Hershey, a charming small town in Pennsylvania where Milton Hershey founded his chocolate empire, Hershey’s Chocolate.
Hershey is a quaint small town in south-central Pennsylvania, about 20 miles east of Harrisonburg and approximately 95 miles northeast of Philadelphia, where Milton Hershey laid his foundation of his world-famous Hershey’s chocolate. From chocolate-shaped street-lamps, chocolate themed amusement park and Hershey’s Chocolate World, everything in the town Hershey looks and smells like chocolate.
The small town of Hershey has a unique story and the legacy of Milton and Catherine Hershey still lives on today. Milton Hershey failed time and again but never gave up. Through challenging times, he kept an innovative spirit and a positive mindset. His resilience led to success through chocolate. Plans for building the town of Hershey went hand in hand with building the factory. The factory was in the middle of farmland, so Mr. Hershey knew he needed to build homes for his employees. He guided plans for a tree-lined community that would meet all resident needs. Some employees chose to live outside of town. Mr. Hershey developed a trolley system to provide them with easy access to work.
During the Great Depression, Milton Hershey kept his men at work. They built what are now the most historic, innovative, and recognizable buildings in town:
- The Hotel Hershey
- The Community Building with two elegant theaters
- Catherine Hall (original Junior-Senior High School)
- The Windowless Office Building, the chocolate factory’s office
- The Hersheypark Arena
Milton Hershey believed that every person is “morally obligated to share the fruits of success with others.” This belief resulted in great contributions to his community and the world. He and his wife, Catherine, wanted to put their growing fortune to good use. Because they loved children and were unable to have their own, they decided to start a school in 1909: The Hershey Industrial School. Their goal was to create a school for low-income, orphaned boys to help them lead successful and happy lives. The school was the primary recipient of Mr. Hershey’s fortune when he died in 1945 at age 88.
Mr. Hershey’s personal beliefs about the obligations of wealth and the quality of life in his town have made the company, community, and school a living legacy. Now known as Milton Hershey School, they continue to advance the Hersheys’ vision and help students break the cycle of poverty. MHS provides an excellent education and a stable home life for more than 2,000 children each year. The Hershey Trust Company funds the school, which means every visit to Hershey and each candy bar purchased continues to provide funding for an amazing cause.
Taste chocolates, learn how to make them, stroll in the manicured gardens and enjoy thrill rides in Hersheypark!
Top Attractions
- Hershey’s Chocolate World – is the ideal place to begin your Hershey adventure. It features several exhibits and a ride demonstrating the chocolate making process and the history behind the making of Hershey’s Chocolate company. You can also sample several chocolates, makes your own chocolate and enjoy the 4D Chocolate Mystery show.
- Hersheypark – is one of the most popular attractions in the town of Hershey. It is a chocolate themed amusement park featuring several thrill rides, family friendly rides, Boardwalk – a water park.
- Hershey Gardens overlooks the town of Hershey. It is a world-class botanical garden featuring a conservatory and several gardens. It also features a Butterfly Atrium, which is a huge collection of butterflies from all over the world.
- ZooAmerica is a small zoo housing several animals, birds and amphibians in its five zones – Southern Swamps, The Great Southwest, Big Sky Country, Northlands and Eastern Woodlands. The zoo also features a few behind the scenes tour options, zoo camps, a couple of restaurants and a gift shop.
Lodging In Hershey
While you will find several chain hotels and many locally-owned bread and breakfast in Hershey, I highly recommend staying in one of the hotels that are owned and operated by Hershey. Staying in the Hershey hotels gives you a flawless experience and access to several attractions complimentary.
- The Hotel Hershey is an Historic Hotel Of America and features refined elegance, signature service, and abundant amenities.
- Hershey Lodge includes deluxe accommodations, big splashes in the indoor pool complex, sweet resort activities, and iconic chocolate details around every corner.
- Hilton Garden Inn Hershey in Hershey, PA is located in the “sweetest place on earth.” This suburban location is less than two miles from Hershey’s attractions
- Courtyard by Marriott Hershey on Chocolate Avenue offers excellent amenities in a great location. Our brand-new hotel is located minutes from Hersheypark and the vibrant downtown area.
