City Island Family Adventure: Kayaks, Mini Golf & Baseball Fun
A full day of river kayaking, Water Golf, and Senators baseball with the PA Outdoor Adventure Pass.
If you have ever looked at City Island and thought, “We should really spend a whole day there sometime,” consider this your sign.
Last Saturday, our family joined the Pennsylvania Outdoor Adventure Pass for a full day of exploring Harrisburg’s favorite island playground. Somehow, we managed to squeeze kayaking, mini golf, baseball, mascot encounters, ballpark food, ice cream, and a Green Cab ride into one very adventure-packed day.
By the end, the kids were tired, my camera roll was chaos, and everyone was already asking when we could come back.
Honestly, that is usually the sign of a perfect family outing.
What Is the Pennsylvania Outdoor Adventure Pass?
If you have a child entering 4th or 5th grade this fall, pay attention because this is one of the best family adventure deals we have seen.
The Pennsylvania Outdoor Adventure Pass gives 4th and 5th graders access to participating outdoor attractions, activities, and adventures across Pennsylvania for just $69.
Think paddling, wildlife experiences, gardens, parks, outdoor destinations, and new-to-you places your family might not have tried otherwise. It is basically a giant nudge to stop saying, “We should do that someday,” and actually go do the thing.
Preferably with snacks, sunscreen, and a loose plan that leaves room for the magic.
Stop #1: Susquehanna Outfitters
Confession time: I was nervous.
We originally reached out to Susquehanna Outfitters because we were interested in paddleboarding. Our family paddleboards fairly regularly, but only on still water.
Lakes? Absolutely.
Calm coves? No problem.
Moving water on the Susquehanna River? That felt like a completely different adventure.
To make matters more interesting, the day of our trip was incredibly windy. The kind of windy where your hair becomes its own weather system and your internal monologue starts sounding like a nervous safety pamphlet.
The good news? The Susquehanna Outfitters team immediately put me at ease.
They were flexible, knowledgeable, and happy to help us adjust our plans. After talking through conditions and comfort levels, we decided kayaking would be a better fit for the day, and I am so grateful they encouraged us to choose the experience that made the most sense for our family.
Within minutes of launching, my anxiety disappeared.
The river was beautiful, the guidance was excellent, and what initially felt intimidating quickly became one of our favorite outdoor adventures of the year.
Roland, my 11-year-old, confidently paddled his own kayak for much of the trip. Watching him navigate the river independently was one of those parent moments where you suddenly realize your kid is more capable than you sometimes give them credit for.
Ridley, age 7, started out solo as well. He did great, but after a while he decided that paddling is apparently harder work than it looks. We switched him into a tandem kayak, which turned out to be the perfect solution and allowed him to keep enjoying the adventure without completely exhausting himself.
Speaking of exhausting, I can officially confirm that paddling on moving water is a significantly better workout than leisurely paddleboarding around a lake.
My arms learned this lesson very quickly.
One of the highlights of the trip was learning more about the islands scattered throughout the Susquehanna. Our guide explained that many of them are public and shared information about how visitors can access and explore them responsibly.
My biggest regret was that we simply did not have enough time.
The more we learned about the islands, the more I wanted to spend an entire day exploring them.
By the end of our paddle, everyone was smiling, tired, and already asking when we could come back.
Parent-to-Parent Takeaway
If you are curious about river paddling but nervous, ask questions. The team helped us choose the right equipment for the day, and that flexibility turned my anxious “are we sure about this?” energy into one of our favorite family adventures.
For a family that thought they were signing up for paddleboards and ended up falling in love with river kayaking instead, I would call that a pretty successful adventure.
Stop #2: Water Golf on City Island
We expected mini golf.
We did not expect some of the prettiest Susquehanna River views of our whole City Island adventure.
Water Golf is one of those attractions that sneaks up on you in the best way. At first, it is simply, “Let’s play a round of mini golf.”
Then suddenly you are winding through landscaped paths, crossing little bridges, dodging water hazards, listening to kids debate whose ball was definitely robbed by physics, and stopping to look out over the river because the view is just that good.
The course had enough challenge to keep Roland interested, which is no small thing in the tween department. He approached it with the seriousness of someone who may or may not believe mini golf rankings should be tracked internationally.
Ridley, meanwhile, played with a strategy best described as bold, creative, and only loosely connected to traditional golf rules.
Both approaches were valid.
Both produced drama.
That is the beauty of Water Golf. It works for different ages and different personalities. Competitive kids can keep score. Little kids can celebrate every putt like a championship victory. Grownups can enjoy the scenery, the breeze, and the rare family activity where everyone is moving together without needing a backpack full of equipment and emotional support granola bars.
