Visitors Guide to Hershey, Pennsylvania
You will have a sweet getaway from your daily life when you visit Hershey, Pennsylvania. As the name suggests, Hershey is a chocolate lover's dream. As soon as you enter the streets of town, you will know you've found the perfect place for an indulgent getaway, with Hershey Kisses capping the light poles in town, and the famous Hershey Chocolate Factory standing in the back of the small city's skyline.
While the city's industry in the early 1900s was based around the Hershey Chocolate Factory, numerous chocolate-themed attractions were built over the years, making it a popular vacation destination as well. Whether you are looking for a couple's getaway or a family vacation, Hershey, Pennsylvania has a wide variety of attractions designed to both entertain you and satisfy your sweet tooth at the same time!
The Hershey Museum sits in the heart of the city on Hershey Drive, near Hershey Park and Hershey's Chocolate World. With a self-guided tour of the Hershey Museum, you can learn more about the man behind the Hershey Chocolate Factory and the large candy empire he created. Special features of the museum include a Theater Gallery, the monumental clock known as the Apostolic Clock, a Confectionery Shop where you can sample and purchase sweet treats, and more.
Kids and adults alike will love spending time at Hershey Park. Hershey Park is the region's top amusement park and is filled with everything from mild to wild rides with a uniquely Hershey chocolate theme. You will find world famous thrill rides and coasters, a wide variety of kiddie rides for the smallest visitors, live chocolate-themed entertainment, a walk-through zoo, and gift shops. Just as you would expect, the amusement park also is home to a variety of restaurants and snack shops, where you can find everything from Kosher to vegetarian dishes, and of course plenty of chocolate!
Since 1937, locals and visitors alike have enjoyed the perfect place to relax with nature at the Hershey Gardens. Milton S Hershey himself founded the park on what was originally 3 and a half acres. The site quickly expanded to cover 23 acres today, and is know a horticultural extravaganza. There are several distinct garden areas, including the Japanese Gardens, the Blue Mountains, the Seasonal Gardens, and the Butterfly House. If you're visiting the gardens with children, spend some time exploring the pretzel maze, long house, and cargo ship of the Children's Garden. Hershey Gardens also boasts a gift shop, holistic health programs, and more.
You can take a break from the busy attractions and still enjoy the chocolate-theme of the city with a visit to Cocoa Castle. This chocolate-inspired playground is uniquely constructed of wood and sits on Cocoa Avenue in front of the recreation center. Cocoa Castle is the perfect place for the kids to burn off some extra energy, with its Dragon bridges, slides, stairs, games, and more. There is even a Hershey Kisses Hut.
With so much to see and do in Hershey, you will want to spend a few days in the area. There are a number of fine hotels located in the area including the Best Western Inn Hershey, the Comfort Inn at the Park, and the Hilton Garden Inn Hershey. The Hotel Hershey is also a popular destination with its signature Chocolate Spa on-site.
Indulge yourself with a truly sweet getaway and spend some time exploring all that Hershey, Pennsylvania offers!
