If bopping around small-town boutiques and markets, hiking riverfront trails, picking your own fresh local produce at family farms, and spending time on one of the oldest rivers in the world sounds like your perfect weekend getaway, the Susquehanna River Valley deserves a spot at the top of your “must-visit” list. With miles and miles of hiking, biking, and water trails, this outdoor recreation haven offers endless opportunities to get outside and explore. And with ample breweries, wineries, and restaurants, you’ll have no trouble finding that perfect post hike/bike/float spot to refuel!
As native central Pennsylvanians, we’ve passed through the Susquehanna River Valley many times over the years, but it wasn’t until the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau invited us out for a weekend getaway that we really had the opportunity to explore the area in a meaningful way. We hiked, kayaked, and even experienced a mid-summer snow day (with real snow)! We’re sharing everything we got into plus a full itinerary here, so if you’re looking to plan an adventure-filled summer weekend in Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna River Valley, you’re in the right place!
Susquehanna River Valley Weekend Itinerary At-A-Glance
Friday: Lunch at Skeeter’s BBQ → Hike/take in river views at Shikellamy State Park → Check into Selinsgrove Inn → Dinner at Isabella Ristorante & Cocktail Lounge
Saturday: Morning walk to the Isle of Que → Explore Historic Downtown Selinsgrove → Lunch at Axemann Tavern → Paddle the Susquehanna River → Dinner at Penn’s Tavern
Sunday: Apple picking at North Hill Orchard → Ice Cream at Country Creamery → T&D’s Cats of the World Sanctuary → Brewery tour & late lunch at Rusty Rail Brewing Company
Where is the Susquehanna River Valley?
Just about 3 hours from Washington, DC, New York City, and Philadelphia, this tri-county region is situated in Central Pennsylvania at the confluence of the Susquehanna River’s western and northern branches. It’s made up of Northumberland, Snyder, and Union Counties and dotted with farms, trails, breweries, and charming small-town Main Streets that are all within an hour of each other.
It’s also just a few hours away from many other mid-Atlantic cities, making it an ideal weekend getaway destination. And if you string together all of the places we’re highlighting below, you’ll end up with a pretty perfect road trip.
- 2.5 hours from Baltimore, Maryland
- 3.5 hours from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- 4.5 hours from Richmond, Virginia
- 3 hours from New York City
- 3 hours from Washington, DC
- 3 hours from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Where Should I Stay When I Visit the Susquehanna River Valley?
We found Downtown Selinsgrove to be the ideal home base for this trip as it’s both centrally located and charming. We stayed at the Selinsgrove Inn which is located right on Market Street and combines historic, colonial-style elegance with all the modern comforts you crave after a day of exploring (like a post-adventure soak in your own jacuzzi tub). This family-owned boutique inn offers a variety of spacious accommodations, including queen, double queen, king, and divided rooms for families.
It also makes for a particularly convenient home base for the weekend as it’s nestled in the heart of Downtown Selinsgrove and within walking distance of all the area’s local shops, restaurants, cafes, and breweries. One of our favorite things about staying here was how easy it was to come back and relax between adventures. It was so nice to be able to pop up to our room after exploring, refresh (or in Seth’s case, snag a cat nap), and head back out for dinner without having to get in the car again. Another perk of staying here is the complimentary hot breakfast, served each morning from 7 to 10 a.m. Free Wi-Fi and on-site parking are also included with your stay.
Must-Have Experiences in the Susquehanna River Valley
We’re sharing all of our favorite spots in PA’s Susquehanna River Valley below, but first, promise to do your part to protect our beautiful public lands by practicing Leave No Trace when you visit. This region is both breathtakingly beautiful and rich with opportunities for outdoor recreation, and we have to work together to keep it that way. Here are some tips for making your outdoorsy travels more sustainable.
Paddle the Susquehanna
Getting out on one of the world’s oldest rivers is an absolute must-have experience. You read that right; the Susquehanna River wound through Pangea long before the supercontinent broke apart into what is now North America, and it’s older than the mountains through which it winds!
