The Ultimate Locals Guide To Hershey, PA

Have you ever wondered if you know of all the hidden gems across Hershey as a local resident? Check out some ways you can experience all that Hershey has to offer and start adding to that bucket list of things to do around town this year.

Local Eats

Did you know that you can enjoy all the restaurants at The Official Resorts of Hersheypark without having to book an overnight stay? Check out restaurants like Fire & Grain, Revelry, The Bears' Den and Stacks - all located at Hershey Lodge. 

• Fire & Grain is the ideal place to enjoy happy hour with half-off appetizers and drink specials right by the fireplace wall. 
• At Revelry, enjoy contemporary chophouse fare and a large selection of wine and spirits while settling into their dining room or venturing out to the rooftop patio. 
• The Bears’ Den offers a hockey rink atmosphere where guests can cheer on our back-to-back Calder Cup Champion Hershey Bears AHL team. The restaurant showcases team and hockey memorabilia throughout the years and serves classic American fare. 
• Stacks offers all-day brunch and is conveniently located right by the convention center - no need to enter the resort. 

Plus, all guests receive complimentary valet parking when dining on property at Hershey Lodge!

The Hotel Hershey is known not only for its signature hotel service but for refined dining experiences as well. Both overnight guests and locals alike can enjoy the premier dining venues at our Forbes Four-Star, AAA Four-Diamond resort. 

• Visit The Circular for a picturesque view of the formal gardens while savoring unique, flavorful entrees. It is open for breakfast, dinner and Sunday brunch. 
• Or, for a more casual lunch with friends or coworkers, check out Harvest, one of Hershey’s best lunch spots. Featuring farm-to-fork dining inspired by local and regional ingredients, Harvest offers fresh seasonal fare and a variety of micro-brews, cocktails and an extensive wine list. 
• For authentic Italian cuisine, dine in at Trevi 5 and experience small-dish appetizers and five-flavor combinations.
• Then, be sure to kick back in Iberian Lounge for the evening and enjoy a selection of over 100 whiskies from around the world, signature chocolate cocktails and delicious light fare while you warm up by the cozy fireplace. 

The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio is located above Hersheypark Supply Co. right outside the front gate of the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania. The restaurant is open year-round to guests with or without a Hersheypark ticket. The Fun-to-Table restaurant offers unique chocolate dishes and family fare, including the popular Chocolatetown Burger topped with Hershey's Chocolate Drizzled Potato Chips, the Reese’s Peanut Butter Crunch Burger and Cocoa Dusted Beef Short Ribs. Diners should always save room for dessert, as the over-the-top milkshakes and Chocolate Fun-Due are can't-miss items. It's also worth grabbing a signature cocktail at the Carrousel bar. 

When dining at The Chocolatier, there is no need to purchase a ticket to Hersheypark. However, guests may make a reservation to top off their day at the Park with this exciting and nostalgic dining experience. Complimentary parking is available in the Season Pass Holder lot when Hersheypark is not open or during events. Guests can access this parking lot through the Hersheypark parking entry gate. If guests are visiting during Park or event hours, a parking fee applies for our general parking lots. To make a reservation at The Chocolatier, please book online or call 717-508-1999.

Activities For The Whole Family 

Home to the AHL’s oldest and most historic franchise, Hershey is proud to welcome back the Hershey Bears for another exciting season. Hershey Bears have held the title of Calder Cup Champions 13 times - the most by any team in AHL history. Come out and cheer them on as they go for a three-peat this season!

The 2024 Pre-Season Schedule is underway, with the home opener just around the corner on Oct. 4 against the Wilkes-Barre Penguins. Season Tickets are on sale now, with plans starting at less than $13 per game. Bring a friend or the whole family and choose from over 10,000 seats at GIANT Center alongside the loudest, proudest fanbase in the AHL.

Find your favorite creature at ZooAmerica as you explore our North American Wildlife Park. The Great Southwest, Eastern Woodlands, Big Sky Country and other Zoo Regions showcase a variety of species, from the Chuckwalla to the American Elk and everything in between. 

Individual and family passes include unlimited visits year-round with access to exclusive events and are available to purchase online at ZooAmerica.com. General admissions tickets can be purchased online or upon arrival. For anyone enjoying Hersheypark for the day, entry to the zoo is included in your admission ticket - just cross over the bridge located in Kissing Tower Hill that connects to ZooAmerica. 

Hersheypark is home to an iconic coaster lineup with 15 mild to wild coasters, sweet food and beverage offerings like King Size Shakes, character meet and greets, entertainment and more. Come experience the fun all year round. Start your summer early by conquering a coaster on a spring weekend, then splash and race your way through The Boardwalk during the summer. When the days get cooler, venture through the immersive frights of Dark Nights in the fall and get your festive spirit on at Christmas Candylane during the holiday season. Add some thrill to your day at our one-of-a-kind family theme park!

