Located on the western outskirts of Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg is a small borough in Pennsylvania’s Cumberland County. It is named after the mechanics who settled here in the early 19th century and repaired Conestoga wagons, which transported people and goods through the Great Appalachian Valley. At the heart of Mechanicsburg is a historic district clustered with Late Victorian and Georgian buildings.
Things to do in Mechanicsburg
If you’re a green thumb, visit the Liberty Forge Arboretum, which is located on the site of an 18th-century iron forge and farm. It lies alongside the Liberty Forge Golf Course, an 18-hole facility with bunkers and water bodies to challenge even the most experienced players. After your game, you can enjoy a meal or refreshing drink at the Sandtrap Bar & Grill.
Mechanicsburg is also home to the Williams Grove Speedway, a dirt racing track that first opened in 1939. It hosts Friday night race meets and special events throughout the year, including the National Open of the World of Outlaws. Experience the thrill as sprint cars and super late models take to the track, with some of the best drivers in the United States behind the wheel.
In the north-west corner of Mechanicsburg is Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Park, a popular green space with recreational fields, a swimming pool and an 8,000-seat stadium. You can explore along the leafy walking trails and see what’s growing in the community garden or coincide your visit with an athletics meet at John H. Frederick Field.
Getting around Mechanicsburg
Mechanicsburg is around 15 minutes’ drive from the centre of Harrisburg and 25 minutes from Harrisburg International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the United States. Buses connect to Mechanicsburg while renting a car is the most convenient way of exploring the borough.