Get to City Island good and early; Metro Bank Park’s gates open an hour before first pitch Monday through Thursday and 90 minutes before first pitch Friday through Sunday, but there’s a long list of things to see before you shift your focus to baseball. Upon parking your vehicle, check out any of the number of attractions on the island, which include batting cages, a miniature steam railroad, mini golf, a carousel, kayak and paddle boat rentals and other such family-oriented fun. On the far side of the ballpark you’ll find the Skyline Sports Complex, home to the Harrisburg City Islanders of the USL Professional Division. The island’s vantage points offer spectacular views of Harrisburg and if you’ve got a panorama setting on your camera, now’s the time to put it to use.
I wasn’t fully aware of the glory that is City Island when I visited Metro Bank Park in 2011, but still got there early enough to check out several of the sights. If you’re visiting with children, arriving early to enjoy the miniature train ride and batting cages is a must. Even without kids, you’ll get a kick out of wandering the island and enjoying impressive views of downtown Harrisburg.