All day fun: Start the morning out with adventure! Head straight to HERSHEYPARK® to enjoy rides, shows, games and special events. Celebrating 100 years of “Happy,” HERSHEYPARK® now features an entire Boardwalk, complete with five distinct water attractions. But don’t worry if you come during chillier months. HERSHEYPARK® is open during select weeks for Halloween, Christmas and Springtime.
Included in your one-price admission to HERSHEYPARK® is your ticket to ZOOAMERICA® North American Wildlife Park. Located across the walking bridge in HERSHEYPARK®, ZOOAMERICA® is home to more than 200 animals, such as alligators, lions and bison, and can be enjoyed year-round.
Accommodations: When you’re enjoying this much fun and excitement, you’ll want a comfortable place to call home for a while. Choose from a wide variety of Hershey hotels, motels, B&Bs and campgrounds. No matter what your style or budget, we have just the place for you!
Morning: Ease into your morning with a luxurious massage or facial at The Spa at THE HOTEL HERSHEY®. In Hershey, chocolate isn’t just for eating; it’s also a key ingredient in many of the Spa’s signature treatments. From Whipped Cocoa Baths to Chocolate Fondue Wraps, the sweet scent of HERSHEY®’s chocolate will surround you as you experience true relaxation.
Afternoon: Delight in the beauty of Hershey Gardens. Serenity surrounds this 23-acre attraction, which features themed gardens, a Butterfly House, and a hands-on Children’s Garden. Hershey Gardens also hosts a variety of events, including a Butterfly Festival, a Community Gardenfest and Pumpkin Glow.
Evening: Take in a show, concert or classical film at beautiful Hershey Theatre. Opened in 1933, the theater features atmospheric ceilings with “stars and clouds” and a Venetian cityscape that graces the six-ton curtain.
Morning: Unwrap the art of chocolate making as you enjoy the free Great American Chocolate Tour at HERSHEY’S CHOCOLATE WORLD®. This tour takes you from jungle cocoa bean to smooth, creamy chocolate bar – all in one trip! After tasting your free sample, head over to HERSHEY®’s Really Big 3-D Show for a musical adventure staring HERSHEY®’s product characters.
Afternoon: Explore the many stories of Hershey – the man, the model town he created and the chocolate empire he founded – with a visit to the Hershey Museum. Through a variety of exhibits, working machinery and unique artifacts, a tour of the museum reveals the fascinating history of the “town built on chocolate.”
Evening: If it’s hockey season, you’ll definitely want to check out a Hershey Bears hockey game at the GIANT Center. It’s non-stop action when the 2005-06 Calder Cup champions take the ice! The GIANT Center also plays host to a variety of concerts and events – the perfect way to top off your stay in the region.
Morning: The Hershey Harrisburg region and nearby Gettysburg are best known to history buffs for their crucial roles in the Civil War. The National Civil War Museum® captures the head of battle, allowing visitors to experience an unbiased view of the war that often divided families.
Afternoon: Enjoy a bite to eat at one of the region’s celebrated restaurants, then head to Hershey’s Antique Auto Museum. Dedicated to portraying the history of the sweet rides of long ago, the museum features more than 85 antique automobiles and is home to the world’s only known Ford Alphabet Collection.
Evening: Step back in time to the 1950s with a stop at Hummelstown’s Soda Jerk Diner and Dairy Bar. Enjoy the tunes of a jukebox, egg creams, homemade ice cream, burgers and malts. The restaurant is also host to monthly “cruise-in” car shows, great for all you hotrod fans.
Accommodations: Good, old-fashioned, warm hospitality is what you’ll find here in the Hershey Harrisburg region. Choose from a wide variety of hotels, motels, historic B&Bs and campgrounds. No matter what your style or budget, we have just the place for you!
Morning: Housing more than 3 million objects and artifacts, The State Museum of Pennsylvania is an educational treasure trove for history buffs of any age. Collections include archeology, military history, fine arts, paleontology and geology, just to name a few. Planetarium shows are also a huge hit, with weekend shows about Mars and Black Holes.
Afternoon: Grab lunch along Harrisburg’s Second Street “Restaurant Row,” and then stop by the beautiful Capitol Building for a 30-minute tour. Modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, this vaulted dome weighs 52 million pounds and was described by President Theodore Roosevelt as “the handsomest building I ever saw.” Just a short walk away is the Forum building, which houses the state library and features a genealogy research room for visitors.
