Hersheypark: The Sweetest Theme Park in America

Hersheypark began not as a business venture but as an act of generosity. In 1906, Milton S. Hershey — the man who brought milk chocolate to America — opened a picnic grove for the workers of his chocolate factory. There were baseball fields, a bandshell, and a simple carousel. Over the next century, that modest park grew into one of the most beloved regional theme parks in the United States, all while remaining true to its founder’s vision: a place where families could have fun together without spending a fortune.

Milton Hershey’s philosophy extended far beyond chocolate bars. He believed that a well-cared-for workforce would be more productive and loyal, and that community enrichment was a moral obligation of successful business owners. The picnic park was part of a broader vision that included building affordable housing for workers, establishing a vocational school for orphaned boys (now the Milton Hershey School, one of the wealthiest private schools in the world), and creating a model town with tree-lined streets, public amenities, and cultural institutions. The park itself was free to enter for decades, serving as a community gathering place where factory workers and their families could escape the heat of summer, enjoy live music, and participate in organized sports leagues.

As the chocolate business flourished, so did the park. In the 1920s and 1930s, Hersheypark expanded to include a swimming pool, a dance pavilion, and one of the finest carousels in Pennsylvania — a hand-carved masterpiece that still operates today. During the Great Depression, Milton Hershey continued construction projects throughout the town to keep workers employed, including the grand Hotel Hershey and several public buildings. The park became a symbol of resilience and optimism during difficult times.

The modern era of Hersheypark began in 1971 when the decision was made to charge admission and transform the park into a full-scale theme park. This shift allowed for significant capital investment in rides and infrastructure. The 1970s and 1980s saw the addition of classic attractions like the Comet wooden coaster (1946, relocated and rebuilt in 1978) and sooperdooperLooper (1977), one of the first looping coasters on the East Coast. By the 1990s, Hersheypark had established itself as a serious player in the regional theme park market, competing directly with parks like Dorney Park, Six Flags Great Adventure, and Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

Today, Hersheypark spans 121 acres and packs an extraordinary amount into that footprint. The coaster lineup has grown into one of the strongest on the East Coast, headlined by Candymonium — a 210-foot B&M hypercoaster with a smooth, graceful layout and a chocolate-themed name. Storm Runner launches riders from 0 to 72 mph in two seconds into a 180-foot top hat. Fahrenheit boasts a 97-degree first drop — one degree beyond vertical. Lightning Racer is a dueling wooden coaster where two trains race side by side. Wildcat’s Revenge, a Rocky Mountain Construction hybrid conversion, has earned rave reviews since its debut in 2023, revitalizing what was once considered a rough and outdated wooden coaster into one of the park’s most thrilling attractions.

The park’s themed areas reflect both its heritage and its evolution. Chocolatetown, opened in 2020, is the newest section and serves as the park’s grand entrance. It features a massive Hershey’s Kisses fountain, retail shops themed to different Hershey products, and dining venues with chocolate-infused menus. The architecture pays homage to the Art Deco elegance of the original Hershey buildings while incorporating modern design elements. Candymonium towers over this plaza, its turquoise track arcing gracefully above the streetscape.

The Hollow section preserves the park’s earliest history, with mature trees, meandering pathways, and vintage rides like the Carrousel and the Comet. Pioneer Frontier evokes an Old West theme with log flume rides and rustic theming. Midway America features classic flat rides and carnival games in a 1950s boardwalk aesthetic. The Boardwalk area houses the water park, designed to resemble a coastal resort with bright colors, tropical landscaping, and beach-themed attractions.

But Hersheypark is more than its coasters. The Boardwalk water park is included with admission — a massive aquatic area with a wave pool, lazy river, water slides, and the Breakers Edge water coaster. This inclusion is a significant value proposition, as most major theme parks charge separately for water park access or require upgraded tickets. The wave pool generates five-foot waves and can accommodate hundreds of guests. The lazy river winds through 1,100 feet of landscaped scenery with waterfalls, geysers, and shaded rest areas. Tower slides like Whirlwind and Cove Cascade offer thrilling drops, while Coastline Plunge — the park’s tallest water slide complex — features four distinct slides ranging from mild to wild.

ZooAmerica, an accredited zoo operated by the Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company, is also included with park admission and features animals native to North America. The 11-acre walking zoo showcases more than 200 animals representing 75 species, including black bears, bald eagles, river otters, gray wolves, and bobcats. Exhibits are organized by North American regions: the Eastern Forest, Great Southwest, Southern Swamps, Big Sky Country, and Northern Wilderness. Educational signage explains each animal’s role in its ecosystem, conservation status, and behavioral characteristics. ZooAmerica is particularly popular with families who need a break from the intensity of the theme park — it offers shade, seating, and a slower pace.

Chocolate World, just outside the park gates, offers a free dark ride through the chocolate-making process with a free sample at the end. This attraction, which opened in 1973, has become a pilgrimage site for chocolate lovers and one of the most visited attractions in Pennsylvania. The ride takes approximately 10 minutes and guides guests through animated scenes depicting cocoa farming, roasting, conching, molding, and packaging. Singing animatronic cows provide comic relief, and the entire experience is narrated with cheerful enthusiasm. At the exit, every rider receives a small Hershey bar — a tradition that has been maintained for over 50 years.

Adjacent to the ride is a sprawling retail and dining complex where visitors can create custom chocolate bars, design personalized wrappers, take chocolate tasting classes, and purchase exclusive Hershey products not available in regular stores. The bakery serves fresh-baked cookies, brownies, and cupcakes. The milkshake counter offers dozens of flavor combinations. During the holidays, Chocolate World transforms into a festive wonderland with elaborate decorations and seasonal treats.

The park’s seasonal events — Hersheypark in the Dark for Halloween and Christmas Candylane in winter — extend the season and draw visitors from across the Northeast. Hersheypark in the Dark runs on select evenings in September and October, transforming the park into a Halloween celebration with themed areas, trick-or-treating stations, costume contests, and special entertainment. Unlike some Halloween events at other parks, Hersheypark in the Dark is family-friendly and not designed to scare young children — there are no haunted mazes or jump-scares. Instead, the focus is on festive fall atmosphere, with pumpkin displays, harvest decorations, and costumed characters.

Christmas Candylane operates on select dates from mid-November through early January, making Hersheypark one of the few major theme parks to open during winter. More than four million lights adorn the park, synchronized to holiday music. Light tunnels, animated displays, and towering Christmas trees create a magical environment. Santa Claus meets guests in a themed grotto, and festive shows play throughout the day. Select coasters remain open, weather permitting, offering the unique experience of riding a roller coaster under twinkling lights in the cold winter air. Hot chocolate stations, holiday treats, and seasonal merchandise complete the experience.

For families looking for a multi-day vacation that blends thrills, water park fun, and a charming small-town atmosphere, Hersheypark delivers on every front. The park’s commitment to value, cleanliness, and guest service has earned it consistently high rankings in industry surveys. It strikes a balance that few parks achieve — big enough to offer world-class attractions, small enough to feel intimate and navigable, and deeply rooted in a sense of place and history that gives it genuine character