Hershey is so much more than just roller coasters & chocolate bars! Check out my top recommendations for 5 Fun & Family Friendly Things to do in & Around Hershey, Pennsylvania...
This post was created in partnership with Visit Hershey & Harrisburg. As always, all opinions & thoughts expressed below are 100% my own.
I don't think that it is any big secret that the Hershey, Pennsylvania area is a go-to destination in the east for fun family getaways. With Hersheypark & Hershey's Chocolate World just a short walk apart from each other, it is easy to see why the area has been a favorite among families for decades now. I mean, who doesn't love a good amusement park and lots & lots of chocolate? ;)
Plus, Hershey is quite literally the city that was built on chocolate. Or at the very least, it is a city that was built upon Milton Hershey's chocolate empire and his vision of a town & a community that he could give back to. You can experience his legacy at every turn within the historic downtown area of Hershey & the surrounding areas.
That being said, Hershey is so much more than just roller coasters & chocolate bars! Within a 30 minute drive of the city, you can also explore hiking trails that lead to incredible views, create your very own ice cream flavor, & challenge your family members to a friendly game of nighttime mini golf.
Last month, my kiddos & I got to spend four fun-packed days in the Hershey, Pennsylvania area. While four days is definitely not quite long enough to experience everything this area of Pennsylvania has to offer, we did get to enjoy five of the area's top family-friendly attractions...
1. Hershey's Chocolate World (101 Chocolate World Way, Hershey)
Located less than a 10 minutes drive from the hotel, one of our first stops after checking into our room at the Tru by Hilton was to go and check out Hershey's Chocolate World. As soon as you step in the door, you are greeted with the undeniable sweet scent of, you guessed it... chocolate.
Lots & lots of chocolate, folks. From the packaged Hershey chocolates in the shops, to the chocolate goodies being served in the food court, to the fresh chocolate bars being poured in the Create Your Own Candy Bar lab, the smell of Hershey's chocolate is everywhere.
If you do only one thing during your visit to Hershey's Chocolate World, then definitely splurge a little & be sure to sign up for a time slot to make your own custom chocolate bar. You get to control every aspect of your candy bar creation from the chocolate being poured, to your mix-ins, to designing your own wrapper for your chocolate bar! It's a fun way for the entire family to get a little taste of a true Hershey's chocolate factory experience.
While you are at Chocolate World, be sure to reserve a seat on Hershey Trolley Works to take a tour of the city of Hershey & to learn more about the history of the sweetest place on Earth. Then pop over to the Ice Cream & Milkshake Shop & order a milkshake flight. I promise you won't be disappointed!
Have you and your family visited the Hershey area of Pennsylvania before?
What are some of your favorite attractions & things to do there?
Looking for the perfect home away from home while you & your family are exploring the Hershey, Pennsylvania area? Then be sure to book a room at the Tru by Hilton located close to Hershey Chocolate Avenue! The brand new hotel offers amenities like an indoor pool, a fitness center, and a daily breakfast complete with waffle boats & a toppings bar.
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If you do only one thing during your visit to Hershey's Chocolate World, then definitely splurge a little & be sure to sign up for a time slot to make your own custom chocolate bar. You get to control every aspect of your candy bar creation from the chocolate being poured, to your mix-ins, to designing your own wrapper for your chocolate bar! It's a fun way for the entire family to get a little taste of a true Hershey's chocolate factory experience.
While you are at Chocolate World, be sure to reserve a seat on Hershey Trolley Works to take a tour of the city of Hershey & to learn more about the history of the sweetest place on Earth. Then pop over to the Ice Cream & Milkshake Shop & order a milkshake flight. I promise you won't be disappointed!
Of course, you also have to make a little time to shop around in Hershey's Largest Candy Store. I mean, what better souvenir to bring back home from a trip to Hershey than all of the chocolate?? ;)
2. Hersheypark (100 West Hersheypark Drive, Hershey)
No visit to Hershey would be complete without spending at least a day at Hersheypark! With over 70 different rides & attractions, this fun-filled amusement park has something for every member of your family. Plus, you can't beat the family friendly layout of this park.
