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Hershey
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Hershey, Pennsylvania blends chocolate heritage, family attractions, gardens, live entertainment and small-town history in the heart of the Susquehanna Valley.

A Company Town with a Sweet Legacy

Hershey lies in central Pennsylvania, surrounded by the wooded hills and broad farmland of the Susquehanna Valley. Its identity is inseparable from Milton S. Hershey, whose milk-chocolate enterprise grew into the Hershey Company and shaped the town's streets, institutions and public spaces. Chocolate Avenue runs through the centre, while carefully planned neighbourhoods, mature trees and substantial civic buildings reflect the ambitions of a company town created in the early twentieth century.
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Attractions Beyond the Chocolate Bar

Chocolate remains the principal theme, but Hershey offers a varied cluster of attractions. Hershey's Chocolate World combines chocolate-making demonstrations, tastings and family-oriented activities, while The Hershey Story, Museum on Chocolate Avenue, places the founder and the company's development in historical context. Hersheypark adds a large amusement park, and Hershey Gardens provides a calmer setting of themed plantings, seasonal displays and a dedicated butterfly atrium. ZooAmerica links wildlife exhibits with the amusement-park complex.

Entertainment, Gardens and Local Character

The town's cultural life extends to Hershey Theatre, Hersheypark Stadium and the nearby Giant Center, which host concerts, sporting events and touring performances. Brewery culture is represented by Tröegs Independent Brewing, south of the main visitor precinct, while the surrounding countryside brings opportunities for scenic drives and rural Pennsylvania dining. Hershey is compact enough for visitors to combine its major attractions in a short stay, yet its civic architecture and chocolate-industry history reward slower exploration along Chocolate Avenue and through its older residential streets.

When is the best time to visit Hershey?

Best: June, August–September · 24–28°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January371
February466
March1181
April1684
May2194
June (best)2691
July2999
August (best)2897
September (best)2489
October1879
November1184
December676

Getting to and around Hershey

How to get there

Hershey is reached primarily by road, with Interstate 81, Interstate 76 and US Route 322 providing connections to Harrisburg, Lancaster and other parts of Pennsylvania. Harrisburg International Airport in Middletown is the nearest commercial airport, roughly a short drive south of Hershey, while larger airports in Philadelphia, Baltimore-Washington and the New York region provide additional options at greater distances. Amtrak trains serve Harrisburg, the nearest major rail station, from which visitors can continue by road transport. Long-distance bus and local regional services are centred more on Harrisburg than Hershey itself, so a taxi, rideshare or hired car may be needed for the final leg.

Transportation

A car is useful in Hershey because attractions, hotels and restaurants are spread between the Chocolate Avenue area, Hersheypark, Hershey Gardens and nearby commercial districts. The central visitor areas can be explored on foot once accommodation and parking are established, but distances and busy roads make walking between every attraction impractical for some travellers. Seasonal shuttles or resort transport may operate around major attractions, although arrangements vary. Taxis and rideshares can be available, but should not be assumed to have the frequency of a major city. Traffic increases during summer, holidays and large events, so allow extra time when moving between the park, venues and accommodation.

Best attractions in Hershey

Hershey's principal attractions cluster around chocolate, entertainment and gardens. Hershey's Chocolate World offers a theatrical introduction to chocolate production, interactive activities and extensive branded retail, while The Hershey Story, Museum on Chocolate Avenue explores Milton S. Hershey, the company town and the product's commercial history. Hersheypark provides the largest outdoor attraction, combining roller-coasters, family rides and seasonal water features, with ZooAmerica presenting North American wildlife alongside the park. Hershey Gardens is a gentler experience, with formal plantings, children's areas and the indoor Butterfly Atrium. For live entertainment, Hershey Theatre, Hersheypark Stadium and Giant Center host concerts, touring productions and sporting events at different times of year. The town's planned streets, Chocolate Avenue and nearby company-era buildings add an architectural dimension that is easy to overlook when focusing only on the amusement attractions.

