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Hersheypark

By , About.com Guide

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Hersheypark

Hersheypark features many rides including its iconic giant wheel.

Hersheypark.

Overview:

Hersheypark is an enormously popular theme park where the theme is chocolate. Because the world-famous candy bars are manufactured here, the entire town even smells like chocolate. Begun as recreation center for the workers in Milton Hershey's factory in 1907, the park has a long history and a palpable sense of nostalgia.

Hersheypark has a huge assortment of rides and attractions, including a world-class array of roller coasters. The park also offers a good selection of rides for younger kids as well as shows for the whole family. ZOOAMERICA, which is included with admission, features animals native to North America. The park also offers special events for Halloween and Christmas.

With its hotels, amphitheater, sports arena, gardens, and Chocolate World, Hershey is more of a destination park than a regional amusement park. By adding a visit to nearby Pennsylvania Dutch Country, a trip to Hershey could be part of a multi-day vacation.

Phone and Location:

(800) HERSHEY
Hershey, Pennsylvania

Admission Policy:

Hersheypark offers pay-one-price all-day passes both at the gate and online. Discount tickets are available for children and seniors. ZOOAMERICA is included with admission. The Hershey park offers reduced prices for two- and three-day admission tickets as well as "Sunset" and two-for-one specials for late-in-the-day entries. It also offers a combo ticket with its sister park, Dutch Wonderland.

Directions:

From Baltimore: I83N to York and Harrisburg. Near Harrisburg, continue on I83N to 322E to Hershey. Exit at Hersheypark Drive/Route 39W.

From Central New Jersey: I95S to the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I76). I76W to Exit 266. Turn left onto 72N to 322W. Route 322 becomes Hersheypark Drive/Route 39W.

From NYC: I78W to I81S. Take Exit 77 and follow Route 39S to Hershey.

From Philadelpia: Schuykill Expressway (I76W) to the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I76). I76W to Exit 266. Follow NJ directions above.

New at the park:

New for 2012
Skyrush- Hypercoaster
Hersheypark's coaster skyline will change considerably in 2012 with the addition of Skyrush, its tallest -- and fastest -- thrill machine. Read more about the new $25 million coaster.

Featured Attractions:

  • Eleven coasters, including the top-10 wooden coaster, Lightning Racer, the wonderful Great Bear, an inverted coaster, Storm Runner, a rocket coaster, and Comet, a classic woodie.
  • A great batch of water rides, including the Canyon River Rapids raft ride, the Tidal Force splashdown ride, and Roller Soaker, an interactive water coaster.
  • The interactive dark ride, Reese's Xtreme Cup Challenge
  • The 11-acre ZOOAMERICA is included with admission.
  • Outside the park is the free Hershey's Chocolate World with the Really Big 3D Show and the ride-through Factory Works Experience.

Water Park:

Unlike many theme parks, Hersheypark doesn't identify its water park attractions as an onsite water park, but its impressive collection of water slides and other wet attractions, which is dubbed The Boardwalk, is larger than most theme park/water park hybrids and bigger even than some standalone water parks. Admission to the water park attractions is included with admission to Hersheypark.

Attractions include:

  • Waverider, a FlowRider surfing ride
  • Coastline Plunge tube slides
  • Intercoastal Waterway lazy river
  • East Coast Waterworks interactive water play structure with multiple dump buckets
  • The Shore wave pool

Hotel Info:

Compare rates for official Hersheypark accommodations:
Search for Hotel Hershey rates at About.com's booking partner, Kayak.

Search for Hershey Lodge rates at About.com's booking partner, Kayak.

Get rates for nearby accommodations:
Compare rates for Hersheypark-area hotels at About.com's booking partner, Kayak.

Holiday Event

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane- Info about the park's annual holiday event.

Official Web Site:

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