Tickets can be purchased online or at guest services, along with several Season Pass options, which offer perks like free parking.

From Broadway musicals to comedy acts to stadium concerts, a variety of incredible entertainment can be found right here in Hershey. 

• Hershey Theatre is a premier performing arts center that has held performances like Mamma Mia!, Chicago and more! You won’t need to travel far to experience Broadway performances like HAMILTON and many other popular, upcoming shows. Enjoy a film screening and even a behind-the-scenes tour on your next visit to Hershey Theatre. 
• GIANT Center also hosts a variety of events like concerts, hockey games, ice shows and more in this 10,500 seat-multi-purpose arena right here in Hershey. 
• In the warmer months, grab your ticket to see a live concert outside at Hersheypark Stadium, the most prominent outdoor stadium between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, with incredible concert lineups of all genres, along with regional sporting events, band competitions and more. See your next favorite concert under the night sky!

Venture inside Hershey’s Chocolate World and experience the FREE Hershey’s Chocolate Tour Ride. Journey across farmlands and through the cocoa oven as you discover how Hershey’s chocolate is made - complete with a free sample. The tour now offers an all-new ending, so be sure to cross it off your list of family activities this year. 

You can also experience a number of additional free activities, including character meet and greets, Friday night dance parties and sensory-friendly nights. Purchase an Adventure Bundle to experience even more fun with Hershey’s Great Candy Expedition, Create Your Own Candy Bar, Meal Deals, and more. 

For more than 85 years, Hershey Gardens has been blooming with life throughout themed gardens and exhibits. Enjoy a walk through the Historic Hershey Rose Garden, complete with a brilliant assortment of over 3,000 rose bushes, or perhaps take some time to reflect in the Japanese Garden as you take in the tranquil scenery. 

Hershey Gardens offers free admission to the Butterfly Atrium, fluttering with hundreds of tropical butterflies from all over the world, with any general admission ticket to the Hershey Gardens, which can be purchased online or upon arrival. The Butterfly Atrium is one of only 25 year-round indoor tropical butterfly atriums that you can visit in the U.S.! 

Discover the legacy of Milton S. Hershey and the town he built at The Hershey Story! Journey through time with several informative museum exhibits and interactive experiences for all ages as you learn about Milton Hershey’s early life and how he revolutionized the chocolate-making industry. Check out the event calendar to learn more about upcoming events like Chocolate Lab Classes and Tastings: Chocolate From Around The World. Tickets may be purchased upon arrival. Rich history awaits right on Chocolate Avenue in downtown Hershey!

Relax & Rejuvenate 

Let your stress melt away at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey resort spa or MeltSpa by Hershey day spa with any of our luxurious seasonal or signature treatments. The Spa At The Hotel Hershey is proud to offer our chocolate inspired treatments and services year-round like our Whipped Cocoa Bath, Chocolate Fondue Body Wrap, Cocoa Massage and more. Don’t forget to also indulge in our seasonal treatments, including our Pumpkin Collection (perfect for those who want to cozy up on those chilly, fall days) as well as our Peppermint Mocha treatments in the Winter, Mojito and Coconut Lime in the Spring and Farmhouse Fresh Watermelon Basil in the Summer. 

With any spa treatment at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey, you get access to several amazing amenities, including our heated indoor pool as well as a hot tub. Not to mention the state-of-the-art fitness center, available to all spa guests age 16 and older. It comes with a wide selection of exercise equipment, locker rooms, fitness classes, and complimentary chilled towels, lightly scented with essential oils, to cool you down after a workout. Come get your sweat on and dive in the pool before you head in for your day of rest and rejuvenation!

Conveniently located in downtown Hershey, MeltSpa offers over 70 different luxurious services, treatments and spa packages for men, women and teens to enjoy all year round. Book your next coconut sugar scrub followed by a signature dark chocolate body wrap, or perhaps a Haircut and Color service followed by a Cuban Pedicure with a Mojito Sugar Scrub. The combination options are endless and perfect for a day out with family and friends.

Plus, you can collect Melt Money with each treatment or service to use towards your next visit. For every $50 you spend, you earn $10 toward your next spa treatment or service! MeltSpa offers convenient weekday and weekend hours for you to book around your busy schedule.

Whether you’re due for that next hair appointment or want to Vacation For A Day, The Spa At The Hotel Hershey and MeltSpa have you covered! 

There’s so much to do when you live in The Sweetest Place On Earth, and every dollar spent goes towards helping kids build a brighter future at Milton Hershey School. If you’re wondering what to do this weekend, consider a visit to these sweet attractions in your own backyard!