We have made the drive from Rochester to Hersheypark over 5 times, and every single time we pull into the parking lot someone in the car says the same thing, when can we get some chocolate. This guide covers everything you need to plan a Hersheypark trip with kids. From tickets, where to stay, which rides are worth the wait, where to eat, and whether one day or two is right for your family.
We didn’t plan to become a Hersheypark family. Our first visit was late November when we were looking to try something new and heard they had a fantastic holiday event. It was a perfect Disney alternative for us because we could drive there for a family weekend getaway.
Four visits later, we’re still going back.
If you’re landing on this page, you’re probably asking the question we had before that first trip: is Hersheypark actually worth it, or is it just a smaller version of the parks we already love?
Here’s our honest take after visiting with kids across a wide age range, from little ones working up to their first big coaster to teens who now head straight for Candymonium. Hersheypark is not a Disney alternative. It’s a completely different kind of theme park day, and for a lot of families, especially those with kids who are ready for intense coasters, it might be the better choice for your trip.
Hersheypark is an excellent amusement park. They have a strong coaster lineup, a fantastic kiddie section, and chocolate everywhere in the best possible way. No matter the age of your kids, Hersheypark has something everyone will enjoy.
It also helps that for us, living in Rochester, the trip can be planned last minute. After a four and a half hour drive you will arrive at one of the best theme parks in the USA.
Whether you are making the drive from Rochester, planning a long weekend from New York City, or road tripping from Philadelphia, this guide covers everything we’ve learned across our visits. From the best times to go, how to save on tickets, which rides work for which ages, where to eat, where to stay, and whether 1 day or 2 is right for your family.
- Is Hersheypark Worth It for Families
- Best Time to Visit Hersheypark
- Hersheypark Tickets and How to Save Money
- 1 Day vs. 2 Days at Hersheypark- Which is Best for Your Family?
- Hersheypark Rides by Age (What to Prioritize)
- Hersheypark Food and Dining
- Where to Stay (On-site Resorts at Hersheypark)
- Seasonal Events Worth Planning Around
- Tips for Planning Your Day at Hersheypark
- What I Pack for Hersheypark
- Planning Your Drive from Rochester and Beyond
- FAQ's for Hersheypark
Is Hersheypark Worth It for Families
Yes! I say this as a family that also loves Disney World, Universal, and LEGOLAND. Hersheypark earns its place on the list for different reasons than the big theme park giants.
The value is genuinely hard to beat. A single day at Hersheypark costs a fraction of a Disney World ticket, the food is reasonably priced by theme park standards, and staying on-site at Hershey makes you feel like you are in the “Hershey bubble” much like a stay at Disney or Universal.
The ride quality punches well above what most people expect. This isn’t a a basic amusement park. Hersheypark has a serious coaster collection with over 14 roller coasters in its lineup. Wildcat’s Revenege, Laff Trakk Skyrush, Storm Runner, and Fahrenheit are world-class rides that thrill-seeking teens and adults will talk about for years.
And the Hershey experience itself is unique. Chocolate World is right next door, the whole town of Hershey smells faintly of chocolate, and there’s a charm to your visit. Hershey is a destination rather than just a theme park.
My honest verdict: if you have kids of mixed ages, especially a mix of little ones and teens, Hersheypark is one of the best parks in the country for your family right now.
No Time to Read: Quick Planning Check List
Before you go, run through this list:
-Book park tickets online in advance. Never pay gate price.
-Reserve your on-site hotel as early as possible. Hershey Lodge and the newly opened Hershey Inn & Suites typically books up fast in summer.
-Download the Hersheypark app. It has live wait times and a park map. Use this to decide what will be your priority rides.
-Check the seasonal event calendar and park hours. Your visit dates may overlap with Halloween or Christmas Candylane.
-Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to park opening. The first two hours have the shortest lines of the day.
-Budget for time in Hershey’s Chocolate World separately. It is worth exploring and riding the free Hershey Chocolate Tour ride.
