The Sweet Senses Of A Day At Hersheypark

Crowds from the Philadelphia area flock to the Jersey Shore every summer after all the kids finish school. It’s a tradition seemingly as old as the Declaration of Independence. Summer trips westbound aren’t always brought up with the same sense of romanticization.

Philadelphians who take a ride on the PA Turnpike to Hershey, however, create summer memories in a more quaint location with a different type of exhilaration and the sweet taste of fresh milk chocolate.

Entering the gates of Hersheypark triggers the senses immediately. The tingling smell of kettle corn and deep fried Oreos won’t help you stick to that diet, but who wants to live with FOMO? Let yourself enjoy one of the best parts of a summer trip.

The creative touches of “The Sweetest Place on Earth” wrap park guests in a theme that gives the trip a homey feeling of comfort and bliss.

Nobody can see the candy-themed mascots without smiling. The little ones too short for the biggest roller coasters fit into the Hershey Kiss height range. The ascending Reese’s, Hershey, Twizzler, and Jolly Rancher groups enjoy some of the park's more extreme thrill rides.

If you’d like to get your competitive juices flowing, the Lightning Racer pose the Thunder coaster against the Lightning coaster on opposite tracks. Winners get bragging rights over members of the group on the opposite track.

The Great Bear is the must-see classic, and the Wildcat's Revenge has also stood the test of time. The newly-added Twizzlers Twisted Gravity coaster has quickly grown into another park favorite.

Take your significant other to the top of the Kissing Tower for an unbeatable view of the Hershey Factory and the town.

The rides might drain the energy you need for the drive back to Philly. The Hershey Lodge, in that case, offers the choice for another tempting experience that’s impossible to forget: the cocoa infused bubble bath.

Make sure all the sweetness doesn’t make you forget about the interesting backstory of the town of Hershey, PA.

Step outside Hersheypark, the town’s main attraction. You’ll see Chocolate World that gives park guests a sneak peak inside the candy-making operation. Look further at the incredible outdoor stadium/concert venue, the ice hockey arena home to the Hershey Bears, and of course the Hershey Factory. Dad might even want to stop at the Troegs Brewery on the way back to Philly.

Hershey, PA's charm wouldn't have been possible without the inspiring work of the town’s founder and namesake.

Milton S. Hershey stepped through the candy-making business as a rags to riches success story of the late 1800s. 

After Hershey opened the chocolate factory in 1903, the town’s infrastructure grew from his philanthropy that extended far beyond chocolate bars and roller coasters.

The hallmark of his lasting legacy is the Milton Hershey School.

The school was originally founded for fatherless boys, and it has grown into a reputable coed private school with students from kindergarten through high school. Hershey left his entire fortune to help the school grow, and it honors his legacy at no cost to its students’ families.