There is time for one more outing before the young ones start the new school year. Hershey is a great destination for the whole family. The story of Hershey is fascinating. Milton Hershey established a company town that had the workers in mind, not to milk them of their pay so they “owed their soul to the company store” but he created a model community that included housing, schools, church, and parks. Interestingly, fate took a hand in this. He did not use the ticket he purchased on the Titanic. Learn more about the man, the candy empire he founded, and the model town he created, and the Kiss through a variety of exhibits, artifacts, and more.
Learn about the town on the Hershey Trolley. The journey begins in front of the Hershey’s Chocolate World. Don’t be surprised if your conductor breaks into song and stops to pick up some “characters!” It is old-fashioned fun and an informative trip through the town built on chocolate for people of all ages.
Most people head to Hershey’s Chocolate World, the official
visitor’s center of The Hershey Company, to learn about chocolate making, take a Chocolate Making Tour Ride, and you may meet with Peppermint Patty or some other character. It is free but they have fun things that are not free: 4-D Mystery Theater, chocolate bar making, and chocolate tasting.
For thrills and chills head to Hershey Park with all-out, non-stop family fun. It is called the “cleanest and greenest theme park in America” with more than 60 rides and attractions, including 10 exciting coasters, six drenching water rides, and more. Plus live entertainment, challenging games of skill, one-of-a-kind shops, and irresistible food. There are several water fun
activities plus Zoo America where visitors can walk through five regions of North America. The Zoo can be included in the Hershey Park ticket but there is way too much to do in one day.
If rides, water, and critters are not what visitors have in mind then stop to smell the roses. Hershey Gardens is a 23-acre botanical treasure on the rolling hillside not far from the Hotel Hershey. Hershey Gardens opened in 1937 and expanded to its current 23 acres by 1942. The tradition continues today with themed gardens, spectacular seasonal displays, beautiful rare trees, an amazing outdoor Butterfly House, 7,000 breathtaking roses, and much more!
The Hotel Hershey Spa provides the ultimate in chocolate luxury: you can soak in a chocolate bath, get a chocolate scrub, followed by a chocolate wrap, and top it off with a chocolate martini or one of the hotel’s signature chocolate coffees.
John and I were most impressed with The Milton Hershey
School, another of Mr. Hershey's legacy. He and his wife opened the school in 1909 to care for orphan boys. Now it's open to boys and girls that come from a life of disadvantage. It is supported by Hershey Entertainment and Resorts and the Hershey Food Company. The state of the art resident school is free and includes everything from clothing to medical care. Amazing.
There are plenty of places to stay in the area including Hershey Camping Resort. Hershey Lodge is family-friendly but if it is luxury you are looking for then the historic Hershey Hotel is the place. They often offer package that include admission to Hershey Park and other perks. There are several non-Hershey owned accommodations nearby.
There is time for one more outing before the young ones start the new school year. Hershey is a great destination for the whole family. The story of Hershey is fascinating. Milton Hershey established a company town that had the workers in mind, not to milk them of their pay so they “owed their soul to the company store” but he created a model community that included housing, schools, church, and parks. Interestingly, fate took a hand in this. He did not use the ticket he purchased on the Titanic. Learn more about the man, the candy empire he founded, and the model town he created, and the Kiss through a variety of exhibits, artifacts, and more. 
The Hotel Hershey Spa provides the ultimate in chocolate luxury: you can soak in a chocolate bath, get a chocolate scrub, followed by a chocolate wrap, and top it off with a chocolate martini or one of the hotel’s signature chocolate coffees.
