Hershey, Pa., is one of those rare and magical towns, whose name is synonymous with the finest of life’s pleasures — fun, chocolate and variety.
First-time visitors are completely enthralled with magnificent flower gardens along streets lined with old trees and light poles in the shape and color of the iconic Hershey Kiss. Seasoned visitors know that each year brings with it several new attractions to explore.
Less than a two-hour ride north of Washington and rated the “#1 Amusement Park in the Northeast” by FamilyFun Magazine, Hersheypark, boasts 65 rides in several themed areas featuring mild rides alongside the wilder ones.
“This enables a family or group to travel through the park together with some more daring participants getting on a roller coaster while the younger members of the group enjoy a kiddie ride right next door,” said Mindy Bianca, public relations director of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts.
Wild rides at Hersheypark include 11 roller coasters, the newest being the Fahrenheit. This vertical lift inverted loop coaster ascends 121 feet before plummeting down a 97-degree drop.
Maybe not for everyone, but Bianca points out that one admission price allows guests access to three park components.
“There are the rides and attractions [visitors] have grown up knowing and loving, the new water-play area within the park, which is called the Boardwalk at Hersheypark, and ZooAmerica, an 11-acre walk-through zoo,” she said.
And then, there is the park entertainment — 15 shows, six of which are brand new this year.
“The shows range from performances inside the Chevrolet Music Box Theatre … to strolling musicians [and] jugglers,” said Rachel Dinbokowitz of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts. “And new this year, the performers from Hersheypark will take their show on the road and entertain guests throughout Hershey, including stops at the Hotel Hershey, Highmeadow Campground and Hershey Country Club.”
The Hotel Hershey, having just finished its Grand Expansion this past winter, now showcases a year-round ice skating rink and a heated outdoor aquatic complex.
“It’s an easy drive up here and there are a lot of different things to do in addition to the park,” said Kathy Burrows, Hershey’s press manager. “‘We have Chocolate World, the Visitors Center and ZooAmerica, which is open year-round.”
New this year, Hershey Gardens will host “A Star-Spangled Picnic,” an event that allows guests to visit the gardens and enjoy an exclusive American cookout and reserved spot in the parking lot which provides an optimal view of Hersheypark fireworks.