Beyond its impressive age, the Susquehanna is also the longest river in the Eastern US and provides 50% of the Chesapeake Bay’s freshwater supply. The section of the river that winds through the Susquehanna River Valley is rich with opportunities for paddling, fishing, and boating and dotted with islands that you can paddle around and even camp on overnight!
If you don’t have your own vessel, we highly recommend renting from Appalachian Kayak. This small, local business is completely mobile, and provides both rentals and shuttle services, so you can leave all of the transportation logistics to them! They also offer a variety of routes, so give them a call to see what floats/paddles they have available that align with the type of adventure you’re looking for!
Visit an Animal Sanctuary
We always prioritize animal experiences where the well-being and conservation of the animals is paramount (as opposed to those that exist purely for human entertainment), so when we learned about the work that T&D Cats of the World does, we knew we wanted to visit. Their lot of critters is made up of past performers (think circus or tiger shows), retired zoo animals, illegally purchased/owned animals, and those that were seriously injured and unable to be released back into the wild. Upon arriving at T&D’s, these animals are given a chance to live out their days in peace. Here, they no longer have to “work long hours” or worry about how they will get their next meal, and that’s pretty special.
We found the whole experience to be extremely educational, and you can tell the animals are very well taken care of here. We recommend giving yourself plenty of time to walk all of the paths and read all of the interpretive signage. Full disclosure: there is no guarantee you will see ALL of the animals on the property, as they are given space to relax away from the human eye if they so choose. This sanctuary is meant to be their safe space for their remaining years while we play the role of visitors in their home. Note: This establishment is cash-only, and entrance fees are $15pp.
Chase Susquehanna River Views
The Susquehanna River is the heart of the region, and one of the best ways to experience the area is to seek out the many overlooks, parks, trails, and riverfront communities that showcase it. If you’re in search of a place to stretch your legs, Shikellamy State Park and the Isle of Que are both ideal locations, and there are also a bunch of waterfront dining options where you can take in beautiful views of the river over a meal. If you prefer the latter, we highly recommend both Skeeters BBQ and Penn’s Tavern.
Shikellamy State Park: For one of the best views of Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna River Valley, head to the overlook at Shikellamy State Park. Perched 360 feet above the confluence of the West Branch and North Branch of the Susquehanna River, the park’s scenic overlooks provide sweeping views of the river.
Isle of Que: The five-mile-long Isle of Que is within walking distance of downtown Selinsgrove and is another great place to take in beautiful, unobstructed views of the river, and you can explore this peninsula on foot or by bike. The park is also home to a public river access ramp where you can launch your own vessel.
Taste Your Way Through the Valley
From pick-your own farm-fresh produce and wildflowers to local ice cream, craft breweries, and farmers markets, there are virtually endless opportunities to savor the local flavors of the Susquehanna River Valley, and support local farmers, brewers, and business owners in the process.
Pick Apples and Wildflowers: Depending on what’s in season, Northhill Orchard offers U-pick cherries, apples, pumpkins, and wildflowers. There are also goats you can feed, and starting in late August hayrides, and a corn maze.
Grab a Sweet Treat: Nothing beats a post-adventure sweet treat on a summer day, and this area has no shortage of places for you to grab one! We highly recommend stopping at Country Creamery after picking apples and wildflowers at Northhill Orchard. This local favorite is owned by a mother-daughter team, and their farm-to-cone ice cream is churned in-house with milk sourced from a nearby farm. Their ice cream is affordable and delicious… and best enjoyed at their outdoor picnic tables that overlook a meadow.
Brewery Hop: With more than half a dozen breweries dotting the region, beer lovers have their pick of local spots to choose from here. That said, if you’re basing yourself in Selinsgrove, we highly recommend stopping by Axemann Tavern. Selin’s Grove Brewing and Hidden Stories Brewing are also right in town and on our list for next time!
