Rollercoasters and Beyond: What to See and Do in Hershey, Pennsylvania

If you think a visit to Hershey, Pennsylvania, means a visit to Chocolate Town, you certainly aren’t wrong. But if you think that’s all it means, you’re very, very wrong. Chocolate definitely rules the city. In fact, Hershey grew around the iconic chocolate factory, originally founded by Milton S. Hershey in 1905. Since that time, a thriving town has emerged, and visiting it today certainly does involve a lot of chocolate, but there is much more.

The biggest attraction in town is an obvious one, not to mention a pretty great one. Hersheypark, the candy-themed amusement and water park, attracts families from around the world all year long, and for good reason. The park is packed with rollercoasters for adrenaline junkies, like the world’s tallest giant swing ride, Twizzlers Twisted Gravity, just opened at the end of May. There are also plenty of games and rides for kids of all ages. There’s an 11-acre Boardwalk Water Park with 16 different water attractions, including a water coaster, racing water slides and a lazy river so the family can stay cool during the warm months. Pair all that with more shopping and good eats than you’ll know what to do with, and you’ll have to practically force kids to leave to check out the city’s other attractions.

© Eugenia Lazaris

Right outside the entrance to the park is Hershey Chocolate World, a combination candy shopping extravaganza-slash-Hershey chocolate history lesson that lets you buy every creation Hershey makes, plus a few unique to the site. While you’re there, hop on the free ride tour, which takes you through the history of Hershey chocolate and everything that goes into making our favorite candies. If you’ve ever visited the Haunted House ride at Disney, you’ll be familiar with the seated ride that takes you through the attraction at Chocolate World. While you’re at the attraction, there are plenty of other fun things to do, especially for kids. They can learn to make chocolate or enjoy a show, and everyone will love a delicious milkshake in between the action.

You’ve got some great options when it comes to where to stay, three of which are directly associated with Hersheypark: Hershey Camping Resort, historic Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge. All options are family-friendly and all give you a heavy dose of the chocolate theme that permeates the town. At Hershey Lodge, you’ll smell chocolate the moment you walk in as it is pumped through air vents. Full-sized Hershey chocolate bars are gifted to each guest at the time of check-in, and in-room toiletries are infused with cocoa. The lodge provides transportation to and from Hersheypark free of charge for guests all day long, and kids get a special experience with their very own check-in desk. Every day from 4 to 5 p.m., kids can check in to the hotel just like their parents. They’ll sign a guest book, receive a personalized name badge and a welcome bag filled with activities to keep them busy during downtime.

Hershey World Tour Ride © Eugenia Lazaris

Guests will each receive tickets to two other great attractions in Hershey to round out their stay. Hershey Gardens lets you and the family enjoy the peaceful tranquility of 23 acres of sprawling botanical gardens overlooking Hersheypark. The gardens, created to honor Milton’s wife, Catherine, were a gift from Milton Hershey to the community he cared for so much. If you want to learn about Hershey’s journey to become one of the world’s leading chocolatiers and how he used his passion to build the town of Hershey and grow into a wonderful place for his employees to live and work, visit the Hershey Story, the second attraction you’ll get free tickets to from your stay at Hershey Lodge. Located downtown, this interactive museum is fun for kids and adults of all ages, with activities like a scavenger hunt to get kids excited about exploring the museum.

The chocolate theme permeates everything in Hershey, from multiple attractions to the streetlights throughout downtown Hershey designed in the shape of Hershey Kisses, complete with little Hershey flags peeping out the top. Restaurants like the Chocolatier,  at the entrance to Hersheypark, and Stacks, the breakfast and lunch spot at Hershey Lodge, incorporate chocolate and candy throughout their menus. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by dishes like salmon crusted with Toffee Heath Bar Crunch pieces and drinks infused with Jolly Ranchers.