Discover a Sweeter Side of Life at

Hershey Chocolate

World Pennsylvania

Hershey Chocolate World Pennsylvania

On the hunt for a seriously sweet place to spend the day near Lancaster? If you're eager to indulge, you can't go wrong with Hershey's Chocolate World.

This iconic destination pays homage to all things sweet. It also highlights the role that confections have played in the town of Hershey and beyond. Stop by for a taste of history and all the treats you can handle.

To help you make the most of this exciting excursion, we've outlined everything you can expect from a Hershey Chocolate World tour — and all the other remarkable gems you'll find at this chocolatey destination.

The History of Hershey Chocolate World Pennsylvania

Milton Hershey made history by opening the Hershey Chocolate Company in 1894. His tasty treats were a smash sensation, so it wasn't long before chocoholics demanded to check out the factory that made it all possible.

Formal tours were underway as early as 1910. Those lucky enough to take the original tour fondly recall starting the experience with a sweet chocolate drink and ending it with not one, but five chocolate bars. Local children were known to tour on a daily basis simply so they could score these treats.

Eventually, the factory tour became too popular and it was no longer possible to accommodate so many visitors. By 1970, it was clear that another tourist opportunity was needed.

The solution? Opening an official visitor center known as Hershey's Chocolate World. In 1973 — just one day after the final factory tour — Hershey Chocolate World officially opened to the public.

Over the years, the attraction has expanded to include thousands of square feet of chocolate-oriented retail space, plus new treats (like exclusive milkshakes), and, best of all, the Create Your Own Candy Bar Experience.

In 2023, Hershey's Chocolate World will mark its 50th anniversary with a variety of special events, including the unveiling of a chocolate sculpture and the announcement of a brand-new attraction.

Hershey Chocolate World Hours:

When Is the Best

Time to Visit?

When Is the Best Time to Visit?

At first glance, the hours for Hershey Chocolate World seem simple: the attraction always opens at 9 am and typically closes at 5 pm — except on Saturdays, when visitors get an extra hour of sweet-filled fun before they depart at 6 pm. Certain attractions, however, are scheduled for specific times, so you'll want to take your unique plans into account as you determine when to visit.

Things to Do at

Chocolate World

Things to Do at Chocolate World

Hershey's Chocolate World is a major destination that includes everything from factory tours to trolley rides and even the chance to create your own treats. It's tough to do it all in a day, although you're certainly welcome to try. For the most enjoyable visit, however, you'll want to select two or three of these favorites:

Hershey Chocolate World Tour

Most visits to Hershey's Chocolate World center around the attraction's popular tour, which exposes you to the inner workings of the chocolate-making experience. Free of charge, this tour is a must, even if you don't make it to the other attractions on this list.

After reading a brief overview of Hershey's history, you'll get on a ride car, which will take you on a leisurely journey through the factory — and past the adorable cow trio known as Gabby, Harmony, and Olympia. Riders will get to see how delicious chocolate bars and other confections are created, from the blending and roasting process to finally being shipped out of the factory and into the hands of hungry chocolate lovers worldwide.


Create Your Own Candy Bar

If you're on the hunt for the perfect gift or souvenir, look no further than the Create Your Own Candy Bar experience. This unique opportunity places you in full control as you bring your vision of the perfect candy bar to life. This means selecting not only the ingredients, but also, the wrapper design.

Finally, you can ooh and ah as the chocolate is poured and the most exciting extras are added. You'll emerge with a chocolate bar that will look almost too good to eat.


REESE's Stuff Your Cup

Are you partial to Reese's peanut butter cups? You might prefer the Stuff Your Cup experience, which is a popular alternative to the Create Your Own Candy Bar activity.

You'll begin by choosing the perfect mix-ins to amplify your chocolatey creation. Then, you'll work closely with tasteologists to ensure that these ingredients are properly folded in. It'll all be contained within a delightful chocolate shell, which you can bring home with you.

Hershey's Unwrapped

An unforgettable feast for all the senses, Hershey's Unwrapped reveals how the appeal of chocolate goes far beyond the taste alone. You'll enter the theater equipped with an official tasting kit, which introduces you to the many other facets of the chocolate experience. Along the way, you'll gain a new appreciation for the sight, scent, and even sound of chocolate.


Hershey Trolley Works

Blending sightseeing, history, and, of course, chocolate tasting, Hershey Trolley Works provides a delightful ride through town, filled with entertainment and education. There are several specialized tours worth checking out, such as:


  • Historical Trolley Tour. Running throughout the year, this one-of-a-kind experience acts as a time capsule of sorts, allowing you to travel to the late 1800s and early 1900s, when Milton Hershey founded his iconic company. The full experience lasts 75 minutes.


