Hersheypark

Hersheypark is a 121-acre amusement park in Hershey, Pennsylvania, founded in 1906 by Milton S. Hershey as a leisure park for employees of his chocolate factory. Today it is one of the most beloved family destinations in Central PA, offering more than 70 rides and attractions ranging from mild to thrilling. The park features 15 coasters — including hypercoaster Candymonium, Skyrush®, and Great Bear® — alongside family rides, kiddie attractions, a full water park, and ZooAmerica, a walk-through wildlife zoo. Hersheypark is open seasonally, with Spring Weekends, a full summer season, Hersheypark Halloween (including Dark Nights), and the holiday spectacular Hersheypark Christmas Candylane®.

Hersheypark delivers more than 70 rides and attractions for every age and thrill level. Coaster fans can choose from 15 different coasters, including the hypercoaster Candymonium, the adrenaline-packed Skyrush®, the inverted steel Great Bear®, and the family-friendly Trailblazer℠. Little ones have more than 20 kiddie rides and attractions spread throughout the park, so there is never a shortage of fun for the miniature members of your crew. The free Hersheypark App helps you navigate the park, check wait times, and get the most out of your visit — download it before you go with tips from our insider guide.

Yes — The Boardwalk at Hersheypark®, the park's full water park with more than 1 million gallons of water, is included with all summer admission tickets from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Highlights include Breakers Edge® Water Coaster, the first HydroMAGNETIC coaster with flying saucer turns, and Whitecap® Racer, the longest mat racing slide in the world. Families can also relax on the Intercoastal Waterway℠ lazy river, splash in The Shore wave pool (378,000 gallons), or let the little ones loose at Sandcastle Cove℠. East Coast Waterworks℠, a seven-story water-play structure with nearly 500 water play toys, anchors the entire experience.

Yes — ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park is included with your Hersheypark ticket or season pass. The 11-acre, walk-through zoo features more than 200 animals across five themed regions of North America: Eastern Woodlands, Great Southwest, Southern Swamps, Big Sky Country, and Northlands. Residents include black bears, elk, wolves, mountain lions, otters, owls, and reptiles. Guests can also upgrade to a behind-the-scenes tour for an up-close, interactive experience with some of ZooAmerica's friendlier residents.

Staying at one of The Official Resorts of Hersheypark® unlocks a suite of complimentary perks that make your trip sweeter and easier. The Hotel Hershey®, Hershey Lodge®, and Hersheypark Camping Resort® all offer free extra hours at Hersheypark, free front-gate shuttle service, and the best available price on Hersheypark tickets — included with your stay. Resort guests can roll out of bed and be at the park gates ahead of the general public, giving families a head start on the most popular coasters. If you are planning a multi-day visit to Central PA, staying on-property is one of the smartest ways to maximize your time — browse hotels in Hershey to find the right fit.

Hersheypark offers a full calendar of seasonal events that give families a reason to visit year-round. Spring Weekends (April 3–May 17) open the coasters and family rides with lighter crowds. The full summer season runs daily May 21 through September 7, including The Boardwalk water park from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Fall brings Hersheypark Halloween, featuring a family-friendly trick-or-treat trail for kids 12 and under, followed by the adult-oriented Dark Nights, a fully immersive haunt experience with scare zones and haunted houses included with park admission. Hersheypark Christmas Candylane® caps the year with 5 million festive lights, more than 50 rides, and a NOEL light show synchronized to holiday tunes.

Hersheypark Season Passes offer strong value even for visitors who do not live nearby, especially if you are planning more than one trip or a multi-day stay. All four pass levels include unlimited visits throughout the summer season and seasonal events, plus reduced or free parking. The Full Size and King Size passes add perks like one-hour early access, food and retail discounts, and exclusive events — and the Giant Size Pass includes a free Fast Track to skip one line every visit. For families who want to make Hershey, PA an annual tradition, a season pass turns a single trip into a whole season of return visits — check our insider tips for more ways to save.

While many rides take a winter break, Hersheypark Christmas Candylane® brings the magic back with more than 50 rides, 5 million twinkling lights, and holiday entertainment from late November through the holiday season. The centerpiece of the experience is the NOEL light show, where over 250,000 lights dance in sync to holiday music — a genuine crowd-pleaser for all ages. Guests can visit Santa Claus and his nine reindeer, explore festive photo spots including TREEville at The Boardwalk and the Kisses Fountain, and warm up with a cup of hot chocolate. Year-round, dining and retail experiences remain available indoors at HERSHEY'S Chocolatetown®, even when the park itself is closed.