A visit to Hershey, PA must include a visit to the largest Hershey’s store in the United States. This guide to Hershey’s Chocolate World attractions with kids will help you plan your trip to the sweetest place on earth.
Spending time experiencing all the fun attractions at Hershey’s Chocolate World is a great way to spend your time in Hershey, PA.
With a chocolate movie, free chocolate factory tour, giant size Hershey candy, and more there is something fun for everyone visiting the tourist attraction.
Hershey, Pennsylvania is named the sweetest place on Earth because it is all things Hershey Chocolate. There is a full theme park at Hersheypark and Hershey Chocolate World, as well as ZooAmerica, Hershey Story Museum, and more things to do in Hershey, PA.
In this article we are going to talk about what to do when visiting Chocolate World. Hershey’s Chocolate World is the largest Hershey’s Chocolate store in the world and a great place to visit for families visiting Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Hershey’s Chocolate World is open year-round to guests and offers fun treats, Hershey inspired merchandise, and numerous Hershey’s Chocolate World attractions.
The Hershey company has impacted the entire town of Hershey, PA and it is a wonderful destination for families.
Things to Know When Visiting Hershey Chocolate World
Is Hershey Chocolate World Free?
Hershey Chocolate World is free to enter and visit. It is open year-round.
There are paid experiences like the 4D show, make your own chocolate bar, chocolate making classes, and a bakery. The Hershey Chocolate Factory Tour offers free tours to guests.
How Long Does it Take to Tour Hershey Chocolate World?
Hershey Chocolate World can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an entire day to tour. It all depends on what you would like to do during your visit.
If you plan on doing all the Hershey Chocolate World attractions it will take you more time than if you stop in to explore the gift shop.
I would plan an hour to explore and ride the Hershey Factory Chocolate tour ride. If you have reservations for other attractions this will take longer. The wait times for attractions will also depend on the crowds.
What is the Difference Between Hershey’s Chocolate World and Hersheypark?
When planning a visit it is important to understand the difference between Hershey’s Chocolate World and Hersheypark. They are different destinations but are within the same parking/entertainment complex.
Hershey’s Chocolate World is located in the same complex as Hersheypark. When you visit you are directed at the parking ticket booth to the Hershey’s Chocolate World area or Hersheypark parking.
Hersheypark is an amusement park that you need a ticket to enter. Learn more about planning your visit to Hersheypark.
Hershey’s Chocolate World is a large visitors center that offers paid attractions and a gift shop but does not charge admission.
Hershey’s Chocolate World Parking
Parking can be confusing because of the location of the attractions. If you are visiting Hersheypark you would park in the Hersheypark parking area. From there you can visit Hersheypark and Hershey’s Chocolate World.
If you are visiting ONLY Hershey’s Chocolate World, use the Hershey’s Chocolate World parking area.
Parking Prices for Hershey’s Chocolate World
- Short term parking is free.
- All Day Parking: $25.00 during summer months, holiday season, and special events at Hersheypark
What Is There to Do at Hershey Chocolate World?
Hershey’s Chocolate World has around 9 attractions depending on the season you visit. They range from chocolate tastings to a make your own candy bar attraction.
Hershey Chocolate World Special Events
Hersheypark and Hershey Chocolate World has different seasonal events throughout the year. The main events are Halloween at Hersheypark and Holidays at Hershey.
Expect special treats, meet and greets, and more during these times.
Hershey’s Chocolate World Attractions
- Hershey’s Chocolate Tour: free tour takes you on a chocolate adventure from the start of cocoa beans to a Hershey bar. This is fun for all ages. Guests receive a piece of candy at the end of the tour.
- Hershey’s Great Candy Expedition: This brand new interactive experience will have guests traveling on a “cinematic train ride adventure”. This will have projection mapping, special effects, and interactive character experiences.
- Create Your Own Candy Bar: Here you can create your own wrapper and candy bar at this popular Hershey’s Chocolate World attraction.
- Hershey’s Unwrapped: A Chocolate Tasting Journey: Smell and taste the milk chocolate and more at this popular attraction.
- Hershey Trolley Works: The Trolley tours through the town of Hershey and guests will learn about the history and how Milton S. Hershey built the town.
