When is a good time to visit Hershey & Harrisburg with kids?

The Hershey & Harrisburg region is a great family destination year-round. Spring brings blooming gardens at Hershey Gardens, the opening of Hersheypark's roller coaster season, and the start of Harrisburg Senators baseball. Summer is peak season for Hersheypark's water rides and outdoor activities. Fall offers harvest festivals and seasonal events, and winter brings its own festive fun. The region has dedicated seasonal guides to help you plan the perfect visit any time of year.

Family Fun

Q: What outdoor and nature activities are available for families?

The Hershey & Harrisburg region offers miles of family-friendly hiking trails, from easy lakeside loops to scenic ridge-top paths. Families can also camp near Hersheypark, at state park sites, or along riverside retreats. For wildlife encounters, ZooAmerica in Hershey is an 11-acre walk-through zoo, and Lake Tobias Wildlife Park in Halifax offers a safari-style drive through 150 acres where bison, elk, zebras, and giraffes roam freely.

Q: What family activities are available in Harrisburg specifically?

Harrisburg offers a variety of family-friendly experiences. City Island sits on the Susquehanna River and is home to Harrisburg Senators minor league baseball games, a carousel, mini golf, and beautiful river views. The Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts provides interactive exhibits great for kids of all ages, and the Pennsylvania State Capitol offers free guided tours. The city also hosts numerous family events and festivals throughout the year.

Q: Are there camping options near Hersheypark and other family attractions?

Yes — the Hershey & Harrisburg region has a range of camping options for families. You can find campgrounds just down the road from Hersheypark, cozy state park sites, and riverside retreats perfect for waking up to birdsong. The region's campground guide makes it easy to find the right spot for your family, whether you prefer a full-service campsite or a more rustic outdoor experience.

Spring is one of the sweetest times of year to visit the Hershey & Harrisburg region. The days are getting longer, the air is warming up, and a whole season's worth of family adventures is just waiting to be had. From blooming gardens and opening-day excitement to thrilling rides and wide-open trails, this is the region that makes it easy to shake off the winter and play outside.

Come for a day, stay for the weekend — there's more than enough to keep the whole family smiling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to plan the perfect family getaway to Hershey & Harrisburg, PA.

What are the best family attractions in Hershey and Harrisburg, PA?

The Hershey & Harrisburg region is packed with top-rated family attractions. Hersheypark — home to the most roller coasters in the Northeast — offers thrills for every age, while the neighboring Hershey's Chocolate World Attraction is free to enter and features a chocolate factory tour, candy-making experiences, and famous milkshakes. Nature lovers can explore ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, an 11-acre walk-through zoo with more than 200 animals, or head to Lake Tobias Wildlife Park for an open-air safari across 150 rolling acres. Hershey Gardens spans 23 historic acres with themed gardens and a Butterfly Atrium, and City Island in Harrisburg offers minor league baseball, carousel rides, mini golf, and Susquehanna River views.

Is there free family fun in the Hershey & Harrisburg area?

Yes! Hershey's Chocolate World Attraction offers free general admission, including the iconic Hershey's Chocolate Tour ride. Families can also take a free guided tour of the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg, enjoy free community events throughout the year, and explore many of the region's parks and trails at no cost. Our guide to budget-friendly attractions and free things to do highlights the best ways to experience the region without breaking the bank.

What should families do on a rainy day in Hershey or Harrisburg?

Rainy days are no problem in the Hershey & Harrisburg region. Head to Hershey's Chocolate World for a free indoor chocolate factory tour, get hands-on at the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts in Harrisburg, or take a free guided tour of the Pennsylvania State Capitol. Check out our full guide to rainy day fun so your family getaway never skips a beat, no matter the forecast.

Can we do Hersheypark and Hershey's Chocolate World in the same trip?

Absolutely — and it's one of the most popular combinations in the region. Hersheypark and Hershey's Chocolate World Attraction are located right next door to each other in the heart of Hershey, PA. Spend a day riding coasters and enjoying live entertainment at the park, then step over to Chocolate World for free admission, the Chocolate Tour ride, create-your-own candy bar experiences, and world-famous milkshakes. Many families make a full weekend of it — and there's plenty to do both days.

What outdoor and nature activities are available for families?

The region offers miles of family-friendly hiking trails, from easy lakeside loops perfect for little legs to scenic ridge-top paths with rewarding views. ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park in Hershey is an 11-acre walk-through zoo with more than 200 animals, and Lake Tobias Wildlife Park in Halifax offers a safari-style drive through 150 rolling acres where bison, elk, zebras, and giraffes roam free beside your vehicle. When the day calls for a campfire, the region's campgrounds put you minutes from Hersheypark or nestled along a quiet river.