  • Original Trolley Show. Typically held in late spring, this family-friendly show first made its mark in 1988 and remains popular to this day. It provides a thorough history lesson, along with plenty of jokes and songs. This 45-minute show is best thought of as a theatrical production, versus the more conventional experience found with the Historical Trolley Tour.


  • Trick or Treat Trolley. Celebrate the spooky season with a trolley ride like no other. As a seasonal version of the Original Trolley Show, it lasts 45 minutes and highlights Mr. & Mrs. Hershey's efforts to launch the Milton Hershey School to support the children of their community.


  • Holly Jolly Trolley. Every trolley experience is heartwarming, but there's nothing quite like the Holly Jolly Trolley. This festive journey involves caroling, stories about Mr. Hershey, and even gifts for all the passengers. At just 40 minutes, it's a delightful show for families with young children.


  • Sweet Lights Trolley. Another option for the holiday season, the Sweet Lights Trolley provides a unique opportunity to navigate Hersheypark’s annual holiday light spectacular. The length of the tour is highly dependent on the traffic at the time of your departure, so you could spend well over an hour on this ride if you hit up the light show on a Saturday evening.


All trolley rides begin and end at Hershey's Chocolate World, making this a convenient add-on to an already jam-packed day.


Food Hall

While many of the attractions highlighted above incorporate chocolate tasting, you may eventually desire something a bit more filling. No worries: the onsite food hall is sure to satisfy with its wide selection of sweet and savory items.

Dessert is always on the menu, of course, but you'll also be pleased to find pizza, beef sliders, chili, and much more. If you have a sweet tooth, grab a specialty milkshake.

Adult beverages are also on the menu. Favorites include Jack’s Fireside Cider, Press Premium Seltzer, Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc, and, best of all, Hershey's Yuengling Chocolate Porter. For a unique pairing, try blackberry red sangria alongside Hershey's milk chocolate.

Parking & Amenities

Parking & Amenities

Chances are, you'll have no trouble scoring complimentary all-day parking, which is available if you purchase tickets for the following attractions:

  • Hershey's Unwrapped

  • Create Your Own Candy Bar

  • Hershey Trolley Works

Because the lot tends to get crowded, there are strict limits on free parking. If you plan to spend the entire day at Hershey's Chocolate World without visiting any of the attractions highlighted above, be prepared to spend up to $40 on parking.

There are four EV stations that allow you to charge your vehicle for free, plus plenty of disability parking that provides easier access to top attractions. Make the most of the Chocolate Avenue Shuttle, which conveniently takes you from one indulgent attraction to the next.

In addition to dedicated parking, Hershey Chocolate World provides a variety of accommodations to make its attractions more accessible to visitors with mobility impairments.

Many attractions are wheelchair accessible, although guests who use motorized wheelchairs may need to transition to manual models. Hershey Trolley Works, unfortunately, is less accessible than most attractions: to ride the actual trolley, it's necessary to ascend three steps. If this is not possible, in-car tours are available instead.


Finding Hotels Near Chocolate World Hershey PA

Choosing whether to visit Hershey Chocolate World is easy, but finding the right place to stay may take a little more work. Accommodations abound within an hour of Hershey, Pennsylvania. Many are located right in town, but a significant share of tourists prefer to stay off site.

While proximity to Hershey Chocolate World is definitely worth considering, it's also important to take a close look at the remainder of your itinerary. Chances are, only a small portion of your Pennsylvania bucket list involves the actual town of Hershey.

The Eden Resort & Suites is an excellent option if you want to center your Pennsylvania vacation around Lancaster attractions but would also like to spend at least one day at Hershey Chocolate World.

This makes for a wonderful day trip and a pleasant drive through the heart of Amish Country. Following a busy day in Hershey, you can relax in your sophisticated room, suite, or villa. Meanwhile, your kids can get all the wiggles out — they'll love spending time at the pool or on the playground.

If you stay at the Eden Resort, you don't need to worry about where you'll eat during your visit to Hershey. Simply return to the resort and enjoy a delicious dinner at one of the onsite restaurants — or better yet, take advantage of in-room service so you can eat in the comfort of your own room or suite.


Prepare for the Sweetest Experience Imaginable

If you find the idea of a sweet visit to Hershey enticing, be sure to build it into your Lancaster vacation itinerary. Begin by booking your stay at the Eden Resort.

Book your stay with us.