There’s something about pulling into Hershey, Pennsylvania and literally smelling chocolate in the air that makes you feel like a kid again.
I’m not even exaggerating.
The first time I drove in, windows down, I actually laughed out loud.
And then the parking situation hit me like a wall.
That’s the thing about Hershey Park — it has this magical, dreamy pull that nobody warns you about until you’re already knee-deep in a crowd, holding a funnel cake, wondering if your feet will ever forgive you.
So before you plan your trip, let me save you the learning curve.
First Things First — What Hershey Park Actually Is
Most people think it’s just a chocolate-themed ride park.
It’s so much more than that.
Hershey Park is a full-on amusement park with over 70 rides, a water park, a zoo, and yes — more chocolate than any human being should legally consume in one afternoon.
Jeff here, and I’ve been to a lot of parks across the country.
Cedar Point, Six Flags, Universal — you name it.
And Hershey has this specific vibe that sits somewhere between a classic American summer and a legit thrill-seeker’s playground.
It doesn’t try to be Disney.
And honestly?
That’s what I love about it.
It has its own identity — a little retro, a little sweet, genuinely fun.
Getting There and Parking (Don’t Skip This Part)
Here’s my first honest tip: plan your arrival like you’re going to battle.
I showed up on a Saturday morning thinking I’d be smart getting there early.
I was not the only one with that idea.
Parking is paid and it fills up fast, especially on weekends during peak summer.
There are multiple parking lots, and some are closer to the entrance than others.
Pay the extra few bucks for preferred parking if you can.
Your legs will thank you at hour eight.
Also — GPS can be a little weird around the park area.
Follow the signs once you’re in Hershey, not just your phone.
I learned that the hard way when I ended up circling a neighborhood for fifteen minutes.
Give yourself at least an extra 30 minutes of buffer time just for the parking-to-gate situation.
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Get Your Guide Now$15.99The Rides — Sorted by Who You’re Going With
This part matters more than anything else when you’re planning your day.
If you’re going with kids under ten, the lower half of the park is genuinely perfect for them.
There’s a whole area called Hershey’s Chocolate World adjacent to the park that little ones absolutely love.
If you’re going with thrill-seekers, head straight to Candymonium first.
That’s the big hyper coaster, and it is smooth, fast, and genuinely one of the better coasters I’ve been on.
Skyrush is the intense one — not for the faint of heart.
It’s aggressive in a way that makes you question your life choices mid-ride.
So good.
Storm Runner is short but hits hard with that hydraulic launch.
My personal ranking?
Candymonium, then Storm Runner, then Fahrenheit for the sheer “what is happening” factor on that 97-degree drop.
The Water Park Situation
Hershey Park includes a water park called The Boardwalk.
And look — it’s included with your admission, which is a huge win.
I went during a hot July afternoon and it was exactly what I needed after a morning of running between coasters.
The slides are solid.
Nothing groundbreaking, but they’re well-maintained and the lines move faster than you’d expect.
There are wave pools, lazy rivers, and a big family area with water features for little kids.
My tip?
Rent a locker near The Boardwalk entrance before you get there.
Having a dry change of clothes and a place to stash your stuff is worth every dollar.
And bring water shoes.
The pavement gets hot and the walk from the changing area is longer than it looks.
Crowds and the Best Days to Go
Weekends in July and August are the busiest.
Full stop.
If you have any flexibility, aim for a weekday.
Tuesday and Wednesday tend to be the lightest crowd days in my experience.
Shoulder season is kind of magical here, too.
Late August into September, the weather cools slightly, school is back in session, and the lines shrink noticeably.
The park also does a Halloween event called Hersheypark in the Dark that has a genuinely fun atmosphere.
Not super scary — it’s family friendly — but it’s festive and the crowds have a different, more relaxed energy.
Spring visits are underrated.
The park is still running, the air is crisp, and you can walk right onto rides that would have 45-minute waits in July.
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Hershey’s Chocolate World — Don’t Skip It
This is technically a separate attraction right next to the park.
And it’s free to enter.
There’s a free chocolate tour ride inside that’s honestly charming in the most classic way.
It’s low-key, a little campy, and you get free chocolate at the end.
The paid experiences inside — like the make-your-own chocolate bar — are worth it if you’re going with kids or if you’re just the kind of person who takes their chocolate seriously.
I am that person.
The smell inside Chocolate World alone is enough to make the whole trip worth it.
There’s a massive retail area, specialty chocolates, and seasonal stuff that’s genuinely fun to browse.
I always end up spending more than I planned in there.
No regrets, ever.
The Zoo — Genuinely Underrated
Hershey Park includes ZooAmerica.
It’s a North American wildlife zoo right inside the complex.
And almost everyone sleeps on it.
I almost skipped it my first visit.
Big mistake.
It’s not a massive zoo — it’s focused specifically on North American animals, which gives it a really cohesive, calm vibe.
Bison, black bears, wolves, raptors — it’s genuinely impressive for what it is.
If you’re going with kids, this adds another hour or two of content to your day without anyone meltdown-ing from overstimulation.
If you’re going as an adult, it’s a genuinely nice change of pace mid-day when the ride energy gets to be a lot.
I spent about 45 minutes in there and left feeling kind of unexpectedly moved by the whole thing.
Accessibility and Stroller Life
This is something not enough people talk about before they visit.
Hershey Park is hilly.
Like, genuinely, legitimately hilly.
If you’re pushing a stroller, prepare for some inclines.
They’re manageable, but you want to know going in.
The park does offer stroller and wheelchair rentals near the entrance.
Accessibility accommodations are solid — there are accessible ride options, companion restrooms, and the staff I interacted with were consistently helpful and patient.
If someone in your group has mobility considerations, it’s worth calling ahead or checking the park’s accessibility page to map your day strategically.
The map on the app is genuinely useful and shows ride accessibility info.
Download it before you go.
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Get Your Guide Now$15.99The App and Skip-the-Line Options
Download the Hershey Park app before you leave home.
It shows real-time wait times and it actually works.
That alone can reshape your whole day.
For skip-the-line options, they offer a reservation system for some rides during busy periods.
It’s not a full-on paid fast pass situation like some other parks.
But using the virtual queue option where available saves serious time.
My strategy is always to hit the biggest coasters right at park open — the first 90 minutes of the day are golden.
Then use mid-day for food, Chocolate World, and the water park.
Come back to the big rides in the last two hours before closing when lines drop again.
That rhythm has never failed me.
Cost — Is It Worth the Price?
Hershey Park isn’t the cheapest day out.
Tickets vary depending on when you buy them and when you go.
Buying in advance online is almost always cheaper than at the gate.
And if you’re going with a group, the season pass math can actually make sense even for a one-time visit if you plan to come back.
Parking, food, and any extras add up.
Budget realistically — I’d say plan for the ticket price plus $40-60 per person for food and incidentals.
But here’s the honest truth about value: I’ve paid more for worse days at other parks.
The combination of coasters, water park, zoo, and Chocolate World in one admission is genuinely hard to beat.
You’re getting a lot of experience for that price.
My Honest Final Verdict
Is Hershey Park worth it?
Yeah.
Genuinely, yeah.
It’s not perfect — the hills are real, the weekend crowds are intense, and parking is a whole thing.
But there’s something about this park that has a warmth to it that I don’t find everywhere.
Maybe it’s the chocolate smell.
Maybe it’s the fact that it still feels like a classic American amusement park without trying too hard to be something else.
Go on a weekday if you can.
Eat at 11am and 3:30pm.
Hit Candymonium first.
Don’t skip Chocolate World.
And let yourself just — enjoy it.
