Hershey PA Help???

[MOMOFC&C]

My husband just decided that he wants to stop in Hershey on our way home from Myrtle Beach. We have never been there before so I desperately need some help. I have no idea where we should stay. It doesn't need to be fancy, just someplace to sleep. We will be staying 1 or 2 nights depending on the cost.

We are not really interested in doing the amusement park, I'm sure the kids will be doing plenty of rides in MB. He wants to do the Hershey Museum. Is it worth the money? I was thinking more of just doing the Trolley tour, maybe the 3-D movie, is there any coupons out there for any of this stuff? What other budget friendly things are there to do there?

 

[czycropper]

We usually stay at a Holiday Inn off I-81 S. which has always been reasonable, it has an indoor pool so it's great for taking a dip at the end of the day no matter what the weather is like The Holiday Inn is about 10 minutes from Hershey Park and the town.

There are lots of motel types places in Hershey proper and a couple near the park. I would do a hotels. com search and see what you can get.

Have fun we love Hershey!

 

[derocas]

We went to Hershey last year and stayed at the Homewood Suites in Harrisburg. My husband is a teacher so we ended up getting a HUGE discount and I think that the room (suite) ended up costing us less than $100/night. They have a wonderful free breakfast everyday and free dinner Monday-Thursday including beer and wine. If you are staying M-Th you might want to consider booking here because you'll save so much money on meals alone.

We didn't do the movie or the trolley ride but I believe CVS has discounts both of those. We also didn't visit the Hershey Museum. We went to the park and Chocolate World which is FREE!!!!!!!

I'm not sure what you're looking to spend a night for the hotel but if I were you I'd consider staying in Harrisburg (much cheaper and ten minutes away). You should checkout tripadvisor forums for details. They have a lot of information.

 

[Ava]

I would definitely recommend Chocolate World as well - it's free, and there is a little ride where you learn how they make chocolate (and get a free sample at the end!). The only caveat is that it's right outside the entrance to Hershey Park - you can see the ferris wheel & the roller coasters - so if your kids will see the rides and start begging to go to the Park you might not want to venture so close.

Another fun thing to do in Hershey is Indian Echo Caverns - I think they might have a different name now, but it's a series of underground caverns that you walk through. I grew up not too far from Hershey and went here as a kid once, it was fun.

I haven't been to the Hershey Museum in many years - went on a field trip once in school - but don't remember anything great about it. I think the Caverns would be a lot more fun for kids.

 

[CTdiznymom]

We've done Hershey a few times and have always stayed in the Grantville area. I know there's a Holiday Inn, and I believe a Hampton. If you do decide to do the park they have a late admission discount with the purchase of a next day pass.

 

[MOMOFC&C]

Thanks for the info. I'll definitely check out those hotels. I think that we will definitely do Chocolate World, I believe that that is where the Trolley Tour starts from anyways. Are the other things in Chocolate World that cost money worth it?? I believe that there is a 3-D movie and some kind of chocolate tasting class or something like that.

 

[nuttypretzel]

The 3D movie is a much lower quality show then anything you have seen at Disney. We felt it was not worth the admission price.

 

[mousesweetie]

I'm from the Hershey area and you should definately check out chocolate world. Stay in the Harrisburg area, Homewood suites is good.
You can get discount coupons at local subway restaurants and discount tickets at Giant food stores around here, but I think its only for the amusement park. Have fun in chocolatetown!!!

 

[mrebuck]

There's a new museum in Herhey - The Hershey Story Museum. It's a bit overpriced but the chocolate lab classes (which, of course, cost extra) are fun. If you do go to that museum, make sure your kids do the apprentice program. It will help keep them interested as you walk through the museum - it's like a scavenger hunt. At the end they get a gold coin.

I agree that Indian Echo caverns would be a fun side trip. There's also a small zoo (ZooAmerica) right next to the park. It houses only animals from North America, though, so no tigers or lions.

