Picture this: you’ve just finished a slow morning at the inn, lingering over a chef-made breakfast with a second cup of coffee. The day is yours, the weather is beautiful, and there is nowhere else you have to be. While we love the many outdoor restaurants in Hershey, sometimes the best way to soak up a sunny Pennsylvania afternoon is to gather a few local treasures and head somewhere green and quiet.
That’s where Broad Street Market comes in. Located in Harrisburg, about 25 minutes from our Hershey bed and breakfast, it’s the perfect place to pick up picnic supplies. From artisan cheeses and handmade pretzels to local wines and fresh-cut flowers, it truly has everything you need.
A Market with Deep Roots
Established in 1860, Broad Street Market is the oldest continuously operating market house in the United States. It started as an effort to feed the 300,000 Union soldiers stationed at nearby Camp Curtin during the Civil War. The original Stone Building was completed in 1863, and the Brick Building was added between 1874 and 1878.
By the 1920s, the market had over 725 vendors and was known as the “Dutch Fair” because of the predominance of Amish and Mennonite vendors. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
In 2023, an electrical fire nearly destroyed the Brick Building, displacing dozens of vendors. Many of those vendors are now operating out of a temporary tent structure next to the Stone Building while reconstruction continues. The Brick Building is expected to reopen in spring 2027. In the meantime, the market is very much alive and thriving, with vendors in both the Stone Building and the tent offering everything you need for a memorable afternoon.
Why It’s Perfect for a Picnic
What makes Broad Street Market ideal for picnic planning is the variety. You can find everything you need in one place: meats and cheeses, fresh fruit, baked goods, drinks, flowers, and something sweet to finish. There’s no need to visit multiple stores or plan ahead. Just walk through, see what catches your eye, and put together a spread that matches your mood.
The market is open Thursday through Saturday (with some Wednesday hours in the Stone Building), and browsing is easy and unstructured. Take the time to chat with the vendors, learn about their craft, and perhaps discover a new favorite snack along the way.
What to Gather for Your Picnic
Here is our suggested “itinerary” for gathering the perfect picnic spread, one delicious stop at a time:
Start with Coffee
Begin your visit at Elementary Coffee Co. in the Stone Building. Known for their “honestly crafted” roasts, it’s the perfect place to grab an espresso or a cold brew to fuel your shopping. If you fall in love with their beans, grab a bag to take home so you can have a taste of Harrisburg in your own kitchen.
Build Your Base
For the heart of your picnic, visit The Meating Place (located in the tent). Here you’ll find a beautiful selection of lunch meats, jerky, and imported cheeses. We suggest picking up a few different varieties of cheese and some savory cold cuts that are easy to eat with your hands.
For the perfect pairing, don’t miss Lil’s Pretzels. Their handmade soft pretzels are a local legend, warm, salty, and perfect for ripping apart and sharing.
Add Something Fresh
Swing by Peach Ridge Produce in the tent for the season’s best offerings. You’ll find fresh produce, pre-cut fruit cups, smoothies, and a pickle bar where you can grab crunchy, tangy pickles to balance out the richness of your cheese and meat.
Something to Sip
For a unique addition, stop by Goblin Alchemy in the Stone Building. This small-batch meadery makes handcrafted mead and wine in a variety of flavors. It’s a fun, conversation-starting bottle to bring along.
If craft beer or hard seltzer is more your style, Zeroday Brewing Co. has an outpost in the Stone Building. They offer a rotating selection of their brews and seltzers, perfect for an outdoor afternoon.
Something Sweet
No picnic would be complete without dessert. Cherished Treasures, a family-run business in the tent, makes homemade chocolates, candies, and snacks, so you can pick up a small box to share at the end of your meal.
Or, if cookies are more your thing, look for Taylor Chip. This Lancaster County bakery is known for its big, gooey cookies made with all-natural, locally sourced ingredients. They also serve coffee and ice cream if you want to treat yourself while you shop.
Set the Mood
Before you leave, stop by Diaspora for fresh flowers or a small potted plant. A small bouquet of fresh flowers or a little greenery adds a thoughtful touch to your picnic “table” (even if that table is just a blanket!). Plus, you can bring the flowers back to your room at the Inn to enjoy for the rest of your stay.
Prefer Something Ready-Made?
If you’d rather skip the assembly and dive straight into a hot meal, the Stone Building has plenty of made-to-order options. Fisher’s Delights offers hot and cold sandwiches, subs, wraps, and salads. Beyond that, you’ll find an impressive range of cuisines: Haitian food from Marie’s Kitchen, Puerto Rican dishes from Ougi’s Cocina, authentic Mexican from Taqueria el Compadre, Jamaican from Porter’s House, Nigerian from Tasty Dishes, Japanese and Thai from Tri Asian Taste, Korean and Vietnamese from Yami Korean Food, BBQ and wood-fired pizza from Piper Belle’s, and fried chicken from Damien’s.
It’s the kind of variety that makes you want to come back again and again.
Where to Enjoy Your Picnic
Once your basket is full, head to one of the beautiful parks in the Harrisburg area. Italian Lake Park, just a few blocks from the market, offers a quiet spot with benches and water views.
Fort Hunter Mansion and Park, about 10 minutes north along the Susquehanna River, has rolling lawns, historic buildings, and beautiful gardens.
Really, any park with a shady spot and a place to spread a blanket will do. The point is to slow down, enjoy the food, and spend a few unhurried hours outside.
For more ideas on where to go, check out our guide to favorite picnic areas near Hershey.
Planning a Friday Visit? Check Out Third in The Burg
If you’re visiting on the third Friday of the month, the market stays open later for Third in The Burg, Harrisburg’s monthly arts and culture walk. It’s a great chance to explore the market after hours, enjoy extended vendor hours, and soak in the energy of the Midtown neighborhood.
A Simple, Satisfying Day
There is something deeply restorative about a day that doesn’t require reservations or a strict timeline. It’s about the simple joy of good food, fresh air, and time spent together.
After your afternoon in the park, head back to the Inn on Church Road for a quiet evening. Whether you’re pouring a glass of wine on the porch, curling up in the sitting room with a book, or drawing a bath in one of our clawfoot tubs, it’s the perfect end to a perfectly unhurried day.
Ready to plan your Hershey getaway? Book your stay at the Inn on Church Road and make time for a market morning and a lazy afternoon in the park.
