Making the Most of a Long Weekend in Central Pennsylvania

A long weekend can be just enough time to step away from everyday routines, enjoy a change of scenery, and create meaningful family memories. The key is choosing a destination where there is plenty to do without spending the entire getaway driving from place to place.

At Elizabethtown / Hershey KOA Holiday, families can combine campground relaxation with nearby attractions throughout Hershey, Lancaster County, and Central Pennsylvania. Whether your plans include roller coasters, local sightseeing, fishing, bike rides, or quiet evenings around the campfire, a three- or four-day stay can feel like a complete vacation.

Why Three Days Can Feel Like a Full Vacation

A successful long weekend is not about fitting as many activities as possible into a short amount of time. It is about creating a comfortable balance between exploring the area and enjoying the place where you are staying.

Choosing a campground near Hershey allows your family to settle into one location while planning different experiences each day. You can spend one day visiting a major attraction, another exploring the countryside, and still have time to enjoy the campground without feeling as though every minute needs to be scheduled.

Before your trip, ask each family member to choose one activity they would especially like to do. Those choices can help shape your weekend while leaving enough flexibility for weather changes, unexpected discoveries, or a slower morning at the campsite.

Day One: Arrive, Settle In, and Enjoy the Campground

Your first day does not need to begin with a packed itinerary. After arriving at Hershey KOA, take time to set up your RV site, unpack your cabin, or organize your tent campsite. Let everyone become familiar with the campground and enjoy the feeling that the weekend has officially begun.

Depending on your arrival time and the campground schedule, your family might take a bike ride, visit the playground, go fishing, join a planned activity, or relax together at your site. You can review available recreation and guest conveniences on the campground amenities page.

A simple first evening can set the tone for the entire trip. Prepare an easy dinner, take a walk through the campground, and gather around the campfire without worrying about getting somewhere else on time.

Day Two: Make Hershey the Main Event

The second day is a natural time to plan your biggest outing. For many families, that means visiting Hersheypark or another favorite Hershey attraction.

Before leaving the campground, check attraction hours, ticket information, parking instructions, and any seasonal details that might affect your visit. The official Hersheypark website is the best place to confirm current schedules and visitor information.

Try not to add too many extra stops to the same day. A full attraction day can be exciting, but it can also be tiring, especially for younger children. Returning to the campground for dinner and a quiet evening gives everyone an opportunity to recharge.

Day Three: Explore Another Side of Central Pennsylvania

After a busy day in Hershey, use the next day to explore at a more relaxed pace. Lancaster County offers historic train rides, farm attractions, local markets, small towns, scenic roads, and countryside views that feel very different from an amusement park experience.

You might plan a ride aboard the Strasburg Rail Road, browse the vendors at Lancaster Central Market, or simply allow time for roadside farm stands and local discoveries.

If your family would rather remain close to the campground, that works too. A long weekend does not need three full sightseeing days. Fishing, biking, playing outdoors, sharing a picnic lunch, or enjoying scheduled campground activities can be every bit as memorable as visiting another attraction.

Leave Relaxed Instead of Rushed

Departure morning can still be part of the vacation. Enjoy breakfast at your site, take one last walk, and give everyone time to pack without turning the final hours into a race.

If your schedule allows, consider a late-morning stop on the drive home rather than squeezing another full attraction into the day. A bakery, local shop, scenic overlook, or casual lunch can extend the experience without making the return trip exhausting.

The best long weekends often include a mix of exciting destinations and uncomplicated moments together. A child catching a fish, a family bike ride, breakfast outdoors, or a conversation around the campfire may become just as memorable as the major attraction you planned the trip around.

Choose the Stay That Fits Your Family

Families enjoy long weekends in different ways. Some prefer bringing the RV and settling into a full campsite, while others want the convenience of a cabin or the traditional experience of tent camping.

Hershey KOA offers several ways to stay, allowing families to choose accommodations that match their comfort level, group size, and vacation style. Explore the campground’s Ways to Stay page as you begin planning your getaway.