Herseypark, Chocolate World, and the Amish Country

Who doesn’t love chocolate, rides and roller coasters, and going back in time when life was simple?  I, for one, love all of the above except for the roller coasters.  Here are some family outings for the spring and summer that’ll make everyone smile:

• Hersheypark, Hershey, Pennsylvania 
(www.Hersheypark.com)
With over 3 million visitors per year, this themed park, founded in 1906 by Milton S. Hershey, covers over 110 acres containing 70 rides and 15 roller coasters and attractions.  The most recent ride added is Hershey Triple Tower, the first drop towers at the park. Once inside the park, Founder’s Way is the first themed area, which has a Bavarian architecture.  It begins outside of the main gate near Tram Circle and is free to enter.  It is home to several shops, a Dunkin’ Donuts and Hersheypark Place, the only full-service restaurant in the park.  Families can have breakfast with the Hershey’s Product Characters.  The Hollow section lies along Spring Creek and is one of the oldest areas of the park.  It features three roller coasters: Comet, Skyrush, and the SopperDooperLooper, the first looping roller coaster on the East Coast. The Minetown section features many classic attractions, including the Sunoco Twin Turnpike, coal Cracker log flume, Kissing Tower Hill, and Great Bear. New this year is ZooAmerica-North American Wildlife Park, 11 acres of which features native animals such as mountain lions, owls, and reindeer. Visit the Boardwalk at Hersheypark water park or the 330-foot tall observation tower (Kissing Tower).  Waterpark attractions and rides include Roller Soaker, Tidal Force, and Canyon River Rapids. Pioneer Frontier is the southwestern-themed section of the park, which includes 4 rollercoasters: Trailblazer, Sidewinder, Storm Runner, and Fahrenheit. Finally, Midway America features 4 roller coasters including Wildcat, Lightning Racer, Wild Mouse, and Laff Trakk, a glow in the dark spinning family indoor coaster.  There are several pools at the park:  a small wave pool for children, called Bayside Pier and a larger one, called The Shore.  Enjoy live entertainment at the Hersheypark Amphitheatre and the Music Box Theatre. Lodge at The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge or Hershey Camping Resort.  For discounted tickets, hours, and rides visit the website and visit your local Dunkin’ Donuts for coupon savings on admissions.

• Hershey’s Chocolate World
(www.hersheys.com/chocolateworld) 
Adjacent to Hersheypark, follow cocoa beans on a tantalizing journey on this free 30-minute chocolate-making tour (free samples).  Have fun creating your own candy bar.  Visit your local Dunkin’ Donuts for a Sweet Deal and save $17 when you bundle all of Hershey’s Chocolate Experiences.  How sweet it is!

• Lancaster County, Amish Country
Step back in time and enjoy Farm Tours at Verdant View (429 Strasburg Road, Paradise, 717-687-7353).  There you can milk a cow, feed a calf, and learn during a guided walking tour of this family-operated farm.  Or take an historic ride through the Amish countryside with Ed’s Buggy Rides (253 Hartman Bridge Road, Ronks, 717-687-0360).  Be adventurous and take a hot air balloon ride to see all of Lancaster County (Balloon Rides Daily by US Hot Air Balloon Team, 2737 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand, 800-763-5987).

Happy, sweet travels!