Background: Hersheypark
Hersheypark is part of Hershey, PA, a year-round destination in central Pennsylvania, close to Amish country. Hershey PA is three hours from NYC, two hours from Philadelphia, two hours from Washington/Baltimore, and 15 minutes from an international airport at Harrisburg.
What's in "Chocolate Town USA" for families?
- Hersheypark - voted top amusement park by FamilyFun Magazine; see more, below
- ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, a modest-sized walk-through zoo
- the Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park -30 minutes away, in Pennsylvania Dutch country
- Hotel Hershey- a grand old hotel, with kids' club and spa with chocolate treatments
- Hershey Lodge and Convention Center- welcomes families
- Hershey's Chocolate World: visitors' center with fun free "Factory Tour", and FactoryWorks where kids package their own Hershey Kisses; also (paid admission) the Really Big 3-D Show, by same creators as It's A Bug's Life at Disney World, and trolley tour with a singing conductor.
What's special about Hershey PA for families?
Hersheypark is the best known attraction, and was built by chocolate entrepreneur Milton S. Hershey in 1907 as a place where his employees could enjoy a Sunday afternoon. Hersheypark is now a major theme park with sixty rides including some wicked coasters; there are water rides, family rides, kiddie rides, live concerts and shows. (Click to see some coaster pix.)
Hersheypark is open some days in May; full time in June, July, and August; and some days in September. (See hours.) Admission price to Hersheypark also gets you into ZooAmerica. The gates also open-- with reduced prices and rides-- for "Springtime in the Park" preview event, in April.
Seasonal fun
October is the month for the Halloween-themed Hersheypark in the Dark, and in December the park turns into Christmas Candylane. The Holiday Season brings other festivities too: Teddy Bear parade at the Hotel Hershey; Hershey Lodge has Breakfast with Santa, and a live musical holiday show; both hotels have special packages and family activities; nearby "Sweet Lights" is a two-mile drive through the woods past a million sparkling lights. Dutch Wonderland celebrates too.
- Read about Christmas at Hershey
New Boardwalk
2007 brought the 100th anniversary of Hersheypark, also a brand new area: The Boardwalk --built in the style of classic seaside boardwalks-- has five new water-play attractions, including xtreme slides, tot zone, wave pool, surfing, and giant water-play structure.
Where to stay when visiting Hershey PA:
The Hotel Hershey was built in the 1930's, high on a hill overlooking the town, amid 300 acres of formal gardens with fountains, pools. The Hotel Hershey almost always offers a seasonal package that includes admission to Hershey attractions. The Hotel Hershey has a Cocoa Kids club.
The Hershey Lodge and Convention Center is a sprawling and very family-friendly place, with a big welcoming lobby that features a 4-sided stone fireplace. The Lodge has indoor and outdoor pools, family activities, and encounters with Hershey product's characters.
Naturally, at both properties the chocolate theme dominates: expect chocolate bars at checkin, that type of thing. Kids stay free in the same room as paying adults. Guests can also buy an "Sweet Access" pass for Hersheypark, including tour, front-of-the-line rides, and more.
Hershey PA also has other lodgings choices such as Best Western, Days-Inn, etc.
Where can I find out more about Hersheypark PA?
- See photos: Hotel Hershey; Christmas at Hershey; Hersheypark.
- check for deals and packages
- The Hershey PA site covers the town, Hersheypark, other attractions, spa, golf, dining, and of course, chocolate.
- Check TripAdvisor for comments from visitors: just enter "Hersheypark" or "Hershey Park" in the search box