Parent Hack
Water Golf is the perfect middle-of-the-day activity because it gives kids something structured, scenic, and screen-free without requiring a full schedule commitment. It is also conveniently located for building a whole City Island day around it.
My favorite part was how easy it was to pair with the rest of our City Island day. Water Golf fits perfectly between bigger adventures, whether you are heading to a Senators game, visiting the arcade, riding the train or carousel, checking out the riverboat, or just looking for a screen-free way to spend an hour outside.
The setting makes it feel special.
There are plenty of mini golf courses where the main view is a parking lot and someone’s questionable bumper sticker.
This is not that.
Water Golf gives you trees, river breezes, skyline peeks, winding greens, and those classic City Island “why don’t we do this more often?” moments.
Stop #3: Harrisburg Senators Baseball
Nothing says summer quite like a night at the ballpark.
Sure, there was baseball.
But if I am being honest, the baseball was only part of the adventure.
Before the first pitch, our kids had the opportunity to head onto the field and play catch on the same grass the Senators play on. Watching them throw, catch, run, and laugh in a professional stadium was one of those parenting moments you immediately know they are going to remember forever.
Roland’s highlight came later when he managed to snag a foul ball.
If you have ever seen a kid catch their first baseball, you know the look.
The ball instantly becomes a treasured artifact that will probably be displayed, discussed, and shown to visitors for the next several years.
Meanwhile, Raina spent the evening making friends with Rascal and attempting to determine whether giant mascot gloves are suitable for baseball.
The kids also got to meet Bluey, which was a huge hit, especially for our youngest fan.
As for the game itself, let’s just say our section was enthusiastically invested in helping the Senators secure a victory.
There may have been some spirited heckling directed toward the visiting team.
Sorry, Number 9.
Ridley would like you to know that your pink underpants were apparently impossible to ignore.
Between innings we explored the stadium, posed for mascot photos, soaked in the atmosphere, and consumed what can only be described as an entirely appropriate quantity of ballpark food and ice cream.
By the end of the night our bellies ached, our voices were hoarse, and our hearts were completely full.
That is the magic of minor league baseball.
It is affordable. It is fun. It is relaxed. Kids can be kids. Parents can actually enjoy themselves. And somehow every game feels a little different from the last.
Before You Go
Planning your first game? Read our Ultimate Guide to Harrisburg Senators Baseball with Kids for tips on tickets, parking, promotions, food, and making the most of game day.
The Grand Finale: Green Cab Ride
After kayaking, mini golf, baseball, ice cream, mascot photos, and approximately one million steps, we ended the day with a Green Cab ride.
It was the perfect final little flourish on a day that felt equal parts vacation and hometown adventure.
Our Recommended City Island Family Itinerary
Morning
Start with Susquehanna Outfitters for a guided kayak adventure on the river.
Midday
Play a round at Water Golf, enjoy the river views, and leave time for snacks or a slow stroll.
Afternoon
Add the train ride, carousel, arcade, or a riverfront walk if your crew still has fuel in the tank.
Evening
End with a Harrisburg Senators game at FNB Field. Bonus points for fireworks night.
What We Would Do Differently Next Time
Next time, we will choose a Friday night Senators game so we can catch the fireworks. That would give us more time to enjoy Water Golf, ride the train and carousel, check out the new arcade, and generally let the day breathe a little more instead of trying to speed-run joy.
More PA Outdoor Adventure Pass Itineraries Coming Soon
Coming Soon
Hershey Area Family Adventure Itinerary
Coming Soon
Carlisle Area Family Adventure Itinerary
Disclosure
Our family was invited to attend Pennsylvania Outdoor Adventure Pass Creator Day and received a Pennsylvania Outdoor Adventure Pass at no cost in exchange for sharing our honest experience.
As always, all opinions are entirely our own. And honestly? This program absolutely screams Macaroni Magic. It encourages families to get outside, try something new, explore hidden gems across Pennsylvania, and make memories together. Those are exactly the kinds of experiences we love sharing with our readers, which made this partnership feel like a perfect fit from the very beginning.
Ready to Plan Your Own Adventure?
For just $69, the Pennsylvania Outdoor Adventure Pass can unlock an entire season of outdoor adventures for eligible 4th and 5th graders.
After spending the day exploring City Island, we can confidently say the pass is not just about checking attractions off a list. It is about discovering places and experiences your family might never have tried otherwise.
Whether your family is into paddling, baseball, mini golf, hiking, wildlife, gardens, or just collecting excellent summer stories, this is your excuse to get outside and make the day bigger than errands, laundry, and whatever snack crumbs are currently colonizing the back seat.