-Hersheypark is cashless. Plan on using a card at the park.
Best Time to Visit Hersheypark
If you want to visit Hersheypark for a summer trip, the sweet spot is late May through mid-June and the first few weeks of September. You get summer operating hours without peak summer crowds, and the weather is usually ideal warm enough for the water rides.
July and August are the busiest months. If that’s when your family has to go, aim for weekdays rather than weekends and arrive at opening. The park fills up significantly by mid-morning on summer weekends.
September is a great time to visit. The crowds thin out after Labor Day, the weather is still warm enough for the water park, and Hersheypark Halloween kicks off. This Halloween party is a mix of kid friendly and adult scare. We have a full guide to Hersheypark Halloween if that’s on your radar.
Christmas Candylane runs from mid-November through New Year’s and is magical for families of all ages. It is my favorite time of year to visit. From meeting Santa’s Reindeer, to thousands of lights throughout the park, it is a really special way to experience the park. We cover everything you need to know in our Christmas Candylane guide.
Avoid Memorial Day weekend, Fourth of July, and Labor Day weekend if you can. Those are the three peak crowd days of the year.
Hersheypark Tickets and How to Save Money
Tickets purchased at the gate are always the most expensive option. Here’s how to pay less:
Buy online in advance. Hersheypark offers discounted tickets on their website when you purchase ahead of your visit. This can save your family $10 to $20 per person compared to gate prices.
Check for PA resident discounts. If you live in Pennsylvania you may qualify for additional savings through various local programs and partnerships. Also check AAA discounted tickets as well as ticket prices on the Hersheypark app.
Consider a season pass if you’re visiting more than once. Hersheypark season passes pay for themselves after about one and a half visits and include free parking, which adds up quickly.
Look at the Hersheypark vacation packages. Bundling park tickets with an on-site hotel stay often works out cheaper than booking separately, and you get early entry perks included.
Avoid same-day ticket purchases at the gate. There’s almost never a reason to pay full gate price.
Hersheypark Ticket Add-Ons
There are a couple ways to add-on to your daily park admission ticket. They are:
Fast Track: This allows guests to skip the lines at participating attractions. There is a one time ride and an unlimited ride option. It is an add on to your general admission ticket and the price range is $30.00 to $170.00 per person per day.
Dining Deals: Guests can purchase single meal or all day dining deals before they arrive at the park.
ZooAmerica: ZooAmerica is connected to Hersheypark and included in your admission ticket. Guests do not need an additional ticket unless they are updgrade to an early morning or evening guided tour.
1 Day vs. 2 Days at Hersheypark- Which is Best for Your Family?
We’ve done Hersheypark both ways and have thoughts on both.
One day works well if: your kids are primarily coaster riders, you arrive at opening, and you’re strategic about prioritizing the headliner rides first. A focused family of teens or older kids can absolutely hit everything meaningful in one day. We’ve done it and left satisfied. The key is rope-dropping the park and moving efficiently in the morning before crowds build.
Two days is better if: you have a mix of ages, you want to do the water park properly, you’re visiting during peak summer, or you just want a relaxed pace without the pressure of checking off rides. Two days lets you sleep in on day two, revisit your favorites, spend real time at Chocolate World, and actually enjoy the resort experience rather than rushing.
Preview Plan: Preview Plan is available on all Hersheypark tickets and it allows guests to visit the park the day before their full day visit. If you are an on-site guests you can enter the park the day before your visit 3 hours prior to park close. Off-site guests can enter 2 hours prior to park close.
My personal preference is a two night stay at a Hershey Hotel, when the budget allows. On arrival day head over to the parks for 3 hours of preview plan. Then be ready for rope drop the next morning. On your final day you can sleep in, visit Hershey Chocolate World or Hershey Gardens before you make your journey home.
This transforms the trip from a sprint into an actual vacation. Staying on-site makes two days easy since you’re already there and can head back to the hotel for a break and a swim in the afternoon.
