Overview
Hershey is an unincorporated village in the Harrisburg area of Pennsylvania. It has a rich history and cultural significance being the birthplace of Hershey's Chocolate. One of the village's most well known attractions is Hersheypark, a theme park that provides fun for the family.
2 sights · 12 things to do · 3 places to eat · 8 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Hershey
Milton Hershey School
Milton Hershey gave his whole fortune to this school after his wife Catherine died in 1918. Mr. Hershey and his wife could not have children, so they wanted to build a school for orphan boys; Hershey Industrial School. T…
Hershey Theatre
Opened in 1933, Hershey Theatre often hosts off-Broadway shows, concerts, and other entertainment.
Hersheypark
An amusement park with many rides, games, shops, food stands, and shows. Fun for all ages.
Hershey's Chocolate World
Great for children. A free tour experience shows the workings of how cocoa beans become Hershey's chocolate. The tour ends with a free sample. Other attractions available at Hershey's chocolate world include a "factory w…
Zoo America
A wildlife zoo open year round.
The Hershey Story
A museum about Milton S. Hershey.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Cold months (Jan) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jul and Sep. (climate data from nearby Allentown)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MDT Harrisburg International Airport, Harrisburg — 8 mi away. Directions
- LNS Lancaster Airport, Lancaster — 22 mi away. Directions
- BWI Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Baltimore — 76 mi away (major hub). Directions
Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) in Middletown is a short 15 minutes away from Hershey, Pennsylvania. 7 major airlines operate out of HIA. Guests staying at a Hershey resort can arrange transportation pickup service for a nominal fee.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Hershey Theatre, Hershey Public Pool, Cocoa Castle
- Lunch Cocoa Grill
- Afternoon Hershey Public Library, The Hershey Story
- Dinner What If Cafe
Day 2
- Morning Milton Hershey School
- Lunch Fire & Grain
- Afternoon Antique Auto Museum at Hershey
Day 3
- Morning Indian Echo Caverns
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Best known for Hershey's Milk Chocolate, Hershey thrives today on what began as a vision of Milton S. Hershey to build a model town to meet the basic, recreational, and cultural needs of the factory workers. Hershey is not incorporated as a town or city, but is actually a municipality known as Derry Township.
Get in
By plane
Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) in Middletown is a short 15 minutes away from Hershey, Pennsylvania. 7 major airlines operate out of HIA. Guests staying at a Hershey resort can arrange transportation pickup service for a nominal fee.
By train
Harrisburg Transportation Center is the main train station in Harrisburg and is a short 15 minutes away from Hershey, Pennsylvania. You can take Amtrak from major cities such as Philadelphia and New York City to get to Hershey, Pennsylvania. Guests staying at a Hershey resort can arrange transportation pickup service for a nominal fee.
By bus
Greyhound Bus Lines drops off passengers at the Harrisburg Transportation Center. Guests staying at a Hershey resort can arrange transportation pickup service for a nominal fee.
By car
Hershey is about 10 miles east of Harrisburg, Pa. From Harrisburg, travel East on PA-322. Alternatively, from I-81, take exit 77 and travel South on PA-39.
Get around
By shuttle bus
Many hotels provide shuttle bus services. Contact your hotel before you go to avoid surprises.
By car
You may use your own car and park at any Hershey resort, park or restaurant.
By taxi
Cabs are available to drive you to hotels, parks or restaurants.
See
See Milton Hershey School
Milton Hershey gave his whole fortune to this school after his wife Catherine died in 1918. Mr. Hershey and his wife could not have children, so they wanted to build a school for orphan boys; Hershey Industrial School. The school was then built in 1909. Its mission was to nurture and educate children with social and financial needs to lead fulfilling and productive lives. The school is a cost-free, private, coeducational home and school for children of low income, limited, or social need. It offers a positive, structured home life year around, ranging from Pre Kindergarten to 12th grade education. The campus has 1,364 students from Pre-K to 12th grade, 660 are male, and 704 are female. 47% of the students are Caucasian, 47% being African American, 11% Hispanic, 1% Asian, and 9% being Native American or other. The school provides housing, which includes all meals, uniformed and leisure clothing, free educations, and leisure activities, including varsity sports, intramurals, and clubs. At the end, or term of each student's schooling, trade, military, or college is partially paid for with the Continuing Education Scholarship. Each student must meet certain standards to receive this scholarship.
