Cornwall Iron Furnace is the only surviving, fully intact charcoal cold-blast furnace in the Western Hemisphere. The five-acre site includes the Furnace Building, the Wagon Master and Blacksmith Shop buildings, the Abattoir, and the Charcoal Barn, which has been converted into a visitor center.
History in Sites and Collections
The Stoy Museum showcases German-Pennsylvania folk art in tangible forms: furniture, quilts, woven textiles, Fraktur and Redware, along with historic shops and a one-room schoolhouse. Craftwork and everyday places sit side by side. Historic Schaefferstown offers educational programs, tours of buildings and collections, festivals, and special events.
The Union Canal Tunnel also connects a remarkable structure with a larger recreational area: it is the oldest surviving water transportation tunnel in the United States and lies within a 110-acre recreation area. Weather permitting, canal tours are offered from June through October on the first two Sundays of each month. Check current dates before your visit if you plan to take a tour.
Nature on Different Scales
The Lebanon Valley lies in central Pennsylvania between Dauphin County and Lancaster County. Nature experiences range from waterways and trails to expansive landscapes. Memorial Lake State Park covers 230 acres and lies at the foot of Blue Mountain in East Hanover Township, Lebanon County. At Memorial Lake, fishing is permitted from shore, while wading, and from a boat; an accessible fishing pier is also available.
Swatara State Park covers 3,520 acres of rolling fields and forests in the Swatara Valley. Swatara Creek flows through forests and wetlands. The nearly 6,000-acre Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area offers a different scale of experience. It has an interactive visitor center, a seasonal wildlife drive, and more than 20 miles of hiking trails. Middle Creek is also one of six areas in Pennsylvania designated as a globally significant Important Bird Area. Because the wildlife drive is seasonal and visitor services may change, check availability for your visit.
Quittapahilla Creek Nature Park offers a different natural highlight: a central footpath runs alongside a spring-fed, restored trout stream. From Governor Dick Tower, the 360-degree view stretches across Lebanon County, as well as Lancaster County, Dauphin County, Berks County, and York County. The two perspectives are quite different: here, the path follows a creek, while there, the view takes in several counties.
Trails and Outdoor Activities
The Bear Hole Trail in Swatara State Park is a wide, rolling route for hiking and biking; horseback riding is also permitted on part of it. At Swatara Watershed Park, a concrete ramp and an EZ Dock are available for launching paddlecraft. A mown footpath and gravel trails provide opportunities for year-round recreation. These details describe different ways to enjoy the outdoors; they do not mean that every trail is suitable for the same activity.
The Lebanon Valley Rail Trail is a multi-use greenway that connects outdoor recreation with the region’s social and industrial history. Between mile markers 6 and 7, the Ice Cream Spur runs from the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail to Mt. Gretna. These offer distinct points of reference for planning: a multi-use trail shaped by history and a specifically named connection.
Local Products and Craft Beer
The region’s character includes roadside farm stands, local markets, and pick-your-own options. Depending on the harvest and the vendor, you may find fruit, vegetables, flowers, pumpkins, preserved goods, and baked goods; seasonal availability varies. The self-guided Lebanon Valley Libations Trail visits brewpubs, taverns, historic breweries, and neighborhood pubs serving local craft beer. Participating businesses may change, so check the current selection if you plan to include the trail in your itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Palmyra, Lebanon, Jonestown, Myerstown, Annville, Campbelltown, Sand Hill, Washington
For the main travel overview: Pennsylvania.
