Local Activities and Attractions

There is a wide array of sensational performances close to the Thornwald Mansion. Local entertainment in Carlisle includes a great theater and performing arts center, as well as a movie cinema. Star-studded performances are available in both Shippensburg and Hershey, both under an hour’s drive away.

• Movie Theater
• Carlisle Theater & Performing Arts Center
• Giant Center, Hershey, PA
• The Luhrs Center, Shippensburg, PA

Carlisle is surrounded by many historically significant sites. The famous Civil War battle in Gettysburg is conveniently located half an hour away and makes a great afternoon visit in a lovely town with deep historical roots. The National Civil War Museum, located in Harrisburg, is just a 30-minute drive away. Local Carlisle will also take you back in time. Stroll through the historic downtown and follow the Wayside markers, or take a drive over to the U.S. Army Heritage Museum. Thornwald Mansion itself is an important historical site in Carlisle!

• Carlisle Historical Society(opens in new tab)
• Carlisle Historic Wayside Markers(opens in new tab)
• Army Heritage Museum(opens in new tab)
• The National Civil War Museum(opens in new tab)
• Gettysburg(opens in new tab)
• Army war college of Carlisle(opens in new tab)

If it’s about that time to begin touring colleges for your soon-to-be co-ed, then the Thornwald Mansion is a perfect location for visiting 4 great area universities. All of our secondary schools are within a 30-minute drive from our site, and drive through to the 3 Carlisle-based colleges of Dickinson College, Penn State Dickinson School of Law, and the U.S. Army War College.

• Dickinson College(opens in new tab)
• Shippensburg University of PA(opens in new tab)
• Penn State Dickinson School of Law(opens in new tab)
• U.S. Army War College(opens in new tab)

Carlisle offers a great lineup of community events throughout the spring, summer, and fall months. Come check out our world-famous car show events and art festivals. Throughout the summer, enjoy a performance during the Summer Artist Series performed within Thornwald Park!

• Carlisle Car Show(opens in new tab)
• Hershey Car Show(opens in new tab)
• Harvest of the Arts Festival(opens in new tab)
• Summer Artist Series(opens in new tab) at the Carrol J. Warrell Amphitheater in Thornwald Park
• Carlisle Summer Fair(opens in new tab)
• Pennsylvania Farm Show(opens in new tab)

Carlisle and the surrounding areas provide a variety of outdoor activities and adventures! Hike through the trails in one of the 5 close-by state parks, take the afternoon to go fishing, or enjoy one of the lovely golf courses. Have kids? Take them to the Carlisle Sports Emporium, where they can play in the arcade, make some laps around the go-kart track, use the batting cages, and play a round of mini-golf.

• Colonel Denning State Park
• Kings Gap Environmental Education Center
• Pine Grove Furnace State Park
• Gifford Pinchot State Park
• Little Buffalo State Park
• Carlisle Borough Facilities & Parks

Local Parks

• Carlisle Borough Facilities & Parks

Amusement Parks

• Hershey Park

Skiing

• Roundtop Mountain
• Liberty Mountain

Golf

• May Apple Golf Club
• Eagles Crossing Golf Club
• Carlisle Barracks Golf Course
• Rich Valley Golf

Sports Center & Arcade

• Carlisle Sports Emporium

Fishing

• Tom’s Fly Fishing Service

If you need some retail therapy, Thornwald Mansion has a convenient location to most shopping areas. Carlisle has a variety of boutiques, galleries, specialty stores, and large retail stores to explore.

Galleries

• Hershey Tanger Outlets
• Lancaster Tanger Outlets
• Lancaster Rockvale Outlets, Hershey, PA

Thornwald Mansion Spa: Coming soon!