Do
Do Hershey's Chocolate World
Great for children. A free tour experience shows the workings of how cocoa beans become Hershey's chocolate. The tour ends with a free sample. Other attractions available at Hershey's chocolate world include a "factory works" experience, a Trolley tour of the town, a food court, a 3D show, and shops with souvenirs and plenty of Hershey's products.
Do Giant Center
Holds events such as Hershey Bears Ice Hockey, high school graduations, high school sporting events, cheerleading competitions, and concerts.
Do Cocoa Castle
A large wooden jungle gym built for children to run around and play. Located off of main strip in Hershey, near public library.
Buy
Shop Hershey's Chocolate World
Great for children. A free tour experience shows the workings of how cocoa beans become Hershey's chocolate. The tour ends with a free sample. Other attractions available at Hershey's chocolate world include a "factory works" experience, a Trolley tour of the town, a food court, a 3D show, and shops with souvenirs and plenty of Hershey's products.
- The Jeweler at the Hotel Hershey Located at the Hotel Hershey. Features jewelry, watches and gifts from over 18 different jewelry lines in stock.
- Amish Country Perfect for finding rare and special antiques. See Lancaster (Pennsylvania).
Eat
Eat Cocoa Grill
Small diner located on Hershey Park Drive.
Hotel Hershey
- Circular Dining Room Located at The Hotel Hershey. Famous for its elegant dining experience. Contemporary American cuisine. Dress Code is business casual. No jeans or sneakers allowed. Sport Coats required for men.
- Iberian Lounge Located at The Hotel Hershey. Reminiscent of the exclusive men's lounge it once was. Great for nightly entertainment. Light fare menu.Dress Code is Resort Casual.
- Chef's Market Light meals and coffee and chocolate.
- Poolside Enjoy light fare menu or drinks poolside. Only open seasonally.
Hershey Lodge
- The Bears Den Located at Hershey Lodge. A sports themed restaurant with 28 TVs so you can watch any possible sports game on at the time you are dining. Features appetizers, sandwiches, entrees, and desserts. Dress Code is casual.
- Hershey Grill Located at Hershey Lodge. Contemporary feel featuring seafood, steak, and pasta. Children's menu is available. Extensive wine list. Dress Code is resort casual.
Eat Fire & Grain
Breakfast and Dinner only. Traditional comfort foods with a new flair. Features a full-service bar. Dress Code is resort casual.
Drink
- Hershey Grill Has an extensive wine list.
- The Bears Den Features a full bar.
- Iberian Lounge Premium Spirits.
- Tröegs Brewery Craft Brewery with an upscale snack bar.
Sleep
Stay The Hotel Hershey
There are 4 different restaurants to eat in within the hotel. Features The Chocolate Spa, a spa with chocolate themed treatment names to relax you after a long day at the park. There is also a three hole practice golf course. Fitness center, pools, sports and recreation available. Cocoa Kids club available for children.
Stay Hershey Lodge
West Chocolate Av. at University Dr., 717-533-3311. A resort that caters to the kids. Kids have their own check in desk and Hershey characters often make appearances. Four restaurants and three other food related options for those not wanting to have a sit-down restaurant experience. Guests can use the spa at The Hotel Hershey.
Stay safe
If you have an Emergency, call 911.
Go next
Nearby destinations suitable for day trips include:
- Allentown — Pennsylvania's third largest city is feisty and rich in tradition.
- Gettysburg — Explore Civil War country.
- Harrisburg — Explore the Capital of Pennsylvania.
- Lancaster — Explore Amish country.
- York — Explore Central PA country.
Nearby
Hummelstown
City / town · 2 listings · 3 mi away
Middletown
City / town · 9 listings · 7 mi away
Grantville
City / town · 4 listings · 8 mi away
Elizabethtown
City / town · 10 listings · 9 mi away
Mount Gretna
City / town · 3 listings · 10 mi away
Harrisburg
City / town · 56 listings · 12 mi away
Lebanon
City / town · 13 mi away
Camp Hill
City / town · 44 listings · 15 mi away
My experience
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