Hershey PA and HersheyPark: Background
Three hours from NYC, "Chocolate Town USA" is dotted with Hershey attractions, Hotel, and Lodge.
Hersheypark is a venerable and top-rated family amusement park, started in 1907 by chocolatier Milton Hershey for his employees. Main season is summer, but in April, Springtime in the Park weekend lets you sample select rides; October brings Hersheypark in the Dark; and December means Christmas in Candyland.
The Hotel Hershey is a grand old hotel, with kids' club; the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center has indoor and (seasonal) outdoor pool and family activities. Guests at both properties can get a "Sweet Start" at Hersheypark during summer and enter an hour before regular opening; buy a Sweet Access Pass, to get front-of-the-line on rides; and buy Breakfast at the Park with Hershey characters.
(Read more about Hersheypark, The Hershey Hotel and Lodge.)
2007, Hersheypark's centennial year, saw a new Boardwalk at HersheyPark, styled after the classic seaside boardwalks of yesteryear; with five water-based attractions, tons of sand, beach-style lounge chairs, food, skill games, shops.
Seasonal Packages at The Hershey Hotel and Hershey Lodge
You can always count on finding a family-friendly package.
Packages Through the Year
Below, find an overview of the typical seasonal promotions at Hershey. In addition, Family Fun Packages are frequently offered, as are Golf Packages, Spa Packages, etc. (The Hotel Hershey has a terrific spa, with chocolate-based treatments, private restaurant, and appealing "Quiet Room".)
And for dedicated Hershey-philes: check for a return of "A Year of Hersheypark Happy Deluxe Package": two night stays at holiday times (Memorial Day, July 4th, Halloween HersheyPark in the Dark, and Christmas), Season's pass for Hersheypark, and more, for four guests.
Winter Escape Packages
Jan. to early April; theme park isn't open, but both hotels have family activities. Package includes accommodations and spa treatment and amenities (-see comments on spa, above.)
Family Fun Package
This package is offered often; accommodations at Hershey Lodge plus breakfast, tix to Hershey's Really Big 3D Show at Chocolate World, and more. And you might get a bonus: such as cookies and milk delivered to your room by a Hershey's product character, story time at the huge fireplace, craft package.
Chocolate-Covered February
An Annual celebration of all things chocolate: themed chocolate meals; special desserts; demos about cooking and decorating with chocolate; kids activities; Chocolate Spa sampler, and more. Special Package at The Hotel Hershey includes Chocolate Dinner Extraordinaire.
Summer
Hersheypark, of course, is open! Look for Family Fun Packages and other promotions, such as Kids Stay and Play Free at The Hotel Hershey. (Kids 8 and under -- with a paying adult -- get free admission to Hersheypark, free breakfast, and more.)
September
Hersheypark is still open on weekends.
Halloween: Hersheypark in the Dark
The fun begins mid-October, for Halloween at Hershey: Hersheypark theme park opens on weekends; there's also Hershey's Trick-or-Treat Adventure at Hershey's Chocolate World and at Treatville at Hersheypark; Dutch Wonderland Happy Hauntings, 30 minutes away; and more. Packages include accommodation at The Hotel Hershey or Hershey Lodge, breakfast with Hershey characters, shuttle and admission to the park. Guests can buy a Sweet Access Pass for front-of--the-line access to rides.
Christmas Candylane:
HersheyPark re-opens in December with a number of rides and more than 1 million twinkling lights; "Hershey Sweet Lights" is a two-mile drive through woods filled with a million lights on 600 animated displays; "Christmas in Chocolate Town: A Holiday Dinner Musical” runs from late November until after Christmas. See Christmas in Hershey.
Breakfast With Santa Package:
Typically includes lodgings at either Hershey Lodge or The Hotel Hershey, breakfast or lunch with Santa, and admission and shuttle to Hersheypark Christmas Candylane, admission to Hershey Gardens and The Hershey Story Museum on Chocolate Avenue.
Holiday Spectacular Package:
Lodgings at The Hotel Hershey; welcome gift, admission to Hershey Sweet Lights, breakfast and dinner in the Circular Dining Room, gift certificate.
Christmas in Chocolate Town:
Lodgings at Hershey Lodge, admission to the Holiday Dinner Musical, admission to Hershey Sweet Lights, Hershey Gardens, and The Hershey Story musuem.
Chocolate World Family New Year's Eve
Book early, for this sell-out package at The Hotel Hershey that includes New Year's Eve grand dinner and dessert buffet, New Year's Eve Party, and New Year's Day breakfast. Hershey's New Year's Eve Party at Chocolate World is a big bash with kids' games, music, food. Guests at the party can join general Hershey PA celebrations at midnight: the Hershey's Kiss goes up at New Year's, followed by fireworks. Read more about Christmas in Hershey- plus photos.
- See all current packages at Hershey, at both Hershey Lodge and The Hotel Hershey.
Keep in mind:
- rates are typically per room, per night, based on double adult occupancy.
- guests have access to private golf courses, Hershey Gardens (seasonally) and Hershey Museum.
- Both the classic Hotel Hershey and the sprawling Hershey Lodge are family-friendly. The Hotel Hershey has a kids' club (weekends & holidays-- check dates.)
Check prices for the Also: The Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge
*Always check destination web sites for updates!
* photo courtesy of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Co.
