Hershey, Pennsylvania

"The Sweetest Place on Earth," built by the founder of Hershey's chocolate, home to Hersheypark, Hershey's Chocolate World and museums, near the state capital of Harrisburg.

Hershey lies in Derry Township in south-central Pennsylvania, about 20 km from the state capital, Harrisburg. Chocolate magnate Milton Hershey planned and built it in the early 20th century as a "model industrial town" around his chocolate factory, and it bills itself as "The Sweetest Place on Earth." Streetlights are shaped like Hershey's Kisses, and the main street is called Chocolate Avenue. The seasons are distinct: Hersheypark is fully open May–Sep, with Jun–Aug the hottest and busiest months; October brings Halloween evenings at the park and an antique car show; the Christmas Candylane light festival in Nov–Dec is also very popular; Jan–Mar is cold and the park is mostly closed, though Hershey's Chocolate World and the museums stay open year-round. The main sights are concentrated within about 2 km of the town center: Hersheypark and ZooAmerica take a full day; Hershey's Chocolate World, The Hershey Story museum, Chocolate Avenue and the Hershey Theatre fill half a day to a day; and the hillside Hershey Gardens and The Hotel Hershey (with its chocolate spa) are good for a slower pace. Nearby are the AACA Museum of antique automobiles, Tröegs Brewing and Indian Echo Caverns. About 20 km west, in Harrisburg, you can see the State Capitol, hailed as the "most beautiful capitol," plus the State Museum of Pennsylvania, the National Civil War Museum and Broad Street Market. Lancaster's Amish Country, about 40 km southeast, and the Gettysburg battlefield, about 70 km southwest, make good separate trips. Getting there: Harrisburg International Airport is about 20 minutes' drive from Hershey; Amtrak takes about 1.5 hours from Philadelphia and about 3.5 hours from New York to Harrisburg, then transfer or take a taxi. Local public transit is limited, so driving is recommended. Plan on 2 days (1 day at the park + 1 day for chocolate and museums). Note: lines at the park are long on summer weekends and during festivals, so consider a fast-track pass; The Hotel Hershey and hotels near the park are pricey in peak season and should be booked ahead.

Top sights

Hersheypark – One of the most popular theme parks on the U.S. East Coast, with 15 roller coasters, a water park, and a chocolate theme. A winter light fe…
Hershey's Chocolate World – Free chocolate-factory-style tours with simulated scenes, make-your-own chocolate bars, and the world's largest Hershey's candy store.
The Hershey Story – A museum telling the life story of Milton Hershey and the history of Hershey town. Visitors can make their own chocolate in the Chocolate L…
Hershey Gardens – A rose garden built by Milton Hershey, now a 23-acre themed garden with a tropical butterfly house overlooking the town.
ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park – A North American wildlife park next to Hersheypark, home to more than 200 animals including bears, wolves and cougars.
The Hotel Hershey – A Spanish colonial-style resort perched on a hilltop, built in 1933 and famous for its chocolate spa and reflecting garden.
Chocolate Avenue – Hershey's main street, where the streetlights are shaped like Hershey's Kisses, with historic factory walls and town buildings lining the w…
Hershey Theatre – An ornate theatre completed in 1933, with a Venetian-style lobby and a starry dome, hosting Broadway tours.
Founders Hall, Milton Hershey School – A boarding school founded by Hershey for orphans; the soaring dome of Founders Hall and a free documentary tell the story of Hershey's char…
AACA Museum – A Smithsonian-affiliated automobile museum with century-old cars, buses and race cars, its displays recreating American road history.
Tröegs Independent Brewing – A well-known craft brewery in Pennsylvania where you can tour the brewhouse at your own pace and sample the signature IPA and seasonal limi…
Indian Echo Caverns – A limestone cave west of Hershey. A 45-minute guided tour winds through stalactite chambers and an underground lake, and the cave stays coo…
Pennsylvania State Capitol – Roosevelt called it “the most beautiful building I have ever seen.” Modeled on the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, its interiors feature sump…
State Museum of Pennsylvania – A round state museum beside the Capitol, with dinosaur fossils, a huge Gettysburg battle painting and a planetarium.
National Civil War Museum – A large museum that tells the story of the American Civil War from both Union and Confederate perspectives, with more than 20,000 artifacts…
City Island & Riverfront Park – A leisure island in the Susquehanna River with a paddle-wheel river cruise, a little train and ballfields. View the Capitol from the rivers…
Broad Street Market – One of America's oldest continuously operating indoor markets, opened in 1860, offering Amish foods and Pennsylvania Dutch snacks.
Lake Tobias Wildlife Park – Ride open-air safari trucks through grasslands and feed bison, zebras and giraffes. A popular family wildlife park in central Pennsylvania.

Where to eat

Chocolate Avenue Grill – Popular locally run spot on Chocolate Avenue in Hershey, ranked No. 1 on TripAdvisor for Hershey restaurants; the choco…
Hershey Pantry – A Hershey breakfast institution since 1990, famous for giant iced cinnamon rolls and stuffed French toast.
Tröegs Independent Brewing – Hershey's celebrated craft brewery beside Hersheypark, with a seasonal Snack Bar menu that changes daily and excellent…
Circular Dining Room at The Hotel Hershey – The round main dining room of the historic Hotel Hershey, overlooking the gardens; a good choice for anniversary dinner…

Itineraries

Pennsylvania Cross-State: Philadelphia to Pittsburgh – Head west from Philadelphia through Amish Country, Hershey, and Gettysburg to Fallingwater and Pittsburgh.
Amish Country & Hershey Family Road Trip from Philadelphia – Drive from Philadelphia to Lancaster for a steam train ride, then head to Hersheypark and Hershey's Chocolate World.