An Adventure with Melissa Callahan of Wandering With Wildflowers
Enjoy a full day of family fun around the Lebanon Valley. Start your day at Coleman Memorial Park and let the kids run wild at the playground, explore walking paths and have some fun at the bicycle playground. Next, cool off with a swim at Mt. Gretna Lake & Beach. Pack a picnic lunch or grab a bite to eat at the snack bar. Finish up your family fun-filled day at Mt. Gretna Roller Rink.
Stop 1: Coleman Memorial Park
Nestled among the trees, Coleman Memorial Park’s playground has a perfect mix of natural beauty and fun for all ages. There are several play structures including a small structure for younger children, large play area with multiple levels of climbing and slides, zip line, swings and more.
My kids imagined the playground as a huge castle, and of course, I played the part of wicked queen. There is plenty of seating (royal thrones) for adults to sit back, relax and watch the fun unfold. I enjoyed my morning coffee while the kids played and it was the perfect way to start the morning. Steps from the playground, walk along a short path and you will find yourself entering a beautiful little gazebo.
After the playground, stroll the walking paths and take in the beauty of the park. We saw a few bunnies and heard many birds on our walk! There is a 1.6 mile nature trail if you really want to get immersed in the natural beauty of the park.
Next, head to the Bicycle Playground. The 2 parking spots in front of the Bicycle Playground are handicapped parking only. So stay parked at the playground, get on your helmets and ride along the short looped drive to the entrance. It was such a fun and unique activity. There were some small hills that my 3.5 year old and 7 year old were able to ride. There are also more challenging parts too!
Stop 2: Mt. Gretna Lake & Beach
Mt. Gretna Lake & Beach is the quintessential destination for family fun in the summer. Set up under one of the iconic red and white umbrellas or bring your own single pole beach umbrella. Play in the sand, then head into the water. You can bring your own inner tube, boogie board or raft. If you don’t want to lug all of that, no problem, you can also rent an inter tube!
The sounds of summer filled my ears; splashing, giggles and “Look at this mom!”. My 7 year old was so excited that she was tall enough to stand almost all the way at the ropes. The roped off swimming area was large, safe and a great spot for my kids to swim in. There is also a kids dock! Proficient swimmers have access to a diving board, high dive and *the coolest* trapeze swing that we have seen! My children were mesmerized and vowed that when they can swim, we will come back for them to use it!
There is a shaded picnic area if you plan to pack a lunch or bring your own grill. If you don’t feel like packing lunch, you can head over to the snack bar. Menu items include hot dogs, pizza slices, soft pretzels, candy, slushies and fountain drinks.
Stop 3: Mt. Gretna Roller Rink
A Mount Gretna tradition, no family fun day is complete without a stop at Mt. Gretna Roller Rink. You’ll feel like you took a step back in time as you enter the historic building. I loved sharing the classic roller rink experience with my kids! We visited on a Thursday night, which is Family Night (1st and 3rd Thursday each month). We grooved to classic hits under the disco ball and played fun roller skating games.
Roller skate or roller blade rentals are available for $5. Be sure to wear or bring socks. If you don’t want to roller skate, there are benches in the middle of the rink. People without skates can stay in the middle and not miss any of the action!
Find Your Next Adventure!
Discover more trip inspiration for your visit to the Lebanon Valley on our plan your visit page. From ideas on date nights and family fun to outdoor field guides and shopping itineraries, we’ve got you covered!