Mercersburg - borough of Pennsylvania, United States

Mercersburg is a small town in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country region of Pennsylvania, not far from the Appalachian mountain chain that separates Mercersburg from McConnellsburg.

Get in

The main road that passes through the town is Route 16. Route 416 and 75 mold into Route 16 as it passes through the main section of the town.

The closest airport is Hagerstown Regional Airport (IATA: HGR), which is still over 30 miles away. There are also trains that come to Harrisburg, which is an hour and a half away from the town.

Get around

There is no public transportation available, so it will be necessary to bring your own vehicle. The town is also very walk and bike friendly.

See

Mercersburg has a historical presence that the residents take pride in preserving. Many homes and buildings on Main Street have remained almost unchanged in appearance. Several years ago, a fire revealed a log cabin from underneath a brick facade that is on the town square.

There are also many sights related to James Buchanan, the 15th president of the United States, who was raised and lived in Mercersburg. A statue of Buchanan is located next to the First National Bank of Mercersburg, and there is a house named after him and his First Lady, Harriet Lane. His birthplace cabin was relocated from outside of town to Mercersburg Academy.

• Mercersburg Academy is an expansive private college preparatory high school that is on the eastern side of the town. Located on campus is a large stone chapel, the Lenfest Library (dead link: January 2023), and the Burgin Center for the Arts (dead link: December 2020).
• Fairview Cemetery and Zion Union Cemetery are the predominant white and black cemeteries, respectively. Civil War soldiers are buried at both.
• Buchanan's Birthplace State Park, 2831 Stony Batter Rd, 39.8708°, -77.9539°, +1 717 485-39481. Daily, sunrise-sunset. 2018-01-10

Do

Mercersburg is a relatively slow-paced town, so there is a lack of attractions. History buffs may enjoy visiting Civil War sights and taking in the town's scenery. There is a plentiful amount of trees and flora that make the town beautiful, especially in the spring and fall.

There is a small movie theater, called the Star Theatre, located on West Seminary Street. Be wary, it is only open on Fridays and Saturdays, only has one viewing room, and shows one movie per night. The plus is that an adult ticket only costs $5 and it's $4 for those 12 and under.

A small community park is on the southwestern outskirt of town and hosts the town fair in late August. Fireworks commence the beginning night of the fair, amusement rides are brought in, and musical guests perform.

Seminary Street is closed to vehicles for a day in September for the Fall Fest. Performances by local bands and dance troupes take place, and there are handcrafts, food and prizes available.

There are also parades held around Halloween and on Memorial Day.

• Whitetail Resort, 39.7417°, -77.9328°, +1 717 328-9400 (skiing/tubing), +1 717 328-4169 (golf). 2018-01-10

Buy

There are few shops in town, but a handcraft store is close to the town square. A florist shop, grocery store and pharmacy are also within the town limits.

Eat

In town, there are a variety of restaurants. Sagee B's is a small cafe that serves excellent breakfast and lunch meals. There are two pizza parlors (Romeo's and Main Street Cafe) and an area on the northwest outskirt of town where a McDonald's, Subway and Chinese restaurant are located.

Drink

Flannery's (formally known as McKinstry's), The Mansion House, and Rue's Pub are all located on Main Street, with Flannery's and The Mansion House sitting on the town square.

Byron's Dining Room in The Mercersburg Inn offers a fine dining experience Thursday thru Sunday from 5:30PM to 8:30PM.

Sleep

• Mercersburg Inn.
• Steiger House Bed & Breakfast.

Connect

• Sagee B's: Free Wifi Internet

Go next

• Carlisle
• Gettysburg
• Hagerstown
• Harrisburg
• Philadelphia
• Washington, D.C.
• Waynesboro
• York