Evening: Take in a show at historic Hershey Theatre or Harrisburg’s Sunoco Performance Theater. The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra performs at The Forum in downtown Harrisburg, a treat for those with classical taste.
Morning: Once the location of a French and Indian War fort, Fort Hunter Mansion and Park offers visitors a unique look at Pennsylvania history. This 19th century plantation complex features nine structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A guided tour of the mansion offers guests a true taste of what country life was like in the 1800s.
Afternoon: Spend a leisurely afternoon in the small, historic towns of Upper Dauphin and Perry counties. Here, you can discover eclectic antique shops and the roads that lead to our famous covered bridges, with some dating as far back as the late 1800s.
Morning: Ease into your morning with a luxurious massage or facial at The Spa at THE HOTEL HERSHEY® or Felicita Garden Resort Spa & Fitness, Harrisburg. In Hershey, chocolate isn’t just for eating; it’s also a key ingredient in many of the Spa’s signature treatments. At Felicita, you can experience exclusive European body treatments and explore the themed gardens throughout the resort.
Afternoon: After a light lunch at the spa, delight in the beauty of Hershey Gardens. Serenity surrounds this 23-acre attraction. Tour the themed gardens and explore the Butterfly House; you and your girlfriends will love this garden retreat.
Evening: Dine at one of Hershey’s unique restaurants. Take in a show, concert or classical film at beautiful Hershey Theatre. Opened in 1933, the theater features atmospheric ceilings with “stars and clouds” and a Venetian cityscape that graces the six-ton curtain.
Accommodations: Treat yourself to a cozy stay at one of the region’s quaint bed and breakfasts, or splurge on a hotel suite for you and your friends to share. The Milestone Inn bed and breakfast, Harrisburg, places you near all the attractions of the region, yet offers a luxurious, peaceful retreat for true rest and relaxation.
Morning: Hit the sales early with a trip to Harrisburg Mall. Featuring famous department stores, favorite name brands and Bass Pro Shops® Outdoor World®, this mall is a shopper’s delight! If one stop just isn’t enough, be sure to hit the exclusive boutiques in Strawberry Square and along Third Street in downtown Harrisburg.
Afternoon: Grab a bite to eat at a cozy café then hit the road for even more finds! Antique lovers will delight in the pristine towns of Hershey, Marysville, Millersburg, Hummelstown, Newport and Halifax for great old-time finds.
Evening: Liven things up by spending the evening along Harrisburg’s famed “restaurant row.” Choose from a variety of dining options, from upscale restaurants to casual pubs and ethnic hotspots. Jump from scene to scene to enjoy exotic mixed drinks, martinis or your favorite glass of wine. While you’re downtown, check out a show at the Sunoco Performance Theater or live musical entertainment and dancing at Coyote Hardware Bar or Dragonfly.
Morning: Experience the region’s dynamic arts and culture community by touring one of our many art galleries and museums. The Perry County Council of the Arts gallery is located in newly renovated Newport square. Not far away is Millersburg’s Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art, and ideal place to see nature and animals captured on canvas. Downtown Harrisburg boasts a variety of art hubs, with the galleries at the Art Association of Harrisburg and the Susquehanna Art Museum being prominent hotspots for showcasing both regional and national work. Want to create your own art? Head straight to cozy Hummelstown for paint-your-own-pottery at Toys on the Square, Unusual Toys & Pottery Painting.
Afternoon: Sample the flavors our region has to offer with a wine tasting at Hunters Valley or West Hanover wineries. Tour the beautiful vineyards, enjoy a seasonal event and take home a bottle or two as a reminder of the wonderful visit you had in the heart of Pennsylvania.
Morning: Tee off bright and early at one of the Hershey Harrisburg region’s challenging golf courses. Choose from a pristine course sent among decorative gardens at the Golf Club at Felicita Garden Resort & Spa or shorter Par 3 and 9-hole courses that make it easy to fit in a round between sightseeing. The HERSHEY® Country Club features award-winning courses recognized by both Golf Magazineand Golf Digest, while Wren Dale Golf Club in Hummelstown has been voted Top 100 Must Play Golf Courses by GolfStyles, Philadelphia, two years in a row.
Coming during the winter months? No problem! Ski Roundtop, Lewisberry, offers visitors a winter wonderland, including skiing, snowboarding and tubing. During the spring and summer months, groups can enjoy paintball and a challenging ropes course at Roundtop as well.