If you happen to like your hops with a side of history, you can’t miss Rusty Rail Brewing Company. Located in an 1900s-era historic factory building in Mifflinburg, this property has been beautifully restored and now operates as a brewery, restaurant, and event venue. Beyond cold beer on tap and a full food menu, Rusty Rail also offers free daily tours that provide a deeper look into their brewing process and their historic facility. It’s also conveniently located right along the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail and has several suites available if you want to check “staying overnight in a brewery” off your bucket list. We’re already scheming up a little bike-in, sleep over, bike-out trip for the future.
Tour the Gilson Snow Factory
Seeing how PA-grown snowboards and skis are made is a must in our book. We were lucky enough to catch a factory tour at Gilson during their Summer Snow Day, and we got to learn about their entire production process from start to finish– from the PA-sourced poplar used for their cores, to the sublimation of graphics which are created by local artists, to the installation of the metal edges, to the machine that does their base structuring, we gained insight into it all!
What’s even cooler is that when buying from Gilson, you are able to work directly with the team and an assigned artist to make a custom graphic for your snowboard or skis, so you’ll walk away with a one-of-a-kind setup shipped right to your door. If you’re looking to tour the factory outside of the Summer Snow Day, you’ll have to call in advance to schedule one. And if you’re in the market for some new planks, you’ll learn exactly why Gilson is the region’s pioneer ski and snowboard manufacturer.
BONUS: Gilson Summer Snow Day
Every August, Gilson hosts a Summer Snow Day x Rail Jam complete with prizes, free beer, and real snow. It’s the Northeast’s largest summer rail jam and après party and completely free to attend. In addition to the main event, there are local food trucks and vendors, yard games, and free tours of the Gilson Factory, so even if you’re not competing, there’s no chance to get bored.
We snagged VIP tickets, which granted us entry to a VIP Party the night before, early access to the main event, 30% off merch, a private bar, and complimentary food. Highly recommend planning your visit around this event if you can!
Susquehanna Valley Summer Weekend Itinerary
We packed a lot into three days, from kayaking the Susquehanna and bopping around downtown Selinsgrove to visiting some of the region’s most unexpected attractions. We’re sharing our itinerary below in hopes that it can help you plan your own perfect summer weekend in Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna River Valley.
Day 1: Views, BBQ, & Old Money Cocktails
Lunch at Skeeter’s BBQ: We rolled into the Susquehanna River Valley around noon on a Friday and immediately made our way to Skeeters BBQ. Perched atop a hill overlooking the river, this local favorite has been serving up delicious BBQ since 2005. We grabbed a table on their deck, split a combo platter (which was the perfect amount of food for the two of us to share), and soaked in the views.
Hike/take in panoramic views at Shikellamy State Park: For even more views, and an opportunity to stretch your legs, we recommend heading to Shikellamy State Park next where you can see the confluence of the Western and Northern Branch of the Susquehanna River from over 300 feet above. There are three distinct viewing areas (connected by the roughly 1-mile Deer Trail), so you can easily turn your visit into a short and easy hike while taking in the views or you can simply drive to the overlooks.
Dinner and drinks at Isabella Ristorante & Cocktail Lounge: After checking into the Selinsgrove Inn, we took some time to freshen up before getting ready for dinner at Isabella. This Italian restaurant servers up craft cocktails and delicious dishes inside of an old bank. They have daily specials (like the crab topped filet that Aleah is still dreaming about) and classic Italian staples, like Pappardelle Bolognese, Fettuccini Alfredo, Gnocchi and much more. Don’t sleep on the wine and cocktail menu either, after all, what is an Italian dinner without some great libations?
Day 2: Downtown Selinsgrove & Susquehanna Kayaking
Start your morning with a peaceful walk or bike ride along the Isle of Que. This five-mile-long peninsula is an easy walk from downtown Selinsgrove, but if you’d rather drive there is ample parking available. When you get there you can watch all of the resident ducks and geese play in the water, and if you brought your own boat/kayak/paddle board, there is a launch ramp so you can get in a little time out on the water.
