Hershey’s Chocolate World | Harrisburg

Hershey’s Chocolate World is a popular visitor complex located next to Hersheypark and the original Hershey chocolate factory in Hershey, Pennsylvania. It first opened in 1973 to replace public factory tours and today welcomes over three million guests annually. The complex offers a variety of immersive chocolate-themed experiences, retail, and dining options.

The centerpiece attraction is the Hershey’s Chocolate Tour, a free, continuous-loading dark ride that takes visitors through the chocolate-making process—from cacao sourcing to production—with animatronics and narration. At the end, guests receive a complimentary Hershey’s miniature chocolate bar.

For a more interactive experience, visitors can create their own personalized candy bar. This ticketed activity allows you to choose ingredients and watch your custom bar being made and wrapped in real time. You also get to design a personalized wrapper and take home the finished product.

Hershey’s Unwrapped is a ticketed, interactive tasting journey hosted by “tasteologists” who guide guests through sampling five different chocolates while explaining flavors and techniques. The Hershey Trolley Works offers a narrated hour-long vintage trolley ride through the town of Hershey, sharing stories about Milton Hershey’s life and local landmarks, with candy samples on board.

There is also a 4D Chocolate Movie that combines live-action and CGI featuring Hershey characters with environmental effects like wind and mist. For a more immersive ride, Hershey’s Great Candy Expedition uses motion seats and panoramic LED screens to take visitors on a fantasy journey through candy worlds.

Retail at Chocolate World includes the largest Hershey’s store in the world, stocked with thousands of branded items, bulk candy, and exclusive flavors you can’t find elsewhere. The bakery and ice-cream counter serve signature treats such as oversized chocolate bars, Reese’s cups, s’mores with square marshmallows, and milkshakes made with full-size candy bars. The Food Hall offers quick-serve options like gourmet grilled cheese on chocolate bread, cocoa-rubbed pulled pork, salads, and kid-friendly meals. Seasonal items reflect holidays and Hersheypark events, like pumpkin-flavored Reese’s in the fall.

Chocolate World is open year-round, typically from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. during off-peak seasons and extended hours in summer and during special events. The Chocolate Tour ride has a short wait most times except midday in summer. Other attractions require timed tickets that are best reserved online in advance. Parking is free for the first three hours with validation, and visitors can walk easily between Chocolate World and Hersheypark.

For the best visit, start early with the Chocolate Tour, then schedule a Create Your Own Candy Bar experience mid-morning while exploring the retail shops. Take a break with a milkshake or s’more, then enjoy the Hershey Trolley Works in the afternoon. Finish with a tasting or 4D show before souvenir shopping. Large purchases can be shipped home from Guest Services to avoid carrying heavy items.

Chocolate World is a great indoor destination to escape summer heat or rainy weather while staying immersed in the world of Hershey’s chocolate. It is fully cash-free and provides allergen information clearly, with special nut-free candy bar sessions available on some days.