An independent community guide — not affiliated with the City of Harrisburg government. Official city services: harrisburgpa.gov · Emergencies: call 911
Pennsylvania's largest amusement park, with more than a dozen roller coasters (from the 1946 wooden Comet to modern launch coasters), a water park, and ZooAmerica, which you reach by footbridge from inside the park. Beyond summer, the park runs Halloween and Christmas seasons, so something is open most of the year.
2026 season
Dates
Spring weekends
Apr 3 – May 17
Daily summer operation
May 21 – Sep 7
Hersheypark Halloween
Sep 12 – Nov 1 (select days)
Christmas Candylane
Nov 14, 2026 – Jan 4, 2027 (select days; daily from Dec 18; closed Dec 25)
The free visitor center beside Hersheypark. Admission and the classic chocolate-making tour ride are free year-round and need no ticket. Extras such as Create Your Own Candy Bar cost more.
An 11-acre zoo of North American wildlife. It's included with Hersheypark admission when you enter over the park bridge during park hours; otherwise buy a separate zoo ticket.
The Hershey Bears are the American Hockey League's oldest continuously operating franchise. They play at the GIANT Center next to the park, which also hosts big-name concerts.
Local tip: Chocolate World is a great free stop even when the park is closed. Go early on summer weekends, when the tour ride line gets long by midday.
Getting there: From downtown Harrisburg, Hershey is about 15 miles east, usually a 20–30 minute drive depending on traffic. Parking is paid at Hersheypark.
