Insider Tips to Maximize Your Weekend Trip to Hershey

If you are spending a day riding coasters at Hersheypark, enjoying one of the last weekends at The Boardwalk At Hersheypark or rocking out at a concert at Hersheypark Stadium, make sure you are prepared for an exciting weekend ahead by following these five tips.

1. Put Info in the Palm of Your Hand

Hersheypark is open 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. We recommend arriving early and heading straight to The Boardwalk At Hersheypark if you want to enjoy water attractions given the warm weather (note that given the sun setting earlier, the Boardwalk now closes at 6 pm). Another tip is head back to the rides in Midway America. These areas are usually less crowded in the morning and get significantly busier as the day goes on.

And don't forget to download the Hersheypark app to view ride wait times, show schedules, Character appearances, and open food and beverage locations to plan your day. If lines for your favorite attractions are longer than you'd like, you can always purchase Fast Track on mobile or at Fast Track Services.

2. Pack Light and Hydrate

Bring only essential items with you as all bags entering Hersheypark or Hersheypark Stadium will be searched. Check out the guidelines for concerts specifically as there is a bag size restriction of 12 X 12 X 6. Guests are allowed to bring in one sealed water bottle per person to Hersheypark and Hersheypark Stadium. You can also bring in an empty, refillable water bottle and fill it up at water fountains or Fast Fill locations around the Park. This will help eleviate your wait times to purchase a drink.

3. Save on Tickets and Transportation

Did you know concert fans attending a show get a discount to enter Hersheypark? Show your concert ticket to Ticketing Services to get a deal on Hersheypark tickets the day before, day of and day after a show. And always good advice - carpool! Save time getting in and out of the Park when you ride together. Please note that field parking is included with concert tickets. Guests staying at the resorts get free shuttle service to Hersheypark.

4. Arrive Early for the Concert

Florida Georgia Line will be at Hersheypark Stadium on Saturday and Backstreet Boys will be there on Sunday. Are you coming to one of these concerts? Parking is often busy during a summer concert weekend so make sure to get here an hour before doors open! When you arrive closer to when doors open you get through security fast and have time to get food and drinks!

5. Eat at off-times

Over the weekend we tend to have many guests visiting the Park, so food lines can be long. Why not look for windows during the day where you aren't waiting in a long line? We suggest before noon and after 2 p.m. for lunch. Also, you can leave Hersheypark and come back in with a hand stamp, so consider packing a lunch to eat at the picnic benches along tram circle if that's easier for your family.