Just treats, no tricks
Fifteen miles east of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the streets are lined with silver “KISS” lamp posts and the smell of chocolate permeates the air. The small fourteen and a half mile town bears the name of it’s founder, humanitarian and philanthropist, Milton S. Hershey. Welcome to Hershey, Pennsylvania, the “sweetest place on earth.”
Mr. Hershey originally opened his Hershey Park in 1907 as a place for workers and residents of the factory town to enjoy with their families. A large expanse of landscaped ground allowed for picnicking, as well as boating and canoeing on Spring Creek. In 1908 rides and attractions started to be added, beginning with a merry-go-round with a menagerie of animals, 50 feet in diameter.
Now, over 100 years later, Mr. Hershey’s dream has become a sweet place for families everywhere. This delightful amusement park, now known as Hersheypark, charms and treats families with more than seventy amusements, 14 coasters, a water park, and a bigger historic carousel placed in 1919. Entrance to the park also includes admission to ZooAmerica which houses more than 200 animals that are native to North America. Just outside the park entrance there is also Hershey’s Chocolate World, complete with a tour, that is open and free year round.
But in October, the lights go out and it’s time for Hersheypark In The Dark, a fun and family time for Halloween. Every weekend from October 18-November 3, the lights are down and the thrills are up! More than 50 attractions are running, including the classic Scrambler and the Kissing Tower, as well as some coasters racing in the dark! Spooky Halloween music, Thriller, The Monster Mash and the Addams Family theme song are just some of the sounds of the season that fill the park. And if you’re over by the Ampitheater, you might even be lucky enough to see the Screaming Mummies take the stage and they’ll teach you to Walk Like an Egyptian.
The park is full of roaming candy characters decked out in their costumes for Halloween. Picture opportunities abound for young and old alike with these lovable friends in their masks and capes. Although the park offers photo packages, they are happy to let you take your own photos as well. Plus there is a Glow Dance party at the Midway each night where you can get down with all your candy friends.
And since no Halloween would be complete without a little tricks or treats, you can see the kiddos line up in costumes from itty bitty to age 12 to collect some delicious Hershey’s candy in their very own souvenir bag. The Trick or Treat Trail winds its way through the park with thirteen stops of fun, ending at ZooAmerica where you can say hello to the Creatures of the Night. Be sure to bring your flashlight!
For the older kids in your crew, there is also Hops and Harvest, proudly serving fall brews and cider flights at the Yuengling Patio. Yuengling has been proudly made in nearby Pottsville, PA since 1873, making it America’s oldest brewery. Be sure to try the new, iconic Hershey Porter for a limited time! And don’t miss out on one of our already known favorites, cider by Wyndridge Farm…the farm with the dapper scarfed fox.
Special menus are offered here from the Spring Creek Smokehouse, a different offering each weekend. Treat your taste buds to Oktoberfest, Dutch Fest and Barbecue Fest, featuring bratwurst, apple dumplings, and ribs with baked beans respectively.
But would it really be the sweetest place on earth if it didn’t first appeal to your sweet tooth? Have no fear! Chocolate and sugar in all their glory are all around you! What about s’mores kicked up a notch? Sure you can have graham crackers, but you can also have chocolate chip cookies with marshmallow and peanut butter cups. Or what about a chocolate funnel cake covered in chocolate syrup and crumbled peanut butter cup?! ***TIP – make sure you grab plenty of napkins for these delectable confectionery creations! We know this from personal experience!
And no trip to Hershey or Hersheypark would be complete without a visit to Chocolate World. It opened in 1973 because the factory could no longer accommodate the large number of visitors for it’s chocolate making tour. Since then, millions of patrons have passed through it’s doors. The free simulated tour on a An Endless Transit System-style dark ride which has seen numerous updates and upgrades through the years.
You get to see how cocoa beans are transformed into luscious milk chocolate, and even get to sample the finish products at the end…which is really just a tease as you exit into the expansive retail store with clothing, souvenirs, and all of their candy offerings in everything from minis to a 5-lb Hershey Bar.
You can also create your own candy bar and watch…I suppose live…a 4-D movie for an additional ticket cost. Or if you want to learn a little more about the town, grab a ticket on the Trolley Works. They leave every 10 minutes from the entrance and let you explore with a sightseeing and historical adventure. And if you still have any room in your belly after all that chocolate, stop buy the food court and the bakery. Their decadent one of a kind cupcakes are a great idea with a cup of coffee the morning after! ***Consider that another tip! 😉
We were lucky enough this time around to share our trip to the sweetest place on earth with some of the sweetest people we know, as some of our kiddos tagged along. I think that Mr. Milton would be happy to see how much people enjoy his vision and the many families that enjoy their time together. Go visit the Park after Dark. And remember to comment here or tag us on Facebook or Instagram to share your fun!
