Trip to Hershey (Harrisburg, Parkside, Elysburg: amusement parks, buy, construction)

[Rosanne]

I have some guests coming for the week of July 4th and we would like to go to Hershey. Is Hershey Park the only thing to do there? I see it's kind of expensive to get into, and I didn't realize that it's an amusement park, kind of like Six Flags. Is that our only option, or are there other things to do there?

[DowntownHarrisburg]

Hi! You might want to try posting this in the Harrisburg forum, since Hershey is basically next door to Harrisburg.

Hershey has a free "experience" ride (Hershey's Chocolate World) that is sort of iconic among the locals. It's iconic because it's as kitschy and touristy as they come -- but it's free. It shows you a (simulated) behind-the-scenes tour of how chocolate products are made. Singing cows included. There's also Zoo America, which isn't free but IIRC is cheaper than Hersheypark.

Next door to Hersheypark is a medium-sized outlet plaza. Ask anyone in town where the outlets are. I believe they're along 743. People park here to watch the fireworks for free, but be warned -- traffic will be a nightmare.

Hollywood Casino is a small casino on 743, a mile or two north of I-81. It's probably 10-15 minutes from Hershey. Though if you're concerned about cost, the last place you probably want to go is a casino.

There are a number of decent restaurants in Hershey -- Parkside Cafe is wildly popular as a dive bar with great food.

Be aware that Hershey is going to be absolutely gridlocked for pretty much the entire July 4th weekend. I can't stress this enough. Be prepared to spend an hour or more getting into and out of the park, plus another hour or two getting to an Interstate. I am not exaggerating. Do not, under any circumstances, expect to take 422 or 322 anywhere. If you hit the town, your best bet BY FAR is to take I-78 to 743 or 39.

The city of Harrisburg also has a fireworks display along the Susquehanna River. Riverfront Park, a five-mile park along Front Street, will fill to capacity with spectators. It's usually a decent show. While you're in town, there's the state museum, Restaurant Row (a line of well-used bars and restaurants along Second St), free tours at Troegs Brewery, Senators baseball, mini-golf on City Island ... it all really depends on what you feel like doing.

If I were going to hit up an amusement park on Fourth of July, I'd probably head to Knoebels near Elysburg. It's free to park, free to get in, and both the rides and food are very reasonably priced. You will see some crowds and traffic congestion, but nowhere near the scale of Hersheypark. Knoebels is also in a wooded area, so it's got a very rustic, "county fair" feel to it.

Was there anything specific you had in mind? Are you looking for nightlife? Amusement parks? Historic walking trails? Shopping? Family-friendly? Sports? Live music? Wildlife? If you can narrow it down, we can make some more helpful suggestions.

[Lehigh Valley Native]

Originally Posted by Rosanne

I have some guests coming for the week of July 4th and we would like to go to Hershey. Is Hershey Park the only thing to do there? I see it's kind of expensive to get into, and I didn't realize that it's an amusement park, kind of like Six Flags. Is that our only option, or are there other things to do there?

Hershey park makes one day passes extremely expensive. I like to think they do this to keep out inner city bus tours(which makes going to dorney absolute hell in mid summer) but who knows.
You can buy two day tickets for about seventy bucks, so if you want to go back later in the summer, that might be worthwhile.

Giant grocery stores in the past had sold tickets to Hershey park at a substantial savings over gate prices.

Hershey park is indeed a full amusement park, with some of the best coasters on the east coast, water park with wave pools and slides, and a small zoo.

I don't believe it has been mentioned, but Hershey also has Hershey gardens, and the Hershey museum, as well as an auto museum.

If you have small kids with you, nearby in Harrisburg is a kids museum with an IMAX an a lot of hands on exhibits for the kids. I believe it's called the Whittaker center for science and arts.

[DowntownHarrisburg]

Originally Posted by Lehigh Valley Native

If you have small kids with you, nearby in Harrisburg is a kids museum with an IMAX an a lot of hands on exhibits for the kids. I believe it's called the Whittaker center for science and arts.

Ah yes. Forgot all about Whitaker, and it's a block from my front door! Whitaker's kids' museum is pretty awesome for kids.

[Dawne]

If you have a Giant grocery store near you they offer discounted tickets for Hersheypark. I believe you can still enter the zoo from the park for free, as it's included in the park admission price. I think our local Giant had adult tickets priced at $38 and kids around $32 for a one-day pass.

[Rosanne]

Thanks everyone for the information.

[ki0eh]

Hershey's Chocolate World has the free tour ride, the candy store (not discounted but you can get rare things there as long as The Hershey Co. makes them for USA sale), and also add on things for extra cost such as Create Your Own Candy Bar (everyone who goes in there to watch has to pay though). If you are going only to Chocolate World you can go to a separate parking area off to the left, and not have to pay the full price day parking in the main parking lot in Hersheypark off to the right. This is best for early morning because it fills up quickly on a busy weekend.

The Hershey Story museum has relocated downtown with an adjacent free parking ramp, signed "intermodal parking" off US 422/Chocolate Ave. You could walk over to Chocolate World from there by taking the enclosed overpass over the railroad and turning left at the bus corral. There are also shuttle buses but walking on the 4th of July weekend might be faster. Chocolate World does have a food court but there are some better sit down places such as the mid-upscale chains Houlihan's and Devon Seafood Grill, and the independently owned Chocolate Avenue Grill. The area where the museum is is referred to as "downtown" Hershey but one might expect more to be there calling it that.

It is also possible to enter the zoo for a separate lower charge not through Hersheypark. The zoo focuses on North American animals, you will find river otters but not elephants. The zoo parking lot is mostly taken up by construction, the intermodal parking ramp downtown is maybe a better bet if you don't mind walking a couple of blocks over to the zoo.

[Lehigh Valley Native]

Does anyone know when the chocolate store in Hershey world stopped selling discounted chocolate? Last year we were down between thanksgiving and Christmas and they had a ton of chocolate covered pretzel tins in thanksgiving designs for half price as well as other assorted discounted items. This year after Valentines day, nothing. Maybe we just got lucky that day?

Also, I love Hershey, especially for everything the school does for the kids, but the make your own chocolate bar is such a tourist rip off. What makes it horrible is everyone has to pay to get in. I don't want to make a chocolate bar, my kid does!!! I'll stop ranting now.

[Icy Tea]

I miss the old Hershey. Going through the actual candy factory years ago was incredible( even to a kid). The free factory experience ride is nice but nowhere near as interesting. I think the Hershey museum was being moved or renovated but it might be open again.
They're cutting back actual candy making and shipping production to Mexico and the Hershey board of directors only care about money and in some cases their own financial well being. I just don't think Hershey would be happy with whats been allowed to happen to his company. Its a shame he had no family to leave the company to try to keep it like it was.
Its a nice amusement park and there are shows and other things for adults to see. They also re did their water park and its highly rated.

[Ohiogirl81]

I love the zoo at Hershey. If you're a zoo member elsewhere, you may be able to get in at a reduced price, or free.

Hershey Gardens is worth the admission price, too.

Originally Posted by Icy Tea

I miss the old Hershey. Going through the actual candy factory years ago was incredible( even to a kid).

I can still see -- and smell! -- those big vats of chocolate with the mechanical stirrers. I remember wanting to dive right in. And they gave you a full-size Hershey bar on your way out, too, not some teeny morsel (although you can go through the ride at Chocolate World as many times as you want! LOL).