Who says a romantic getaway has to be far away?
Between fine dining and a cozy place to stay, Harrisburg can kindle romance this spring, the season when a person’s fancy turns to love.
In fact, with the weather beginning to warm, it’s a perfect time to celebrate your love not just for 24 hours but also for a long weekend.
Where to stay? The capital city has hotels and motels, but what could be more romantic than a bed and breakfast, near tourist attractions and the Susquehanna?
“We get out of-towners but also locals,” says Erica Bryce, proprietor of City House Bed & Breakfast on Front Street.
Norah and Jeff Johnson, who live within short walking distance of the bed and breakfast, are among them.
“We both have very busy schedules, and this offers us a little respite, when we can’t physically go away,” said Norah. “It has a nice, relaxing feel.”
The couple also appreciates the little touches, like big showers and cable TV. Built in 1925, City House has Spanish-style architecture. Additions in 2010 have turned it into a blend of old-world charm and modern amenities, including gated parking and keyless entry.
The bed and breakfast offers a private bath in every room, and three of its four rooms have fireplaces with candles. You can watch on-demand movies on 40-inch flat-screen TVs or play music from your iPod or iPad on an iHome. Each room has its own distinct view of the river—direct, or not quite.
After checking in, start the weekend “officially” with cocktails and dinner nearby at Home 231, a comfortable, yet stylish restaurant with an American home-style cuisine.
As the weather warms up, you’ll be able to enjoy the outside patio, booked on a first-come, first-served basis.
You can follow dinner with a moonlit (hopefully) stroll along the river or past the magnificent state Capitol. Or maybe take a horse-drawn ride, courtesy of Harrisburg Carriage Company on City Island.
Sleep in, then partake of the fresh-baked cookies and coffee served right outside your room at the bed and breakfast.
Wide awake? Eat lunch (or Sunday brunch) at Mangia Qui, a restaurant that takes you on a culinary trip to Sicily, Piedmont, Trentino and Campania.
“If you’ve never traveled to Italy, our food is as authentic as it gets, true to the region it came from,” said Staci Basore, owner and partner.
Even with its Italian flavor, Mangia Qui buys fresh, locally grown, farm-raised produce and meats whenever possible. Fresh fish is selected daily. The restaurant also emphasizes environmental concerns.
Basore describes Mangia Qui as “very warm, cozy, small and intimate.” For those who prefer a livelier environment, there’s Suba upstairs, with its casual and “louder” lounge atmosphere and specialty of Spanish tapas. No reservations are required at Suba.
For an enchanted Saturday evening, sample dinner at the brand-new Char’s Tracy Mansion. Veteran restaurateur Char Magaro opened the elegant, classic French cuisine eatery in October in the historic residence, which dates back to 1913 and went through several transformations before she bought it.
“We like to think patrons feel somewhere special, with ambiance that is rich, warm and inviting,” she said.
Char’s offers, in the owner’s words, “several opportunities to experience food and beverage.” You can start with drinks, served daily beginning at 4 p.m. in the Lounge/Library, which has the warmth and charm of a family den.
The establishment encompasses a long bar, the Gallery—for private events—and an intimate corner with a high top and two stools that you might prefer for an evening focused on romance.
Then there’s the elegant dining room, with a beautiful view of the river all along one wall, particularly breathtaking during a midday Sunday brunch. Throughout, glass sculptures by Magaro’s daughter, Ona, lend a special feel.
Don’t wait too long before celebrating the arrival of spring, the most romantic of seasons, as the heat of summer is not far away. Fortunately, some of your best options are close to home.
So where should you start for a romantic weekend in Harrisburg? Try these places mentioned in our story.
Char’s Tracy Mansion, 1829 N. Front St.; 213-4002; wwwcharsrestaurant.com
City House Bed & Breakfast, 915 N. Front St.; 903-2489; www.cityhousebb.com
Home 231, 231 North St.; 232-4663; www.home231.com
Mangia Qui, 272 North St.; 233-7358; www.mangiaqui.com
