Going on a girl's weekend to Hershey & Easton Pa. Any tips?

[Maureenmouse]

My DMIL, DDS and I are going to see the Crayola Factory and Hershey's World of Chocolate next weekend. Anybody ever been and have tips for us?
The girls are 6 and 9.
thanks

 

[TaraPA]

Good morning! I live near Easton, PA - it's a fairly long drive between Crayola & Hershey - a good hour to 90 min. depending on traffic -maybe stop at something at the half-way point? I know it's all girls on your trip but Cabellas is HUGE, a big tourist spot, and is half-way, in Hamburg. It's an "outdoor enthusiast" megastore with a museum, restaraunt, etc. There used to be Roadside America near that exit too - the miniature village - anyone know if that's still there? If you just want a quick stop & like shopping, we have the new upscale lifestyle shopping center & movie theater, The Promenade, about 15 min. west of Easton. Lots of great shopping & eating too! Lost River Caverns in Hellertown is neat, about 10 min. west of Easton (and near where I live!) If you like the Philadelphia Eagles, their training camp is right here in Hellertown too next weekend, but it does get packed on the weekends. All of these things are right on I78 which is your quickest route between the 2 areas. Dorney Park is on the way too but I'd skip that, it's not what it used to be, Hershey is so much nicer. Have fun!

 

[lorilori]

Hi. We just stopped at Hershey on our way back to NC from NJ two weeks ago. Do the free chocolate tour more than once; you'll get free samples both times. Your girls being so young might also enjoy the Hershey's Really Big 3D show ($5.95/adults and $4.95/child). We didn't go into the theme park this time around but wandered around a while and then had lunch right inside Chocolate World. It was surprisingly affordable and very good.

 

[Karenj2]

I was going to say the same thing as above - they're actually somewhat far from each other...

If you're going for tours, some other places to see in the general area are:

www.longwoodgardens.com <--- they have a WONDERFUL garden exhibit, plus a children's area, and DH and I just visited the treehouse exhibit, which was wonderful!

Herr's potato chip factory in Nottingham, PA <--- this could be done on your way home from Hershey. I've never been there, but I've heard it's a good tour.

 

[DisneyDuo]

If your kids like zoos, there's a very nice one there at Hershey, not too far from the Chocolate World and park. Also there is a beautiful garden, the roses are lovely and there's a fun kid's area with a butterfly house. Both zoo and garden have admission fees, but they are reasonable in my opinion.

Have fun!

Lin

 

[LuvOrlando]

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[labdogs42]

I live in the lehigh Valley, too, and LuvOrlando's suggestions are right on!

 

[Teacher510]

DD went to college near Hershey so we've spent alot of time there. The trolley ride at Chocolate World is also fun. You can pay admission at a booth inside Chocolate World near the 3-D show. The outlets in Hershey are also some of my favorite"attractions!"

 

[pipervali]

I'm a Lehigh Valley/Lancaster girl too. Hershey is a fabulous park, but even moreso if you like roller coasters. I believe they have 11 now, of varying sizes and scare factors. But it can be a drive, so weigh the price of admission and the value of the fun you'll have with something you can do closer to Allentown.

 

[Maureenmouse]

thanks for all the ideas. We're driving from Puittsburgh to Easton and spending the afternoon at the Crayola museum. we're staying at the Hampton Inn near there for the night, but I have no idea what we'll do in the evening. Is there any malls nearby. The next morning we'll drive to Hershey and see the World of Chocolate. No time for the park. We might go to the outlets too, depending on time. then we;ll drive back to Pittsburgh. I know it's a lot of driving, but the girls are really looking forward to this little trip. I hope thatthe Crayola Factory has lots of hands on activities. My girls love to draw, color and make things. I'm sure that the World of Chocolate will be lots of funa nd we plan on seeing the movie there. I doubt the park would be that great as we went to Disney earlier this summer and we all know that Disney canb't be beat. Does anybody know exactly what types of activities the Crayola Factory offers? Has anybody made the drive from Pittsburgh to there. If so, how long did it take?

 

[java]

We go to the crayola factory often- we live close by-

Ok here's the lay of the land- one floor there is a glass wall that you can color with window markers on- in this same area is a "weekly" craft.
Usually something very very simple- like making a mask- or a crown- but still fun.
Then in the next room is a dance area- the little kids love- then a room with a more involved painting task- one that you will have to put through the "dryer". Kind of fun. Also in that room is a coloring station= nothing great just some coloring pages. And an area for the under 5 crowd.

Next room big chalkboard floor with chalk- and also a little freeze frame animation area.

Then the last area- which has a little wax area- you drip hot wax on a shaped paper.
And the Model magic area(my kids love this) They save all their tokens(you get 3 per person- for a marker a pack of crayons and a bag of model magic) My kids save all 3 to get 3 bags of model magic.

It's fun but I don't know if it's worth the trip from Pittsburg!!

Then there is the canal musuem upstairs and that is fun too- and included in your admission-

Malls nearby- There is the Lehigh Valley mall(about 15 minutes west of the crayola factory maybe 25 minutes)- which has just built a new little "outside" area that is very nice_ Coach, JCREW, Origins, Apple, Coldwater creek and a Borders. The mall itself is not so great.

The Philipsburg Mall in nj is a dump- don't bother.

