Although Hershey, Pennsylvania is famous for its chocolate, there are many other things to do in the city besides indulge your sweet tooth. Your visit may be as action-packed or restful as you like, with everything from cutting-edge roller coasters at Hersheypark and spectacular entertainment venues to the more somber Hershey Gardens and The Spa at The Hotel Hershey.
The association of Hershey with the childhood-reviving sweets is one of its key draws. You can tell you are somewhere special when you drive past the town's Hershey's kiss-shaped streetlamps. This is just one of the many small tributes to the Hershey Brand that can be found around town.
Saving your appetite for the numerous chocolate samples that will enhance your stay is necessary when visiting Hershey. The Trolley Tours in town and the post-tour treat at Hershey's Chocolate World are two locations you'll visit that are known for their mini chocolate sampling.
1.Hersheypark
Experience the thrill of Hersheypark, one of the best things to do in Hershey. This well-liked tourist destination was created in 1907 as a park for the town's greenery and Hershey employees. The park now has more than 70 rides and entertainment venues, a water park, and roller coasters.
Visitors prefer The Boardwalk at Hersheypark because it offers a variety of water attractions, including waterslides, a kid's zone, a tidal wave pool, and a seven-story water ride. See one of the singing and dance acts happening in locations all across the park when you need a break from the action.
Your Hersheypark admission includes admission to ZooAmerica, which is an excellent value for families taking children and is open all year. Many animals are available for viewing. At an extra cost, you can reserve specialized behind-the-scenes trips to view the zoo while it's not open with a naturalist.
2. Hershey Story Museum,
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The Milton Hershey, the man who created the chocolate, is honored at the Hershey Story Museum, which is situated in the center of the charming downtown Hershey. The museum highlights Hershey's life and legacy, as well as his contributions to business and charitable work.
There are some unusual collectibles associated with the Hershey Brand on display in the museum. The interactive Chocolate Lab, where you may enroll in lessons to learn how to correctly mold and dip chocolate, is popular with visitors.
The Tastings room, where visitors may sample drinking chocolate from various nations while learning about the world's top cocoa-growing locations, is the most delectable section of the museum. Visit the Pantry Café for lunch or a snack if you need to take a break from the chocolate tastings.
3. Hershey Gardens
The grandeur of Hershey Gardens is the only sight in Hershey more stunning than the chocolate delicacies seen everywhere else. The gorgeous Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory, which welcomes visitors to the 23-acre botanical gardens, sets the tone for your trip. Your sneak peek into an elegant presentation of hundreds of plant species is provided by the potted palm trees and stained-glass butterflies.
Visit a few of the themed gardens, such as The Children's Garden, The Hershey Rose Garden, The Ornamental Grass Garden, and The Seasonal Display Garden, which has a different theme each season. The Butterfly Atrium, one of the only year-round atriums of its kind in the US, is a must-see.
The Hoop House, which features sustainable gardening demonstrations, is another attraction of the Hershey Gardens. A working colony of 10,000 European honeybees resides in a beehive. Discover the benefits of honeybees to the environment, how the hive functions, and the honeybee's role in sustainability initiatives.
4. ZooAmerica
The ZooAmerica location is an animal park that welcomes foot traffic and concentrates on species from North American locations. See more than 200 species up close, including wolves, lizards, bats, and bears. The entire year at ZooAmerica is filled with regular activities, and you can reserve behind-the-scenes excursions with naturalists after the park closes.
You will see habitats that support native species as you meander around the 11-acre park, including Eastern Woodlands, Big Sky County, and Southern Swamps. Discover ZooAmerica's conservation initiatives, such as its breeding of regal fritillaries for release into the wild and attempts to safeguard kestrel and barn owl habitat.
A Hersheypark ticket also includes access to ZooAmerica, making it a fantastic option to see both attractions in one trip.
5. Hersheypark Stadium,
Concerts, soccer, football, and other events are held at Hersheypark Stadium, a music and sports complex that could add to the enjoyment of your visit to Hershey. One of the biggest outdoor entertainment stadiums between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia is the location. Hersheypark Stadium is well known for its outdoor summer concerts, but it also accommodates unique occasions and important sporting events all year long.
6. Hershey's World of Chocolate
Hershey's Chocolate World must be visited as part of any trip to Hershey. It is one of the top attractions in Hershey due to the extensive study of all things chocolate and the decadent conclusion of free samples. On the Hershey's Chocolate Tour, which includes all the sights and scents you may anticipate, you can learn about the development of chocolate from the cocoa bean to confectionery.
