Hersheypark

State: Pennsylvania. Type: theme park in Hershey, Dauphin County, roughly 15 miles east of Harrisburg and 95 miles west of Philadelphia. Founded May 30, 1906 by Milton S. Hershey as an employee leisure park; renamed Hersheypark in 1971 after major redevelopment beginning 1970. Spans 121 acres. As of 2025, 73 total rides and water attractions, including 14 roller coasters and 15 water rides. Wholly and privately owned by Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company. Attracted 3 million visitors in 2024, making it the most-visited theme park in Pennsylvania.

Hersheypark is a 121-acre theme park in Hershey, Pennsylvania, founded in 1906 by chocolate magnate Milton S. Hershey as a leisure park for his company's employees. After decades of gradual growth, the park underwent major redevelopment starting in 1970 and was renamed Hersheypark in 1971, evolving into the large-scale attraction it is today. It now features 73 total rides and water attractions, including 14 roller coasters, ranging from the historic Wild Cat wooden coaster (first opened in 1923) to modern additions like Wildcat's Revenge (2023) and Twizzlers Twisted Gravity (2025). The park is organized into seven distinct themed areas, including Hershey's Chocolatetown and Pioneer Frontier, and sits adjacent to ZooAmerica, a themed zoo. Wholly owned by Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company, Hersheypark drew roughly 3 million visitors in 2024, making it the most-visited theme park in Pennsylvania and the ninth most-visited in North America.

Hersheypark is located in Hershey, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, roughly 15 miles east of Harrisburg and about 95 miles west of Philadelphia. The park spans 121 acres and sits adjacent to ZooAmerica, part of the wider Hershey entertainment complex developed around the historic Hershey Chocolate Company.

Central Pennsylvania has hot, humid summers, often reaching the 80s and low 90s Fahrenheit, which is the park's peak operating season, and cold winters with occasional snow. Because most rides and water attractions are outdoors, weather directly affects the visitor experience, particularly the water park section, which is a seasonal, warm-weather draw.

The park's peak season runs through summer, aligning with school breaks and the warmest weather for its water rides. Visiting on weekdays or in the shoulder months of the operating season (spring and early fall, where applicable) can mean shorter lines than peak summer weekends. Specific season-by-season crowd data was not confirmed in the sources used for this entry.

Hersheypark was founded on May 30, 1906, by Milton S. Hershey as a leisure park for the employees of the Hershey Chocolate Company. Its first roller coaster, the Wild Cat, opened in 1923. The park underwent a significant redevelopment starting in 1970, which led to its renaming as Hersheypark in 1971, transforming it from a company leisure ground into a major regional theme park. It has continued to expand its ride lineup in the decades since, with recent additions including Wildcat's Revenge in 2023 and Twizzlers Twisted Gravity in 2025. In 2000, the park received the Applause Award, a recognition given periodically to standout amusement parks worldwide. The park is wholly and privately owned by Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company.

With 73 total rides and water attractions, including 14 roller coasters and 15 water rides, visitors can spend a full day moving between the park's seven themed areas: Hershey's Chocolatetown, Pioneer Frontier, The Boardwalk, and others. The adjacent ZooAmerica offers a themed zoo experience that can be combined with a Hersheypark visit. Coaster enthusiasts can ride everything from the historic 1923 Wild Cat wooden coaster to newer additions like Wildcat's Revenge (2023) and Twizzlers Twisted Gravity (2025).

The park's seven themed areas include Hershey's Chocolatetown and Pioneer Frontier, among others, each with its own ride collection and atmosphere. The Boardwalk area houses the park's water attractions. ZooAmerica, an adjacent themed zoo, is a notable nearby attraction often visited alongside the park.

Hersheypark is located roughly 15 miles east of Harrisburg and about 95 miles west of Philadelphia, making it accessible by car from both cities. Harrisburg International Airport is the nearest regional airport; exact drive time and distance from the airport to the park were not confirmed in the sources used for this entry. Most visitors arrive by personal vehicle or rental car, since the park's location outside a major city center means public transit options are limited.

The park operates on a seasonal schedule and is generally open daily during its main operating season, per its ticketing page, though exact daily opening and closing times vary by date and were not specified in the sources used for this entry. Confirm current daily hours on hersheypark.com before visiting.

As of research for the 2026 summer season, ticket options included a Summer Fun Card at $59.99 (normally $100, for select Pennsylvania zip codes), a Peak Summer Ticket at $39.99 (normally $89.95, promotion ending 7/22), a standard 1-Day Any Day Ticket at $66.99, a 2-Day Any Day Ticket at $50/day, a Junior/Senior Any Day ticket at $54.99, and discounted rates for military ($29.99+), healthcare professionals ($34.99+) and groups of 15+ ($36.50+); all prices exclude applicable taxes and fees. Confirm current pricing on hersheypark.com/tickets, since promotional rates and season-based pricing change frequently.

Given the park's size (121 acres) and 73 rides and attractions, most visitors plan a full day to see the major rides across all seven themed areas, with a second day useful for those also wanting to fully explore ZooAmerica or the water park section.

The town of Hershey has lodging tied to the broader Hershey entertainment complex as well as chain hotels in the surrounding area, reflecting its role as a established family tourism destination; specific property names were not confirmed in the sources used for this entry.

Hersheypark and the surrounding town offer a range of dining, from in-park quick-service and sit-down options to restaurants in downtown Hershey, reflecting the town's tourism-driven economy; specific restaurant names were not confirmed in the sources used for this entry.

ZooAmerica, adjacent to the park, is a natural pairing for a Hersheypark visit. The wider town of Hershey includes other Hershey-branded attractions tied to the historic chocolate company; specific additional sites were not confirmed in the sources used for this entry.

Harrisburg International Airport, roughly 15 miles from Hershey given the town's proximity to Harrisburg, is the nearest regional airport, though exact drive time to the park was not confirmed in the sources used. Most visitors arrive by car or rental car, since the park's suburban/small-town location limits public transit options.

As with any large theme park, check posted height, health and age restrictions before riding roller coasters and other thrill rides. Sun protection and hydration are important given the park's outdoor layout and summer peak season. Keep track of children and agree on meeting points, since the park spans 121 acres across seven themed areas. For any emergency, contact park staff or dial 911.

Sunscreen, a hat, comfortable walking shoes and a refillable water bottle are useful given the park's size and outdoor rides. A swimsuit and towel are worth packing for The Boardwalk's water attractions. A portable phone charger can help for a full day of photos and park-app use.

Booking tickets online in advance, especially for the current season's promotional rates, can offer meaningful savings over gate pricing, per the park's own ticketing page. Arriving early in the day helps beat both crowds and the peak-heat hours of a summer visit. Pairing a Hersheypark day with a visit to the adjacent ZooAmerica is a common way to extend a day trip.

For any emergency, contact on-site park staff or dial 911. A specific general-information phone number for Hersheypark was not confirmed in the sources used for this entry; check hersheypark.com for current contact details.

Hersheypark - https://www.hersheypark.com

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This section is being updated and will be available shortly.