City Series Part 13: Hershey, PA…The Sweetest Place on Earth
What chick doesn’t like sweets, especially chocolate? Like Willy Wonka’s factory, Hershey, PA is a cornucopia of fun for confectionary connoisseurs. From Chocolate Avenue to the Hershey Kiss streetlights, every element of his charming town has a sweet touch. For all chocolate-addicted chicks out there, Hershey may be your heaven on earth! History Hershey is in many ways a town that really was built on chocolate. The town was the brainchild of Hershey’s Chocolate founder Milton S. Hershey, who wanted to create a model town for the employees of his factory, according to http://www.hersheypa.com/. With a focus on creating what he called a “home town,” he included comfortable homes, quality public schools, inexpensive public transportation, and various recreational and cultural opportunities. Many structures were built during the Great Depression as part of a campaign by Hershey to create jobs. Travel and Accommodations The best way to get to Hershey is to fly into the Harrisburg International Airport, located just 15 minutes outside of the town. Once there you can either opt to rent a vehicle or employ the use of the airport shuttle, which runs to the Hershey resorts. While there are various places to stay in the Hershey area, there are two places you may want to consider if you really want to be surrounded by the Hershey magic 24/7. The first one is The Hotel Hershey, located at 100 Hotel Rd. While it is on the pricy side, rates vary throughout the year, so you may want to consider comparing different seasons in order to score the best deal. Your other option is the Hershey Lodge, located at 325 University Drive. While rates are still slightly on the high side, rooms do run almost $100 less than The Hotel Hershey. Rates also vary by season. As a guest at either of these establishments, you’ll be granted access to some VIP perks, including the best prices on theme park tickets and early access to the theme park. Places Every Tourist Must See While in Hershey, there are a few must-see destinations that you’ll want to include on your to-do list: This pavilion, which sits just outside of Hershey Park, is home to the one and only Hershey’s Great American Chocolate Tour ride. You’ll see how Hershey’s Chocolate is made from start to finish, complete with audio-guided descriptions, singing cows, and, of course, the sweet scent of chocolate. Your tour concludes with a free sample of a Hershey confection. The best part of the ride? It’s free, so you can ride it as many times as you want! The pavilion is also home to Hershey’s newest attraction Create Your Own Candy Bar. Wannabe candy makers will get the chance to design real candy bars complete with real factory equipment and uniforms. You are able to select a chocolate base, up to three extra ingredients, and if you want to add sprinkles. You will also be able to create your own custom label for your bars. This attraction does require an admissions fee, but guests do receive a tin of their customized bars upon completion. Located next to Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey’s renowned theme park is home to a mix of attractions for every age. You can test your limits on one of the park’s eleven rollercoasters or check out the Kissing Tower, one of the park’s signature rides, which treats visitors to a panoramic view of the Hershey area. Ticket prices for one-day admission range from $52.95 for ages 9-54 to $31.95 for ages 3-8 and 55-69. Anyone over 70 can get into the park for $20.95, and children under 2 are free. If you plan on going to the park on multiple days, you may want to invest in one of the flex packages. Have you ever dreamed of bathing in a pool full of chocolate? With eight chocolate-infused treatments, this fixture of The Hotel Hershey brings you pretty darn close. You can take a Whipped Cocoa Bath, get a Cocoa Massage complete with chocolate-scented oils, or get a Chocolate Sugar Scrub. For those looking for more traditional pampering, the spa also features a wealth of non-chocolate treatments. Prices vary from around $40 for certain treatments to over $100 for others. However, this unique spa is worth the splurge. Unique Shopping for Fabulous Chicks While shopping may not seem like a top priority when you visit Hershey, there are two places every chick must stop: Hershey’s Chocolate World Marketplace Shops With a selection of confectionaries that would make Willy Wonka jealous, no chick can come to Hershey and not visit the Marketplace shops. Located in the Hershey’s Chocolate World pavilion, you’ll find every Hershey product available on the market in every size imaginable. Need souvenirs for family and friends? This is the perfect place to pick up apparel, toys, collectables and more featuring everyone’s favorite candy logos. Located at The Hotel Hershey, this elegant collection of shops carry everything from sweets to jewelry and swimwear. Check out Sweets at The Hotel Hershey for decadent cupcakes made fresh each morning by the hotel’s Pastry Team. Flavors range from the traditional, like their Red Velvet and Vanilla on Vanilla, to the unique like Chai Spice and Peppermint Patty. Click here for the full menu, including which cupcakes are available on each day. Advance orders are accepted. Want to bring home the experience of the Chocolate Spa? Were you unable to book an appointment? Then, you need to hit up Spa Boutique. This store features a premium selection of Chocolate Spa products for both body and face used during the spa’s signature chocolate-infused treatments. You’ll also find an array of sleepwear, yoga-wear, scented eye pillows, aromatherapy candles and more. What Made This Chick Fall in Love With Hershey I’m simply a chick who loves chocolate! Hershey’s has always been my favorite brand of confectionaries, and I’ve been visiting its birthplace since I was little. I believe Hershey is one of those special places that let’s chicks morph back into being kid in a candy store, while also providing experiences geared to a chick’s more refined tastes. In my opinion, Hershey really lives up to its reputation as the “Sweetest Place on Earth.” Shannon Kirk is a senior Communication major at DeSales University, PA in Center Valley, Penna. She is addicted to Reeses, Twizzlers, and, of course, Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bars.
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