Although the groundhog saw his shadow and 6 more weeks of winter was looming over us, we've been quite "lucky", at least those of us who are not fans of the cold, winter weather. The weather has been relatively mild, making me want to get out and start finding fun things to see and do in the area.

This is a list of activities that are my personal favorite things to do near Central PA for families.

Gettysburg

This has been, hands down, a favorite of mine and holds many childhood memories, that I have passed on to my own children over the years. There is so much to see and do here, from walking and horseback tours of the battlefields, to ghost tours, climbing Devil's Den, and of course, all types of dining options and lots of ice cream.

Hershey Park

This is a place where you can take your littles and where there are rides that are safe and fun for them. Of course, there are the "big kid" rides such as mild to wild roller coasters to the water park where you will find the Whitecap Racer, which is the longest mat racing slide in the world. And while in Hershey, you must stop in at Zoo America and Chocolate World!

Utz Foods Factory

Being a self-proclaimed "chip-o-holic", I loved taking my elementary-aged children to tour the Utz Foods factory in Hanover, PA....just a hop, skip and jump from our communities Hampton Heights, Paradise Village and The Seasons. You will be okay with this view at your own pace tour as you take in the delicious aroma of fresh potato chips! You can tour this 60,000 sq. ft. factory and watch the chip-making process from start to finish. A stop into the store is a must for me to grab one (or five!) bags of chips to take home with me.

Penn's Valley

Have you ever wanted to explore a cavern? You can go deep within America's only all-water cavern and see this natural landmark in Penn's Valley. Fully toured by boat, you will explore and hear about how the Seneca Indians discovered this national landmark called Penn's Cave. My best advice - take a light jacket or sweatshirt (or buy one in the gift shop as a memento) as the caves are at a constant 52 degrees, regardless of the temperature above ground. After the tour, make sure you check out the Visitor's Center for food, drinks and a little bit of lite shopping. Also, on the grounds you can tour a wildlife park where you are apt to see native North American animals such as bison, Texas longhorn cattle, foxes, black bears, timber wolves, mountain lions and more! This fascinating place is just 18 miles east of State College.

Pennsylvania State Capitol Building

I think the PA State Capitol building is a must-see when in Harrisburg, PA. This is my all-time favorite building. You will be impressed with the 17-foot, bronze doors at the main entrance, and once you are through, take a moment to appreciate the impressive rotunda, full of mosaic tile and a massive marble staircase that is absolutely gorgeous. You may be surprised to know that weddings are held in the rotunda. Throughout the building, you will see stained glass windows, murals and original wooden desks that are still used today. The ornate crystal chandeliers that light the House Chamber are a sight to see. Once you have seen all you can inside, and made a stop in the Visitor's Center, there is more to see on the grounds that surround the Capitol building, including a beautiful fountain called the Veteran's Memorial Fountain, located behind the East Wing. A great time to visit is in October, as the fountain is lit up pink for breast cancer awareness month.

Knoebels

Another amusement park. Knoebels of course! Located in Elysburg, PA. This is a recent new favorite to me, after attending the Berks Homes' employee/family picnic there for the first time, 2 years ago. This is a pay-as-you-ride type setup, or you can purchase a wristband that allows you to enjoy most of the park rides. This park offers kiddie, thrill and family rides. My family's favorite is what we have dubbed the ski chair lift (really named Scenic Skyway) that moves you up a mountain where at the top you can get a bird's eye view of the park below. Of course, there is a lot of tasty food and snacks to indulge in while there. You will not go hungry.

Central Pennsylvania offers a variety of fun and exciting activities for families to enjoy. From historic Gettysburg and the Pennsylvania State Capitol building to amusement parks like Hershey Park and Knoebels, there is something for everyone. Other unique experiences include touring the Utz Foods factory in Hanover and exploring Penn's Cave in Penn's Valley. Berks Homes communities are conveniently located near many of these attractions, making it easy for residents to enjoy a quick day trip. So get out and explore all that Central PA has to offer, and don't forget to visit one of our beautiful model homes along the way!