What family activities are available specifically in Harrisburg?

Harrisburg has plenty to offer families beyond Hershey. City Island sits on the Susquehanna River and is home to Harrisburg Senators minor league baseball games, a carousel, mini golf, and beautiful river views. The Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts features interactive exhibits great for kids, and the Pennsylvania State Capitol offers free guided tours. The city also hosts numerous family events and festivals throughout the year.

When is the best time to visit Hershey & Harrisburg with kids?

The Hershey & Harrisburg region is a great family destination any time of year. Spring brings blooming gardens at Hershey Gardens, the opening of Hersheypark's coaster season, and the first pitch of Harrisburg Senators baseball. Summer is peak season for outdoor adventures and Hersheypark's water rides. Fall arrives with harvest festivals and seasonal events, and winter brings its own festive fun. Explore the region's seasonal guides to plan the perfect visit year-round.

Are there camping options near Hersheypark and other family attractions?

Yes — the region has a great range of camping options for families. You can find campgrounds just down the road from Hersheypark, settle in at a cozy state park site, or wake up to birdsong at a riverside retreat. Whether you prefer a full-service campsite or a more rustic outdoor experience, the campground guide makes it easy to find the right fit for your family's adventure.

Hershey Gardens & City Island

You know spring has truly arrived when the tulip beds burst into bloom at Hershey Gardens and the crack of a bat echoes across City Island. Perched on a hill overlooking Hershey, these historic 23-acre botanical gardens come alive each spring with colorful themed gardens, a whimsical Children's Garden, and a tropical Butterfly Atrium where hundreds of winged wonders are happy to land right on your shoulder. Meanwhile, across the region in Harrisburg, City Island wakes up with the first pitch of the Harrisburg Senators’ season — mingling the timeless joy of minor league baseball with carousel rides, mini golf, and sweeping views of the Susquehanna River. Two classic signs that a great season has arrived.

Wander the Gardens

Head to the Island

Hersheypark & Chocolate World

Right next door to each other in the heart of Hershey, Hersheypark and Hershey's Chocolate World Attraction make for one seriously sweet spring getaway. At Hersheypark — home to the most roller coasters in the Northeast — coasters roar back to life each spring with thrills from mild to wild, classic family rides, and live entertainment the whole family will love. Then step next door to Hershey's Chocolate World, where admission is always free and the fun never stops: ride the iconic Hershey's Chocolate Tour, create your own candy bar, and indulge in world-famous milkshakes. One day is great. Two days? Even sweeter.

Plan Your Park Day

Unwrap the Fun

ZooAmerica & Lake Tobias

After a long winter, the whole family could use a little wild — and we've got two amazing ways to get it. In Hershey, ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park is an 11-acre walk-through zoo home to more than 200 animals from five regions of the continent, from black bears and bobcats to howling wolves and swimming otters. If you're looking to roam a little further, Lake Tobias Wildlife Park in Halifax offers a one-of-a-kind open-air safari across 150 rolling acres where bison, elk, zebras, and giraffes roam free beside your vehicle. Two destinations, two wild adventures — pick your favorite or dare to do both.

Explore ZooAmerica

Explore Lake Tobias

Rainy Day Fun & Budget-Friendly Attractions

April showers? No problem. A spring sprinkle is no match for the Hershey & Harrisburg region, where rainy days are just an invitation to discover a whole new kind of fun. Step inside Hershey's Chocolate World for a free chocolate factory tour, get hands-on at the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts in Harrisburg, or take a free guided tour of the stunning Pennsylvania State Capitol. And here's a little secret — some of the most memorable family experiences in the region won't cost a fortune. Our guide to budget-friendly attractions proves that a spectacular spring getaway can be big on fun and easy on the wallet.

Beat the Rain

Explore for Less

Hiking & Camping

When spring finally rolls in with its fresh canopy of green and warm golden afternoons, there's simply no better place to be than outside. The Hershey & Harrisburg region is home to miles of family-friendly hiking trails — from easy lakeside loops perfect for little legs to scenic ridge-top paths with views that make every step worth it. And when the day calls for s'mores around the campfire, you're in the right region for that too. Camp just down the road from Hersheypark, settle in at a cozy state park site, or wake up to birdsong at a riverside retreat. This is your invitation to get outside and play.