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 and see photos about Hersheypark, 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 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
Offered often; accommodations at Hershey Lodge plus breakfast, tix to Hershey's Really Big 3D Show at Chocolate Worldmore. 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: Breakfast in the Park Package
Hersheypark, of course, is open! Package includes accommodation at Hotel Hershey or Hershey Lodge; breakfast buffet with Hershey product characters; early admission to HersheyPark (a nice perk), and shuttle service.
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 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; "Chocolate Town, “A Holiday Dinner Musical” runs from late November until after Christmas. See Christmas in Hershey.
Santa Package
Select Friday and Saturday nights, from after Thanksgiving until mid-December. Package includes accommodations; breakfast or lunch with Santa, including gift; shuttle to Hersheypark Christmas Candyland.
Holiday Spectacular Package
Acommodation at the Hotel Hershey, welcome gift, admission to Hershey Sweet Lights (drive-through Christmas light display), breakfast and dinner in the Circular Dining Room, gift certificate.
Annual Teddy Bear Jubilee
Kids bring their favorite teddy bears for post-Christmas contests, Teddy Bear Parade and Hoedown. Look for a package that spans this event (usually held Dec. 27th, just after Christmas.)
New Year's Eve
Hershey's New Year's Eve Party at Chocolate World is a big bash for families, with kids' games, music, food; and the Hershey's Kiss goes up at New Year's. Look for packages at the Hotel Hershey that include New Year's Eve grand dinner, party at Hershey's Chocolate World, New Year's Day breakfast. (Book early; packages sell out.)
- See current packages at Hershey; see also rates and special packages throughout the year at Hershey Lodge and 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 Hershey Hotel and the sprawling Hershey Lodge are family-friendly. Hershey Hotel has a kids' club (weekends & holidays-- check dates.)
Check prices for the Also: Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge
* photo courtesy of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Co.
