Written by MomsTribute Inc. Author Katie C
Have you ever heard of “wave” season? For people in the travel industry, it’s the term they use to describe this time of year. That’s because they tend to get a wave of business as people begin planning their spring and summer travel. It’s a great time to plan because the second half of the school year will wrap up quickly. Before we know it, summer will be here, and if we’re lucky, we’ll get to vacation with them! If you’re looking for that perfect, low-key family vacation spot then you’re in luck. We here at MomsTribute.com, with the best of mom to mom blogs, have you covered! Here is one example:
Deep in the heart of Pennsylvania sits a legendary amusement park that’s been thrilling guests for decades. The best part is that it’s not only fun for families; it’s also every chocolate lover’s dream. That’s right—I’m talking about Hersheypark! From chocolate kiss-shaped light fixtures to chocolate-themed restaurants, this place looks like tons of delicious fun.
You might be wondering where, exactly, Hersheypark is located. After all, Pennsylvania is a large state! Hershey, PA, sits on the eastern side of the state, just northwest of Philadelphia. It’s an easy jaunt from any of the eastern states, as well as places like Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana.
Though it would be quite a drive for my family, I’ve always dreamed of packing up the car and making the 11-hour trip. Why? I’ll let you in on a little family history—I was born in Pennsylvania, and we’ve visited plenty. We’ve never made it over to Hersheypark, though.
Amusement parks are one of the best spots to visit with kids. There are rides, tons of food options, entertainment, and shopping. The fun doesn’t stop there, though. Hershey Park was founded in 1907. It includes a zoo (called ZooAmerica, and admission is included with your park ticket!), a butterfly house, a stadium for concerts, and lush rose gardens. There’s something for everyone.
When you first arrive in Hershey, you’ll want to check out the Hershey Story Museum. This fun, interactive spot is a great kid friendly venue. The town of Hershey was founded by Milton Hershey. It started out as a model village for the workers of his chocolate factory. We know the full story, of course, in that the Hershey chocolate factory would grow into a dynasty. Hershey, PA, grew along with it.
One of my family’s biggest highlights when we travel is where we’re going to eat. Hershey Park has over sixty restaurants and eateries inside the amusement park alone—and there are plenty more spots throughout Hershey proper. This means they’ve got something for everyone, even those with special dietary needs or restrictions.
The Chocolatier is high on our list of spots to visit. It’s a full-service restaurant with views of the park and its rides. Its menu looks mouthwatering, and of course, there’s also a healthy helping of chocolate dessert items, too!
This amazing-looking restaurant is part of Hershey’s Chocolateland, which also has Hersheypark’s largest rollercoaster, Candymonium. You’ll want to check it out!
In my family, we are amusement park junkies. Rides are, of course, our favorite part! Hersheypark has a lot to offer here—from kiddie rides for the youngest, to family rides, all the way up to thrill rides like roller coasters.Many of their rides are traditional country fair types like the scrambler, bumper cars, and teacups, but there are lots of other fun adventures thrown in.
If your family likes water parks, then you can check another box for the fun you’ll have at Hersheypark. They’ve got an 11-acre water park with slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and water coasters.
If you’re planning a visit to an amusement park in Pennsylvania, you’ll want to think about the best time of year to go. Hersheypark is open from April through January 1st each year. You can buy individual day tickets, multiday passes, or season passes. This is helpful because it lets you plan your visit your way. There are lots of summer activities, but they also have events for Halloween and Christmas.
One last thing, if you’re thinking about visiting Hersheypark, or any amusement park, you’ll want to make sure you think about the logistics of visiting with kids. Pack a park bag with sunscreen, snacks, drinks, and any other small items you might need like a hat or sunglasses. Trust me on this one—I consider myself an amusement park pro when it comes to visiting with kids, and you’ll be glad you brought the bag!
Also remember to download the free KFV app to read reviews of Hersheypark and the surrounding attractions. This handy time management tool will really help you plan the perfect summer vacation. Happy chocolatier-ing!
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