Best Things To Do In Hershey Pennsylvania
One of our favorite areas that we have visited in our Fleetwood Tioga RV is Lancaster County in Pennsylvania. In particular, we really enjoyed the town of Hershey PA, and found that there are tons of awesome things to do in Hershey.
If you’re planning a trip to Pennsylvania with your RV, we highly recommend a stop in this adorable town. Learn about the unusual history of the place, enjoy the amazing food (and chocolate, of course) offered here, and have a blast exploring the family-friendly attractions.
Best of all, you’ll find lots of amazing places to park your RV nearby while you enjoy all the Hershey attractions!
Hersheypark Is a Fantastic 1st Stop
Whether you prefer riding thrill rides such as the super tall Skyrush at Hersheypark roller coaster, meeting the friendly candy bar characters, or checking out the many Hersheypark rides for young children and families, Hersheypark has something for you. In fact, this is one of America’s absolute favorite theme parks, and once you experience it, you’re bound to understand why.
Be sure to check out the video below before your visit to Hersheypark for some awesome tips! Our number one tip? Look at the Hersheypark map to get an idea of what you want to see and do before you arrive.
https://youtu.be/9K8R8GLQOo8
Hershey’s Chocolate World
Another one of the best things to do in Hershey, PA? Visit Hershey’s Chocolate World! There are no fees to enter this attraction, making it a great pick for families on a budget. That said, the interior is an absolutely enormous Hershey gift shop with every kind of Hershey candy in existence, so you will need to be prepared to spend some money.
Other fun things found in Hershey’s Chocolate World include a chance to invent your own chocolate bar, watch a 4D movie, buy delicious Hershey’s ice cream, and experience a chocolate tasting.
Our favorite thing to do at this candy oasis though? Ride the free dark ride that uses fun characters to explain the chocolate-making process. Don’t forget to grab a free sample at the end of the ride!
ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park
ZooAmerica is another favorite Hershey, PA attraction. This is a smaller zoo, but we love that it focuses only on North American animals, making it a more unique zoo experience.
Animals found here include the common vampire bat, the gray wolf, and the American alligator. The zookeepers are very knowledgeable and love to answer questions about their animal friends.
Admission to this zoo can be purchased on its own, but those who plan to visit Hersheypark can also access ZooAmerica from inside of the theme park at no additional charge. Just keep in mind that you will be spending some of your amusement park time to see the zoo, something that may or may not give you the best bang for your buck.
https://youtu.be/yziFsG90OXI
Stroll Through The Hershey Gardens
Originally created in 1937 when Milton Hershey himself requested a “nice garden of roses”, Hershey Gardens is an absolutely beautiful place to take a stroll, learn about plants, and soak up the sun.
The gardens include seasonal displays and themed gardens. The indoor Butterfly Atrium is popular with guests of all ages. Meanwhile, young visitors absolutely adore the Children’s Garden where they can have fun playing in the beauty of the well-tended greenery. Another spot that kids love? The Zoology Zone, where they can see an assortment of small animals.
One could easily spend half a day at Hershey Gardens. That said, if you love gardens and you have the time, you might want to give yourself a full day to see it all.
Get The Dark Secrets At The Hershey Story Museum
My family really loves a good niche museum, and in our eyes The Hershey Story Museum was just that. This awesome spot follows the life of Milton Hershey from his childhood through to his death. It outlines how and when his chocolate was born and how he ended up founding an entire town.
One of the best things about this particular museum was that the information was presented in a way that was incredibly easy to follow and digest. Better yet, many of the exhibits had hands-on portions that kids just loved.
We spent several hours exploring The Hershey Story Museum, but you could probably spend more or less, depending on your interest level.
Start At The Hershey History Center
We have yet to make it to Hershey History Center, but we hear it presents much of the same information that the Hershey Story Museum does, but with more focus on the creation and history of the town itself.
It seems this is a very small museum and most people only spend an hour or two exploring the place. That said, they do have a cute little hands-on section for kids and it is inexpensive. It would definitely be a good addition to your trip if you’re only looking to fill a couple of hours and want to learn more about this adorable town!
For Something Other Than Chocolate, Visit The Antique Automobile Club of America Museum
Want a break from all things chocolate? Head to the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum. This is one of the top-rated automobile museums in the country, and is a spot you’ll want to see if you have any interest in cars.
Exhibits include all kinds of unique and interesting vehicles, making them incredibly fun to wander and explore. Some of the most fun pieces include the bus from Forrest Gump and some fully restored Tucker automobiles. The old-fashioned diner replica is pretty incredible as well!
