What is better than taking a family vacation that has both chocolate treats and roller coasters? If you ask my kids, nothing! I vacationed to Hersheypark as a child. Now, as a Mom, I have planned 3 road trip vacations to include Hershey Park, and have planned another one for this summer!
Hersheypark is located right near Harrisburg, PA, the capital of Pennsylvania. We have included Hershey Park on road trips from New Jersey, New York City, Rhode Island and Hilton Head, SC! It is a fun and nostalgic amusement park, for both young and older children, with characters, tours, shows, a variety of amusement rides, and, of course, lots of Hershey chocolate!
Here are some tips for families considering a road trip to Hershey Park:
Book “Sweet” Accommodations. Being located so close to Harrisburg (approx. 15 minutes), we were able to find many chain hotels for our vacation stay there very easily online. We usually vacation with our small dog, so needed to find a hotel that allowed dogs. We have stayed at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel and Marriot Residence Inn Harrisburg Hershey. Both were good family accommodations with pools and kitchenette, and allowed our dog to stay for a fee. This summer, we will be leaving our dog at home and trying out one of Hershey Park’s own resorts (which does not allow pets)- The Hershey Lodge . (There are also two other Hershey Properties – Hotel Hershey and Hershey’s Campground.)
Learn a Little Bit of History. Hershey Park Is not only fun and games, add a little history lesson on your vacation! Take a trolley ride through the town of “Hershey” to learn how is all began by a man name Milton Hershey! The trolley tour provides a fun way to teach the history, sample the Hershey brand chocolates and sing a little tune, all while riding in a comfortable trolley! (The trolley tours are available at Chocolate World). I would recommend this activity for your first visit to Hershey. (Tip: for children that enjoy to read, pick up Who was Milton Hershey by James Buckley for a book to read on the drive up!)
Visit Chocolate World. Chocolate World is located right near the entrance of Hershey Park. It offers a variety of programs and events, including a 4D movie, a behind the scenes look at the history of chocolate making, a fabulous souvenir and chocolate shop, trolley tour through the town of Hershey, chocolate tasting, and a variety of other activities (all activities, except the behind the scenes history tour, require a fee.) Visit http://www.hersheys.com/chocolateworld/explore for more information!
Be Amused by the Rides! One of the characteristics I like about the rides at Hershey Park is that the kiddie rides are mixed in with the larger amusement rides. So, if you are traveling with another family who has smaller children, or your own children have an age gap, you can stay together in the park and ride the rides. At the entrance of the park, you can have your child officially measured by park staff to receive a bracelet to confirm their height. Each ride is categorized by a candy for its height regulations. A “Jolly Rancher” is the highest level and a “Hershey’s Miniature” is the smallest. Visit http://www.hersheypark.com/things-to-do/just-for-you/index.php to find out which candy your kids are!
More to see than Roller Coasters. Hersheypark also offers ZooAmerica and The Boardwalk at Hersheypark (a water amusement park). Both attractions are included in your Hersheypark entrance ticket. Since we have always included Hersheypark within a road trip, we have never been to ZooAmerica or The Boardwalk but have added it to our next visit to Hersheypark! Visit http://www.hersheypark.com/things-to-do/zooamerica.php or http://www.hersheypark.com/rides/search.php?ride_type[]=2 for more information.
Plan a preview night. Hersheypark offers ticket holder a preview to the park 2.5 hours prior to close the day before you plan to visit. This is a great chance to ride the larger rides that usually have long lines!
Look for Discounts! We have received ticket discounts from local Giant Foodchains and also picked up coupons at local Dunkin’ Donuts. AAA and hotels also offer discounted park tickets. Every saved dollar counts!
Suggested trip schedule:
Day 1: Travel to Harrisburg or hotel location. Visit Chocolate World for trolley tour, 4D Movie, history of chocolate making and shopping. Grab lunch at Chocolate World. Check into hotel, swim in pool, dinner and “preview” Hersheypark 2.5 hours prior to close.
Day 2: Spend the whole day at Hersheypark.
Day 3: Visit The Boardwalk and/or ZooAmerica for the 1st half of the day and then Hersheypark after dinner.
Day 4: Travel Day
Visit HersheyPark.com for more information regarding tickets, events, hours and accommodations!
Please note these opinions and suggestions are my own and I was not reimbursed by Hersheypark to write this blog post. I will update my blog once we vacation there again this summer! Have a “sweet” vacation!
Home Sweet Mama Mia 