Six in the City: Hershey PA

hershey, hersheypark, chocolate world, hershey story museum, pennsylvania

With autumn being the start of my favorite time of the year, and with the kids getting older, I’ve been dying to create some lasting memories with them and share a bit of nostalgia from my childhood, so this past Friday, the 13th, we ventured off on a truly frightful adventure … an 8 hour, midnight, drive to Hershey, Pennsylvania for the weekend. Thank goodness I had N to drive us because I slept most of the way there … sorry babe!

Living in the North, we visited Hersheypark when I was a child, and while I recall these wonderful memories of Hershey mascots and funnel cakes, my mother seems to recall it quite differently. In her version of events, we only went one time and I got sick upon parking, leaving us to leave shortly after arrival … I trust my memories are more accurate. What we do agree on is that we didn’t venture around Hershey and explore past the parks, so it was really exciting to get the chance to do that with C and V.

STAY

Leaving at midnight, we arrived around 8 am … completely exhausted. Check in at the Hampton Inn Near Hershey Park wasn’t until 3 pm, but we thought we’d try our luck anyways and while we weren’t able to get in at that time, Kate (our fabulous desk agent, who was possibly the manager) took our number, let us know she’d try to have it ready by noon, and even welcomed my request for a special note for the kids to see when they got to the room.

Let me just say Kate did not disappoint. By the time we were finished breakfast, and went on a mini adventure, our phone was ringing. The Hampton Inn Near Hershey Park was such a convenient drive to the Hershey action and basically a straight shot from the theme park, so it took no time to get there.

We had a queen, studio suite, which was perfect for our group of 4 and actually better than I expected. Being a studio, I was thinking everything was going to be right there in one room, but the living area was actually sectioned off from the bedroom area. Before I could claim it as N and my area, C informed me he preferred to stay out there in his own area where he didn’t have to watch what V wanted to watch … that’s a teen boy for you.

Hershey PA, Pennsylvania, Hampton Inn

Kate left smiley face balloons in the living room along with more smiley face balloons in the bedroom, Hershey’s chocolate bars for each of us, and a sweet note welcoming us to “Hershey-the sweetest place on earth” … the kids were thrilled and V tried to claim everyone’s Hershey bar as her own; no ma’am.

Hampton Inn Near Hershey

I wish we had more time to enjoy the family games that were available in the lobby area, but it was definitely a nice addition. We left our bathing suits at home, so we didn’t get the opportunity to enjoy the pool either, but the room felt amazing and had all the necessities … towels for drying off and a restroom to keep people from using the pool as one … sick.

Hershey PA, Hampton Inn Near the Park

I did make sure to pack my workout clothes and utilized the exercise room Sunday morning. Naturally, I left my water bottle in the bedroom, but there was a water cooler located right as you walked in the workout area. I was able to get in a good jog on the treadmill and N did some weight lifting with the set they had available.

After finishing up in the workout room, we were able to grab breakfast in the dining area. I’m not sure if I was more excited about my oatmeal and fruit or the comfy sofa I was able to snag. I have to say, this was one of my favorite set ups for a hotel dining area. It had a homey feel with the various table/seating options and fireplace.

Hershey PA, Pennslyvania, Hampton InnFriendly staff. Clean rooms. Hot breakfast. Thoughtful amenities. All in all, I would definitely recommend the Hampton Inn Near Hershey Park when you’re visiting the city.

PLAY

Chocolate World

Somehow, I didn’t even realize Chocolate World existed until a couple days before the trip, but it can’t be missed! It’s conveniently located beside the entrance to Hersheypark, so you could easily knock them out in one go, just walking over to one after you’re finished with the other.

Hershey PA, Pennsylvania, Chocolate World

We got to Chocolate World shortly after it opened, so there weren’t really any lines or crowds to deal with as we went in to purchase tickets.

They have a few different options for paid activities, including a bundled option that lets you do them all, but we only went with one … create your own candy bar.

Hershey PA, Pennsylvania, Chocolate WorldThis was such an awesome experience! They outfit you with a keepsake apron and hairnet (C proudly proclaimed I looked like a lunch lady with mine and could use that as my Halloween costume) before sending you on your way through a factory type setting. You start by selecting your chocolate flavor (dark chocolate for me) and 0-3 fillings (toffee pieces and pretzels) on the computer before going through to where the action is.

You watch as your chocolate bar goes down the line (there are screens marked with your name, so you know which is yours), getting all the options you selected. As it’s doing that, you then go to another computer area where you design your wrapper; if I had been thinking like C, I would have included the date, but I was too busy putting fall foliage on mine that it didn’t cross my mind … fail.

