There are two kinds of family outings. The kind where you spend $100 before everyone has even made it through the entrance, and the kind where the kids have a wonderful time, everyone gets some fresh air or learns something new, and you still have enough money left to buy groceries.
I appreciate both kinds, but the second one deserves considerably more attention.
October is an especially good month to explore the Hershey and Harrisburg area without spending much. The weather is usually comfortable enough for a walk, the leaves are beginning to put on a show, and some of our favorite local places offer genuinely interesting things for kids to do without charging admission.
These ten ideas aren’t tied to one particular Saturday. They’re places and activities families can enjoy throughout October, with a mix of indoor and outdoor options for whatever the weather and everyone’s energy levels happen to be doing.
1. Explore Wildwood’s Nature Center, Art in the Wild and Boardwalk
Harrisburg | FREE
Wildwood Park is one of those places where you can easily spend an entire afternoon without buying a thing, especially if you start inside the Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center.
The free nature center has exhibits about local wildlife and wetlands, a children’s discovery area, a children’s library, and a bird-viewing area. There’s plenty to investigate before anyone has even put on their walking shoes.
Afterward, head outside to the boardwalk and see what you can spot in the wetlands. It’s a particularly nice combination because kids can learn about the environment inside, then look for some of the same plants, birds, and other wildlife outside.
And don’t forget to look for Art in the Wild, Wildwood’s annual outdoor art exhibition. Artists create installations inspired by nature, incorporating natural materials and the surrounding landscape. Some pieces blend into their surroundings, while others are impossible to miss. It gives kids another reason to pay attention to what’s happening along the trails, and makes for an interesting conversation about what actually counts as art.
The nature center is generally open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding county holidays. Park trails are open daily from dawn to dusk. Check the park’s current exhibit information to see which Art in the Wild installations remain on display.
Learn more and plan your visit
2. Ride the Free Chocolate Tour at Hershey’s Chocolate World
Hershey | FREE
You can absolutely spend a small fortune at Chocolate World, but you don’t have to.
The classic Hershey’s Chocolate Tour ride is free, requires no ticket, and even includes a chocolate sample at the end. Kids get to see the chocolate-making process brought to life, complete with singing cows, moving machinery, and a wonderfully chocolate-scented experience.
For October 2026, the ride also has a seasonal Halloween transformation running through November 1.
The trick is remembering that the free ride is the adventure. The make-your-own candy bars, additional attractions, enormous gift shop, and elaborate desserts are entirely optional, although explaining that distinction to a child while standing in the world’s largest Hershey’s store may require some parental fortitude.
Chocolate World also offers three hours of free parking in its designated lot.
Learn more and plan your visit
3. Take a StoryWalk Through the Woods
Several East Shore locations | FREE
Getting kids to go for a walk can require some negotiation. Getting them to follow a story from page to page through the woods is an entirely different proposition.
StoryWalks place the pages of a children’s book along a walking trail, giving families a reason to stop, read, explore, and keep moving to find out what happens next.
We have several wonderful options around the East Shore.
StoryWalk at Detweiler Park | Dauphin
1451 Peters Mountain Road, Dauphin, PA 17018
Follow the StoryWalk along the David’s Field Loop Trail at Detweiler Park. The wooded setting makes this a peaceful place to combine reading with an outdoor adventure.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Rachael Benion
StoryWalk at Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art | Millersburg
176 Water Company Road, Millersburg, PA 17061
This one deserves a little extra attention because the StoryWalk is only part of the fun.
The Ned Smith Center combines nature, art, and hands-on exploration, with wooded trails, a nature center and one of our all-time favorite natural playgrounds.
The outdoor playground is the kind of place where kids can climb, balance, build, experiment, and invent their own games using natural materials. There are logs, wooden structures, and opportunities for the sort of play that doesn’t come with an instruction manual.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Rachael Benion
The nature center is also free to explore, making this an especially good outing for families who want more than a quick walk. Gallery access and hours may vary, so check before visiting.
Cameron Parkway StoryWalk | Harrisburg
For GPS, use 1517 South Cameron Street, Harrisburg, but do not park in Quigley’s Tavern’s parking lot.
Instead, park along Elliott Street near Quigley’s, cross Cameron Street carefully, and follow the Capital Area Greenbelt trail along Spring Creek.
This StoryWalk offers a different experience from the wooded park locations, with a mix of urban scenery and natural habitats.
Paxtang Parkway StoryWalk | Harrisburg
3302 Derry Street, Harrisburg, PA 17111
From Derry Street, turn onto Parkway Boulevard and use the Paxtang Parkway parking lot behind City Line Diner. Follow the trail north toward Paxtang Commons Park.
This section of the Capital Area Greenbelt offers a quieter, more wooded setting where families can follow the story along the trail.
StoryWalk books and displays may change, so check for current installations before making a special trip.
Learn more and plan your visit
4. Explore Fort Hunter’s Grounds and Riverfront
Harrisburg | FREE
Fort Hunter is worth visiting even when there’s no festival, holiday celebration, or special event happening.
