7 Best Things to Do in Hershey, Pennsylvania with Kids (2026 Guide)

Hersheypark Strategy: Height Categories and the Preview Plan

Hersheypark groups its rides into candy-branded height tiers, from a shortest category built for the smallest riders up to an unrestricted tier for the tallest coasters. Exact inch cutoffs shift as rides rotate in and out, so treat the ride height breakdown as the current reference before building a day plan. Building a day around height tiers matters more than trying to hit every named coaster, especially with a mixed-age group of kids. Mid-morning and mid-afternoon tend to be the busiest windows at the most popular coasters, so schedule lower-key stops like Chocolate World or the Gardens around those hours. The Preview Plan is the other lever worth understanding before you arrive.

• Preview Plan timing
  • Ticket holders can typically enter the park about two hours before its official closing time the night before a full visit.
  • Resort guests are typically granted an extra hour of early entry.
  • Confirm the exact current hours on the park's official calendar before you travel.
• Water park timing
  • The Boardwalk runs on its own seasonal schedule, separate from the main gate hours.
  • Block out a half-day rather than switching between wet and dry rides throughout the day.
• Mixed-age groups
  • Splitting into two smaller groups for an hour, then regrouping, often beats forcing everyone onto the same ride queue.
  • Use the height-tier system to decide which rides genuinely need the whole family together.

Hershey's Chocolate World: Free Tour vs Paid Experiences

Chocolate World sits just outside Hersheypark's gates, a separate stop that needs no park ticket and no separate admission fee. The free chocolate-making ride is the reason most families stop here first, and it stays the best-value activity in Hershey regardless of the rest of your itinerary. Paid experiences layer on top of that free ride for anyone who wants more than the standard visit. Deciding between the 4D movie, the Trolley Works tour, and the Adventure Lab really comes down to how much extra time you want to spend at Chocolate World instead of inside Hersheypark itself. Families tight on time often skip all three and save the extra hours for the theme park's height-tier rides. The free-versus-paid Chocolate World breakdown covers current pricing and booking details in full.

• Free chocolate tour
  • The chocolate-making ride needs no ticket beyond simply walking into Chocolate World.
  • Arrive early or in the late afternoon for the shortest wait, since late morning tends to be busiest.
• Paid experiences
  • A 4D movie, the Trolley Works tour, the Adventure Lab, and a create-your-own candy bar station each carry a separate charge.
  • Pick one or two rather than booking every paid extra on a single visit.
• Getting between the two
  • Chocolate World and Hersheypark sit close together but are functionally separate stops with separate entry rules.
  • Plan Chocolate World as a bookend, either before the park opens or after it closes, rather than a mid-day detour.

Seasonal Context: Summer, Hersheypark Halloween, and Christmas Candylane

Hershey runs on three distinct seasonal identities across the year. Summer is the default visit, with the full ride lineup and The Boardwalk water park both open. Hersheypark Halloween adds fall-specific programming and a different evening atmosphere once the water park season ends. Christmas Candylane swaps in holiday lighting, seasonal shows, and a different ride mix built around shorter, colder days. Summer draws the fullest ride lineup, useful to weigh against the quieter, cooler shoulder-season visits.

• Summer
  • The full coaster lineup and The Boardwalk water park both run, making summer the most complete version of the park.
• Hersheypark Halloween
  • Fall programming replaces the water park season with Halloween-specific attractions and a different evening lineup.
  • Check the current calendar for exact dates, since the event runs on a set seasonal window rather than all fall.
• Christmas Candylane
  • Winter programming centers on holiday lighting and seasonal shows rather than the full coaster lineup.
  • Pack for cold, exposed outdoor walking between attractions.

Rainy-Day Backup Plans in Hershey

Hershey has enough indoor programming to salvage a rained-out day without losing the trip. The Hershey Story Museum is the strongest rainy-day stop, built entirely indoors around hands-on exhibits. Chocolate World's indoor attractions, including the free chocolate ride and any paid indoor experiences, also hold up well in bad weather. Hersheypark itself still operates most rides during light rain, though the tallest coasters typically pause during lightning or heavy storms until conditions clear.