Hershey PA, Pennsylvania, Chocolate World

Your bar comes out and is packaged up in aluminum tins, covered with your personalized wrapper, by lovely women at the end of the conveyor built. If you’re going to buy a souvenir anyways, just spend the $20 per person for the experience and the keepsake Hershey’s bar you created.

hershey, pennslyvania, chocolate, chocolate world, hersheypark, hershey story museum

If you’re wanting to get your Hershey’s chocolate fix, ride on a ride, and have an educational spin, by finding out how that chocolate is made, without spending any money, Chocolate World also has a FREE tour ride where you hop in a Kiss, Reese’s, or Hershey themed “car” that takes you around as you learn about the chocolate making process. At the end, there’s a lovely gentleman who hands out mini Hershey’s bars for you to enjoy.

Funny moment, we hopped in line to do the tour ride and N thought walking around in the holding area was the ride, so he was less than thrilled until we rounded the corner and he saw there was an actual ride. I’ve never seen such relief and excitement cross his face.

This was our first stop as well as the first stop in Hershey Hallow, where children 12 years and under can trick or treat at 13 different stops on Hershey’s Trick or Treat Adventure.

 

Hersheypark

Disclaimer: While we were gifted with complimentary admission into Hersheypark, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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hershey, hersheypark, chocolate world, hershey story museum, pennsylvania

Hershey PA, Pennsylvania, Hersheypark in the dark

The thing I absolutely love about Hersheypark is we got to be kids with the kids. We got to run around looking for rides, gorge on kettle corn, and spend copious amounts of money on carnival games we knew we’d never win, but were still optimistic that maybe, just maybe, we’d luck up on one of the giant bears and jumbo Hershey’s bars we saw people walking around with … we weren’t as lucky as them. I did manage to win a cute little ghost that says Hersheypark in the Dark on it’s belly on my 3rd attempt at the water gun game … did I mention I paid for everyone to play all 3 times in pursuit of that keepsake ghost?

We had a blast in the arcade area playing those old time favorites … skeeball anyone … and N and I had a basketball competition we tied at, but somehow he managed to get more tickets than I.

We took a ride on the Kissing Tower and marveled at the amazing view from 250 feet in the air as well as the fact that we were actually 250 feet in the air, but The Claw was the favored ride. It didn’t quite take you upside down, but it was darn close to it, while also spinning you around … if the Tea Cups and the Pirate Ship had a baby, The Claw would be their offspring.

An unexpected surprise was learning your admission into Hersheypark also gets you into ZooAmerica for free, which also had stops on the Hershey’s Trick or Treat Adventure. Different nights during Hersheypark in the Dark they have Creatures of the Night featuring a different animal depending upon the day of the week. We got to enjoy the Grey Wolves, though I don’t think they were enjoying us and seemed a bit scared at all the attention from everyone standing around waiting to hear them howl.

Hershey PA, Pennsylvania, ZooAmericaThe unfortunate thing about the park were the extremely long lines, so it made it difficult when it came to getting on rides … as in we would stand in line for a good 30 – 45 minutes attempting to ride a ride that lasted 5. We didn’t get any actual “food” food, just the obligatory kettle corn from the location making it in a cauldron right in front of you … I mean, how can you resist getting something that looks like witches brew?! If you’re planning to be there all day or even most of the day, they do have an all day dining option that allows you to eat every 90 minutes for $29.67 per person … not a bad deal at all.

The Hershey Story Museum

This was actually a total last minute, Livingsocial deal, purchase that I’m glad I acquired. The deal was for 4 museum entrance tickets and 4 chocolate tastings, so perfect for our group, and there happened to be an extra 20% sale when I got them, making it only $39.20 … score.

Hershey PA, Pennsylvania, Hershey Story Museum

This museum provided such a wonderful educational aspect to the trip that I’m so glad the kids were able to get. The bottom portion of the museum houses the gift shop, the Pantry Café restaurant (that we were supposed to be going to on the first day), and various activities like the chocolate tasting. The top portion is dedicated to the actual Hershey story, where you go on a self-guided tour learning about Milton Hershey’s humble beginnings all the way through to his amazing accomplishments.

hershey, pennslyvania, chocolate, hersheypark, hershey story museumThe tour includes a series of pictures, activities, and artifacts that take you along on the journey of Milton Hershey from leaving school after the 4th grade, being fired from this first job, going bankrupt in his first business, and leaving a legacy with his last. I don’t know how great it would be for younger children, but C and V were the perfect age to really soak up and enjoy what they were seeing and reading.

Hershey PA, Pennsylvania, Hershey Story Museum

After the tour, we went down to the chocolate tasting, which was more of a hot chocolate tasting rather than simply sampling various chocolates.

You’re given 6 shot glasses, containing chocolates from various places around the world, a sheet to help you navigate where each chocolate came from as well as what it contains, and a cup of water to cleanse your palate.