You can participate in the well-liked Chocolate Tasting Experience while hungry and learn how to distinguish the tastes of various chocolates from food experts. An interactive 4D chocolate movie featuring a mystery with a chocolate theme is available at Hershey's Chocolate World.
You can also partake in the Hershey's Unwrapped experience, in which you taste your way from the cocoa bean to the delectable chocolate creations that made Hershey famous while learning about the process of manufacturing candies.
Making your own candy bar is one of the most fun activities at Hershey Chocolate World. You choose the ingredients, do a taste test, and create the candy package yourself.
7. Hershey Theater
During your visit, The Hershey Theatre is a classy entertainment venue and the ideal location for a night out. The Hershey Theatre hosts touring Broadway shows as well as dance and musical performances. Built in the early 1900s, the renovated performing arts center nevertheless exudes the same beauty today.
Consider taking the 90-minute walking tour that takes you inside this renovated theater from the 20th century for a spectacular outing. Details that are simple to overlook on a cursory visit, like the four types of marble utilized in the lavish entrance, will be revealed to you.
Before coming, research the touring productions and make plans for a night out. It is simple to grab a bite before the concert because there are a dozen restaurants close to the theater.
8. American Antique Automobile Club
The Smithsonian Institution-affiliated Antique Automobile Club of America is the place to go for your fill of vintage cars. As you wander through interactive exhibits spanning the vehicle industry from the 1890s to the 1980s, this museum is enjoyable for both children and adults and is one of the top destinations for car aficionados.
Around 100 vehicles, from vintage cars to trucks and buses, are on show at the museum. A 1905 Cadillac Model E Runabout and an 1896 Ford Quadricycle are two of the more intriguing displays. The museum offers a number of interactive activities, such as a hands-on assembly line, where visitors can gain a sense of how vehicle manufacturing has changed over time.
The Model T can be driven in a four-hour session taught by a professional for true antique car enthusiasts. In order to see even more vintage vehicles that are not on exhibit for the general public, you can arrange a behind-the-scenes tour.
9. Hershey Trolley Works
A trolley tour with Hershey Trolley Works is among the most tranquil ways to learn about the town of Hershey and its past. The conductor of the trip is engaging and has probably lived in the neighborhood for a long time (most of them have). Many of the major locations in the region, including the town of Hershey, are traversed.
You will visit Milton Hershey's birthplace, the original Hershey Chocolate factory, and the famous Hershey Kiss streetlights downtown. This is a fantastic place to start your journey in order to learn about the town's history and layout before seeing other attractions.
Toddler-Friendly Activities in Hershey, Pennsylvania (Part 1) http://t.co/rUbMsKo7xU pic.twitter.com/p27cwcnWMB
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Throughout the year, themed trolley excursions that correspond to the seasons may be found. This sightseeing tour is convenient in that it begins and ends at Hershey's Chocolate World, making it simple to combine it with a trip to the museum.
10. The Hershey Hotel's Spa
One of your most luxurious experiences is the spa at The Hotel Hershey. Spend the day receiving chocolate-themed treatments, such as hydrotherapy, facials, and massages. Your visit extends beyond the spa rooms and is luxurious.
While you wait for your subsequent treatment, you may have fresh chocolate bread and refreshments in the tranquil waiting area. The aromatherapy waiting room will help you relax in the serene setting. While the Spa has a characteristic chocolate line of goods and services, there are other seasonal and specialized treatments offered. Plan a day at the spa and a leisurely lunch for the most tranquil experience.
11. Milton Hershey School's Founders Hall
The Milton Hershey School, a boarding school that has been in operation for more than a century and is home to the Founder's Hall Visitor Center, is one of Hershey's most well-known landmarks. Milton Hershey, the founder of Hershey's confectionery, and his wife established the school for abandoned children. As they were unable to have children of their own, they made good use of their fortune.
With old photographs and engaging exhibits, the Founder's Hall Visitor Center tells the charitable tale of the Milton Hershey School. Visitors can gain a thorough understanding of Milton Hershey's dedication to helping local families overcome the cycle of poverty.
Founder's Hall's interior dome, mosaic floor, and picture-perfect fish fountain at the entry, created by renowned sculptor Aristides Demetrios, are just a few of its attractions.
12. Giant Center
Catch a Hershey Bears ice hockey game or an evening performance at Giant Center if you're looking for something to do in Hershey. It frequently holds sporting events and entertainment and is the city's other major event location. It is a good idea to check the calendar of future events before traveling to Hershey so you can arrange a night out following a day of sightseeing.