Chicago to Hershey road trip

[Kimmumum]

We are going to Hershey over 4th of July. We are trying to figure out what there is to do along the way. We were hoping there was interesting stuff to see or do half way there. I know there is Cedar Point. That is an option but we did that last summer. What else is there? Does anyone know of a website where you can find points of interest along a certain route?

Does anyone have a favorite hotel not far from Hershey that is budget friendly? Has anyone ever stayed at the Jellystone campground in Lancaster? We were looking at the cabins. They are kind of pricey but we might meet up with others and they are staying there. Is the waterpark worth it for 12 adn 16 yo's?

Any help you can give me would help!!

 

[Hannathy]

I'm too tired tonight to go into too much detail. I will write something out tomorrow, but what kind of things are you looking for? amusement parks, sports, historic? I have been making that drive for 18 yrs so I probably have some ideas.
Are the 12 and 16 yr olds boys or girls or both?

 

[dblr]

If you are looking for another amusement park you could try Kennywood near Pittsburg, it is a great old fashion park I am sure you would like it.
Near Harrisburg there is a Bass Pro Shop not to far from the turnpike and also a Cabbella's in West Va. not sure how far out of the way that would be.
I am sure more folks will add that's all I can think of right now. e a Have a great trip.

 

[andrews_dad]

I am a AP holder at HP. Expect insane crowds at the park on the 4th. No FastPasses at HP!!!

I would think 12 yr and 16 yr old will love Boardwalk water area. At HP this is not a sep water park. One gate, one admission .. just another area in the main park. Dorney Park is close enough to Hershey if looking for more rides and another water park. That, too, will be insanely busy on July 4th.

 

[RumpleMom]

Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh, PA is a highly rated amusement park. It has great coasters, very good food and is very clean.

Pittsburgh has the Carnegie museums- natural history, art and science center. If you have a membership for your hometown museum, you can get free admission at other museums.

Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium

National Aviary

Children's museum

 

[haley's mom]

I live just a few minutes south of Pittsburgh. But I spent 18 months in Hoffman Estates, IL. The ride to Pittsburgh is between 7 and 8 hours.

If you are going to stop in Pittsburgh, I second Kennywood. I would do this before Hershey Park. My family and I went to Hershey Park last year, and I think Kennywood after Hershey would be a let down.

Also, not a great team, but a great park. PNC Park (home of the Pirates) was voted #1 park the past few years. The Pirates are home July 1-4. tickets are ALWAYS available, and pretty cheap.

The ride from Pittsburgh to Hershey is less than 4 hours. We stayed at a Sheraton in Harrisburg. Found a great deal with a Hershey package.

At Hershey you definately have to visit the zoo (part of theme park admission). The Prarie Dogs are the BEST. My 16 yr old LOVED THEM!!!

Let me know if you need anything else.

 

[Kimmumum]

Thanks for the great ideas everyone. I had never heard of Kennywood. I'll have to check it out. Maybe we could do that on the way down and a Pirates game on the way back if they are home.

Any historic ideas? While at Hershey we were thinking of going to Harrisburg, Indian Caverns (or something like that), maybe Gettysburg and someone said maybe a day trip to Baltimore (not sure about that one though). Anything else we need should consider?

Thanks again.

Oh, and my kids are both boys if that matters.

 

[cjnix29]

In Archbold Ohio, (second turnpike exit once in Ohio) there is Sauder Historical Village. Cute little village, historical buildings, etc. Toledo has a great AAA baseball stadium. In Cleveland, you have the Rock and roll Hall of Fame, the Great Lakes Science Center, and a fantastic art museum. If you do Gettysburg....you can hire a guide to drive you around in your own car. We did this, and I was so glad we did!! You can go around yourself and see the battlefields, etc, but you really don't know what you are looking at it. It was something like $45 or so. SO worth it!

 

[mjkacmom]

We love hershey, but you couldn't pay me to go over a weekend during the summer, especially a holiday one! We've stayed at a Jellystone campground in NJ, and loved it. The cabins aren't fancy, and they are overpriced, but clean and comfy. The campground was very family friendly - we let our kids wander.

 

[Karen15]

Depending upon your schedule - State College, PA has what is called 4th Fest. They put on a fantastic fireworks display. There are quite a few things to see in State College also (Penn State University). Hershey is about 1 1/2 hours away. I'd also second a baseball game at PNC park. It's a great stadium to see a ballgame.

 

[KayKyle'sMOM]

Depending upon your schedule - State College, PA has what is called 4th Fest. They put on a fantastic fireworks display. There are quite a few things to see in State College also (Penn State University). Hershey is about 1 1/2 hours away. I'd also second a baseball game at PNC park. It's a great stadium to see a ballgame.

I second this - the 4th fest fireworks are some of the best I have ever seen.

 

[Hannathy]

On the way if they are into football there is the football hall of fame in Canton Ohio, someone mentioned the Rock and Roll Hall of fame. In Pitts. there is the Heinz History center which is interesting. Kennywood has been mentioned. Along with the other museums. And all the other stuff that has been said.
If anyone is into History at all Gettysburg is worth the stop. We had planned on only 1 short day there 2yrs ago and my son liked it so much we ended up stopping there again on our way home.
I don't know how much time you have but you could always continue into Philadelphia if you are into history it is only about 2 ish hours from Hershey.

Around half way would be the Cleveland area so the hall of fame or a bit off the main route would be the football hall of fame, or go about 2 more hours into the Pittsburgh area. I will warn you there are very few places to stay from the Indiana/Ohio state line until you get to the Toledo area and then another big gap till the Cedar Point area and then the Cleveland area. Then Motels are again few and far between from the eastern section of Pittsburgh until you get to Seven Springs and then again over the mountains until Breezewood and then none until the Carlisle Harrisburg area.

If you have never driven across Pennsylvania it is very interesting with the mountains and the tunnels, try to do it during the day for full enjoyment.

 

[BudgetBetty]

I just went to Hershey from near Chicago at the beginning of April. The drive was around 11 hours. We left at 3am to beat traffic.

We stayed at the Windgate by Wyndam in Mechanicsburg...price 65.00 a night.(used a website to book) Great hot breakfast, cap coffee machine (free), all rooms have micro/frige. Staff was great. There is a Giant grocery store within walking distance. Not to much to do in town. Hotel was about 25 minute drive to Hershey.

If you have I-pass it's good for the toll roads all the way through NY.

Nice shopping mall area off I80 in South Bend. (Notre Dame)

Make sure you stop at a Sheetz and get a 4.00 foot long sandwich. It's a gas station with what's like a subway inside. You order off touch screens. We loved the sandwiches/hotdogs. (very budget friendly meals)

Take a drive along 340? in Lancaster county. Many amish (horse and buggies) We stopped at the Intercourse Pretzel company..loved the toffee/chocalate covered pretzels. Not to much other things to do in the town however. IF you have a cat--pick up some catnip WOW! let's just say I never seen them go crazy before.

We only stayed in Hershey a couple of days as we went onto Philly, then Bayonne NJ to the Tear Drop memorial...Statue of Lib/Ellis Island..then NYC and Cooney Island {---(Will never go back there...ick!)

No sales tax on clothing in PA and NJ (that's a plus)

We are ones that drive straight through and try not to stop that much along the way unless it's really something we want to see. Hope this helps. If there is anything else I can help ya with just ask

Betty