Be sure to roll down your windows as you approach Hershey, Pennsylvania, to let the aroma of chocolate float into your car. Initially opened in 1907 by candy maker Milton Hershey as a picnic spot for his employees, Hersheypark is now a 110-acre theme park with more than 60 rides. Its attractions include an assortment of water rides, ten roller coasters, and play areas for very young children. Keep an eye out for seven-foot-tall costumed characters dressed as Hershey bars, Hershey's Kisses, and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups wandering about the park.
When the amusement park and adjacent zoo and gardens are closed during the winter months, you can still visit other chocolatey attractions such as the Hershey's Chocolate World Visitor's Center, which offers a factory tour. Visitors can climb into mechanized cars to tour the chocolate-making process, from cocoa bean to molded bar. Your family will enjoy the tour's end, when all visitors receive a free chocolate sample. The history of the chocolate empire is featured in the park's Hershey Museum.
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Hersheypark Information
Address: 100 W. Hersheypark Dr., Hershey, PA
Telephone: 800/HERSHEY (800/437-7439)
Hours of Operation: May - December; Hours Vary
Admission: $43.95 adults; $24.95 kids
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To learn more about family vacation destinations, see:
- Family Vacations: Learn about hundreds of family vacations in destinations all over North America.
- Philadelphia City Guide: Find out where to stay, what to do, and where to eat when you visit the City of Brotherly Love.
- Pennsylvania State Guide: Learn about Mobil Travel Guide-rated hotels and restaurants in Pennsylvania, as well as other recreational activities.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Laura Sutherland is a widely acknowledged authority on family travel and has published several books on the topic, including Best Family Ski Vacations In North America and Tropical Family Vacations.
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