Hershey’s Sweet Welcome To Do and The Zoo (America) #HersheyPA

There is so much to do in Hershey Park. If you need a break from the rides and pampering you really should visit ZooAmerica.  ZooAmerica is an active zoo, educates the public about conservation and protection of animals native to North America.
One of the very interesting things you can do at ZooAmerica is to go on an after hours tour. During the after  hours tour you can visit nocturnal animals who are normally asleep during the day.
ZooAmerica_quail roadrunner
This is the space where the quail and roadrunner live. Also there are live owls flying around. It’s kinda creepy at first but the owls don’t bother you.
Part of the tour includes an educational segment.
chuckwalla
This little critter is called a chuckwalla. He’s a lizard. He came by to say hello but I declined to pet him. He seemed nice enough though.
The moment I had been waiting for was the chance to befriend an owl named Luna.
Luna the Owl
She didn’t bring my letter from Hogwarts but she did make friends with everyone. Her eye is damaged so she will never be able to live in the wild. That’s what is so great about ZooAmerica. They care for animals and also use them to teach.
On the tour we saw an alligator.
Zoo America alligator
This guy is an American Alligator. Don’t let that smile fool you. He was waiting for the snacks to come through the little door off camera.
We saw an ocelot, blood drinking bats, ferrets, coati, and snakes. At night they are active so we it was a special treat that doesn’t happen during the regular zoo hours.
The highlight of the tour was feeding Murphy and Chief, black bears. Murphy was especially friendly and hd learned hand signals to give kisses. He even held my hand.
ZooAmerica_Murphy
I think he likes me!
Did I mention we fed otters? So much to do at ZooAmerica; it’s fun for the whole family!

If your idea of live entertainment doesn’t include wild animals, you should totally check out Hershey Theatre. Amazing holiday shows will be featured at Hershey Theatre during the holiday season. The dates and times are listed below:

  • Straight No Chaser – December 4 at 2:30 and 7:30 PM
  • Elf – December 6-8 at 7:30 PM
  • The Piano Guys – December 10 at 3:00 and 8:00 PM

Visit www.HersheyEntertainment.com for tickets and more information.

The Hershey Story Museum

  • Little Elves Workshop – The elves have once again set up their workshop, where kids of all ages can create their own unique ornament out of chocolate clay.  Participants will roll, cut and ice their creations and design their own packaging. $5.00 per ornament; adults many accompany participating children at no charge.

Available select dates November 12 – January 1 at 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

  • Snowball Saturdays – Friendly indoor snowball fights are the centerpiece of this holiday event!  In addition, kids can visit with a snowman and Coco the Bear, and hear stories about wintertime fun. Free; admission to the Museum Experience not required.

Available December 3, 10 & 17.

  • Holiday-Themed Chocolate Lab Classes – Guests can enjoy a 45-minute class where they learn about chocolate and make their own chocolate treat. Ticket purchase required; children must be at least four years old to enter the lab. Class themes are as follows:
    • Candy Cane Bark, Chocolate Reindeer, Create a Kris Kringle and Make a Very Merry Bar

Available daily beginning November 12 – January 1, 2017, class times vary.

* Classes offered on Snowball Saturdays only (December 3, 10 & 17): Let it Snow Chocolate and Marshmallow Mischief.

  • NYE Bubble Wrap Stomps – Kids can celebrate the New Year with bubble wrap stomps on Saturday, December 31, 2016, at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Stomps take place in the museum’s patio, weather permitting. (In the event of inclement weather, stomps will take place in the museum’s Grand Lobby.) Free; admission to the Museum Experience not required.

Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction

Hershey’s Chocolate World is filled with great indoor family-fun activities:

  • Start your day the merry way with Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus, Saturdays & Sundays from November 11 through December 24.
  • See the unique and magical 8th annual Hershey’s Holiday Chocolate House! Every inch is covered in Hershey’s confectionery products and a sweet donation is made to Children’s Miracle Network.
  • Take a cozy trip on the Christmas Trolley Adventure which is guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit with caroling, stories, and even a special visit from a certain jolly, old elf.
While at Chocolate World, we made our own personalized chocolate bars. First, they suit you up:
 choclate world
Then you choose your chocolate bar options and watch as the machine makes it.
chocolate world machine
Adds ingredients if you want them.
vibratory feeder
I did not add any sprinkles, or jimmies or anything. I’m a purist.
Finally your chocolate is cooled, then wrapped in a special box with your name on it.
Chocolate world wrapper
After that you pick up your bar where it’s wrapped in your unique design that you made and you’re ready to go.
Chocolate World finished
Mine isn’t very creative but I made it!
Not everything is chocolate themed at Hershey. Aside from the ZooAmerica, Hershey PA is home to Hershey Gardens, a 23 acre garden of roses. It was much too cold to tour the gardens while we visited, but we did visit the spectacular Butterfly Atrium. We saw so many beautiful butterflies up close; it was amazing.
Butterfly Atrium 1
You can get close up and personal with any butterfly you like.
Butterfly Atrium 2
They are so amazing! But don’t touch. And don’t try to sneak one home with you.
Such a great time in Hershey PA; so much to do and you can visit the zoo!

