Hershey Gardens and ZooAmerica with Kids: 2026 Family Guide

Hershey Gardens: Must-Sees for Families

Hershey Gardens sits on a hill above downtown Hershey, a short drive from Hersheypark. Paved paths connect several themed garden rooms plus one indoor centerpiece built for bad-weather days.

The Butterfly Atrium works best for toddlers and preschoolers. It stays warm and humid year-round, and it never closes for rain, wind, or heat. Older kids tend to move through the outdoor garden rooms faster than younger siblings, so plan Hershey Gardens as a shorter, calmer stop rather than a full-day destination.

• Butterfly Atrium: an indoor, climate-controlled room inside the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory, open year-round regardless of weather.
• Children's Garden: hands-on planting and sensory elements, with displays that change by season.
• Themed garden rooms: several outdoor sections connected by paved, stroller-friendly paths.
• Best-suited ages: toddlers and preschoolers, largely thanks to the indoor atrium and flat terrain.

ZooAmerica: Exploring the Wild of North America

ZooAmerica groups more than 200 animals into distinct North American regions, including named areas such as Big Sky Country and Northlands. Every species on exhibit is native to North America, from desert reptiles to northern carnivores. The zoo holds accreditation from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, a standard tied to animal care and conservation work.

Rescue work is part of the zoo's day-to-day mission too. As one recent example, the zoo's care team took in two orphaned black bear cubs, named Briar and Bramble. Confirm current bear residents on the zoo's own site before you visit, since animal rosters change over time.

ZooAmerica also runs Behind-the-Scenes tours in three formats: Early Bird, After-Hours, and Photography. These run earlier or later than standard zoo hours, so they tend to suit older kids and teens more than toddlers. Families with young children generally see the same animal variety on the standard self-guided loop, without the extended schedule.

• Otters and alligators in the wetter, lower-lying sections.
• Wolves, mountain lions, and bears among the larger carnivores.
• Porcupines, owls, bats, and lizards in the smaller-habitat exhibits.

Logistics: Tickets, Parking, and Entry

Ticketing hinges on how you enter ZooAmerica. Cross the internal bridge from inside Hersheypark, and admission is included with a Hersheypark ticket, provided you cross during public operating hours. Buy a ticket at the Park Avenue gate instead, and you pay ZooAmerica's own general-admission rate without needing a Hersheypark ticket at all. ZooAmerica also sells an annual pass covering 12 consecutive months of visits, invitations to select events, and a merchandise discount, according to the zoo's own site.

Hershey Gardens sells admission separately from both of the above. Check current adult and child rates on Hershey Gardens' own ticketing page. That admission typically runs below the cost of a full Hersheypark ticket, since Gardens is a walking attraction rather than a ride-based park.

Hershey Gardens and ZooAmerica each keep their own parking areas, separate from Hersheypark's main lot. Confirm current parking rates and any overlap with Hersheypark-ticket parking on the official sites before you drive over, since lot assignments can shift by season. If the same trip includes a full Hersheypark day, cross-check Hersheypark ride height limits first. The zoo and Gardens involve walking rather than height minimums, so they work for kids too small for most coasters.

A Sample Slow-Pace Hershey Day

This order beats the heat and the mid-day crowds at both stops.

• Morning: Start at Hershey Gardens when it opens. Cooler temperatures make the outdoor garden rooms easier with young kids.
• Late morning: Save the Butterfly Atrium for last at the Gardens, since its indoor climate stays comfortable regardless of outside heat.
• Midday: Break for lunch away from the main park. Hershey Chocolate World offers an air-conditioned option a short drive away.
• Afternoon: Head to ZooAmerica once the sun is highest, and stick to its shaded walkways.
• Late afternoon: Slow down at the calmer exhibits. Otters and reptiles tend to hold toddlers' attention longer than a full lap of the zoo.

Practical Tips for Parents

Stroller terrain differs sharply between the two stops. Hershey Gardens runs on paved, mostly flat paths built for strollers and wagons. ZooAmerica's walking loop includes hills, so a lightweight stroller or a child carrier works better there than a heavy double stroller.

Sensory needs differ too. The Butterfly Atrium is warm, humid, and enclosed, which can feel intense for some kids and calming for others. ZooAmerica is louder and more open, with outdoor noise and full sun across the exhibit areas. Order your day around which environment your child handles better.

• Pack sunscreen and a refillable water bottle; both attractions involve significant outdoor walking.
• Wear closed-toe walking shoes. ZooAmerica's paths are not flat like the Gardens.
• Plan a shaded or air-conditioned lunch break between the two stops rather than pushing straight through.
• Check ZooAmerica's posted hours before you go; competitor listings show roughly 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in peak season, but hours shift on shoulder-season days and event evenings.

Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting with Kids

A few planning mistakes show up often with this pairing.

• Underestimating walking distance: ZooAmerica's loop and Hershey Gardens' paths add up to real mileage for small legs.
• Skipping a rest break: treat the midday gap as a built-in break, not an inconvenience.
• Assuming walk-up entry everywhere: confirm whether the Butterfly Atrium currently uses timed entry before you go, since walk-up policies can change seasonally.
• Crossing the bridge without a return plan: confirm current same-day re-entry rules with Hersheypark guest services before you cross, especially with a stroller in tow.

How Hershey Gardens and ZooAmerica Fit Into a Longer Hershey Trip

Hershey Gardens and ZooAmerica work best as a break between higher-energy days, not a replacement for them. Pair this slower day with a full park visit covered in the Hersheypark and Hershey guide to build a complete multi-day trip. Save the Gardens-and-zoo day for a travel day, a rest day, or a day built around younger kids who need a break from ride lines. Stack the two slow attractions against a ride-heavy park day, and the overall trip balances out for a range of ages.

ZooAmerica Bridge Access and Hersheypark Re-Entry

The internal bridge is the only route that includes ZooAmerica with Hersheypark admission. It connects the theme park directly to ZooAmerica during the zoo’s public operating hours.

Before crossing, ask the bridge attendant about same-day return procedures. Operating hours and re-entry rules can change during seasonal events or early zoo closures. Do not assume the Park Avenue entrance provides access back into Hersheypark.

Families should keep their Hersheypark tickets or digital passes accessible throughout the zoo visit. Photograph the posted closing time before starting the animal loop. Allow enough time to retrace the hilly paths before bridge access ends.

• Enter ZooAmerica through the internal bridge to use Hersheypark admission.
• Confirm the bridge closing time and return procedure with the attendant.
• Avoid leaving through the standalone Park Avenue gate unless your family intends to finish its Hersheypark visit.
• With a stroller, budget extra time for the uphill return to the bridge.