Afternoon: Grab lunch along Harrisburg’s famed “restaurant row” for a meal that is sure to leave you satisfied. Friendly pubs and sports bars serve up wings, burgers, pizza and your favorite deli sandwiches. Once your belly is full, head to Tröegs Brewing Company for a tour of the beer-making process. While the brewery is open Monday through Saturday, tours are only available on Saturdays at 2 p.m., so be sure to plan accordingly.
Evening: Ok, boys, place your bets! Scheduled to open Winter 2008, the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Grantville will bring a new meaning to the concept of gaming. This venue will combine horse racing with a glam casino atmosphere, with slot machines and various dining and entertainment options.
Accommodations: When you’re enjoying this much fun and excitement, you’ll want a comfortable place to call home for a while. Choose from a wide variety of hotels and motels. No matter what your style or budget, we have just the place for you!
Morning: If you are into the great outdoors, you couldn’t have picked a better destination. Fishermen have long found our rivers, lakes and streams to be havens for fine fishing. To scout out the best hotspots, visit the PA Fish and Boat Commission’s web site. Hikers can enjoy a trek on the famous Appalachian Trail that winds through the Hershey Harrisburg region. Enjoy a group kayaking or canoe trip down the Susquehanna River with tour guides from Blue Mountain Outfitters, Marysville, or simply enjoy biking along one of the region’s pristine rail-trails.
Afternoon: For all your outdoor sporting needs, head straight to Bass Pro Shops® Outdoor World® at the Harrisburg Mall. This unique attraction features awesome animal and aquarium displays as well as one of the state’s largest selections of fishing, hunting, camping, boating and golfing equipment. Still not satisfied? The Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex hosts numerous outdoor shows, featuring vendors from all over the country.
Evening: If it’s hockey season, you and the guys will definitely want to check out a Hershey Bears hockey game at the GIANT Center. It’s non-stop action when the 2005-06 Calder Cup champions take the ice! Warmer weather? No problem! Head to Harrisburg’s City Island to watch a Senators baseball game or a City Islanders soccer game. Afterwards, head downtown for your favorite brew.
Morning: Discover your inner scientist at the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts. Kids of all ages will love the hands-on exhibits at the Harsco Science Center. Explore physical science, natural science, life science, technology and mathematics. Then enjoy a cinematic experience unlike any other at the Select Medical IMAX® Theater.
Afternoon: Grab lunch in Strawberry Square, peruse the shops and then stop by the beautiful Capitol Building for a 30-minute tour. Modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, this vaulted dome weighs 52 million pounds and was described by President Theodore Roosevelt as “the handsomest building I ever saw.”
Evening: Liven things up by spending the evening along Harrisburg’s famed “restaurant row.” Choose from a variety of dining options, from upscale restaurants to casual pubs and ethnic hotspots. Party long into the night at dance clubs, Coyote Hardware Bar or Dragonfly.
Accommodations: Downtown Harrisburg has a wide variety of fine hotels from which to choose. Relax in a luxury suite and take a dip in the hotel’s indoor pool. No matter what your style or budget, we have just the place for you!
Morning: Discover the rich history of our great state at the State Museum of Pennsylvania. Collections include archeology, military history, fine arts, paleontology and geology, just to name a few. Planetarium shows are also a huge hit, with weekend shows about Mars and Black Holes. And, the museum’s hands-on Curiosity Connection is sure to please kids ages 7 and under.
Afternoon: Spend the afternoon playing outside! Walk, jog or bike along Riverfront Park and head to City Island for an afternoon of excitement. Enjoy specialties of food vendors, the challenge of an arcade game and a fun round of mini-golf.
Evening: Root for the Senators minor-league baseball team at City Island’s Commerce Bank Park, or enjoy a City Islanders soccer game at the SkyLine Sports Complex.
Morning: Experience what Harrisburg was like back in the 19th Century. Fort Hunter Mansion and Park features nine structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A guided tour of the mansion offers guests a true taste of what country life was like in the 1800s. Hiking trails and picnic pavilions make this an ideal spot to relax.
Afternoon: Take a walking tour of the city and blend in with the locals. Walk up and down Third Street, and discover high-end boutiques, spas and specialty shops. Stop in the Susquehanna Art Museum or the Art Association of Harrisburg for a gallery tour. Enjoy a taste of Pennsylvania with lunch at midtown’s Broad Street Market.
Evening: Enjoy an evening at the theater. Delight in a show, ballet or special performance at the Sunoco Performance Theater, or experience the talent of The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra at The Forum in downtown Harrisburg.