Hersheypark Rides by Age (What to Prioritize)
Hersheypark does an unusually good job covering the full age spectrum. Here’s how to approach rides by age group:
For toddlers and young kids (under 48 inches): The Carrousel, Cocoa Cruiser, Kissing Tower (if you are okay with heights), Monorail, and the Dry Gulch Railroad are the core little-kid experiences. Little ones can fill a full day at Hersheypark and never feel like they’re missing out.
For middle kids (48–54 inches): This is where Hersheypark gets really fun. Wild Mouse, Trailblazer, and Wildcat’s Revenge, Reese’s Cupfusion, and Laff Trakk open up, and kids in this height range start to feel the thrill of real coasters for the first time. Great transitional age for Hersheypark.
For teens and adults: Skyrush, Storm Runner, Fahrenheit, Candymonium, and Wildcat’s Revenge are the headliners. We have a complete Hersheypark ride height guide with every coaster broken down by thrill level and height requirement.
The water park, The Boardwalk, is included with park admission and is excellent for all ages on hot days. Plan to spend at least a few hours there if you’re visiting in summer. You might consider visiting first thing in the morning when crowds are lower. Be sure to check water park hours before you arrive.
Hersheypark Food and Dining
The food at Hersheypark is better than your average amusement park and there are many choclate inspired options. A few highlights worth knowing:
Chickie’s & Pete’s is the best full-service dining option inside the park- crab fries are a must. The Chocolatier is the park’s flagship restaurant and worth a table-service visit if you want a real meal. For quick service, King’s Shakes are a Hersheypark institution and absolutely worth the line.
You can bring food into the park, which is a meaningful budget saver for families with picky eaters or dietary restrictions.
We have a full breakdown of the best food at Hersheypark with everything we’ve tried across our visits.
Don’t skip Chocolate World. It’s technically separate from the park but right next door, free to enter, and has a chocolate factory tour ride(free), chocolate-making experiences(tickets required), and the best chocolate shopping you’ll find anywhere. Plan at least an hour there, more if your family loves the hands-on experiences.
Where to Stay (On-site Resorts at Hersheypark)
We have always stayed on-site at Hersheypark and strongly recommend it. Here’s why: on-site guests get early entry to the park, typically 30 to 60 minutes before general admission, which is significant on busy summer days. You get an extra hour of preview plan and also get complimentary transportation between the resort and park, which removes all the parking stress.
The four main on-site options are:
Hershey Lodge is our personal favorite and the most family-friendly. It’s a large, well-appointed resort with multiple pools, including an indoor water park, excellent dining, and a fun atmosphere that the kids love. It feels like a destination in itself. We have a full Hershey Lodge review with everything you need to know.
Hotel Hershey is the upscale option. It is a beautiful historic hotel that is also family friendly. It has an indoor and outdoor pool, the Hershey spa, and on-site dining. I have a full review of the Hotel Hershey with all the details.
Hersheypark Camping Resort is a great budget option that still gets you on-site perks. S’mores by the fire after a full day at the park is a wonderful way to end the day. We cover it in our full Hersheypark Camping Resort review.
Hershey Inn & Suites is the newest on-site hotel in the Hersheypark family. Opening May 2026 this budget friendly hotel will offer family suites with bunk beds, an indoor pool, arcade, and shuttle to the park. We hope to stay here soon and have a review to share.
We compare the hotels in depth in our Hershey Lodge vs Hotel Hershey guide.
Seasonal Events Worth Planning Around
Hersheypark Halloween runs from mid-September through October and offers two distinct experiences. One is the family-friendly daytime Halloween event and the scarier Dark Nights experience for older kids and adults.
We have only done the family friendly event but have heard good reviews on the haunted houses at Dark Nights. I am way too scared for this event but I think it is worth it if you like scares. Full breakdown in our Hersheypark Halloween guide.
Christmas Candylane is one of the most underrated holiday theme park events on the East Coast. The park is decorated with millions of lights, Santa is there, and the atmosphere is genuinely magical for young kids.
