Get to Know Hershey

Inventive chocolatier Milton Hershey created a livable town for the master sweet creators and workers at his chocolate factory. Hershey, Pennsylvania, is the sweet result—a place where the cocoa bean rules in all its candy glory—you’ll even find that the street names are all candy related. Hershey has good school and transportation systems, well-designed homes, an exciting amusement park, and of course, the chocolate factory itself, a museum dedicated to its history and tourist amenities that make it a magnet for vacationing families. Step into Hershey's world of chocolate kisses and magical confections; pack casual-light, but bring an extra bag for chocolate swag.

Some Rain Must Fall

Hershey's climate is typical of the mid-Atlantic region—four seasons with no extremes and predictable transitions between them. Fall is pleasant as the leaves change and the thermometer falls from the 70s to 60s to the 50s, September through November. Bring jackets for cool nights and overcast days, and suit up for winter, when overnight lows can be in the 20s and a snowstorm can dump several inches on the town. Spring is as mild as fall but much wetter—May is the rainiest month—and summer temperatures are mostly in the 80s with hot spells in the 90s and high humidity.

A Taste for Chocolate

Hershey's Chocolate World boasts seven visitor centers that offer major tasting opportunities. For interactive fun, head to The Hershey Story museum, where you can learn about the Hershey legacy and try your hand pouring and decorating chocolate in the Chocolate Lab. Hershey Gardens features a 23-acre botanical wonderland with a butterfly house and children's garden. For roller coasters, rides and a wild water park, head to Hersheypark; the chocolate-themed attractions appeal to thrill seekers and chocolate lovers alike. Indulge your love of classic cars at the Antique Automobile Club of America, a one-of-a-kind Smithsonian affiliate. Treat your taste buds—and skin—at The Chocolate Spa with signature chocolate-themed treatments.

The Candyland Economy

The town is fairly small—roughly 20,000 people call it home—welcoming tourists with the Hershey Entertainment & Resort Company providing employment at Hersheypark, ZooAmerica and other attractions. The Hershey Foods Corporation takes care of America's sweet tooth—it's the second largest industry in Central Pennsylvania. Penn State's Milton S. Hershey Medical Center employs about 7,000 locals. The state capital in Harrisburg, the Civil War site of Gettysburg and the Amish farm communities in Lancaster County are close enough to drive to on a vacation day trip or a commute to work.

A Trip to the Chocolate Factory

Fly into Harrisburg International Airport on one of two dozen airlines and take a cab the 7 miles to Hershey in 15 minutes or less. Bus and train work the same—Greyhound and Amtrak terminals are in the state capital at Harrisburg. You can drive east from Harrisburg on Pennsylvania Highway 322, or head South on PA-39 from Interstate 81. Hershey is about 90 minutes by car from Baltimore and Philly, 2 hours from Washington D.C., and 3 hours from New York City.

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