Explore Historic Downtown Selinsgrove: Spend your afternoon bopping around Downtown Selinsgrove. Market Street is lined with restaurants, bars, boutiques, and antique shops and also plays host to a farmers market every Saturday. Starting in May and running through mid-November, the Selinsgrove Farmers Market hosts local vendors from 9am to 1pm. We saw people selling tie-dye everything, honey, produce, goat cheese and so much more. We restocked our local honey supply, pet some goats, and grabbed a good helping of fresh cherry tomatoes.
Aside from the market, we stopped into a thrift store, antique stores, and a few other little boutiques. If shopping is your jam, there is no shortage of unique spots here. And again, if you work up an appetite while browsing and buying, you’ll have some great food joints where you can stop for a bite. We highly recommend grabbing a spot at Axemann Tavern’s outdoor patio for lunch and local craft beer!
Paddle the Susquehanna River: It would be tragic if you visited without getting out on the water, and if you don’t have your own vessel, that’s not a problem! We recommend renting from Appalachian Kayak and taking off from the Shady Nook Boat Access for a scenic 4ish mile paddle followed by a meal.
We parked our car at Penn’s Tavern parking lot and got shuttled over to Shady Nook where we were outfitted with kayaks, paddles, and life jackets, then turned loose on the Susquehanna. From there, we made our journey back downriver to Penn’s Tavern. This historic spot is right on the river and offers both a full lunch and dinner menu plus outdoor seating with waterfront views.
Day 3: Apple Picking, Ice Cream, Big Cats, & Beer
Apple Picking and Ice Cream: Start your last morning in town with a visit to Northhill Orchard in Winfield. Their main late summer draw is wildflower and apple picking and they also host a farm market throughout harvest season where you can find their fresh ready-to-buy fruits. They have cherries, peaches, plums, and apples from June through August, and peaches, apples, mums, pumpkins, gourds, and apple cider from September through the beginning of November. Beginning in late August, they also offer hayrides, a corn maze, and apple slinghots, so it’s a fun stop for the whole family. And if you’d like a sweet treat afterwards, swing by Country Creamery for some homemade Pennsylvania ice cream.
Visit a Wildlife Refuge: If you love animals, T&D Cats of the World is a must-visit. This wildlife sanctuary serves as a refuge where rescued, retired, and/or injured animals can live out their days in peace. The cuties that call this place home are either retired “entertainment” animals, seized “pets” that were purchased or possessed illegally, or individuals who could not be rehabilitated and released back into the wild.
We loved that all of the animals have a place here to retreat from the human eye when they aren’t feeling social and T&D’s emphasis on educating visitors on the fact that wild animals aren’t pets. After seeing lions, tigers, and bears (& much more— oh my!) head just a few minutes down the road to…
Brewery tour & late lunch at Rusty Rail Brewing Company: If you are a local beer lover (like we are), you simply cannot head home without taking a tour of Rusty Rail Brewing Company. You’ll get to see every step of their brewing process and gain insight into the history of the 120-year-old-building and its many lives. We learned so much during our tour (like how they use reverse osmosis to “zero-out” Mifflinburg city water to then add back in the exact mineral compositions of region-specific water supplies. Think brewing a Belgian-style lager with water composition that matches exactly what you would find in, well, Belgium itself. Afterwards, grab a table and enjoy a late lunch. The perogies here are amazing, and their dessert flights make for a 10/10 no notes treat!
If you’re looking for a weekend getaway that combines outdoor adventure, small-town charm, and plenty of opportunities to eat, drink, and explore, Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna River Valley is worth adding to your list. From kayaking along the Susquehanna River and taking in the views from Shikellamy State Park to experiencing unique attractions like Gilson Summer Snow Day and T&D’s Cats of the World, there’s no shortage of things to do here. Best of all, the region offers that perfect balance of adventure and relaxation that makes it easy to slow down and enjoy the journey. Whether you’re planning a weekend from Washington, DC, or looking for a new Pennsylvania road trip destination, the Susquehanna River Valley makes for an easy and memorable escape.