Most of the more popular thrill rides are surrounded with at least a handful of more kid-friendly rides making it easy for mom & dad to stay nearby while the older kids enjoy a roller coaster & the younger kiddos take a spin on something a little less thrill seeking. ;)
Of course, Hersheypark offers plenty of thrilling roller coasters that both the younger & the older kids can enjoy and ride together. After riding the Trailblazer, Cocoa Cruiser, & the Comet multiple times together, my daughter & son hopped on the Lightning Racer next (pictured above).
After spending the day conquering all of the coasters & walking around the park, be sure to set aside a little time in your day at Hersheypark to cool off at The Boardwalk, the park's 11-acre water park. Splash around at The Shore, the water park's 378,000 gallon wave pool. Relax in the lazy river. Or catch some thrills on one of the park's water slides or the Breakers Edge Water Coaster.
Insider Tip: Did you know that each full day pass to Hersheypark also includes a 3 1/2 hour preview of the park the evening before? I definitely recommend taking advantage of this. My kids & I were able to get a good feel for the park and knock out some of the roller coasters & rides on our must-do list before spending an entire day at the park the next day.
3. Adventure Sports (3010 Elizabethtown Road, Hershey)
Located just 4 miles south of Hershey, Adventure Sports is the perfect spot for a little classic family fun during your visit to Hershey, Pennsylvania. Offering 7 different attractions including mini golf & go-karts, you could easily spend a few hours or the entire day at Adventure Sports.
The kids & I headed here one evening after dinner. After playing a round of miniature golf on their 18 hole course, we headed over to the Go-Kart track to do a little racing...
Offering both single & double rider karts, you can easily challenge the entire family to a friendly race around their 1100 foot go-kart track.
Adventure Sports also offers its guests bumper boats, batting cages, a full indoor arcade, a driving range, ice cream parlor, a 3-acre laser tag field, and an escape room adventure.
Find individual pricing for each attraction by CLICKING HERE.
4. Hawk Rock Trail (Appalachian Trail, Duncannon)
If you and your family would like to experience part of the Appalachian Trail that runs through Pennsylvania, then be sure to make the 30 minute drive from Hershey to Duncannon to hike the Hawk Rock trail.
This trail is about 1 1/2 miles long out & back, but has a steady elevation gain of over 750 feet on your way up. I would definitely say this trail is a little challenging, but my seven year old was able to do the entire trail & easily keep up with us.
The breathtaking view from the top is definitely well worth the hike though. In fact, the view from Hawk Rock has been ranked as one of the top 10 most beautiful scenic vistas in the state of Pennsylvania. And it is definitely easy to see just why once you reach the rock.
Though the Hawk Rock trail is considered a shorter hike, it is very rocky & a little challenging in some areas as you can see from the photo above. I definitely recommend hiking shoes with good traction for this trail and to bring plenty of water if you plan on tackling this trail on a hot summer day.
5. Turkey Hill Experience (301 Linden Street, Columbia)
Located in Pennsylvania Dutch country & less than a 40 minute drive from Hershey, the Turkey Hill Experience in Columbia is a must-do if you & your family happen to be ice cream lovers. Offering tons of interactive exhibits, you will be immersed in the history of the Turkey Hill Dairy & learn all about the dairy culture in Lancaster County.
Not only can you enjoy free samples of Turkey Hill's popular ice cream flavors & flavored iced teas, but you can also try your hand at creating your very own custom ice cream flavor in the Taste Lab!
The lab instructors will take you through the ice cream making process at Turkey Hill as you invent your own flavor. You start with a base (chocolate or vanilla ice cream), then add your favorite flavorings, & mix-in's.
The Taste Lab was definitely the highlight of our visit to the Turkey Hill Experience, but the Tea Discovery is also a great way to learn about the history of tea, the tea making process at Turkey Hill, & to taste a few different varieties of teas.
For more information on the Turkey Hill Experience including hours & admission rates, CLICK HERE.
Have you and your family visited the Hershey area of Pennsylvania before?
What are some of your favorite attractions & things to do there?
For more information & to start planning your fun-filled family getaway to Hershey, Pennsylvania soon, be sure to the Visit Hershey & Harrisburg site!
Looking for the perfect home away from home while you & your family are exploring the Hershey, Pennsylvania area? Then be sure to book a room at the Tru by Hilton located close to Hershey Chocolate Avenue! The brand new hotel offers amenities like an indoor pool, a fitness center, and a daily breakfast complete with waffle boats & a toppings bar.
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