Hershey & Philly

[sb4k]

My daughter wants to go to Hershey PA to work on a class project. We are serioiusly considering her request. It would be at the beginning of November. We don't need to go to the park just the factory since it is for a video. Any suggestions or hotel suggestions, anything would be appreciated. Also may stop at Philly so suggestions for that would be appreciated also. Probably 4 day trip driving from west Ohio.

 

[Ms. Belle]

I stopped in Hershey while driving to Connecticut in June. We stayed at a Sheraton about 4 miles from the park. It was a nice hotel, very clean. It was bustling, as there were girls soccer teams staying there, but noise was not a problem. I would recommend it, it was nice; it was also much cheaper than any of the Hershey property hotels.

 

[scjo68]

We just went in Aug. for the first time. I think the park is only open for part of Nov.1 and 2 anyway, and then closed, so it's good your'e not too focused on the park. We did chocolate world, including the free ride tour and the 3D show which required tickets. The show was very good-similar to WDW 3D shows, with all the bells and whistles. We went to the Hershey museum, and really enjoyed it. This was with my dd 10, who likes history. My ds4 would not have appreciated the museum at all. We got free tickets to the museum because we stayed at the Hershey Lodge.

The Hershey Lodge was definitely not cheap, but we really enjoyed it. Lots of activities for kids, really nice rooms. We loved the shuttle to the park/chocolate world/museum. I would say it was better than the WDW bussses.

I'm sure there are nice places to stay for much less, but this was probably our only trip there, so it was worth it to us to splurge.

 

[Kycha]

Hershey will be open for Hersheypark in the Dark for weekends only until November 2. Then, Hersheypark Christmas Candylane starts the weekend of November 14th. For both events, they will have limited rides open. But, Hershey's Chocolate World, Hershey Museum and Zoo America are open year round. As far as a factory tour, I am pretty sure they don't do those anymore.

 

[Malibelle]

If you go to Philly definitly do the Constitution center, Independence Hall, Liberty Bell and the Philadelphia Zoo. Another fun thing is the Eastern State Penetentary, we took our nieces because they wanted to go. There's alot of history and even Al Capones cell. It was a great experience.

OH and There is Dave and Busters that is always a good time.

 

[ardig123]

You probably already know this but...Philly is about 1.5 to 2.5 hours (depending on traffic and where in Philly) past Hershey. I am from the Hershey area so I have never stayed in a Hotel but recently I was in the lobby at the Hampton Inn in Hershey and it seemed very very nice.

I know you said Chocolate World which will def. be open in Nov. It is my understanding that the Hershey Museum is now closed...they are opening a new museum but that will not be ready until January.

Zooamerica is open year round. A fun little zoo. There are the Hershey Outlets which are fun. When you say 4 days do you mean 4 days in Hershey or 4 days including drive time? What type of project is your DD doing?

 

[Kycha]

I know you said Chocolate World which will def. be open in Nov. It is my understanding that the Hershey Museum is now closed...they are opening a new museum but that will not be ready until January.

Oops...forgot about the museum closure. Sorry OP.

 

[Cristy]

Since the museum is closed for now I thought I would point out that there is a history of Hershey at the entrance to the chocolate ride inside Chocolate World. If part of her report is on the town he built, his original house can be seen as well as many of the buildings for the Hershey School he founded. They would be great for the video. The lighthouse is where the original pool was and he built the Hotel on the hill. Wealth of knowledge and would not take as long perhaps as a tour of Philly and our country's history.

 

[ntink]

Chocolate World is great but it is not the actual factory. It does show you how they make chocolate and takes you through a mock factory. The actual chocolate making is off limits to visitors.

From the "Factory Tours" website:

This a visitor center only, no actual factory tour.


Description
Experience the free chocolate-making tour that includes a free sample. Visit the gift shops, food court and full-service restaurant.

Visitors can learn the fascinating process of chocolate-making on CHOCOLATE WORLD®'s simulated factory tour ride. First, guests walk through a tropical jungle where cocoa beans are harvested, then they follow the cocoa bean's journey to a boat dock where beans are loaded onto ships headed for America. From there, visitors climb aboard the tour ride and enter the simulated factory tour. Tours are available continuously throughout the day. Guests receive a free sample of a HERSHEY®'S product at the end of the tour.

 

[sb4k]

Thanks for all the info. As more details come forth from my daughter - this is a project that she and 3 other girls will be doing. They need to pick and inventor and do a small 5 minute video/computer project on the inventor. The girls picked Milton Hershey. So of course the girls want to go to Hershey PA to get some video of the town, etc. We have parent/teacher conferences and would take off Nov. 6,7,8,9. I'm assuming it will be about a 10 hour drive. We have 4 kids so I'd really like to get a clean, cheap hotel in the area. Hubby is thinking about also going to Philly (maybe) since we are close. So if anyone has hotel suggestions in either area. Or if someone could give me the basics of what we could do in Hershey, I would appreciate it.