End of summer bucket list: 9 things to do in York
Yes, it's the middle of August. And yes, it's almost time to send the kids back to school.
But summer's not over quite yet.
Make the most of your last few weeks with this end-of-summer bucket list, full of fun things to do in York County.
Go to the beach
Summer’s just not complete without a trip to the beach. But if you can’t make it to the ocean, just take a trip to downtown York between Aug. 19 and 21 where you’ll find that Mudhook Brewing Co. has transformed itself into an island paradise. There will be drinks, 12 tons of sand and live music, plus a dunk tank and free Frisbees for the first 25 people who arrive after 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Beach party specials include Mudhook’s new Peach Wheat beer, Peach Tea (Peach Wheat mixed with sweet tea), Mango and Papaya Salsa and a Beach Burger topped with ham pineapple and honey mustard.
Here’s the music lineup:
- JC Fisher Band, 8:30-10:30 p.m. Friday
- Topper Broz, 5-7 p.m. Saturday
- Kurt Benit, 8:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday
See an outdoor movie
Most of the local parks have wrapped up their outdoor movie seasons. But there’s still time to catch a showing or two at Haar’s Drive-In Theatre in Dillsburg, which will be open for three more weekends.
This weekend, the theater will show “Kubo and the Two Strings,” a 3D stop-motion film about a young boy who must find a magic suit of armor in ancient Japan, at 8:15 p.m. followed by “The Legend of Tarzan” at 9:50 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $2 for children 3 to 11.
Visit www.haars.com/drive-in for more info.
Get a hole in one
Summertime is mini-golf time. So, if you haven’t tried one of the local courses yet, now’s the time to do so.
If you’re looking to make a day out of it, Cones and Clubs in Hellam Township might be your best bet. In addition to 24 holes of mini golf, the attraction includes an arcade, miniature zoo, playground, basketball and ice cream shop.
Or, try the course at Hickory Falls Family Entertainment Center in Penn Township and spend the rest of the day playing laser tag, go-karts, rollerball bowling, arcade games and more.
Have one more outdoor adventure
From waterfalls and mountain views to hidden streams and winding creeks, York County has some beautiful spots to enjoy nature.
Mill Creek Falls and Lock 12 on the Mason-Dixon Trail is always a favorite summer hike for its stunning waterfalls. And you can’t go wrong with a day of kayaking on Lake Redman or tubing at Yellow Breeches Creek.
But if you’re really looking for an epic adventure, you’ll find it at Kilgore Falls in Pylesville, Md. This waterfall is not only great for a photo opp. It’s the perfect spot to go swimming, rock climbing, hiking and cliff jumping all in one spot.
Fill up at a food festival
Not quite ready for pumpkin spice? Savor the last moments of summer at an area food festival, where you can pig out on barbecue, corn-on-the-cob and other summer favorites. Here are a few to mark on your calendar:
- What The Food Trucks: This free-admission food truck party – complete with about 40 food trucks, a beer garden, music and family fun – comes to Penn Park in downtown York on Sept. 4.
- Hanover Chili Cook Off: Spend a day tasting award-winning chili at the Good Field Complex on N. Forney Avenue on Sept. 4.
- Whoopie Pie Festival: Who can resist a whoopie pie, especially when it comes in more than 100 different flavors at this Sept. 10 festival at Hershey Farm Restaurant & Inn in Lancaster County.
Next thing you know, it’ll be time for York Fair food.
Click here for more area food festivals.
Take a stroll at a street fair
Labor Day weekend is your last chance to go to a summer street fair. And lucky for you, you have quite a few to choose from between now and then.
Looking for art? Head to Yorkfest, a free-admission fine arts/crafts fair with 100 art vendors from across the country, in downtown York Aug. 27-28. The Pennsylvania Cigar Box Guitar Festival will also take place downtown on Aug. 27.
Or, looking for clothing and jewelry? Check out the specials at one of downtown York’s participating shops during Boutique Week Aug. 30-Sept. 3. September’s First Friday will also be fashion-themed from 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 2.
Go to a York Revolution game
Get yourself some peanuts and cracker jacks and head to PeoplesBank Park to cheer on York’s home team. The York Revolution’s season continues through Sept. 18 with plenty of bobblehead nights, fireworks nights and other special games on the schedule.
Visit www.yorkrevolution.com to view the schedule and purchase tickets.
Make s’mores
Summer nights are perfect for campfires. And campfires are perfect for s’mores. Don’t let summer pass you by without taking a bite of the ooey, gooey goodness sandwiched between two graham crackers.
Click here for tips on how to make the perfect s’more.
Take a day trip to Hershey
Looking for one last summer getaway before the kids head back to school? The Sweetest Place on Earth is a solid choice. The whole family can enjoy 13 roller coasters, live entertainment, dozens of kiddie rides and a water park (complete with a wave pool, lazy river and water slides) at Hersheypark. Visit hersheypark.com to learn how you can save on tickets.
Then, pop over to Chocolate World just outside the park for a tour ride that shows you how Hershey’s chocolate is made.
If you’re a fan of Shawn Mendes or Blink-182, stick around for a show at Hersheypark Stadium. Mendes will perform at the Show of the Summer with Jack & Jack, Sabrina Carpenter, Daya and more on Aug. 20, and Blink-182 will take the stage Aug. 27. Visit hersheyentertainment.com for tickets.
Hershey's not your thing? Try one of these fun day trips instead.