Called the sweetest place on earth—thanks to its eponymous chocolate factory—Hershey, Pennsylvania, is a family vacation destination. A vision of Milton S. Hershey, the town was designed as a community for its factory workers. What started as an employee perk turned into an amusement park, drawing visitors looking for thrill rides and a sugar high. Other things to do include the AACA Museum, which explores the history of the motor vehicle, and ZooAmerica.
Opening dates and hours for much of Hersheypark vary by season. The busiest time is from Memorial Day to Labor Day, when the rides are fully operational and families are vacationing. To avoid crowds, try to visit on weekends in May or in June. Saturdays are usually busy, so plan for a weekday if possible. Seasonal and holiday-themed events take place throughout the year, such as Hersheypark in the Dark, which includes a special treat-or-trick trail.
Hershey, Pennsylvania, is located just east of the state capital, Harrisburg. It’s about a 2-hour drive west of Philadelphia via I-76 and 40 minutes northwest of Lancaster via Route 283. To help navigate the park, download the Hersheypark app, which lets you filter ride options by type and height category, view entertainment schedules, and browse food locations and place mobile orders. Shuttle service from the parking lot to the park entrance is provided.
To avoid long ride lines, plan to head to the back of the park upon arrival and work your way toward the front. This also makes for an easier exit at the end of the day. Consider visiting ZooAmerica before lunch or in the evening. Since the animals are usually most active in cooler temperatures, you’re more likely to see them during these times.