You could spend anywhere from 1–3 hours checking this spot out, and we think it is well worth the cost of admission.
For A More Active Group, Enjoy Adventure Sports Family Entertainment
Another great place to take a break from the chocolate-related attractions is Adventure Sports Family Entertainment. Here, you can have some good old-fashioned fun with the family!
Attractions at this park include adorable go-karts that are tons of fun to drive, as well as some super silly bumper boats. The mini golf course is well-themed, unique, and incredibly well maintained, and the outdoor laser tag is an extra-fun take on the usual laser tag attractions out there.
Other options include batting cages, an arcade, a driving range, and mini escape rooms.
Get Some Great Deals At Tanger Outlets
Want to get some shopping in while on vacation? The Tanger Outlets (often referred to as the “Hershey outlets”) are the perfect spot to do just that.
This outdoor mall plays host to a wide variety of shops, including several shoe stores such as Famous Footwear and Reebok, and plenty of places to shop for new clothes such as Rue21, Polo Ralph Lauren, Old Navy Outlet, Levi’s Outlet, and Gap Outlet.
Looking for gifts? Be sure to head to the Yankee Candle Co. outlet store found here. Meanwhile, those with kids (and kids at heart) will want to check out the Disney Outlet.
Check Out The New RV Models At The Hershey RV Show
Finally, we absolutely must mention the Hershey PA, RV Show, which takes place each year in mid-September. Obviously, this is an event and not a year-round attraction. That said, it is one of the best RV shows in the country and it definitely attracts plenty of RV enthusiasts when it’s going on.
Whether you’re a window shopper or an individual who is actually looking to buy an RV, you will find some fun things to look at at the Hershey, Pennsylvania RV Show. In fact, we’d even go so far as to recommend planning your trip around this event so you can check out the enormous number of RVs on display while it’s going on.
Just be sure to make your Hershey, Pennsylvania Campground reservations early so you aren’t without a place to park!
Where to Eat in Hershey PA That Isn’t Chocolate
Obviously, you will need to eat during your time in Hershey. Fortunately, there are tons of excellent food options around, and below are a handful of our favorites!
Tröegs Independent Brewing
If you’re a fan of trying new beers, you’re going to love Tröegs Independent Brewing. Honestly, even if you aren’t a beer person, this is a great local restaurant with an interesting and fun menu that you’re sure to love.
The Chocolate Avenue Grill
Looking for a low-key yet delicious meal? The Chocolate Avenue Grill serves up many different types of food, most with a unique twist. The restaurant is also located right by all the main Hershey attractions, making it a convenient place to go.
Duck Donuts
Finally, there is Duck Donuts. If you love donuts, be sure to swing by this shop where you can customize your own donut and have it created right before your eyes. Keep in mind, this is a chain business so you might be able to find more of these shops during your travels.
Where to Stay
Wondering where to stay while visiting the area? Lucky for you, there are tons of campgrounds near Hershey, Pennsylvania. Book a Hershey, Pennsylvania campground from this list and you are sure to enjoy your stay.
Hersheypark Camping Resort
Located on Hersheypark property, this is the official campground for Hersheypark. It is incredibly well maintained with all of the amenities you’d expect. On top of that, guests of this resort recieve free shuttle service to the park as well as extra hours at the theme park.
Hershey Road Campground
A lovely family campground that is located about 15 minutes from Hershey attractions, Hershey Road Campground is a wonderful place to stay. Here, you’ll find full-hookup sites, well-maintained bathhouses, a pool, mini golf course, playground, and fishing pond, and plenty of organized activities.
Hershey RV and Camping Resort
Located a little further from the many things to do in Hershey, Hershey RV and Camping Resort is another great pick. This park is clean and well maintained, and plays host to a variety of fun activities during the summer months. A pool and playground are available for guest use, and all sites have full hookups.
Don’t have an RV of your own? Rent an RV near Hershey, PA!
PS – Hershey, PA Weather: When to Visit
Not sure when to visit Hershey? As mentioned before, planning your trip around the Hershey RV Show in mid-September is one great option. Other than that, we recommend checking out Hershey, PA weather averages to get a feel for when you might want to check out this amazing town.
Generally, people like to visit sometime between March and November. This is because the months December through February are cold and snowy in this part of the country. That said, March and November have been known to see some snow as well, and the mid-summer months can get really hot. Therefore, we feel the very best times to visit are April, May, September, and October.
Clearly, there are plenty of things to do in Hershey, PA. Which awesome Hershey attraction will you head to first?