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Best landmarks in Hershey

Hershey's landmarks reveal the ambitions of a planned company town. Chocolate Avenue is the most legible civic street, linking the town's commercial identity with buildings and public spaces associated with its early development. Hershey Theatre, opened in 1933, is a notable Mediterranean-inspired performance building whose interior and exterior express the period's theatrical civic architecture. The Hershey Story and nearby historic company buildings interpret the legacy of Milton S. Hershey, while the Hotel Hershey represents the resort dimension of the town's development. Hersheypark Stadium and Giant Center are later landmarks of mass entertainment, reflecting the community's transition from factory settlement to regional destination. Milton Hershey School is also central to the town's history, although its educational campus is an operating institution rather than an ordinary sightseeing site. Together, these places connect chocolate manufacturing, philanthropy, planned urbanism and modern entertainment.

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Explore Hershey on the map

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Best restaurants in Hershey

Hershey's dining scene is shaped by its visitor economy, Pennsylvania setting and chocolate identity. Around Chocolate Avenue and the Hersheypark area, restaurants range from casual family dining and cafés to more polished hotel and resort dining, with menus designed for visitors as well as local residents. Chocolate appears in desserts, drinks and seasonal specialities, while Pennsylvania influences are found in comfort food, baked goods and hearty American cooking. The wider Derry Township area adds independent restaurants, breweries and everyday eateries, including Tröegs Independent Brewing, whose Hershey production site combines craft beer with a substantial food offering. Hershey's Chocolate World provides confectionery demonstrations and chocolate-focused treats rather than a conventional restaurant district. Dining options can become especially busy during amusement-park seasons and concert evenings, so the atmosphere varies from relaxed local meals to family-oriented service around the main attractions.

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Best bars in Hershey

Hershey's evening scene is more centred on live entertainment, breweries and hotel hospitality than on a dense nightclub district. Tröegs Independent Brewing provides one of the area's most recognisable evening settings, with locally produced beer, food and a spacious public atmosphere. Hotel lounges and restaurant bars around the resort and Chocolate Avenue areas offer quieter drinks, while concerts at Hershey Theatre, Hersheypark Stadium and Giant Center give the town much of its after-dark energy. Hersheypark's seasonal events can extend the evening entertainment calendar, but programming varies by time of year. The town is family-oriented and relatively low-key compared with a large Pennsylvania city, so visitors seeking clubs or late-night venues may find a smaller selection and should arrange transport if staying beyond the main visitor areas.

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Best nightclubs in Hershey

Hershey's evening scene is more centred on live entertainment, breweries and hotel hospitality than on a dense nightclub district. Tröegs Independent Brewing provides one of the area's most recognisable evening settings, with locally produced beer, food and a spacious public atmosphere. Hotel lounges and restaurant bars around the resort and Chocolate Avenue areas offer quieter drinks, while concerts at Hershey Theatre, Hersheypark Stadium and Giant Center give the town much of its after-dark energy. Hersheypark's seasonal events can extend the evening entertainment calendar, but programming varies by time of year. The town is family-oriented and relatively low-key compared with a large Pennsylvania city, so visitors seeking clubs or late-night venues may find a smaller selection and should arrange transport if staying beyond the main visitor areas.

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Best shops in Hershey

Shopping in Hershey is closely connected with chocolate and the visitor economy. Hershey's Chocolate World is the main destination for branded confectionery, gifts, clothing and seasonal products, with a retail experience designed around the company's identity. Shops near Hersheypark and Chocolate Avenue offer additional souvenirs and family-oriented merchandise, while the town's hotels and attractions commonly carry locally themed gifts. For broader retail, Tanger Outlets Hershey lies near the main visitor area and combines national brands with the practical shopping needs of travellers. The nearby Harrisburg region provides a larger selection of malls and independent retailers, but Hershey itself is best suited to confectionery, memorabilia and conveniently located holiday shopping rather than a traditional market culture. Visitors interested in food gifts can look for chocolate products and Pennsylvania-made items, while checking packaging requirements before carrying them on long journeys.

