Hershey, PA
Pennsylvania
A whole town that smells like chocolate, with a theme park, a zoo, and gardens all in one place
Hershey is a self-contained destination — the theme park, the gardens, the zoo, the chocolate factory tour, and the historic hotel are all within a 10-minute drive of each other. For grandkids ages 4–12, it is close to a perfect trip. The park has rides scaled to every age from toddler to teenager, and you can structure three days without leaving Chocolate Avenue.
3 hrs from Stamford · 3 hrs from White Plains · 2.5 hrs from NYC
Why Grandparents Love It
The park has a dedicated area for young grandkids (Hershey's Chocolatetown) with no height requirements
Staying at Hershey Lodge or Hotel Hershey eliminates all logistics — park entrance is a short walk from both
The Hershey Gardens butterfly house is a quiet, beautiful counterpoint to the theme park energy
Hersheypark has 70+ rides including Hershey's Chocolatetown — themed family rides alongside adult coasters
ZooAmerica is included with Hersheypark admission and has 200 North American animals on 11 acres
Hershey's Chocolate World is free to enter — the chocolate tour ride, tasting experiences, and factory show
The Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge are both walking distance from the park — no driving once you check in
Top Free Pick
Hershey's Chocolate World
The grounds of Chocolate World are free to enter and include the Chocolate Tour ride, a large gift shop, and free chocolate samples. The Chocolate Tour ride is free and highly recommended — a 10-minute journey through the chocolate-making process with actual chocolate smell piped through the ride vehicles.
Top Activities (4)
Hersheypark
All agesA full-scale amusement park with 70+ rides, multiple water park areas (included in summer admission), Hershey's Chocolatetown, and ZooAmerica access. The park is genuinely designed for all ages — the youngest grandkids have 20+ rides with no height requirements in the Chocolatetown area.
Grandparent note: Buy tickets online for significant savings. Late September weekends have smaller crowds and cool temperatures — best of all possible combinations. Check height requirements for grandkids before arrival to manage expectations.
ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park
All agesEleven acres of North American habitat with 200 animals — bison, black bears, mountain lions, alligators, gray wolves, and bald eagles. Included with Hersheypark admission, also available as a standalone ticket. Genuinely excellent for the casual visitor who wants animals without the full theme park commitment.
Grandparent note: Accessible and flat. A great option for grandparents who want to skip the theme park but still do something with grandkids.
Hershey Gardens & Butterfly House
All agesA 23-acre botanical garden with a rose garden (over 3,500 varieties), seasonal themed gardens, and a butterfly house with 40+ tropical butterfly species. The butterfly house is the highlight — grandkids walk through a glass building while butterflies land on them.
Grandparent note: Best visited in the morning when butterflies are most active in the house. The gardens are fully accessible. A beautiful, quiet counterpoint to the theme park — schedule it on a different day.
The Hershey Story Museum
Ages 6+The history of Milton Hershey and how he built a chocolate empire and a model company town. Fascinating for grandparents who know the history; engaging for grandkids because of the chocolate-making demonstrations and hands-on labs.
Grandparent note: The Chocolate Lab ($16/person, 45 minutes) is a hands-on chocolate-making session — highly recommended add-on for ages 5+ and extremely popular. Book it in advance.
Where to Stay
The Hotel Hershey
Historic Resort · $350–600/night
The grandest option — pool, spa, dining, and walking distance to Chocolate World. A splurge worth considering for a milestone trip
Hershey Lodge
Resort · $200–350/night
Most family-friendly option — pools, large rooms, shuttle to park, the practical choice
Hampton Inn & Suites Hershey
Hotel · $150 to $220/night
Solid value, 5-minute drive to the park, best option if budget is a consideration
Where to Eat
Hershey Pantry
$Breakfast
Local institution since the 1970s — giant portions, the best breakfast in Hershey
Fenicci's of Hershey
$$Italian
Oldest restaurant in Hershey (1935), classic Italian-American, the choice for a dinner out
Chocolate Avenue Grill
$$American
Reliable, close to the park, excellent burgers and milkshakes
Grandparent Tips
Hersheypark's "Sunrise Early Entry" (9am vs. 10am opening) is included with hotel packages — use it to hit the popular rides before the crowds arrive
Late September is the sweet spot: Hersheypark Halloween events + smaller crowds + cool weather
The park is large — rent a stroller or bring a wagon for grandkids under 5 to handle the walking
Chocolate World fills up in the afternoon — visit in the morning or evening
The Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge both offer package deals that include park tickets — often better value than separate bookings
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 — Chocolate World & Easy Start
Arrive by noon, check in
Afternoon: Hershey's Chocolate World (free grounds + chocolate tour ride)
Chocolate Lab if pre-booked (1.5 hours)
Evening: Fenicci's for dinner
Day 2 — Hersheypark Full Day
Sunrise Early Entry 9am (if hotel package)
Full day Hersheypark — Chocolatetown first, coasters mid-day
ZooAmerica late afternoon
Dinner at the park or Hershey Pantry breakfast the next morning
Printable PDF Guide
A 2–5 page travel guide for Hershey — formatted for printing or saving to your phone.
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