Hershey Park- ideas and advice?

[hsmamato2]

Hello- we'll be traveling thru Hershey Pa in late July, I'd like to do a day or so in the area,so the kids get the 'flavor' of it- what should we do? where should we stay? I was thinking the Hershey factory tour,maybe the amusement park,and a restaurant or two in the area that embodies the Amish type cooking in the area? Also,what is a decent hotel in the area that won't break the bank? doesn't have to be fancy,just safe and clean...TIA!

 

[Sonnyeclipse]

They do not offer the factory tour anymore but do have a simulated tour ride at Chocolate World that kids love (and its free). Hersheypark is a very fun and safe park that has a good combination of thrill rides, slower rides and a water park.

There is a Days Inn in Hershey and a Comfort Inn in Hummelstown that are probably pretty reasonable. There is a Hilton Garden Inn in Hummelstown and a Springhill suites which are probably a little more.

As far as Amish type cooking, you may have to head towards Lancaster. You may want to take an afternoon and drive down there anyway to see Amish country.

PM me if you want any more details or advice.

 

[mjkacmom]

Just make sure you go during the week. They have a special, where you can get in free during the last couple of hours if you buy a ticket for the next day. If you have a coupon, you can still use it. We stayed at the County Inn and Suites on Jonestown Road, 4 miles, 10 minutes from the park, for under $100 in the spring. It was cheaper than a lot of other hotels, clean, indoor pool, free hot breakfast, and friendly staff. It was a straight line on 1 road to get to Hershey.

 

[andrews_dad]

Hey OP, what ages are the kids? Lots of great stuff for teh 5 and under crowd in the area...

 

[hsmamato2]

my kids are 10 -17......thanks for the advice so far..... Hershey park seems VERY pricey- is it worth it? anyone done the chocolate tour?

 

[dispor]

The chocolate tour truly is just a RIDE with simulated factory equipment, with explanations of how the candy is made. But at the end, you get a piece of chocolate!! YUM!

We stayed here when we visited the area two years ago. Fun and different, with an absolutely DELICIOUS breakfast!!

http://www.rockyacre.com/

Edited to add: The owners of Rocky Acre can put you in contact with an Amish family and you can have dinner with their family, in their own house. We didn't have time to do this, but I really would have liked to.

We toured the Herr's potato chip factory. There, you see parts of the actual production, and they bring a tray of fresh chips, hot off the conveyor. YUM!!!

York county is full of factory tours! Google it. Stay away from the Harley Davidson tour - your youngest will be too young to go on it.

 

[disneymarie]

The simulated tour ride is nice and free, years ago as a child I toured the real factory, but health standards disallowed so the ride was introduced. Over the recent few years it has been given an face-lift.
There is a Trolley ride and that truly is a fun time. fun, song, acting, treats and tour of the historic area.

The museum is right on park site, inexpensive and lots of PA history and artifacts of Milton Hershey Family.

Also nearby is the caverns Indian Echo, that is a treat, I do not know if the train still runs to Hummelstown though.
We have stayed at the Days Inn Hershey and during season is so high. On Interstate 81 Grantville is an Econo lodge with AAA about $60 during the season.

Lancaster is 1/2 hour or so away, nice drive.

For excellent Amish food, Funkee's in the area has excellent menu. At Fort Indian Town Gap there is a restaurant I think a Funke's and all the National Guards eat there.