Exploring Hersheypark – Hershey, PA

Exploring Hersheypark, Hershey PA. 

Have you ever been to the sweetest place on earth? I have and every time I visit it just gets sweeter. Did you know that Hersheypark® was originally created by Milton S. Hershey as leisure grounds for employees of Hershey’s Chocolate Factory? Talk about employee benefits. Now, their family theme park welcomes guests from around the world to experience Hersheypark all year long!

I’d like to thank Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Communications for hosting this trip so I could share my experience with you. Opinions are my own.

1 ticket = 3 sweet experiences. Rides and coasters, an ENTIRE water park, and ZooAmerica (yes they have an 11 acre zoo) are all included with your one-price Hersheypark admission. How’s that for value.

The park boasts more than 70 attractions. Including 14 roller coasters, a water park, and access to ZooAmerica. One or two day park passes are available for purchase or the frequent visitor may want to consider a season pass.

I happen to love a good coaster. Hersheypark® has coasters that are mild to wild so the whole family can get their fill of thrills. If you’re on the wild side of the coaster spectrum be sure to check out Skyrush® . This coaster climbs 200 feet into the air before flying downhill at 75 mph. It has 4 high speed turns, 5 zero-G airtime hills, and the highest drop in Hersheypark®.

 

Need to cool off after all that riding and walking? You can make a splash at the 11-acre water park inside Hersheypark®. The Boardwalk is included with all summer admission tickets.

Animals more your speed? Check out the year-round, 11-acre zoo. It is home to more than 200 animals and included with your one-price ?Hersheypark® ticket. There are even behind the scenes tours available for additional purchase.

There is so much to do in the park that you might want to consider purchasing a Fast Track online or inside Hersheypark at a Guest Services location upon arrival so you can skip the lines on select attractions. I REALLY wish I had done this so I could’ve squeezed in more rides. Next time for sure.

But wait that’s not all there is to do, no visit is complete without a stop at Hershey’s Chocolate World. It is located at the entrance of Hersheypark and serves as the official visitor’s center of The Hershey Company. Admission to Chocolate World is complimentary as is the must ride attraction The Hershey’s Chocolate Tour Ride. You may also purchase tickets for the following inside:

Create Your Own Candy Bar
4D Chocolate Mystery Movie
Chocolate Tasting Experience
Hershey’s Trolley Works

TIP: To maximize your time, get any additional attraction tickets early so you can select a particular time slot – they fill up quickly.

While you wait you can shop or have a bite in the food court
 

Now that you know WHAT to do, how about WHERE to stay?

There are 3 official resorts of Hersheypark to choose from:
The Hotel Hershey
Hersheypark Camping Resort
Hershey Lodge

This visit we stayed at the warm and welcoming Hershey Lodge.  Offering 665 guest rooms and 100,000 square feet of function space, Hershey Lodge provides convenience and comfort for families and guests of all ages. Guests to each of these resorts enjoy the value, convenience, and special access of their FREE resort benefits.

When you’re hungry, no reason to leave the property. There are 6 on site dining options plus room service if you just can’t pull yourself off the comfortable beds.

We chose The Forebay for dinner. The weather was absolutely perfect so we chose to dine on their beautiful patio. The Forebay offers regionally inspired comfort foods like steak, chops and fresh seafood. A sucker for seafood, I chose the mussels the scallops and started the meal with a Chocolate Manhatthan.

Are you ready for a trip to Hersheypark? If you go, remember to SHARE your #HersheyparkHappy

 

Disclaimer: My trip was hosted by Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Communications. Opinions are my own.