7 Reasons to Visit Hersheypark PA

We've compiled a list of 7 reasons to visit Hersheypark to help plan your visit to Hershey, PA. Hersheypark is the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania, and it's actually three parks in one! We love showing visitors a fun time when they stay at our countryside bed and breakfast. This is easy to do, especially with Hersheypark only four miles away. We highly recommend spending at least a day having fun exploring this impressive collection of rides, food, and experiences. Between the amusement park, water park, and even a zoo, you'll want to return here again and again. At the end of the day, you'll love unwinding at our Inn and recapping your adventures.

Hersheypark always keeps things new and exciting. As technology and manufacturing capabilities improve exponentially, this park is working to stay ahead of the curve for its visitors – ahead of the roller coaster curve! With its big debut on June 2, 2023, Wildcat's Revenge coaster is a white-knuckle thrill ride with a maximum speed of 62 miles per hour. The theme of the ride is the wildcat stalking its prey, and it feels that way as you suspensefully climb a 140-foot hill and then endure a heart-pounding 82-degree drop. The ride includes four inversions, including the World's Largest Underflip. The "underflip" includes an inversion that begins with an upward climb, then a counterclockwise 270-degree roll followed by a dive down to one side. This ride is one of the largest and most thrilling in the country and has a Fast TrackSM option so you can skip the line.

Located right next door to Hersheypark is Hershey's Chocolate World. With a big debut on May 19, 2023, the Great Candy Expedition is another new experience you won't want to miss. With a theatre featuring 270-degree 4k projection mapping and state-of-the-art special effects, this 30-minute cinematic experience will surely overwhelm the senses. It's the first fully immersive interactive experience of its kind in North America.

Hersheypark features over 70 rides, including classic family and kiddie rides so that everyone can enjoy the park regardless of age or "thrill-level" preferences. Discover 15 roller coasters from “mild to wild!” Of course, the majority of the rides are Hershey candy themed.

Experience thrills like nothing before on this wood and steel hybrid coaster. Celebrating 100 years that started as The Wild Cat, this newly renovated coasted takes you up 140 feet and speeds down an 82-degree drop at rates up to 65 MPH. As you continue your adventure ride, you’ll flip 4 times and cruise through the “World’s Largest Underflip.” This “cat” is most definitely wild!

One of the park's other top roller coasters is Candymonium, the tallest, fastest, longest, and sweetest coaster in the park. This out-and-back-style coaster reaches speeds of 76 MPH, boasts 4,636 feet of "milk chocolate" track, and spans 7 acres. You’ll immediately notice the Hershey’s candy theme and soon experience the heart-pounding thrills at every turn. First, you’ll ascend 210 feet before descending into drops, which include seven camelback hills offering the most “airtime” in Hersheypark. All this creates a 2-minute and 26-second thrill ride. During the ride, it crosses paths with the second largest coater, Skyrush, resulting in a thrilling moment many know as the Candyrush™.

This 11-acre water park inside Hersheypark is open from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day and features 15 different water rides. Float leisurely down the 1,360-foot long and 2-foot deep Intercoastal WaterwaySM lazy river featuring bridges and waterfalls. Swim and splash around in the wave pool, zoom down crazy and colorful water slides, or relax in a lounge chair or cabana (includes complimentary refreshments). Don’t miss Tidal Force®! You’ll climb a steep, 100-foot incline before diving downhill at over 50 mph for the biggest splash of your life. Other favorites include Whitecap Racer®, which has the world's longest racing mat slides, and the huge spray ground, East Coast Waterworks®. It’s the perfect way to cool off and catch some rays during a summer trip to the park, and every Hersheypark ticket gains you entry.

Hersheypark’s ZooAmerica is heaven for animals and animal lovers alike. Home to over 200 different animals from all over North America, the zoo is committed to wildlife conservation. It is AZA accredited, meaning they live up to a high standard of animal care. Open year-round, you can meander down 11 acres of beautiful tree-lined paths as you admire and learn about animals like the ocelot, vampire bat, gray wolf, mountain lion, and snowy owl. If you visit this impressive zoo, be sure to book one of their unique and worthwhile Behind-the-Scenes Tours. Experienced guides will take you through non-public spaces offering opportunities to get closer to the animals safely. You will also gain a better understanding of these precious creatures and the efforts ZooAmerica makes to create a natural habitat. Your ​Hersheypark ticket also provides access to ZooAmerica..

• After Hours Tour: Two-hour guided tour after the zoo closes. Feed the otters and bears and enjoy an up-close visit with two ambassador species.
• Early Bird Tour: Two-hour guided tour before the zoo opens. Feed the wolves and have an up-close visit with two ambassador species.
• Unique Photography Tour: Two-hour tour while behind the camera. Choose from three exhibit animals and two ambassador species. Suitable for both beginner and expert photographers.

Hershey's Chocolate World is open year-round, and there is so much sweet fun to choose from! Go on a free Hershey's Chocolate Tour, create your own candy bar, experience the fully immersive Great Candy Expedition, take a ride on the Hershey Trolley Works, learn the art and science behind chocolate tasting at Hershey’s Unwrapped, and experience it for yourself with a Chocolate & Wine Pairing. Plus, treat yourself to gifts, souvenirs, world-famous milkshakes, and Hershey's baked goods.

In addition to the rides, zoo, and nearby Chocolate World, Hersheypark also provides 12 different shops so visitors can access essential items and fun gifts and souvenirs. Whether you’re looking for a comfy airbrushed T-shirt, a new outfit, photos of your vacation to frame, collectibles, or beachwear for the water park, you’ll find all this and more. Plus, the delectable sweets in the World’s Largest Hershey’s Store.

Hunger will undoubtedly strike after hours of riding, splashing, and playing. No problem, because no matter what you’re craving – a drink, snack, treat, or meal – you’ll find exactly what you're looking for at one of Hersheypark’s 70 dining locations. There is something for every palate between empanadas, Italian ice, tacos, ice cream, french fries, burgers, and more. One of our favorites is The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio inside Chocolatetown. Some of the dining locations also offer dairy-free and gluten-free options.

Hersheypark is fully open for the summer from May through September. However, it also offers some seasonal events throughout the year.

• Springtime In The Park: Beginning in April, Hersheypark opens for fun-filled spring weekends leading up to the summer season.
• Hersheypark In The Dark: From September through October, Hersheypark dresses up for Halloween with spooky thrills and frills every weekend.
• Christmas Candylane: Hersheypark is the most festive place during the holidays. Would you believe they use 5 million twinkling Christmas lights for this occasion? Even the rides and coasters are lit for the season. Visit with Santa, encounter Hershey Characters, and sing along in awe as you watch 250,000 lights dance to the beat of holiday classics. Don’t forget to pair up with your sweetheart for a kiss and a photo op by the Kissmas TreeSM and KissesSM Fountain.

The last of the seven reasons to visit Hersheypark is our Inn is only four miles away. The Inn at Westwynd Farm is the ideal launching and landing pad for your visit to Hersheypark. Choose from one of our elegant yet cozy guest rooms or suites. Snuggle up in luxurious linens in a king-size bed, curl up in front of the fireplace on a cool morning or evening, soak your cares away in a jetted spa tub, and wake up to a gourmet breakfast featuring carefully plated and delicious dishes made with seasonal, locally-sourced fruits and vegetables. There are also many other activities to enjoy near the Inn, such as Cocoa Kayak Rentals and Strasburg Scooter Tours. Check availability and book your Hersheypark getaway today!

 

Updated June 2023