Having lived in Hershey PA for several years my family and I truly love all things Hershey, and since we don’t live there anymore we make sure to head to Hershey a few times a year. For the past couple of years we have taken the kids to Hershey for Christmas in Hershey and I can truly say that it is one of my favorite places to visit with the family.
A Hershey Park Christmas adventure is on that your entire family will love!
Hershey has an outstanding attention to detail and everywhere you turn in the park you see twinkling lights, hear Christmas carols and everything is clean and fresh. This year we went on a Thursday night so there were no crowds at all, we were literally walking up and getting on rides. While not all rides are open (the roller coasters are all shut down) there are more than 30 rides open so there is something for everyone.
Make sure to visit Hershey Sweet Lights, where more than 600 illuminated, animated displays from the comfort of your car as you drive through two miles of wooded trails.
Planning on staying overnight? I have stayed at both the Hershey Lodge and the Hershey Hotel. Both of them offer state of the art amenities, great big comfortable beds and outstanding services. If you are looking for more kid amenities, such as a game room etc and character meet and greets then the Lodge is your best option. If you are looking to be pampered, want a bit more upscale experience they make sure to check out the Hotel Hershey–and the Hershey Spa!
Hershey is so much more than just an amusement park however. Be sure to head to Chocolate World, at the entrance of Hersheypark, and take in the 4-D show. This truly is so much fun, my kids love how you can smell, hear and feel the show. When the show is over, head over to the chocolate tour, where every ride ends sweetly with a piece of chocolate. Finally, make sure to head over and check out the Hershey’s® Holiday Chocolate House. It is a large gingerbread style house fashioned out of Hershey’s candy…it is so cool!
The Hershey Gardens may not seem like a logical choice for a winter visit but this is a can’t miss. The absolute best view of Hershey can be had from the Gardens. Be sure to visit the Children’s Garden, where you can see the dancing pig and stand on the kid sized sundial. Visit the Bonsai tree exhibit and stroll the grounds.
Want to learn more about the town of Hershey—like why it is called Hershey but is really named Derry Township? Want to thrill your little ones with an authentic trolley ride? Want a chocolaty snack? Then be sure to hop on the Hershey Trolley for a 35 minute tour of Hershey. Your kids will love this ride and many an infant has been lulled to sleep from the gentle swaying of the trolley.
After your trolley ride head over to the brand-new Hershey Museum a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the life and legacy of the founder of the Hershey empire—Milton Hershey. Learn about his life and his failures in the chocolate world before his great success—the Hershey Bar. Learn about his legacy—not just of chocolate but of his school for underprivileged children– called the Milton Hershey School.
There is truly something for everyone in Hershey PA!
Make sure to check out my Hershey PA page for more information!
Disclosure: I was given tickets to Hershey Park and Sweet Lights to facilitate my review but my opinions are 100% mine.
I love the Sweet Lights. It was one of the first things we did on our first Christmas in Pennsylvania. It’s just so much fun. Can’t wait for Christmas!
Thanks for stopping by! Sweet Lights is so fun fun, I agree, and it really puts you in the holiday mood!!