Chocolate-scented streets, roller coasters, colorful gardens, and endless sweet treats make Hershey one of the most fun weekend getaways in Pennsylvania.
In just a couple of days, you can ride record-breaking attractions, watch butterflies fly overhead, dig into freshly made desserts, and even spot wild animals.
This isn’t just a quick stop for chocolate bars and souvenir shops because there’s way more packed into this small town than most people expect.
So get ready for a weekend filled with history and enough sugar to keep you happily buzzing from start to finish.
1. Hershey’s Chocolate World
Hershey’s Chocolate World sits right next to Hersheypark, and the smell of fresh chocolate hits you the second you walk inside.
The free Hershey’s Chocolate Tour ride is the highlight here, taking you on an indoor journey that shows how cocoa beans become wrapped chocolate treats.
If you want even more hands-on fun, you can create your own candy in Create Your Own Candy Bar or put your senses to the test in Hershey’s Unwrapped.
Fun fact: Hershey’s Chocolate World opened in 1973 and now welcomes millions of visitors each year, making it one of the state’s most popular attractions.
2. Hersheypark
While you’re still on a sugar rush, walk just 7 minutes to Hersheypark, a 121-acre attraction with over 70 rides and a seasonal water park called The Boardwalk.
Candymonium is the tallest and fastest coaster here, reaching 210 feet and 76 miles per hour, while Skyrush throws you through sharp drops and airtime hills.
If you want a break from the high-speed thrills, you can ride the classic Ferris wheel or enjoy a laid-back trip aboard the Dry Gulch Railroad.
With a packed lineup of heart-pounding rides, family attractions, and water fun, it’s the kind of place where you can easily spend the whole day.
3. Hershey Gardens
Now slow things down with a walk through Hershey Gardens, a 23-acre botanical garden sitting on a hill overlooking the surrounding town.
It’s famous for its massive rose collection featuring more than 3,000 bushes across 115 varieties, along with colorful seasonal displays like spring tulips.
You’ll also find the indoor Butterfly Atrium, where hundreds of butterflies, including rare species from Africa and Asia, flutter freely around tropical plants.
To top it all off, you can wander through themed sections like the Japanese Garden, the Children’s Garden, and the fragrant Herb Garden for even more scenic views.
4. Tröegs Independent Brewing
A quick 5-minute drive from Hershey Gardens brings you to Tröegs Independent Brewing, a popular craft brewery on Hersheypark Drive.
This place is best known for beers like Troegenator Double Bock, Perpetual IPA, and the Bavarian-style DreamWeaver Wheat with notes of ripe banana and clove.
To see how it all comes together, you can join a Guided Production Tour that takes you through the mill room, brewhouse deck, and even packaging lines.
Afterwards, grab a table at the Snack Bar, where you can order smoked brisket sandwiches, charcuterie plates, pretzels, and ice cream for dessert.
5. ZooAmerica
If you’re still looking for something fun after the brewery, head over to the 11-acre ZooAmerica, which focuses entirely on North America’s native animals.
The zoo features over 200 animals, including mountain lions, river otters, gray wolves, bald eagles, and black bears, with plenty of spots for close-up views.
You can also stroll through themed sections like the Southern Swamps with crocodiles and snakes, or the Great Southwest with roadrunners and owls.
Cool fact: Founded in 1910, ZooAmerica is now fully accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and remains a favorite for animal lovers.
6. The Hershey Story Museum
After getting a dose of North American wildlife, wrap up the weekend at The Hershey Story Museum, where you can learn about the legacy of Milton S. Hershey.
Inside, interactive exhibits let you follow his journey from failed business ventures to building one of the world’s most famous chocolate brands.
For even more hands-on fun, you can try chocolate pouring in the Chocolate Lab or sample drinking chocolates with flavors inspired by places like Indonesia.
Opened in 2009, this place gives you a deeper look at how a chocolate company turned a tiny Pennsylvania town into one of the sweetest destinations in the U.S.
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