
| July 9, 6:35 PM | Orioles Christian Faith Night (vs. Cubs + postgame concert) | Baltimore | 1.5 hours |
| July 9 -11 | “Joshua” at Sight & Sound | Lancaster | 40 min |
| July 10–25 | "Oscar & Felix" at Totem Pole Playhouse | Fayetteville | 30 min |
| June 26–Aug 8 | "Disney's Mary Poppins" at Dutch Apple | Lancaster | 1 hour |
| July 11, 12–4 PM | 71st Blueberry Festival | Biglerville | 20 min |
| July 9–12 | Lancaster Stormers home games | Penn Medicine Park | 1 hour |
| July 11–14 | MLB All-Star Week | Philadelphia | 2 hours |
| July 12 | All-Star Futures Game + MLBx | Citizens Bank Park | 2 hours |
| July 13, 8 PM | Home Run Derby | Citizens Bank Park | 2 hours |
| Daily | Hersheypark | Hershey | 25 min |
| Daily | Gettysburg Battlefield & Museums | Gettysburg | 30 min |
Local churches, lasting connections
See where students often worship, serve, and build community.
- The Journey Church
- LCBC West Shore (Lives Changed By Christ) (Non-denominational Evangelical)
- Daybreak Church (Christian & Missionary Alliance)
- Midtown Community Church (Evangelical Free)
- Christ Community Church (Non-denominational)
- Mechanicsburg BIC (McBIC)
- Harrisburg BIC (HBIC)
- The Meeting House (Dillsburg and Carlisle locations)
- Saint Joseph Catholic Church (Roman Catholic)
- Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton (Roman Catholic)
- Chrisitan Life Assembly (CLA) (Assemblies of God)
- Word of Grace Ministries (Charismatic/independent)