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Hershey essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the United States dollar (USD). Credit and debit cards, including contactless payments, are widely accepted at attractions, hotels, restaurants and shops, although carrying a small amount of cash remains useful for minor purchases, tips or businesses with limited card facilities. ATMs are available in commercial and visitor areas. Card terminals may ask whether to add a gratuity, and restaurant bills generally require a tip for table service. International visitors should notify their card provider if necessary and check foreign-exchange charges; dynamic currency conversion offered at a terminal or cash machine may have a less favourable rate than the traveller's own bank.
Safety
Hershey is a busy but generally orderly visitor destination, and normal precautions are appropriate. Keep valuables secure in crowded attraction areas, event venues, car parks and queues, and avoid leaving bags visible in vehicles. Summer heat, thunderstorms and winter snow can affect outdoor plans, while amusement-park visitors should follow posted ride and water-safety instructions. Roads around major attractions can become congested, particularly during seasonal peaks and concerts. At night, remain aware when walking between venues and accommodation, use marked crossings and arrange suitable transport if staying outside the central visitor areas.
Emergency Situations
Call 911 in the United States for police, fire or ambulance services, giving the operator the exact address or attraction name and following instructions carefully. Major attractions and hotels have staff trained to direct visitors towards first aid or emergency assistance, but serious medical situations require 911. For non-urgent medical needs, ask accommodation staff or a pharmacist about nearby clinics and pharmacies, and ensure travel insurance covers treatment in the United States. International visitors should keep passport, insurance and essential medication details accessible, while those with allergies or medical conditions should communicate them clearly when seeking help.
Do's and Don'ts
Queue patiently, follow ride restrictions and respect staff instructions at Hersheypark and other attractions, particularly where safety procedures are involved. In restaurants, table-service tipping is customary, while counter-service gratuities are discretionary; confirm whether a service charge has already been added. Keep to marked paths in gardens and outdoor attractions, and do not touch exhibits unless invited. Pennsylvania law prohibits smoking in many indoor public places, with designated outdoor rules varying by venue. When visiting religious or educational sites, behave respectfully and observe any access restrictions. American service customs often involve friendly informal conversation, but politeness and consideration remain important.
Local Tips
Hershey is easiest to understand as several connected areas rather than a single dense centre: Chocolate Avenue and its civic buildings, the Hersheypark precinct, the theatre and stadium venues, and the wider Derry Township commercial area. Chocolate-themed retail is concentrated around Hershey's Chocolate World, while The Hershey Story provides a more measured historical perspective. Tröegs Independent Brewing offers a local food-and-drink dimension away from the main park complex. Seasonal conditions strongly influence the town's rhythm, so indoor museums, theatre performances and gardens can provide useful alternatives when outdoor attractions are crowded or weather-dependent.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHowdy[haw-dee]
GoodbyeSee ya[see yah]
YesYup[yuhp]
NoNah[nuh]
Please/You're welcomePlease/No problem[pleez/no prob-lem]
Thank youThanks[thanks]
Excuse me/SorryExcuse me/My bad[ex-cuse me/my bad]
How are you?Howdy, how ya doin'?[haw-dee, how yuh doo-in']
Fine. And you?Good. How 'bout you?[good, how 'bout yuh]
Do you speak English?Ya speak English?[yah speak ing-glish]
I don't understandI ain't gettin' ya[i aint get-tin ya]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I check out the menu, please[kan i chek out the menu, please]
I don't eat meatI'm a veggie[im uh vej-ee]
Cheers!Cheers![cheers]
I would like to pay, pleaseGotta settle up, please[got-ta set-tul up, please]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!I need a hand![i need uh hand]
Go away!Get lost![get lost]
Call the Police!Ring the cops![ring the cops]
Call a doctor!Get a doc![get uh doc]
I'm lostI'm all turned around[im all turned uh-round]
I'm illI'm under the weather[im under the weath-er]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I'm lookin' to purchase...[im look-in to pur-chase]
I'm just lookingJust browsin'[just brow-sin']
How much is it?What's the damage?[whats the dam-ij]
That's too expensiveThat costs a pretty penny[that costs uh pret-ee pen-ee]
Can you lower the price?Can ya do a deal?[can ya do uh deal]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What's the time?[whats the time]
It's one o'clockIt's one[its one]
Half past (10)Ten thirty[ten thur-tee]
MorningMornin'[morn-in']
AfternoonAfternoon[after-noon]
EveningEvenin'[even-in']
YesterdayYest'day[yest-day]
TodayToday[to-day]
TomorrowTomorrah[tomor-rah]
1One[wun]
2Two[too]
3Three[three]
4Four[four]
5Five[five]
6Six[six]
7Seven[sev-en]
8Eight[ate]
9Nine[nine]
10Ten[ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the... at?[wheres the at]
What's the address?Where's it located?[wheres it locat-ed]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can ya point it out (on the map)?[can ya point it out on the map]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next (bus) comin'?[whens the next bus com-in]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket (to ....)[a ticket to]