Rides still operate, it’s far less crowded than summer, and the whole experience is more relaxed. There is also a drive-thru light experience, Sweet Lights, that adds to the holiday fun. Our Christmas Candylane guide has everything you need.
Tips for Planning Your Day at Hersheypark
- Hersheypark is a cash less park. They only accept credit cards at the park. Guests can use cash to purchase Hershey cards to use around the park.
- Check park hours before you arrive to plan your visit. Take advantage of Sweet Start and preview.
- Arrive early. I suggest arriving at Hersheypark 30-45 minutes before the gates open.
- Check out the Hersheypark ride height for the attractions you want to ride before you head to the park to prepare kids for what they can and can’t ride.
- Prioritize the rides you want to experience in the first two hours of park opening.
- Try to ride Reese’s Cupfusion within an hour of park opening because it has a slow loading queue. It opened at 10:45 during our visit and had very long wait times.
- Not all attractions open with Sweet Start. On our visit Candymonium and the Hollow rides were open.
- Ride the carousel at the front of the park. It was built in 1919 making it one of the oldest in the country. You can save this for later in the day.
- Face your fears on Candymonium. It is the tallest, longest, and fastest ride at Hersheypark.
My best Hersheypark tip is to plan a visit based on what you and your family want to do!
If you are visiting with little kids spend more time at the kiddie rides. If you are visiting with older kids and teens you need to include the roller coasters in your visit.
The single-rider line is your friend. If your group splits on who wants to ride what, the single-rider line moves fast and means nobody is standing around waiting while others ride.
Plan a mid-afternoon break. We always go back to the hotel for a swim and a reset around 2 or 3pm, especially if we’re doing two days. Coming back to the park for the evening is when crowd levels drop and the best rides are most accessible.
Often I see people disappointed because they didn’t plan the trip based on their own needs. Use the tips and suggestions that work best for you and your family.
What I Pack for Hersheypark
We like to be prepared for our day at Hersheypark and usually pack a backpack to carry all our things.
Hersheypark is huge and you should expect a lot of walking. Wear comfortable shoes and prepare for walking up and down hills as your tour the park.
I suggest packing sunscreen, hats and refillable water bottles. There is not a lot of shade at the park and you will be happy to have the coverage. Check out what I pack in my theme park bag.
All day locker rentals are available at Hersheypark. Hersheypark is cashless so remember to have a credit card for lockers.
Planning Your Drive from Rochester and Beyond
Hersheypark is about 4.5 hours from Rochester, making it a genuine road trip destination rather than a day trip, though ambitious families have done it in a day. We prefer to make it a two or three night trip to get the most out of both the park and the resort experience.
If you’re based in the Rochester area and love a good road trip, we have a full guide to the best weekend getaways from Rochester NY with 16 destinations worth the drive.
From other Northeast cities: Philadelphia is just 95 miles away making it an easy day trip. New York City is about 3 hours. Baltimore and DC are both under 2 hours. If you’re in any of these markets, there’s almost no reason not to make Hersheypark a regular part of your family travel rotation.
FAQ’s for Hersheypark
More Hersheypark Guides
- What to Do in Hershey Besides Hersheypark
- Should You Visit ZooAmerica During a Hersheypark Visit
- Best Food at Hersheypark
- What Hershey Hotel Should You Choose for Your Hersheypark Trip
I hope this guide and tips help you plan your visit to Hersheypark. We love visiting and it is a great amusement park to experience.
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Leah has been traveling with her family of 5 since 2012 and sharing her expertise on planning family vacations and visiting theme parks since 2016. Leah has been featured in Visit Rochester, Undercover Tourist, and Home Publications. She has worked with brands like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Hersheypark, Toyota, and various Tourism boards and destinations. Leah creates family travel itineraries based on real trip experiences with her family. Her guides and tips help others plan great family vacations. Learn more about Leah and Five for the Road.