Coasters and chocolate: Your complete Hersheypark guide

Hersheypark has been stepping up its coaster game in recent years, and it's been incredible to see the transformation. As a long-time fan of the park, I'm thrilled to report that over the last decade, six incredible new coasters have been added, bringing the total to 15. Plus, the park's stunning new entrance, Hershey's Chocolatetown, has taken the experience to another level.

I just got back from my fifth visit to Hersheypark in the past 10 years. Located just three hours from New York City, two hours from Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., and about hours from Pittsburgh, it's a convenient destination for thrill-seekers.

My visit was all about checking out some exciting updates to Skyrush (one of the best steel-wing coasters worldwide) and revisiting one of my new favorites, Wildcat's Revenge, which was named Best New Roller Coaster of 2023 by the prestigious Golden Ticket Awards.

Hersheypark has undergone significant improvements in nearly every area, cementing its place among the nation's best amusement parks. Here's why it deserves to be on your radar.

The History of Hersheypark

Hersheypark, known affectionately as "The Sweetest Place On Earth," began as a recreational park for Hershey Chocolate Company employees in 1906. In 1908, American chocolatier Milton S. Hershey opened the park's first carousel to the public, followed by a miniature railroad in 1910.

In 1923, the park introduced its first roller coaster, Wild Cat, which was later replaced by The Comet in 1946. The Comet continues to operate today, and in 2024, it will usher in a new chapter with a fresh train design and upgraded seats (more on that shortly).

Over the past 118 years, Hershey, Pennsylvania has undergone significant development and innovation. Today, visitors can choose from three official lodging options, including The Hotel Hershey, a luxurious destination hotel and spa that has been a part of the area since 1933.

Aside from Disney and Universal, this is the most luxurious hotel experience I've had at an amusement park. The interiors are steeped in vintage charm, while the expansive grounds feature a world-class spa, lush gardens, and a large outdoor pool deck complete with two slides.

The past decade has seen major growth at Hersheypark, with the addition of six new coasters, a water park, and the impressive Hershey's Chocolatetown—a $150 million upgrade to the park's main entrance. With 15 roller coasters and 76 attractions spread across 121 acres, the park has truly expanded its offerings.

Hersheypark Tickets

Hersheypark offers both one-day and two-day tickets. A single-day ticket is priced at $86.95 for ages 9-61, and $56.99 for children ages 3-8 and seniors 62 and older, when purchased online in advance. Two-day tickets are available for $90 for all guests ages 3 and up. Children under 2 get in free. Parking is $25 per day. There’s also a happy hour ticket for $39.99 if you enter after 4 p.m., and a weekday discount (Monday to Thursday) priced at $59.99.

Hersheypark offers rotating discounts and special promotions throughout the season. Currently, you can save 25% on single-day park admission when purchased online in advance. Admission includes access to The Boardwalk Water Park and ZooAmerica, the park’s 11-acre zoo.

If you're planning on visiting for more than one day, consider their bundle options. For $114, the Summer Fun Card offers unlimited park access through Sept. 8, excluding parking. Year-round passes are also available, with prices starting at $195 for the Bite Size Season Pass and going up to $290 for the King Size Season Pass.

Buy your tickets here.

Hersheypark Rides and Attractions

With 76 rides and attractions, Hersheypark offers something for everyone. The park's main draw is its impressive roller coaster collection. Over the past decade, I've ridden all 15 coasters multiple times and appreciate their distinct designs and thrilling complexities. Many of these coasters wind through the park's lush landscape, zipping over waterways and dipping alongside guest walkways, making the experience feel even more immersive than at other parks.

The standout attraction for the 2024 season is the updated restraints on Skyrush, the park's top-tier steel wing coaster. This ride delivers an intense thrill packed into just a minute, reaching speeds of up to 75 miles per hour without any inversions. The new restraints are a major improvement over the old ones, which were known to put so much pressure on riders’ legs that enthusiasts dubbed it 'Thigh Crush.'

Although the new restraints closely resemble the previous version (riders will still enjoy the open-air sensation and the floorless wing seats), I found the new lap bar to be secure yet comfortable. My personal favorite seats are the back row wing seats, with a slight preference for the left side.

Wildcat's Revenge is a close contender to Skyrush for the title of the most intense ride at Hersheypark, though each coaster offers a unique experience.

Wildcat's Revenge, the park's 2023 hybrid wooden coaster, is the next evolution of the former Wildcat ride. As mentioned, it was awarded the Golden Ticket for Best New Roller Coaster of 2023, and it's well-deserved. Built by Rocky Mountain Construction, renowned for their inversion-packed hybrid coasters, Wildcat's Revenge delivers nonstop thrills and airtime with no trim brakes, reaching speeds of up to 62 mph.