A Sweet and Spooky Halloween in Hershey, PA

hershey park halloween

Halloween isn’t quite the way it was years ago, but in some ways — in some places — it’s better! Today, when it comes to the little ones, parents are hesitant to let them wander throughout the neighborhood at night. City dwellers and those who live in remote areas can’t trick or treat. As for older kids – and these days, they’re growing up faster and faster – the holiday should be celebrated on a larger, more exciting and engaging level. What more memorable way for the whole family to get into the spirit (!) than a stay in Hershey, PA. Hersheypark After Dark is the epicenter of all the festivities.

hotel hershey park

Accommodations: There are two different excellent choices to stay, adding to your immersion in the Hershey experience. For that super comfy, homey feeling, there’s Hershey Lodge. High wood beams, warm candy ambient fragrance as you enter, a crackling fire to welcome you and relaxing environment adds to home away from home feeling. The brand new indoor pool complex has two interactive indoor pools, Twizzlers Twists Slides, Reese’s Water Walk, water play structures and the Cocoa Cabana dining location with a full bar. To that end, complimentary shuttle service to all Hershey attractions, the spa and dining spots takes away the stress of driving.

hershey park rides

For an elegant and sophisticated experience, The Hotel Hershey is considered a world-class resort. The tints and hues of the hotel’s “soft goods” harken back to the colors of fine chocolates and caramels. Inside the main building is a shopping arcade that has everything from candies, souvenirs, as well as chic clothing and luxury items. Different themes can be seen in the interior, reflecting upon different aspects of Milton Hershey’s life. An indoor courtyard with recessed bar, lounging areas, Moorish architecture, warm lighting and plants hint at old Spain and the Havana, Cuba to which the Hersheys traveled and conducted business. The hotel has daily activities for both children and adults, incorporating chocolate tastings, making things and other fun past times. Complimentary transportation to all Hershey attractions and local destinations is easy to arrange.

hotel hershey

 

 

What to do: There’s a delicious, cinematic-like thrill in getting to experience an amusement park “after hours”. HersheyPark After Dark really pulls out all the stops for the spookiest of holidays! You’ll find lots of rides – including 13 roller coasters. The three classic wooden roller coasters, complete with naturally rickety sound, even run without lights during the last hour the park is open. And, of course, what’s Halloween without candy! Throughout the park, you’ll find cute shops selling unusual sizes and collections of your favorite Hershey candies, along with chocolate-themed gifts.

theme park

 

If Hershey is the “Sweetest Place on Earth”, then Hershey’s Chocolate World must be its capital! Learn how West African cocoa and the rich milk of Central Pennsylvania come together to make one of the world’s favorite treats. Design your own fancy chocolate bar to take home. The gigantic candy store-emporium will create sensory overload, for sure!

hershey park

The Hershey Story – The Museum on Chocolate Avenue is educational on many levels. You’ll learn the inspiring story of Milton Hershey’s life along with the business and philanthropic perseverance he had. Foodies will appreciate fine chocolate tastings and making treats in the Chocolate Lab.

hershey garden

Hershey Gardens was created in honor of Mrs. Hershey’s love of botanicals. They get all into Halloween, with over 150 awesome and cool carved and lit pumpkins. You can pick up candy treats – just like at home – at stops along the way. This part of the celebration is geared towards kids 12 and younger, who are encouraged to wear costumes. It might be October, but the garden is still in bloom, and the roses are both lovely and fragrant.  The butterflies are ready to see and be seen as well- even if they aren’t all decked out for Halloween.
butterfly gardens

A Sweet Valentine’s Day In Hershey PA

9 9 13 PA 355

If you are like me, Valentine’s Day is a family affair, as well as a day to remember your sweetheart. In my house, I have two loves- the one I married, and the one I gave birth to. Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love for us – not just the romantic kind. (And there is always after the kids go to bed for a nice amorous evening and eating dessert in peace.)
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