You are invited to explore 55 activities throughout the region, including things to do, see and eat. Susquehanna National Heritage Area (SNHA) has created a unique bucket list to highlight activities and places in America's 55th National Heritage Area.

"In March 2019, York and Lancaster counties were officially designated the nation's 55th National Heritage Area," explained Megan Salvatore, visitor service representative for SNHA. "National Heritage Areas are places where historical, cultural and natural resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape. It's obvious why some places are designated as national parks, but National Heritage Areas are more complex. Our bucket list showcases some of the reasons why these two counties have been nationally designated."

Among the activities on the list are learning about the power of wind turbines at the Turkey Hill Trail Overlook, exploring the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, learning about early science and medicine at Haldeman Mansion, checking out some of the oldest farmers markets in the country and searching for a whimsical gnome garden in Akron.

As Salvatore explained, the SNHA bucket list runs throughout the year. It includes seasonal activities and events, as well as year-round activities to explore. "Participants can share their bucket list experience by snapping photos, posting them to social media and tagging @susqNHA in the post," she noted. If participants complete at least five items and submit their information on the SNHA website, they can receive an SNHA sticker.

SNHA started the bucket list idea to keep people in the region busy during the pandemic in 2020. The list focused specifically on Columbia that year and then branched out to include the river towns of Marietta and Wrightsville the following year. Last year was the first time the organization launched a bucket list covering the entire region. Salvatore came up with the tasks on the list, noting that they are engineered to explore partners and sites offering a diverse mix of heritage, culture, recreation and refreshments unique to the region. A collaborative effort with the SNHA staff narrowed down the final 55 activities, she said, noting that number was chosen because the region is the 55th designated National Heritage Area.

"I would encourage residents to rediscover and learn new things about the region, using the Susquehanna National Heritage Area bucket list," Salvatore remarked. "The bucket list tasks open conversations about our collective past and create fun talking points with visitors to the Columbia Crossing River Trails Center and Zimmerman Center for Heritage. It's an interesting way for visitors to understand the national connections this region has woven throughout history."

A digital version of the list can be found at http://www.susqnha.org. Paper copies are also available at the Columbia Crossing River Trails Center, 41 Walnut St., Columbia, and the Zimmerman Center for Heritage, 1706 Long Level Road, Wrightsville.