History of Hershey

The Founding of Hershey

Milton S. Hershey established the Hershey Chocolate Company in the early twentieth century after developing a successful process for producing affordable milk chocolate. He selected farmland in Derry Township, near his birthplace in central Pennsylvania, for a factory that opened in 1905. The settlement that grew around it was initially known as Derry Church before becoming Hershey. The location offered space for industrial expansion as well as access to dairy farms, rail connections and regional markets. From its beginning, Hershey was conceived as more than a factory site: it was a planned community intended to provide housing, public amenities and a stable environment for workers and their families.

A Planned Industrial Community

Hershey's early development followed the paternalistic model common to some industrial towns, but its scale and amenities were distinctive. Company investment produced housing, schools, recreational facilities and public buildings, while broad streets and landscaped spaces gave the settlement a recognisable civic form. The Hershey Chocolate Company became the economic centre of the community, drawing workers and their families to the area. Hersheypark, opened in 1907 as a leisure ground for employees and local residents, developed into a major amusement park. The Hershey Theatre, completed in 1933, further expressed the town's aspiration to provide cultural and social institutions alongside industrial employment.

Education and Social Welfare

Education was central to Milton Hershey's plans for the community. In 1909, Milton and Catherine Hershey established the Hershey Industrial School, now Milton Hershey School, for orphaned boys; the institution later expanded its mission and enrolment. The school became one of the most significant legacies of the Hershey fortune and remains a major presence in the town. Hershey's civic landscape also reflected the founder's broader interest in recreation, health and welfare. Parks, sports facilities and community institutions helped create a social environment organised around the company and its charitable foundations, rather than around industrial production alone.

War, Expansion and Modernisation

The Hershey Chocolate Company remained an important employer through the twentieth century, while the town's attractions evolved with changing leisure habits. During the Second World War, Hershey products formed part of military food supplies, including the specially developed Field Ration D chocolate bar. After the war, improved roads and rising car ownership expanded the amusement park's regional reach. Hersheypark added new rides and entertainment, and the company diversified its operations. The town's older company-built areas survived alongside commercial development, leaving a layered landscape in which early twentieth-century planning, post-war tourism and contemporary corporate activity remain visible.

Hershey as a Visitor Destination

In the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, Hershey consolidated its identity as a tourism and entertainment centre while retaining its connection with chocolate manufacturing. Hershey's Chocolate World opened in 1973 as a visitor attraction, and later additions including The Hershey Story, Hershey Gardens' indoor butterfly experience and expanded performance venues broadened the town's appeal. Hersheypark developed into a large seasonal amusement destination, while hotels, restaurants and event facilities grew around it. The historic company-town framework remains evident in Chocolate Avenue, civic buildings and planned neighbourhoods, even as the local economy now combines manufacturing, hospitality, entertainment, education and healthcare.

Hershey in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Hershey, Pennsylvania

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  • History of Hershey and travel essentials for first-time visitors
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Planning a trip to Hershey, Pennsylvania? Let Evendo be your personal travel guide to the sweetest place on Earth. With Evendo, you can easily explore Hershey's top attractions like Hersheypark, The Hershey Story Museum, and ZooAmerica. Use our app to discover the best dining spots such as The Chocolate Avenue Grill and Trevi 5, and don't forget to visit landmarks like Hershey Gardens and the iconic Hershey's Chocolate World.

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