Hershey for the Holidays
/Fun Fact! I’ve been to Hershey, PA about 20 times in my life yet I know very little about Hersheypark. Why? Because all but just one of my visits to Hershey have occurred in the month of December and Pennsylvania isn’t usually hot and humid in December.
Cool temps notwithstanding, Hershey puts on quite a show during the holiday season and it’s a cute little place to celebrate (and in my family’s case) extend the holiday spirit for a few more days.
The Sweetest Place on Earth
Hersheypark may get all of of the buzz but the best thing about Hershey, PA by a long shot is all of the Hershey CHOCOLATE. Yes, the company founded by Milton Hershey well over a century ago makes some of the most well known sweets in the country - from the standard Hershey Bar to my personal favorite, Reese’s Pieces - not too far from your house. In Hershey, PA, there are mementos of the Hershey Company everywhere - even the street lamps lining Chocolate Avenue are shaped like Hershey Kisses.
The absolute best place to celebrate all things Hershey Chocolate while in town is at Hershey’s Chocolate World. A huge indoor complex right next door to Hersheypark, Hershey’s Chocolate World is heaven for anyone who likes chocolate (aka EVERYONE).
Just like its sister spots in places like Times Square, Chocolate World contains a ginourmous boutique selling every kind of Hershey food and branded product imaginable. It’s a ton of fun to walk through the boutique and stock up on chocolate while you’re there. BUT the Hershey, PA Chocolate World is far more than just a store.
Chocolate World has changed a lot since my visits as a child and today, it is made up some awesome attractions. The most popular/Do Not Miss attraction is the adorable and FREE Hershey’s Chocolate Tour ride. This approximately 10 minute “people mover” style ride takes you on a fun journey to learn how Hershey’s Chocolate gets made. This ride will forever hold a piece of my heart. And bonus - you get a free piece of chocolate when the ride ends.
There are then several additional activities offered for a fee: an opportunity to create your own candy bar or stuff a Reeses cup with your own custom fixings, an interactive chocolate tasting show, and an interactive trolley ride through town.
Our “go to” move is to arrive at Chocolate World when it opens to avoid crowds and lines.
Pro Tip: If you plan on doing more than one paid attraction - and you should - buy the combo pack to save!
The Official Resorts of Hershey Go All Out For the Holidays
A big part of the fun of being in Hershey around Christmas is found at Hershey’s two branded resorts - the more casual and chaotic, Hershey Lodge, and the more luxe but still family oriented, Hershey Hotel.
The Lodge has an indoor pool complex called Hershey's Water Works that any kid will love. It also has a big indoor arcade and kid friendly resort dining options like the sports bar themed Bear’s Den and you’ll just generally see kids running around everywhere at the Lodge. It’s chaotic.
The Hotel is more subdued and luxurious but still incredibly welcoming to kids - it has an arcade, lots of kids’ activities and a nice indoor pool for colder weather. And for all the tired mamas, don’t skip a visit to the Spa at the Hotel Hershey and its signature chocolate treatments.
No matter which of the two Hershey resorts you pick, BOTH do it up for the holiday season. Think cookie decorating, crafts, character visits, scavenger hunts, chocolate bingo (HELL YES!), s'mores over the fire pit - the Hershey Lodge and Hershey Hotel are jam packed with holiday themed activities. It’s a ton of fun and you’ll run into families all over both hotels (including many parents wielding drinks from the hotels’ bars).
Don’t Worry, You Can Still Go to Hersheypark
On select dates during the holiday season, Hersheypark operates Christmas Candylane. Christmas Candylane is basically the park operating some of its rides plus a whole bunch of holiday lights and decorations, a visit from Santa and possibly some frostbite. Annoyingly, the entrance price is pretty step and we’re busy enough with the hotel’s activities, indoor pool and Chocolate World, so we skip.
If you prefer your Christmas lights without frostbite, consider instead going to the Hershey Sweet Lights - a drive through Christmas lights experience.
Other Fun Indoor Hershey Activities
Another super fun and easy indoor activity to do while in Hershey this winter is to catch a Hershey Bears game. This minor league hockey team affiliated with the Washington Capitals plays right in the center of town near Hersheypark. Games are easy to access and lots of fun.
And why not visit Troegs Independent Brewing while in the area. This Hershey, PA craft brewery is producing some nice brews and serving some of the best food in the area. The brewery is large and kid friendly.
And if you’re still finding you have time to spare, there’s the Hershey Story, an interactive museum detailing the history of Hershey’s Chocolate and its founder. In the lobby area of the museum you can also do a tasting of warm drinking chocolates from around the world.
Ice Cream Fans Can Have Their Fun, Too
Because we don’t take in enough sugar in Hershey, on our visit a few years ago, we decided to also stop by the Turkey Hill Experience, about 30 minutes away in Columbia, PA, while in the area. You can spend a few hours in this interactive museum that celebrates all things Turkey Hill ice cream. And, yes, it includes unlimited ice cream samples.
At about 3.5 hours from the NYC metro area, Hershey makes for a cute little family weekend away. And while most folks will save their visits for the warmer months when Hersheypark is in full swing, I will always cherish my family memories there in December.
This post was updated on December 30, 2022.
