Downtown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Downtown
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Neighborhood in Harrisburg
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Downtown Harrisburg with City Island in foreground
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| Country |  United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Dauphin County |
| City | Harrisburg |
| Area code(s) | 717 and 223 |
Downtown Harrisburg is the main part of Harrisburg, where many businesses and government offices are located. It's like the heart of the city, especially around Market Square. This area is important for the whole Harrisburg region in Pennsylvania, United States.
The downtown area was planned by John Harris in 1785. It covers about 80 acres and has a grid pattern. Streets running east-west have names, and streets running north-south have numbers. Market Street divides the city into "North" and "South" sections.
Downtown Harrisburg is home to important government buildings. These include the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex and other state offices. You'll also find the Dauphin County Courthouse and federal government offices here. Besides government, there are many shops and offices. Some people also live downtown in apartments or above stores.
The downtown area has clear borders. To the northwest is the Capitol District. The Susquehanna River is to the west. To the southwest is the Shipoke neighborhood. Interstate 83 is to the south. Train lines are to the east. Midtown Harrisburg is to the north, usually separated by Forster Street. City Island, in the Susquehanna River, is also considered part of Downtown Harrisburg.
Contents
What is Downtown Harrisburg Like?
People Living Downtown
The 2020 census showed that about 2,637 people live in Downtown Harrisburg. This number was estimated in 2022.
Fun Things to Do Downtown
Restaurant Row
North Second Street is often called "Restaurant Row." It has many different restaurants, cafes, and places for evening fun. This area became popular thanks to former Mayor Stephen R. Reed. It's still a big draw for people looking for things to do at night.
"Restaurant Row" also hosts many events. These include the Ice & Fire Festival and the Saint Patrick's Day Parade. There's also Restaurant Week and a Holiday Parade. During summer, you can enjoy "Saturday Nights in the City" with outdoor dining. On a busy summer night, 4,000 to 5,000 people might visit this area. Because it gets so busy, police on horseback sometimes help with crowd control.
Shopping and Parks
For shopping, there's a small mall called Strawberry Square. You can also find unique shops in the SoMa section. This area is South of Market Street on Third Street.
Many big festivals and events happen along Riverfront Park. This park is next to the river. Events also take place on the Capital Area Greenbelt and City Island.
Learning and Education Downtown
Downtown Harrisburg has several places for learning:
- The Harrisburg University of Science and Technology opened in 2001. It is located at Market and 4th streets.
- Temple University has a campus inside Strawberry Square.
- Messiah College has its Harrisburg Institute here.
- The Capital Area School for the Arts is also located within Strawberry Square.
- The Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts is on Market Street. It has an IMAX theater and a science museum for kids. The museum features different exhibits that travel there.