There are plenty of hotels in the Harrisburg-Hershey area that would be fine. In addition to the Holiday Inn Grantville, you may want to check out the Marriott on Route 39 (I think it is a Springhill Suites). It's fairly new and just a few miles from the park.

 

[mjkacmom]

We stayed at the Country Inn and Suites in Harrisburg (Jonestown Road location), and it was $90 a night in May. It was clean, with a hot breakfast, friendly staff, 10 minutes from Hershey Park/Chocolate World. It was about 4 minutes further than other hotels I researched, that cost twice as much.

 

[Kitzka]

We stayed at the Country Inn and Suites in Harrisburg (Jonestown Road location), and it was $90 a night in May. It was clean, with a hot breakfast, friendly staff, 10 minutes from Hershey Park/Chocolate World. It was about 4 minutes further than other hotels I researched, that cost twice as much.

I was going to suggest this hotel or even the newer one at union deposit. it;s about 3 more miles out but because it's new the prices are a little lower.

we are staying there in aug when we go with DD

lara

 

[AnitaDisneyVacation]

We were in Hershey in May. Stayed at the LaQuinta in Harrisburg for just under $55/night. It included a free and very good breakfast. It's about 10-15 minutes away from Hershey.

As far as discounts, here's a link to area locations that have the coupons:
http://www.hersheypark.com/tickets/coupon_partners.php

Enjoy your trip!

 

[tjcrabb]

We go every year the day after thanksgiving to see the christmas decorations. I cant really comment on the trolley since I havent done it in years and it is done differently at christmas time as opposed to the rest of the year. My biggest recommendation is to stay away from the hershey Days Inn. Not only is the staff very rude but they have cochroaches everywhere! Convieniently the manager was never available, even calling after we left. (We wanted to talk to him about a seperate issue) We thought we were doing ourselves a favor because they have an indoor pool, shuttle to the park etc. I would rather sleep in my car. On a happier note, don't forget to stop by the disney outlet. They also have a really good ice cream place called Kong Kone? (not in the park)
~Tricia

 

[Teacher510]

I highly recommend the White Rose Motel. It's right in Hershey on Chocolate Ave, family run, clean and 5 minutes to Chocolate World. Dd went to college in 2002, 8 miles from Hershey so it became our second home. Our original motel closed so we tried the White Rose which we had passed many times and were very pleased. They have a pool and each room has a VCR/DVD, fridge and microwave. The rates are very good and it's nice to stay in town. They have a website with pictures of the rooms and you can book online as well.
The trolley ride is fun and we recently tried the 3-D show and enjoyed that too. There are also some nice outlets and a zoo with separate admission from the Park. The museum is new and very nice also. Have fun and enjoy the smell of chocolate in the air!

 

[Marshay]

I'm glad you asked this question. We're a family of 4 going to Hersheypark for one day in August...looking for a hotel the night before and was surprised by how expensive they are in Hershey (well over $100/night).

I'm looking into Harrisburg hotels now.

 

[kckmom]

On the years we do not do Disney, every other, we go to Hershey. Cannot report on hotels, we use my husband's Marriott/Sheraton points and stay free wherever we can, but if you are staying for more than one night, find out if AAA has any packages, I think they have discounts as well. I have never thought of trying the small local owned places. Nice to hear the feedback.

Definitely go to Chocolate World. And while the 3D show isn't Disney quality, my girls love it, coupons are available at Wendy's, and Dunkin Donuts too.

I have to say, the water park in Hershey Park is so fun, and good for little ones. It might be worth your money to go later in the evening, think they offer a discount if you go for a later part of the day. Also, if you register your email on their website, they send you special offers. Might be worth your while.

Enjoy!

 

[MOMOFC&C]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think that I'm leaning more towards staying near Lancaster, I think that the kids would enjoy that. I found a Days Inn that is only $85 a night, just want to read some of the reviews before I book it. Thanks for the info about the coupons at Wendy's and Dunkin Donuts, I will check that out. I'll register my e-mail too and maybe we'll get lucky with a good deal.