This coaster is packed with unique elements, including a wildcat bust on the front of each train and fun reins to hold onto when keeping your arms up becomes a challenge. Plus, it boasts the world's largest underflip inversion. I personally favor the back row for the best airtime on this relentlessly fast ride.

Another exciting update this season is the refreshed Comet, the park's oldest operating coaster. The upgrade includes three new custom trains featuring updated logos from previous ride designs. The sleek and comfortable trains make the ride even more thrilling as it races through 3,360 feet of historic wooden track, reaching speeds of up to 50 mph as it speeds past Skyrush.

Other coasters that I can't stop thinking about include The Great Bear, an inverted B&M coaster that's one of the best in its category (especially when riding in the front row); Storm Runner, which launches you to a heart-pounding 72 mph before diving into wild barrel rolls and twists; and Lightning Racer, a dueling wooden coaster with exciting race moments that keep you on the edge of your seat.

There's also the brilliant theming of Laff Trakk — the first indoor spinning glow-coaster in the U.S. (I prefer riding in the front row for the best experience) — and the exhilarating heights reached on Candymonium. This smooth and powerful hypercoaster zooms past the park's main entrance, and like with many rides, I find the back row gives the best airtime.

While there isn't a dedicated children's area at Hersheypark, over 20 kiddie rides are scattered throughout the park, alongside the more thrilling attractions. Some of my favorite family-friendly rides include the colorful Ferris Wheel, the Skyview gondolas, and the Coal Cracker log flume (especially when I manage to avoid getting too soaked).

Things to know before visiting Hersheypark

Every park ticket comes with bonus hours

With three distinct attractions in one location (Hersheypark, The Boardwalk, and ZooAmerica), plus the nearby Hershey's Chocolate World, there’s plenty to explore. Don’t miss out on the park’s exclusive "sweet sneak peek" offer with every ticket, which allows you to enjoy two extra hours in the park the night before, during regular operating hours — at no extra cost.

These extra hours give you a chance to experience some rides and get familiar with the park layout before your full day of adventure. Resort guests enjoy three extra hours the night before their ticketed day. There's also an exclusive early entry for resort guests and annual pass holders each morning, with select rides like Skyrush, Comet, and Candymonium available.

Consider using Fast Track to skip the lines

The park’s Fast Track system helps you bypass the lines on almost all major rides. Prices vary based on dates and availability, and tickets for Fast Track can sell out quickly. Multiple access tiers are available.

"Fast Track" ($50 to $170) lets you skip the regular line once per day at each participating ride, while "Fast Track Unlimited" ($75 to $225) gives you all-day, skip-the-line access for all participating attractions. For the Boardwalk, Fast Passes let you bypass the line at Breakers Edge, Whitecap Racer, and Intercoastal Waterway (Lazy River).

The food options range from good to great

Hersheypark offers a wide variety of food, drinks, and sweet treats that are sure to please. The park truly shines when it serves its own creations. Don't miss spots like 1906 Grill for delicious cheeseburgers and cheese curds, Spring Creek Smokehouse for mouthwatering brisket and pulled pork sandwiches made right on-site, and East Coast Burger Works where specialty burgers rotate monthly.

For the best fries in the park, head to Tower Fries, and for Instagram-worthy milkshakes, make a stop at Simply Chocolate, where the King Size Shakes are a must-try. Other food options include Chick-fil-A, two Chickie's & Pete's locations, Dunkin' Donuts, Moe's, and more.

There are no single-rider lines

Unlike many other theme parks, including Disney and Universal, Hersheypark doesn't offer single-rider lines. While I enjoy single-rider lines for their quick access to rides (even if it means not choosing who I ride with or where I sit), they're not available here.

The Hersheypark app is a terrific resource for ride times and more

The Hersheypark app is a must-have tool for navigating the park. It's large, and even after multiple visits, I still rely on the app's interactive map to help me find my way around. It also shows ride wait times, and now includes mobile ordering, which is a huge timesaver when it comes to food.

The best nighttime entertainment is at The Chocolatier

Hersheypark offers only a few entertainment options during the day, including a new music revue in the Music Box theater and regular Hershey character meet-and-greets. The park’s characters include Hershey Bar, Miss Kiss, Reese, JR, Twizzler, and occasionally, the minty-fresh Ice Breaker.

Another highlight is the park’s "Our Friends from the Sea" sea lion and seal show, which runs three times daily during the summer. However, when it comes to large-scale spectacles, Hersheypark lacks a parade and, most notably, a nighttime show.

The park would really shine with a nightly drone show, a fountain display, or even a fireworks extravaganza. My personal favorite nighttime experience at Hersheypark is dining at The Chocolatier. This newer restaurant, located right off the main entrance in Chocolatetown, offers great theming alongside exceptional food and drinks.