- Resse’s Stuff Your Cup: Stuff a Resse’s cup with your favorite sweet treats.
- Hershey’s Chocolate World Bakery: Purchase special sweet treats and your favorite Hershey chocolate items.
- Seasonal Events: Breakfast with Santa, Trick or Treating
Hershey’s Chocolate World Ticket Prices
The Hershey’s Chocolate World attractions can be purchased individually or bundled based on what attractions you are interested in visiting. The Hershey’s Chocolate Tour is free of charge and open to all guests.
Check the website for the most up to date pricing.
If you are buying your tickets when you arrive, the ticket counter is to your right when entering the building. (The restrooms are on your left! I find it’s always helpful to know where they are!)
I suggest purchasing tickets before you arrive so that you can go directly to the attractions and start your day.
Tips for Visiting Hershey’s Chocolate World PA
We have visited Hershey’s Chocolate World numerous occasions and we always start with a ride on the Hershey Chocolate Tour.
It is free and a fun way to start your visit. At the end they also give out a sweet treat!
Before we ride we make sure we have our tickets and check the showtimes for the attractions we want to experience.
Hershey’s Chocolate World Factory Tour
Our family tradition is to ride the Hershey’s Factory Tour first!! This is a free attraction. You board carts that take you on a tour of a chocolate factory.
My family of five fit on it together. This is not the real chocolate factory but it doesn’t have to be!! The smell of chocolate is piped through the attraction.
In 2016 they added projections and animatronics of Reese, Hershey and Kiss. These were a great addition to the attraction.
At the end of the attraction you get a free sample of chocolate!!! We have had Kit-Kats, Hershey bars, and Kisses in the past.
Honestly we ride this so many times that I usually come home with lots of sample size bars…if they make it home!!
Explore the Gift Shop at Hershey Chocoalte World
Hershey’s Chocoalte World is the largetst Hershey gift store in the World. It is larger than the New York City location and the Las Vegas location.
Take time to walk around and see the unique merchandise. We love seeing the sizes of the largest KitKat bars and more things unique to this store.
Character Meet and Greets
When we visited in November 2015 we were able to meet the characters dressed up for the holidays. We met Twizzler, Hershey, and Reese!
It was really cute and they have photographers there to take the pictures. They also let me take pictures with my camera. There was not a lot of pressure to buy any pictures.
Our August visit didn’t have a place for characters to meet. I think the meet and greet is part of the holiday events but always check during your visit.
In November they didn’t have a schedule out either. We had to ask the employees. The characters high-five and interacted with the kids and the costumes were adorable. It was one of the highlights of our trip!
Where to Eat at Hershey Chocolate World
There is a food court, a bakery and an ice cream parlor to choose from when you visit. So many yummy goodies.
Every time we go we try something different! This time we tried an old fashioned chocolate milk shake.
I wanted to add a quick note about strollers. Stroller parking is located outside the entrance. You are allowed to bring strollers into the center but you are not allowed to take them into/on attractions.
Stroller parking for the attractions is outside, not outside the ride, outside the building. Save yourself some time and park your stroller before entering.
If you have a little one that need a stroller consider using a baby carrier and a backpack for your things.
Hershey’s Chocolate World is so much fun! It is a great stop for a quick sweet treat or an afternoon of Hershey inspired attractions.
If you are visiting during the holidays be sure to check out Hersheypark in the Dark: Celebrate Halloween at Hersheypark and Hersheypark Christmas Candylane Tips.
Read Next: Overview of the Hersheypark Hotels
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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.
was the $10 meal ticket add-on worth it?
Hi Alyson- We have never added the meal ticket as an add-on. I don’t think it save you much money and we don’t always eat at Chocolate World… other than a treat from the bakery.
We went through Hershey last month on our way to Gettysburg from Missouri. We just did Chocolate World, and we thought it was cute and fun. We bought our magnet, as we do for every attraction we visit, but we also bought a Christmas ornament. In June! I would love to see Hershey at Christmas. Maybe someday. It sounds like you had a nice visit!
We always get an ornament too! Even in the summer!
Pinning this bc I loved Hershey as a kid and can’t wait to take my family!