Chocolate Town

Chocolate Town, USA

You can satisfy your sweet tooth, experience the thrill of amusement park rides, tour a museum full of one of a kind antique automobiles, enjoy watching top-rated entertainers perform, shop factory outlet stores, and learn about the steps involved in making the world’s favorite candy, all in one visit to Hershey, Pennsylvania. Located just a few miles east of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania by way of Interstate 81, this company town has enough to keep everyone in your family busy for weeks, including an amusement park, theme park, zoo, museums, gardens, educational opportunities and more!

Headquarters of the massive Hershey Candy Company, Hershey is a chocolate lover’s delight. Even the streetlamps are shaped like Hershey’s Kisses! Your starting point when visiting Hershey should be Hershey’s Chocolate World, a free attraction where you can take a simulated tour of the chocolate making factory, participate in hands-on chocolate-themed activities, and get information and purchase tickets for other Hershey attractions. Chocolate World also includes the popular Really Big 3-D Show, food courts, gift shops.

The most popular destination for the younger set is Hershey Park, a theme park with rides for children of all ages, including roller coasters, Ferris wheels, and every other ride you can imagine.

The beautiful 22 acre Hershey Gardens’ spectacular seasonal horticultural displays and Butterfly House will leave you in awe of Mother Nature’s work, and the younger members of the family will love the special Children’s Garden, with surprises waiting around every turn.

The Hershey Museum tells the story of company founder Milton S. Hershey, a far-thinking philanthropist whose legacy of love and generosity continue to make the world a better place to live. The museum includes family heirlooms, displays on Hershey’s business empire, and a unique 13 foot tall apostolic clock that features hourly processions of hand carved figurines with biblical themes that has captivated audiences for over 125 years. Exhibits tell of Milton Hershey’s fascination with Cuba, at one time the main supplier of sugar for his candy factories, and include Hershey’s first confectionary shop. Seasonally, hands-on candy making demonstrations, a children’s hands-on Discovery Room, lectures, special tours and other programs are available.

Not everything in Hershey relates to chocolate. Concerts, auto shows, art shows, antique sales and sporting events are held throughout the year at the Giant Center and Hershey Park Stadium, bringing in some of the best known names in entertainment.

The Antique Automobile Club of America has an excellent museum in Hershey displaying an outstanding collection of antique and classic cars, including one of a kind models you won’t see anywhere else. In the basement of the museum is the Museum of Bus Transportation, featuring several beautifully restored passenger buses dating back to the 1920s.

If you enjoy wildlife, the 11 acre walk-through ZooAmerica in Hershey will provide you with the opportunity to see plants and animals native to North America .

Shoppers will have fun browsing the shops at The Outlets at Hershey, with a big selection of designer outlet stores.

Accommodations in the Hershey area range from small family operated motels to fine hotels, and several nice campgrounds. Wherever you stay and whatever you do, you’re sure to have a good time when you visit Chocolate Town, USA! For more information on Hershey, log onto the internet at www.hersheypartnership.com or the Hershey’s Chocolate World website at www.hersheyschocolateworld.com