Hersheypark is an amusement park, water park and zoo on more than 100 acres at 100 Hersheypark Dr in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Milton S. Hershey built it as a leisure ground for his chocolate factory workers, and it now draws families from far outside the state. The park has more than a dozen roller coasters, from the 1946 wooden Comet to the 210-foot Candymonium, plus mild rides and kiddie rides for younger children. Summer admission includes The Boardwalk water park, and the ticket also covers ZooAmerica. Plan on a full day.
From factory leisure ground to theme park
Hersheypark began in the early 1900s as part of Milton S. Hershey's plan for his chocolate factory and model town. It was meant as a place for employees to relax, and the first facilities were simple: picnic pavilions, slides, swings, see-saws, a dance pavilion and a baseball diamond. Lighted walkways and structures ran on power from the factory next door. Visitors soon began arriving by train and trolley to see the model town.
The park opened to the public early on. Its first roller coaster, the Wild Cat, arrived in 1923, and the Comet replaced it in 1946. The park was called Hershey Park until 1970. It is now privately owned by Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company and sits about 15 miles east of Harrisburg and 95 miles west of Philadelphia.
The roller coasters
Hersheypark has the largest coaster collection in the Northeast, with more than a dozen to choose from. The Comet is the oldest one still running, a wooden coaster known for its airtime hills. The sooperdooperLooper was the first modern looping coaster on the East Coast. Lightning Racer is a dueling, racing coaster, and Laff Trakk is an indoor coaster that glows and spins.
For the biggest rides, head to Skyrush, which is considered one of the most intense coasters in the country. Candymonium is the tallest and fastest in the park at 210 feet and a top speed of 76 mph. It is a Bolliger & Mabillard hyper coaster with seven camelback hills. Wildcat's Revenge is the park's first hybrid coaster, and Jolly Rancher Remix is a newer ride themed around candy flavors.
Not every ride is built for thrills. The park also has a Ferris wheel and more than 20 kiddie rides spread around the grounds, and a carousel with hand-carved wooden horses. Rides can close for weather or maintenance.
The Boardwalk water park and ZooAmerica
The Boardwalk is an 11-acre water park with more than 16 attractions. It has a wave pool, a lazy river, water playgrounds and a number of slides. Breakers Edge is a hydromagnetic water coaster with flying saucer turns, and Whitecap Racer is a six-lane mat racing slide. The Boardwalk is part of the summer admission and runs only in the warm months, so the park's calendar shows when it opens each year.
ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park is also covered by the same ticket and is home to hundreds of animals. It is smaller than a typical city zoo, which makes it a quiet stop away from the rides. You enter it from inside Hersheypark, over a bridge in the Kissing Tower Hill area near the Triple Towers. Some of the animals can also be seen from the monorail.
Chocolatetown, food and photo stops
Chocolatetown is the park's newer area, with shops, chocolate-inspired restaurants and Candymonium. The Chocolatier restaurant is part of it. Its bar is built like a carousel, some tables are styled as ride seats, and a light fixture traces the park's coaster outlines. Appetizers come in a Ferris wheel replica. Elsewhere in the park, funnel cake and kettle popcorn are popular snacks.
For photos, look for the Chocolate & Cocoa Avenue lamp post in Midway and the height measurement station where families track how much their children have grown. The roaming life-size Hershey candy bar characters are easy to spot around the park.
Through the year
Hersheypark runs a daily summer season, and opens on selected days in spring, fall and winter. Spring Weekends come first, followed by the summer season with the Boardwalk. Hersheypark Halloween, with its Dark Nights evenings, comes in autumn. Christmas Candylane in November and December brings holiday lights, shows, visits from Santa and a display of reindeer. The operator publishes the calendar date by date, so check it before you plan around a particular ride or the water park.
Perguntas frequentes
Is there an entry fee for Hersheypark?
Yes, Hersheypark requires a ticket, and buying in advance is recommended. The ticket also covers ZooAmerica and, in summer, The Boardwalk water park. Current prices are on the park's website.
How long do you need at Hersheypark?
Plan on a full day. The park has rides, a water park, a zoo, shows and food, and lines on the big coasters can be long on busy days.
Is the water park included in admission?
Yes, The Boardwalk is part of summer admission. It operates only in the warm months, so check the park's calendar for opening dates.
How do you get to ZooAmerica?
Enter through Hersheypark and cross the bridge in the Kissing Tower Hill area, near the Triple Towers. Hersheypark tickets cover the zoo.
Is parking free at Hersheypark?
No, the park has a paid parking lot. A parking pass bought the day before your visit costs less than paying on arrival.
