While it is officially known as Derry Township, locals and tourists alike call it by its much better known name - Hershey! It was originally conceived by Milton Hershey to house and entertain workers at the Hershey Chocolate factory.
Hershey, about 15km east of Harrisburg, is the home to a number of attractions owned by the Hershey chocolate company. The two most often visited are Hershey Chocolate World and Hersheypark (amusement park). Adjoining Hersheypark are Hershey Museum, Zoo America (containing North American species only) and Hersheypark Stadium and Giant Center which both play host to concerts and sporting events. From spring to autumn the Hershey Gardens are also open. The spectacularly sited Hershey Hotel situated on the hill contains what is rumoured to be an excellent spa. There is also a sizable shopping outlet mall. The township, just south of the major attractions, is most notable for it's Hershey Kiss-shaped streetlights. However, in Cocoa Avenue there is an excellent children's wooden playground (Cocoa Castle) adjoining the swimming pool. Milton Hershey also started the still operating Milton Hershey School for orphaned children, located a little south and east of the town. There are small but pleasant gardens in the schoolgrounds.
Favourite spots:
Hershey Gardens (admission fee) includes an excellent children's garden, butterfly house, Japanese garden and rose gardens among it's many theme gardens. Hersheypark (admission fee) has some fun rollercoasters, especially The Great Bear (inverted), The Wildcat (wooden) and Lightning Racer (dual tracks). Hershey Chocolate World includes a free ride showing how chocolate is made. The ride will begin undergoing renovation in January 2006.
What's really great:
Chocolate World and the Kiss-shaped streetlights are unique. The Hershey Trolley bus tour around the town includes actors in period costume.
Accommodations:
There are no hostels in Hershey. Your best bet is either to camp at Highmeadow Campground which also entitles you to enter Hersheypark one hour before everyone else, or to stay at one of the cheaper hotels and motels scattered throughout the town. The White Rose at 1060 E. Chocolate Ave and the Milton at 1733 East Chocolate Ave. are two of the better and least expensive ones.
If you have a big budget (over $300 per night) then by all means stay at the luxury Hotel Hershey resort.
Other recommendations:
Zoo America and Hershey Gardens are probably not worth the regular admission fees. However, if you purchase a family membership at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh ($45 as of December 2005), you and your family can receive unlimited free entry for a year not only to these two attractions, but also to numerous zoos and gardens throughout North America. Now THERE'S a tip for you!
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