Travelers flock to Hershey because it is well-known for its family-friendly activities, resorts, romance, and museums and attractions.
When you come to Hershey, expect to see chocolate everywhere you go. With street names like Chocolate and Cocoa Ave, and street lights shaped like Hershey's Kisses, one cannot help but have chocolate on the mind. Of course one of the best ways to satisfy these thoughts is to visit Hershey's Chocolate World, where visitors can have an inside tour of the Hershey Company as well as access to a fully stocked factory store. The smells of molten chocolate fill the air as you have a ride through the chocolate-making process, and when you exit into the store you cannot wait to get your hands on some of the goodies.
If you need a bit of air after all the sweet stuff, the Hershey Gardens offers a 23-acre botanical garden and arboretum. First opened by Milton S. Hershey as a rose garden for the community and his wife, the place has since grown to feature perennials, herbs, an ornamental grasses collection, a Japanese garden, coniferous garden, and oak grove, butterfly house, and much more.
Another popular spot unrelated with chocolate is the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum. The museum presents exhibits of vintage vehicles with interactive talks and events for adults and children. The collection features about 100 cars, a whole floor of buses, over 30 motorcycles and motorbikes, plus more in the 20,000+ square feet of storage that the staff will use to rotate exhibits. It is both educational and fun for tourists and car enthusiasts alike.
When it comes to activities, the main attraction of Hershey, Pennsylvania, is without a doubt Hershey Park. The theme park was conceived in the early 1900s by the mind of Milton S. Hershey. Starting with a Merry-Go-Round in 1908, the park's area now covers more than 100 acres with about 70 rides and attractions, plus a zoo and several pools for the summer season. Themed areas include sections like the Pioneer Frontier, Carrousel Circle, Midway American, and the Boardwalk-though the overall theme of Hershey's candy remains ever-present. Height categories for children's riding heights range from smallest to largest with Miniatures, Kisses, Reese's, Hershey's, Twizzlers, and Jolly Ranchers-adding a bit of fun to the stress we all felt on tippy toes as a kid. Hershey characters also frequent the park for great photo ops.
The adjoining zoo of Hershey Park is called Zooamerica and features 11-acres of tree-lined pathways with more than 200 animals from five regions of North America. The park also holds special programs and events that are both fun and educational for all audiences. Some of the animals include bear, elk, reindeer, wolves, reptiles, birds of prey, and mountain lions.
A nice way to explore destinations in Hershey is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- AACA Museum Regular Admission Ticket for $25 details
Below are a few common prices for sightseeing and activity entry fees in Hershey, all of which are based on the reports of previous travelers. These figures should give you a rough estimate of what you can expect to pay. Keep in mind, though, your costs will vary depending on the activities you choose and whether you take advantage of free or budget-friendly options.