Hersheypark - background:
Three hours from NYC, 2 hours from Philly, Hershey PA-- aka "Chocolatetown USA"-- was founded by chocolate tycoon Milton Hershey to house his employees. He also built an amusement park for his workers: the present-day Hershey Park theme park is a major attraction, with roller coasters and other rides.
Guests can stay at the classic Hotel Hershey, with kids' club, and spa with chocolate-themed treatments; or at Hershey Lodge, which has complimentary family activities.
- read more, and see photos, about Hershey PA
2007 was the 100th anniversary of Hersheypark and saw a major expansion: a $19M new waterplay experience called "The Boardwalk".
The Boardwalk
Located near the Midway inside Hersheypark, the Boardwalk reprises the style of the class seaside boardwalks of the Northeast. The aim is to give families "a trip to the seashore and a day at an amusement park."
The Boardwalk features:
- five new water-based attractions
- beach-style lounge chairs and shaded areas
- lockers and showers
- food, skill games, and retail outlets with the Boardwalk theme
The area covers 4.6 acres and hold 323,000 gallons of water. Each of the new attractions has high-tech filtration and uses recycled water and rainwater.
East Coast Waterworks:
A water-play structure --world’s largest, at time of building-- with slides, bridges, crawl tunnels, and 200 interactive water toys (squirters, buckets, etc.)
Coastline Plunge:
Four waterslides including a giant funnel called the "Tornado" and a "bowl" known as the "Cannonbowl"
Bayside Pier:
48,000-gallon pool with zero-depth-entry, ramp slide, and waves
Waverider:
Two riders can compete.
Sandcastle Cove:
A tot pool with giant sandcastle play structure.