Where to Eat and Park at Hersheypark

Hersheypark's dining plans bundle multiple meals at set locations, a straightforward way to control food costs across a multi-day visit. A prepaid meal deal is usually the better value across a multi-day visit compared with paying per item at every stop. Outside food and coolers are restricted inside the gates, though the park maintains a designated picnic area near the entrance for anyone who prefers to bring lunch instead. Most in-park restaurants list allergy and gluten-free options on request, worth confirming at the counter before ordering. Parking works on a similar two-tier logic to dining: a standard option and a paid upgrade.

• Standard parking
  • Standard lots sit farthest from the gates and rely on a tram shuttle to reach the entrance.
• Preferred parking
  • A preferred parking option costs more but cuts the walk-and-tram time significantly.
  • It is worth the extra cost with a stroller, a nap-resistant toddler, or a large family group.

Where to Stay in Hershey: Lodge, Hotel, and Camping Resort

Three of Hershey's official on-property resorts split cleanly by budget and by the kind of trip a family wants. Hershey Lodge leans toward families who want an on-site water feature and easy shuttle access to the park gates. Hotel Hershey sits at the premium end, built for a quieter, full-service stay away from the park's noise. Hersheypark Camping Resort is the budget option, built around cabins and RV or tent sites rather than hotel rooms. Nightly rates shift by season, so confirm current pricing on the official Hershey lodging site before booking any of the three.

Getting Around: Shuttle and Transit Logistics

Families staying at an official Hershey resort hotel typically have access to a shuttle service connecting the hotel to Hersheypark and Chocolate World, reducing the need to move a car once you arrive. Confirm the current shuttle schedule and stops directly with your hotel, since routes and frequency can change by season. Families staying off-property should plan for the standard parking-and-tram routine covered above rather than assuming shuttle access. Either way, build in extra time on arrival day, since first-time parking and tram logistics take longer than expected.

Age-by-Age Itineraries for Hershey, Pennsylvania with Kids

The same park works differently depending on the ages in your group, so build the day around your kids rather than a generic must-do list. Toddlers and school-aged kids need more downtime built into the schedule than teenagers do. The itineraries below split the day by age group so each visit matches the pace a specific age actually wants.

• Toddlers and preschoolers
  • Base the day around Founders Way, where the carousels and gentler rides sit close together.
  • Budget extra transition time, since the park's hilly layout slows stroller travel between zones.
  • A mid-day break at Hershey Gardens or ZooAmerica works better than pushing through a full park day.
• School-aged kids
  • The Reese's Cup Challenge and mid-tier coasters give school-aged kids a step up from the toddler zone without the tallest thrill rides.
  • A slower afternoon at ZooAmerica or Hershey Gardens balances a high-energy coaster morning.
  • Save the Boardwalk for a dedicated half-day block rather than a quick stop between coasters.
• Teens
  • Teens can spend a full day working through the park's tallest, fastest coasters back to back.
  • Pair a teen-focused day with an evening Preview Plan session to add ride time without booking a full second day.
  • Chocolate World's paid experiences work as a short break between coaster sessions rather than a full detour.

Stroller and Hill Strategy for Young Children

Hersheypark’s hills and long distances can tire young children before the afternoon ride queues begin. Bring a stroller for most children under six, even if they rarely use one at home.

Founders Way offers the easiest starting area because several gentle rides sit relatively close together. Save steeper transitions toward Kissing Tower Hill and the ZooAmerica bridge until everyone has rested.

Stroller rentals are available at Hersheypark, but availability can be limited on busy days. Bringing your own also makes the parking-lot tram, Chocolate World, and post-park walk easier.

• Park the stroller in designated areas before joining ride lines.
• Attach a bright ribbon or luggage tag so it is easy to identify.
• Use a rain cover during summer storms and remove valuables whenever the stroller is unattended.
• Schedule one seated break before crossing between The Boardwalk and the park’s drier ride areas.

Families using wheelchairs or mobility devices should review Hersheypark’s accessibility guide before arrival. Guest Services can explain attraction access procedures and suitable entrances for individual rides.