The park also features many playful design elements, such as booths with seat belts taken from the Comet coaster, roller coaster-inspired chandeliers, and Tilt-a-Whirl-themed seating areas. For the perfect way to end a day spent exploring the park, don't miss the indulgent Reese's Peanut Butter Milkshake.

You can tell the park cares

There are countless thoughtful details throughout the park that elevate it to a level of its own. The staff is friendly and helpful, with ride attendants who are genuinely welcoming. On my last visit, everything worked in the bathrooms – soap dispensers, faucets – and they were well-kept. Hand sanitizer stations were plentiful, and free cold water refill stations were available throughout the park. Plus, guests can bring one sealed water bottle in with them.

The park is also committed to supporting the Milton Hershey School, the legacy project of founder Milton S. Hershey, which provides quality education to children in need. You can really feel the pride and care the staff have for the park, and there’s a genuine spirit of hospitality that runs through every aspect of its operations.

Hersheypark offers a generous weather policy

True to its commitment to guest satisfaction, Hersheypark provides a return visit voucher if weather conditions cause most attractions to close for at least 60 minutes. The voucher is valid for a return visit within the same year.

Hersheypark operates cashless

Leave your cash at home – Hersheypark is fully cashless. The park accepts all major credit and debit cards, as well as Hersheypark gift cards, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay at all points of sale. QR codes on cashless signage throughout the park direct guests to purchase e-gift cards, which can be used instead of cash. Additionally, there are stations where you can convert cash to a card.

The rides improve as the day goes on

I don’t usually save the best for last, especially since the most popular attractions tend to get busier as the day progresses. But during my last visit, I had the chance to ride Skyrush both in the morning and later in the day. I loved it in the morning, but as the day went on, the ride experience seemed to intensify.

By evening, Skyrush had a noticeably more intense experience. While both rides were enjoyable, the later one truly stood out.

The chocolate tastes even better here

Hershey, Pennsylvania, remains the heart of Hershey's chocolate production, with nearby factories crafting everything from Hershey’s chocolate bars to Kisses, syrups, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. It’s no surprise then that the chocolate here just seems fresher.

Hershey's Chocolate World, located just outside Hersheypark's entrance, often gives visitors a sneak peek at the latest flavor launches. It’s also the exclusive spot for the Hershey's Pot of Gold milk chocolate assortment.

Where to stay when visiting Hersheypark

There are three official Hersheypark hotels, each offering the best rates on park tickets, free shuttle service to the entrance, and exclusive early park access. But the highlight of staying at any of these hotels is the complimentary Hershey chocolate bars you receive at check-in.

The Hotel Hershey

This historic and opulent hotel, founded in 1933 by Milton S. Hershey, exudes luxury at every turn. I adore the intricate details throughout, from the elegant interiors inspired by Milton Hershey's global travels to the charming atmosphere. Be sure to try the signature Hershey's Kisses Signature Chocolate Martini at the renowned Iberian Lounge.

For your second round, I recommend the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Martini and a visit to one of my favorite terraces, which offers both a cozy fire pit and beautiful park views. The hotel features two pools—an indoor one and a spacious outdoor deck with two slides.

Rates at The Hotel Hershey begin at approximately $329 per night.

The Villas at Hotel Hershey

As the resort's most upscale accommodation, The Villas feature 10 charming cottages and 48 elegant rooms. Guests enjoy exclusive benefits, such as access to the newly added Concierge Lounge offering a continental breakfast, daily Hersheypark admission, and a one-day Hersheypark Fast Track pass.

Plans are underway to expand with nine additional villas and 50 more rooms, slated to open by late 2025. One of my top dining picks at the resort is the Sunday brunch at The Circular restaurant. With no corners in the design, a concept inspired by Milton S. Hershey to foster a sense of community, it also serves an outstanding a la carte dinner and one of the best breakfast buffets I've enjoyed in years.

Rates at The Villas at Hotel Hershey begin around $799 per night.

Hershey Lodge

A more laid-back, family-friendly option near Hersheypark, Hershey Lodge boasts 665 guest rooms, including 18 spacious suites. It offers plenty of fun for kids, like a dedicated check-in area with games and character meet-and-greets, the Hershey's Water Works indoor pool, and a mini-golf course.

Rates at the Hershey Lodge begin at approximately $259 per night.

Hersheypark Camping Resort

For those who prefer a more hands-on experience, Hersheypark offers a year-round camping resort. It features over 300 campsites, both shaded and open, as well as 50 cabins and two cozy tiny homes.

Rates for the Hersheypark Camping Resort start at around $69 per night.

Bottom line

With top-tier coasters and a full itinerary of family-friendly activities, Hersheypark has firmly established itself as the top amusement destination in the Northeast. The park is poised for exciting growth, and I’m eagerly awaiting what’s coming next.