destination hershey :: top tips when visiting hersheypark and hershey’s chocolate world

We just got back from a super fun vacation to Hershey, PA.  We were able to pack so much into our trip.  Hershey knows how to keep it fun for everyone in the family.  I know both Hersheypark and Hershey’s Chocolate World are big vacation destinations so I thought I’d share a few tips for our readers who are heading that way!

Hershey’s Chocolate World.  First of all, the first three hours of parking are free at Hershey’s Chocolate World.  That should give you plenty of time to do everything you want.  And there is a LOT to do.  It’s free to get in and the chocolate tour is free.  Some attractions require an additional fee.

Of everything at Hershey’s Chocolate World, my kids loved the Create Your Own Candy Bar the most.  In fact, one of my kids liked that the most of everything we did on our trip.  Yes, it is $19.95.  And that sounds high when you compare it to a candy bar you just buy in the store.  BUT here’s everything you get to do:  Choose the base chocolate (I chose dark, but milk and white are also options), choose the “toppings” for the chocolate, encase the entire bar in milk chocolate (so it is a BIG bar when you are done), create a custom label and take home the bar in a Hershey’s tin.  We thought of it more as a souvenir than just a candy bar.  We will definitely be keeping those labels in our memory bins and the tins will make super fun pencil cases or desk organizers.

The gift shop is super fun–everything from gigantic candy bars and candy to just about anything Hershey you can imagine. If you want to book the Create Your Own Candy Bar, call or stop in ahead of time to book your spot.  They do fill up, sometimes very quickly, so you want to be sure you have a time.  We stopped by in the morning to book our evening session and then headed over to Hersheypark for the day.

Hersheypark.  There is a LOT to do here.  I suggest starting at the measurement station so you know exactly what your kids can ride and they don’t have to be measured at every ride.  Since we have three kids at three different heights, we split up for part of the day.  My husband took my eldest on the big rides while the boys and I did the little rides.  Then I took the older two on rides both of them could do.  In the heat of the day, we headed to the water park.  I noticed that the park was very clean and, while we were there, the lines weren’t very long at all.  I’m not sure if that’s because it was a weekday or if the lines tend to be reasonable since there are so many different options. We loved stopping by to see the characters (again, very short lines) and watching the band as well.

My youngest is 5 and since the park is so big, we brought a stroller along.  Yes, he is a bit old for a stroller on most days but it was a perfect way to get through the park quickly (and to hold our towels and water shoes so we didn’t have to carry them all day)!  In addition to the amusement park and water park, your ticket includes Zoo America.  I’d definitely plan on spending a full day at Hersheypark.  We left in time for our chocolate making at Chocolate World, but if I had to do it again, I would do those on different days so we had enough time to take advantage of everything Hersheypark has to offer.

We had such a blast during our time in Hershey!