Family Travel: Sweeten Up Your Summer Vacation

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

22 Jul 2008 09:00 PM

Forget about the kids, for chocoholic parents, a trip to Hershey's Chocolate World is a dream come true. The sweet treats that await you at the sumptuous property are seemingly endless. Imagine snapping your family's Christmas card photo beneath a streetlamp fashioned like a Hershey Kiss or snacking on samples from the two-million-square-foot Hershey Factory, the largest chocolate plant in the world. If your stomach is rumbling just thinking about the fun you would have it's time to stop smacking your lips and get into gear to take in the attractions.

Timing is everything when visiting the park. Hershey may bill itself as a year-round destination, but you need to visit when the weather is mild to get the most out of Hersheypark and its waterpark, which is only open in the summertime. The park is closed in January, February and March. (It reopens for one weekend in April for "Springtime in the Park," but then closes again immediately following the annual event.) Currently, Hersheypark is open daily for the summer season, but after Labor Day, the park reverts to a weekends-only schedule until the end of September. After that Hersheypark is open three weekends in October for "Halloween in Hershey," and in November and December for "Hersheypark Candylane."

If you are planning a trip don't miss out on all Hershey has to offer:

Hersheypark is home to more than 60 thrill rides, including 11 roller coasters. There are also about 20 kiddie rides, and several live shows specifically designed for younger guests. Hersheypark is also the gateway to the new "Boardwalk," which features the world's largest water-play structure, including waterslides, interactive water jets and fountains, and several water thrill rides. This year the theme park unveiled two new rides: Fahrenheit, a vertical-lift inverted-loop roller coaster with the steepest drop in the U.S., and Howler, a tornado ride that lets riders spin their own cars.

Visitors to Hershey's Chocolate World get a free pass to Hershey's Great American Chocolate Tour, which simulates a tour through a chocolate factory (free samples are included). Another must-see attraction is FactoryWorks, which allows kids the chance to work on a mock Hershey Kisses assembly line.

Hershey Gardens is also worth a stop if you are a snap happy parent. The 23-acre themed botanical gardens feature an interactive children's garden and a butterfly house (open only in summertime). Finally, if you have older children you might consider stopping in at the Hershey Museum, which is loaded with fascinating trivia and artifacts. The structure was designed to teach guests about the history of Hershey and its impact on American culture.

Related Articles:

What's New At Hershey

Family Travel: Celebrate 100 Years of the Chocolate Kiss

Top 5 "Sweet" Travel Destinations For Families

A Free Ride Through A Sweet Treat

Candy-Coated Chocolate War

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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