Information
Landmark: HersheyparkCity: Harrisburg
Country: USA Pennsylvania
Continent: North America
Hersheypark, Harrisburg, USA Pennsylvania, North America
Overview
Hersheypark first swung open its gates in 1906, a creation of Milton S. Hershey in the heart of his growing chocolate town.Hershey’s picnic grounds where chocolate-factory workers could gather under the shade of tall oaks.You’ll find it in Hershey, Pennsylvania-just fifteen minutes from Harrisburg and a two‑hour drive past rolling farmland from Philadelphia.The park stretches across about 121 acres, rubbing up against Hershey’s Chocolate World, ZooAmerica, and the old brick walls left from the original factory.Hersheypark unfolds in themed zones, each with its own energy.Step through Hershey’s Chocolatetown, the sleek modern entrance crowned by the soaring 210‑foot Candymonium coaster, a flagship shop, a craft‑beer bar, and The Chocolatier Restaurant with windows overlooking the bustling midway.Founders Way leads visitors past the 1919 Carrousel, Skyview gondolas gliding overhead, guest services, stroller rentals, and lockers.On Kissing Tower Hill, the 330‑foot rotating tower rises above flower‑lined paths and classic rides like the Hershey Triple Tower drop trio.The Hollow hugs a shaded creek crossed by a stone bridge, home to Comet, Skyrush, and the looping SooperDooperLooper.Pioneer Frontier brings a western flair with Storm Runner’s launch, the Trailblazer mine train, the Dry Gulch Railroad, and the smoky scent of BBQ drifting from its eatery.Midway America channels a 1990s boardwalk, hosting Lightning Racer’s dueling tracks, Wild Mouse, a towering Ferris Wheel, midway games, and the open‑air Music Box Theatre.Over at The Boardwalk, an 11‑acre water park splashes with tube slides, Breakers Edge HydroMAGNETIC thrills, Whitecap Racer’s six lanes, a massive wave pool, a lazy river, and tot‑splash zones.The coaster timeline stretches from Comet (1946) through Trailblazer (1974), SooperDooperLooper (1977), Sidewinder (1991), Wildcat (1996, now Wildcat’s Revenge in 2023), Lightning Racer (2000), Storm Runner (2004), Fahrenheit (2008), Skyrush (2012), Laff Trakk (2015), Candymonium (2020), Jolly Rancher Remix (2022), and Wildcat’s Revenge (2023), with family and kiddie coasters rounding the total to fifteen.Breakers Edge Water Coaster is a standout water ride, gliding on magnetic propulsion with four-person rafts that splash hard at the turns.Whitecap Racer sends riders racing down six lanes on mats, launching from a tower that rises 70 feet into the air.Tidal Force ranks as one of North America’s tallest shoot-the-chutes, dropping riders a heart-pounding 100 feet before soaking them in a wall of cold spray.Coal Cracker, a classic log flume, winds beneath Skyrush and slips into cool, shadowy hillside tunnels.Here’s the year’s lineup: Spring Weekends run on select dates from late March to May, with cooler weather and rides in operation; Summer brings daily hours from mid-June to late August, the longest days and every water slide open; Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights fill late September through October with haunted houses, scare zones, and coasters roaring in the dark; Christmas Candylane lights up mid-November to early January with five million twinkling bulbs, Santa’s reindeer, and a smaller but cheerful ride roster.The park’s cash-free-just bring a card or tap your phone.You can stash your bags in the front-gate lockers free of charge for up to three hours-just drop them in and head inside.Fast Track passes-whether standard or unlimited-let you skip long lines and hop straight onto the big coasters, sometimes before the next train even rattles in.The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge, and Hersheypark Camping Resort all provide free shuttles and “Sweet Start,” letting guests slip through the gates an hour early to enjoy select rides before the crowds arrive.safeStash your swimwear in a small locker by The Boardwalk so you won’t have to hike back to the car under the hot sun.Hop back on Skyrush in the final hour, when the lines shrink and the wind bites a little sharper.You can settle in at The Chocolatier for full-service dining with a clear view of the coaster rumbling past, or grab something fast at Overlook Food Court, where there’s plenty of shade and a mix of choices.Wrap up the night on the Kissing Tower, where you can take in a sweeping view of Hershey glowing in warm, chocolate-brown light.