Um can I make another suggestion? Camelbeach? and Knoebels would be my choice for the 2 local activities for a mini vacation.
Here is Camelbeach's website
http://www.camelbeach.com/
and here is Knoebels
http://www.knoebels.com/'

I just don't want you to be underwhelmed by the Crayola factory- it is pretty small and the quality of the stuff you make is pretty lame. But my kids all enjoy it(3,5,10 and 14)

Where is the Hampton Inn? I am not sure- oh wait yes I am I know that one it is in Palmer? Right on the highway- not the best location but not terrible either. The hotels a little further west are actually newer and I believe a little nicer.
Hope that helps.

Oh and just seeing the tour and the movie at hershey shouldn't take longer than an hour. *the tour is quick. The movie is only at certain times so check ahead to make sure you time it correctly.

 

[d1gitman]

boy do i miss a good hoagie and some shoo fly pie. i was a wee lad when we lived in PA from 1972-1978. go steelers! (let's hope the Rooney name prevails)

we hailed from Marysville.

 

[Maureenmouse]

I never really thought of driving to the Crayola Factory or Hershey from Pittsburgh. i lived in the burhg for 25 years until we moved to NC. My girls actually saw an episode of John and Kate that showed them going to Hershey and another where they went to the Crayola Factory. It just seemed like a nice short trip for a girls weekend. I guess we'll be spending more time driving to and from then at the actual destinations, but it should be fun. My MIL doesn't do well in the heat, so we're sticking to indoor attractions. I'm still not shure about driving times, but I figured that Easton was farther away, so we'd drive there on Saturday. The Hampton Inn is on Easton- Nazareth Hwy. Hopefully it will be clean and safe. Maybe in the evening we'll go to the Lehigh Valley Mall. Are there any good restaurants in the area?
Thanks for all of you suggestions. I know I can always count on my Dis friends for the info I need.

 

[java]

I never really thought of driving to the Crayola Factory or Hershey from Pittsburgh. i lived in the burhg for 25 years until we moved to NC. My girls actually saw an episode of John and Kate that showed them going to Hershey and another where they went to the Crayola Factory. It just seemed like a nice short trip for a girls weekend. I guess we'll be spending more time driving to and from then at the actual destinations, but it should be fun. My MIL doesn't do well in the heat, so we're sticking to indoor attractions. I'm still not shure about driving times, but I figured that Easton was farther away, so we'd drive there on Saturday. The Hampton Inn is on Easton- Nazareth Hwy. Hopefully it will be clean and safe. Maybe in the evening we'll go to the Lehigh Valley Mall. Are there any good restaurants in the area?
Thanks for all of you suggestions. I know I can always count on my Dis friends for the info I need.

Where to eat? There are the "chains" like outback, Texas Roadhouse, TGIF all down Rte 33 which I believe is right near your hotel- You would head south on rte 33 to Freemansburg ave to find all those.
Over by the mall is Bonefish Cafe(*which I have never been to) Oh and there is a Wegman's nearby on 22 which is good for a quick bite. I'll try to think- right near the hotel(if I am thinking of the right one) is a Mexican place that is pretty good.

 

[Cristy]

Is the Lehigh Valley Mall the one off MacArthur Road in Allentown? If so, there is a diner on the road outside the mall on the Macy's side. They have good food and reasonable prices.

 

[d1gitman]

how about Sesame Place, that is in PA and i believe owned by Hershey?

 

[java]

how about Sesame Place, that is in PA and i believe owned by Hershey?

NO!! It is my personal mission to stop people from the horrors of Sesame Place. I lived through it so you don't have to. DON'T DO IT!!!

 

[ardig123]

Ugh...I agree...avoid Sesame Place. I live in Hershey and in my opinion I would go the first day to Hershey and spend the night somewhere in the area and then go to the Crayola Factory the next day. Hershey has soooo much to do even if you do not go to the park. Chocolate World is fun and free which is nice but there is also the zoo ($8.00 admission) and the gardens (8.00)...there are a lot of fun places to eat in the area and the outlets are pretty nice. The whole surrounding area is nice, clean, and safe for a girls weekend. Oh and the Hershey Hotel has a pretty yummy breakfeast buffet, although I would not recommend spending the night there because it is sooo expensive!!

I have not been to the Crayola factory...the main reason I have not gone is that it is about 1.5 hours from Hershey and I have heard that there is not a ton to do there.

Lancaster is another fun place to visit...it is about 40 mins from Hershey...tons of different activities there!

 

[starann]

I grew up in B'hem and now live in Hellertown. If you are staying at the Hampton Inn (Used to be the Holiday inn on 512 for those who know the area, or at least the hotel next to it, it is VERY nice!) you are right off of Rt 22, which is close to just about everyhitng in town.

Places to eat that will be close, startign with the closest.....Steak and Ale, Panera, Applebee's, Red Robin's, Friendly's, Japanese Steakhouse (where they cook in front of you). Those are all off of rt 512 or Airport rd. There are pleny more places off of 22 by the mall, about another 5 miles down rt 22.

On Airport Rd (and near all the places to eat) is a big Carmike Cinemas, a movie theatre if you wanted to take the kids to a movies. The mall is right off the highway as well with LOTS of shopping in and around the mall (including a Disney store).


Have fun!

 

[polyfan]

I lived there for 20years and my family still does. I would not even bother going to the Lehigh Valley area- it is not worth it! The Crayola Factory is in downtown Easton, and for the amount of time you would spend there I would not waste gas driving there from Hershey.