The historic property sits along the Susquehanna River, with open grounds and space to walk, explore, and enjoy the scenery. It’s a good place to let kids move around while introducing a little local history without committing to a formal tour.
Pack lunch, take a walk, and spend some time looking at the historic buildings and river views. The grounds are the free part of the outing; mansion tours and certain programs are separate experiences.
Learn more and plan your visit
5. Take the Kids Inside Pennsylvania’s Capitol
Harrisburg | FREE
We sometimes forget that one of Pennsylvania’s most impressive buildings is sitting right in Harrisburg, and families can visit it for free.
The State Capitol has an enormous dome, beautiful architecture, and plenty of details that make it worth exploring even for kids who haven’t developed a passionate interest in state government.
Families can visit public areas on their own during building hours or reserve a guided tour for a more structured experience. Guided tours are the way to access areas such as legislative chambers.
Everyone goes through security screening, so check the visitor guidelines before heading downtown. You’ll also want to account for parking, which may be an additional expense.
Learn more and plan your visit
6. Go Leaf Hunting at Boyd Big Tree Preserve
Harrisburg area | FREE
Boyd Big Tree Preserve is a particularly good October destination because the trees are the attraction.
The preserve has approximately 12 miles of trails, including shorter loops that make a family walk manageable without turning it into an endurance event.
For a gentler outing, look at the 1.1-mile Lower Spring Trail or the 1.2-mile Pond Loop. Both are classified as easier hikes. The preserve also has more challenging trails for families with older kids who enjoy a longer adventure.
You don’t need a complicated plan. Bring water, wear shoes that can handle dirt and uneven ground, and see how many different leaf colors everyone can find.
Learn more and plan your visit
7. Let the Library Plan Your Next Adventure
Hershey, Harrisburg, Hummelstown and surrounding communities | FREE
Libraries are one of the most overlooked family entertainment resources around, and they’re particularly valuable when October weather decides not to cooperate.
The Dauphin County Library System has branches throughout the area, including East Shore Area Library in Harrisburg, the Alexander Family Library in Hummelstown, and Northern Dauphin Library in Lykens. Hershey Public Library is another place to explore.
Depending on the branch, families can find children’s books, early literacy activities, educational programs, and other free opportunities to learn and play. Some programs require registration, so check the calendar before heading out.
And here’s a library benefit worth investigating: some local libraries offer passes to museums and attractions that families can borrow, potentially saving a substantial amount on admission.
We’ve already put together a guide explaining how one of those programs works: Visit Central PA Museums for Free With a Cumberland Library Pass.
The Cumberland program has its own borrowing rules, so don’t assume the same passes are available through every East Shore branch.
Explore Dauphin County Library System programs or visit Hershey Public Library.
8. Visit a Museum Without Paying Full Price
Hershey and Harrisburg area | FREE or DISCOUNTED with qualifying programs
Museums can be wonderful places to spend an October afternoon, particularly when the weather isn’t cooperating, but admission for several children and adults can add up quickly.
Before paying regular admission, look for reciprocal memberships, library passes, special discounts, and programs such as Museums for All.
For example, The Hershey Story and Hershey Gardens participate in Museums for All, offering reduced admission to eligible visitors with an EBT card and identification. These are eligibility-based discounts, not free admission for everyone.
We’ve gathered additional options, including ways to save at museums around Pennsylvania, in our guide to Exploring Pennsylvania Museums on a Budget.
9. Walk Around Harrisburg’s City Island
Harrisburg | FREE to explore
City Island doesn’t require a baseball game or a paid attraction to be worth visiting.
Take a walk, enjoy the Susquehanna River views, and give the kids a chance to explore one of Harrisburg’s most recognizable places. You can keep the outing simple, or combine it with a walk along the riverfront.
Some island attractions, including mini golf and seasonal entertainment, charge admission. Parking arrangements can also vary, so check before visiting.
The inexpensive version is wonderfully uncomplicated: a walk, some fresh air, and perhaps a snack you brought from home.
10. Try Something New Without Signing Up for a Whole Season
Local activity providers | Potentially FREE
Another way to give kids a new experience without a major financial commitment is to look for introductory or trial classes.
Some local activity providers offer free opportunities to try a class or program before enrolling. That might mean testing out an esports program, trying a new sport, or discovering an activity your child hasn’t experienced before.
Places such as Valhallan Esports and USA Ninja Challenge in Camp Hill are examples of nearby providers worth asking about, although they’re across the river and current free-trial offers and availability should be confirmed directly.
We’ll be putting together a separate guide to local trial classes, too. In the meantime, check directly with any business you’re considering to ask whether they currently offer a free introductory session and whether advance registration is required.
The Best Part of a Cheap Adventure
A family outing doesn’t have to be elaborate to count.
There are certainly days when the big-ticket attractions are worth every penny, but there are also plenty of days when an afternoon at a nature center, a free chocolate ride, or a walk through the woods gives the kids exactly what they needed.
And if everyone comes home tired, happy, and with the family budget still intact, I consider that a pretty successful afternoon.
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