Information
Landmark: Hershey’s Chocolate WorldCity: Harrisburg
Country: USA Pennsylvania
Continent: North America
Hershey’s Chocolate World, Harrisburg, USA Pennsylvania, North America
Overview
Hershey’s Chocolate World sits right beside Hersheypark and the old brick factory where the first Hershey bars were made, drawing crowds eager for a sweet taste of Pennsylvania’s chocolate heritage.It opened its doors in 1973, taking the place of the old public factory tours, and now over three million people file in each year, the scent of warm chocolate greeting them at the entrance.The complex treats visitors to rich, chocolate-themed adventures, from hands-on tastings to boutique shopping and cozy café dining.At the heart of it all is the Hershey’s Chocolate Tour, a free dark ride that’s always loading and whisking guests from the scent of roasting cacao to the hum of production, with animatronic characters and a lively narrator guiding the way.When it’s over, guests walk away with a small Hershey’s miniature, its crinkly foil warm from the room.Visitors can get hands-on by making their own candy bar, choosing each ingredient from crunchy nuts to swirls of caramel.With this ticket, you pick your own ingredients, then watch as your custom bar is mixed, shaped, and wrapped right in front of you, the sweet scent drifting through the air.You’ll design your own custom wrapper-maybe choose colors that pop-and leave with the finished treat in hand.Hershey’s Unwrapped is a ticketed, hands-on tasting led by friendly “tasteologists” who walk guests through five distinct chocolates, pausing to share how each one’s flavor and texture come to life.Hop aboard the Hershey Trolley Works for a vintage ride through town, where a lively guide spins tales of Milton Hershey’s life and points out local landmarks; you might even unwrap a sweet chocolate sample as the wheels hum along.You can also catch the 4D Chocolate Movie, where Hershey characters come to life in a mix of live action and CGI, complete with bursts of wind and a light mist against your face.Hershey’s Great Candy Expedition pulls visitors into the adventure with motion seats that sway and jolt, while panoramic LED screens sweep them through dazzling candy worlds.Chocolate World’s retail space boasts the biggest Hershey’s store on the planet, packed with thousands of branded goodies, bins of bulk candy, and rare flavors you won’t spot anywhere else.At the bakery and ice-cream counter, you’ll find signature goodies like giant chocolate bars, Reese’s cups, s’mores stacked with square marshmallows, and milkshakes blended with whole candy bars.At the Food Hall, you can grab quick bites like a gooey gourmet grilled cheese on chocolate bread, tender cocoa-rubbed pulled pork, crisp salads, and plenty of kid-friendly plates.Seasonal treats tie into holidays and Hersheypark events-you might even spot pumpkin‑spiced Reese’s on crisp autumn afternoons.Chocolate World stays open all year, usually from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in quieter months, but summer and special events stretch the day well past sunset.Most of the time, you can hop on the Chocolate Tour right away, though in the summer around noon the line can stretch past the candy shop door.Some attractions need timed tickets, and it’s smartest to book them online before you go-think of it like grabbing a spot for a 2 p.m. tour before it sells out.With validation, you get three hours of free parking, and it’s just a short, easy walk from Chocolate World to Hersheypark-close enough to catch the scent of cocoa in the air.To make the most of your day, kick things off early with the Chocolate Tour, then around mid-morning craft your own candy bar before wandering through the sweet-scented retail shops.Grab a creamy milkshake or a gooey s’more, then hop on the Hershey Trolley Works for a relaxed afternoon ride.Wrap up with a tasting or a 4D show, then browse for souvenirs-maybe that glossy mug catching the light on the shelf.Guest Services can ship big purchases straight to your home, so you don’t have to lug that heavy box around all day.Chocolate World is the perfect spot to duck inside on a sweltering afternoon or a stormy day, all while surrounding yourself with the rich, sweet scent of Hershey’s chocolate.It’s completely cash-free, and allergen details are easy to spot-on certain days, you can even join special nut‑free candy bar sessions, with the sweet smell of chocolate filling the room.