Hershey PA, Pennsylvania, Hershey Story MuseumWhile I did enjoy the sampling, some of the varieties were even a bit much for me, so keep that in mind when you’re getting it. Also, make sure you read what’s in those chocolates! V has a tree nut allergy and a couple of the varieties contained nuts. As I mentioned earlier, the tasting was included in our Livingsocial deal, but if it hadn’t of been, I would have wished I had gotten the children’s warm milk and chocolate stirrers option for V, who didn’t care for any of the samples, and only 1 tasting for the rest of us to share because it seemed like A LOT of chocolate by the time we were done.

24 Hours in Hershey, Pennsylvania

DINE

The Hershey Pantry

I had The Pantry Cafe in my head for us to eat at when we arrived, but told N The Hershey Pantry (mixing up the names) for the navigational device. We were already there and I couldn’t pass up the super cute home, transformed into a super cute restaurant, once I saw their festive autumn decorations.

Once inside, I was pleasantly surprised by the decor and fell in love with everything about the selected furnishing that looked like the could have come straight out of West Elm. There was a cute little bar area that I surely would have sat at an ordered a cup of delicious hot chocolate had I not been with the rest of the family. Even the bathroom was super cute and how often do you hear someone say that about a restaurant?!

We were, surprisingly, able to sit pretty quickly and greeted just as fast. Our waitress was very warm and open with suggestions for first timers like ourselves.

The kids and N went with a traditional breakfast of eggs, home fries, toast, and bacon, which looked quite good. I stepped out of my box, getting the Ashley’s Sandwich instead of my go to brunch meal, French Toast, and I was not disappointed. It was egg, provolone, garlic, spinach, and Dijon aioli on toasted brioche … yum.

Hershey PA, Pennsylvania, Hershey Pantry

Hershey PA, Pennsylvania, Hershey PantryThe only “complaint” I’d note (and it’s not really something that can be fixed) is the very quaint dining space. Remember that beautiful decor I mentioned earlier? There’s quite a bit of it in a space that doesn’t completely accommodate it when the restaurant is full (which I imagine it always is based on the service and quality of food). The kids sat at the window seats and had to slide over to the chairs, while N and I had to squeeze into ours due to there being very little space left for us to pull our chairs out with people utilizing the tables on either side of ours. Someone actually tripped on a chair leg passing our table because there’s not much of an aisle once the center tables are occupied. Again, not something that can be changed without eliminating tables, but definitely not a deterrent and actually adds to that homey feel that makes this place so special.

Harvest at the Hotel Hershey

We actually liked Harvest so much, we dined here for an assortment of light bites for lunch on the first day and brunch on the second!

Our first go round, we picked a few items from the Starters menu, loaded pastrami potato skins for N, mom & pop’s pierogies for me, and French fries for the less adventurous V; C sampled them all. There’s an obvious potato trend there, but we do love our potatoes and this was the start of my becoming a vegetarian, so I couldn’t/didn’t get some of the other things that popped out at me … looking at you lobster cobb salad. N also got an onsite created draft beer, Troegs, that he was quite impressed with and quickly snapped a picture to share on Untapd because apparently that’s what beer lovers do.

Hershey PA, Pennsylvania, HarvestThe second go round, all but N were sucked into the, heaven on a plate, brioche French toast. I just want to say, I was doing really well with my food selections up until this point, but that Philadelphia cream cheese stuffed, warm local summer fruit compote with Pennsylvania maple syrup, powdered sugar, and cocoa topped amazingness was well worth the calories. N went with the breakfast burrito scramble and while he did say it was good, it was a little on the small side and didn’t quite fill him up as our selection did us.

Hershey PA, Pennsylvania, HarvestI should add, I did order the cast iron baked brie that came topped with seasonal fruit chutney (that looked strikingly similar to what was on the French toast) along with French bread and red grapes on the side; I wouldn’t order this table selection again. I wasn’t crazy about the texture and taste of this particular brie and there was quite a bit of it to only come with 4 small slices of French bread.

Hershey PA, Pennsylvania, HarvestThere were just so many items on the menu I wanted that I would certainly need to go back again in the future to try more of them … everything was so insanely good and the service was superb, so what’s not to love?!

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This may sound completely crazy, but prior to our trip, I just thought the town of Hershey acquired that name because it’s where Hershey headquarters are … wrong! Not only did Milton Hershey create the Hershey’s bars we’ve all grown to know and love, he created this town from nothing. He had a vision and brought that vision to life, making not only his life exponentially better, but the lives of those who chose to believe in the vision with him. He brought in houses, banks, stores, things that would make the lives of his employees easier and, as if that wasn’t enough, he created a home for orphaned boys that he eventually gave his entire fortune to.

Extraordinary man who created a must visit town.

 

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