A visit to Hershey: America’s favorite chocolate mecca
The Hershey’s Kiss chocolate confection has come to be the icon of the Hershey Chocolate Company. You will find the Hershey’s kiss and every chocolate and candy product produced for sale and on exhibit at Hershey’s Chocolate World, a massive chocolate adventure land in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
But the name of Hershey’s stands for so much more than chocolate candy. In 2018, I finally got to America’s holy grail of chocolate–Hershey, Pennsylvania–to discover the world of chocolate in contemporary American terms. Hershey, Pennsylvania, is far more than a chocolate destination. It is without question, the quintessential place and name all Americans think of when they first think of chocolate. I think of Hershey as America’s Chocolate Mecca … a place where chocolate lovers of all ages come to immerse themselves in a world of all things chocolate.
For those who have never been to Hershey, in contemporary terms, think of it as the Las Vegas of chocolate (without the gambling.) Hershey is an escape. It can be anything you want it to be. In addition to Hershey’s Chocolate World, there is an amusement park with campground for families on a budget. There is an upscale resort and spa specializing in chocolate spa treatments and fine dining. There are manicured gardens complete with a butterfly atrium and cacao trees. There is an animal park (zoo). And there is a chocolate museum where you can learn all about Milton Hershey and his world of chocolate.
This crazy gravity-defying ride in Hershey Park is one of the most popular attractions with thrill seekers.
Chocolate snobs or connoisseurs may not be interested in the Hershey brand, as they may feel it is primarily just for kids. But I assure you–not only has the Hershey brand itself evolved to offering dark quality chocolate under its flagship brand. Hershey now owns Scharffen Berger, a well-renowned bean-to-bar company that spearheaded the American craft chocolate movement from its San Francisco beginnings in 1997.
And Hershey owns Brookside Chocolate, a division of the Hershey Company that specializes in chocolate covered acai and blueberries, as well as a terrific line-up of artisanal chocolate bars. So the range of products that Hershey produces under its expansive wings is quite incredible. More about that and everything else mentioned here in future posts.
In honour of Independence Day on the Fourth of July, this post was initially published as a salute to the enterprising American spirit. That spirit is brought to life in the story of Milton S. Hershey. He made chocolate affordable for the average American family during a time when chocolate had exclusively been consumed by the rich.
Milton Hershey made sure that every aspect of life including education, health care, music, and fellowship were all readily available to his employees. Pictured here is the Hershey Band from the early 20th century.
exploring the world of milton hershey in hershey, pennsylvania
I am deeply inspired by the altruistic world of Milton Hershey–his many failures, his great successes, his partnerships, his empire, his school for disadvantaged children, his medical centre, and his philanthropical style ensured that all profits from all things Hershey will continue to go to the Hershey Trust in perpetuity. The Hershey Trust in turn uses the funds to maintain and expand the Milton Hershey School and other community endeavours to help disadvantaged families live their own unique American dream.
This beautiful tile mosaic becomes you to Harrisburg International Airport as you begin your Hershey adventure.
My thanks to the Hershey Harrisburg Visitors Bureau for covering the costs of my trip to Hershey and Harrisburg. I can’t wait to go back and continue my exploration of this world class chocolate mecca.
And here’s an update for chocolate loving families in New York and beyond. The Hershey Chocolate Company has opened a Hershey’s Chocolate World in New York City at 20 Times Square Building on 7th Avenue. This is a retail chocolate store nicknamed Hershey’s @NYC where you will find all the Hershey favourites. There is also now a Hershey’s Chocolate World in Las Vegas. North of the border, there is a Hershey’s Chocolate World in Niagara, Ontario, Canada. And overseas, you will find a Hershey’s Chocolate World in Singapore! These are chocolate destinations that will definitely appeal to the kids in your life, and the kid within. 🙂
We have always seen Hershey’s as a chocolate brand. It is amazing to know that its just not chocolate company but beyond that. Your visit to Hershey has given us a new destination to be added to our list. Thanks for the information
Thanks for a great blog will look forward to many more
Hi Linda and welcome to Chocolatour! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on some of my other posts as you familiarize yourself with the site. Have a look around and enjoy yourself! 🙂
hii doreen nice post Hershey best place to on celebrations with the fun of family…….
Milton Hershey is a true hero on so many levels including how his trust is still helping others; keeping his employees working during the Great Depression by building his beautiful hotel among other structures in Hershey; and, as you mentioned, he brought chocolate to the average citizen. I really enjoyed reading your account; I must get back there soon!
Thx for your very knowledgeable comment, Marilyn. It’s so inspiring to hear the stories of game changers like Milton Heshey.
Here’s my trivia about Hershey Park. 1) My husband worked there in the summer while in college leading tours 2) I was going there for my sweet 16 birthday, and there was a storm after months of being in a drought. I was so devastated that my celebration wasn’t going to be “perfect” but quickly got over it after my initial drama. Anyway, glad to here Hershey did amazing things with his good fortune. It is always great to hear when successful people “give back.”
Very cool Hershey connections, Erica. Thx for sharing.
I just love a great American entrepreneur story and Mr. Hershey and his company certainly qualify. I’m not a chocolate snob but I love dark chocolate glad to see that Hershey has some good alternatives within their company and ones they have acquired.
Right on, Sue! I think that Milton Hershey would be proud to see how his legacy has grown and flourished.
I have heard it called the Sweetest Place on Earth.
Actually, the history and legacy of Milton S. Hershey, is rather amazing. His chocolate brought joy to millions of children, but had no children of his own.
His life became that of a philanthropist, assisting others.
Thanks for sharing.
You’re every welcome, William. I, too, was deeply inspired the legacy of Milton Hershey.
As a western Pennsylvanian, I’m ashamed to say I’ve never been to Hershey–and I went to college mid-state! I don’t do theme parks and kept that as my limited view of what Hershey is. Bad on me! I also didn’t know that Hershey profits go into the trust. That is amazing and so foresighted of Mr. Hershey. I am impressed.
Rose, I guarantee that after you read my post on the Hershey Hotel and Spa, you will be on the phone making a reservation in no time! Sorry we couldn’t hook up while I was in PA. Maybe next time! 🙂
i NEEEVER thought i’d say it in my lifetime, but here it is ‘i never want to eat a hershey’s or mars candy bar ever again’… this only happened a few weeks ago though!
we were at home depot and i was starved, grabbed a snickers bar for a snack… i ate it and then felt sick… it was tooooo sweet. that’s because i’m now the owner of an artisan handmade all-natural belgian chocolate shop! my husband is the chocolatier and i do everything else, include being the #1 taste tester. oh yes, i am sooooo spoiled!
i bet ya anything though that the next time i’m hungry and i see a hershey’s bar, i’ll for sure eat it! this phase won’t last. like rachel said above, it’s the nostalgia of it.
looks like a lot of fun there!
Hi Kathleen, and thanks for joining the conversation. Yes, I agree. many of the Hershey products are rather sweet for the refined palate. But as I mentioned to Billie, with Hershey now owning Scharffen Berger, you can get really excellent chocolate while in Hershey, PA. And the Hershey brand is also now making a dark chocolate. Definitely less sweet than the milk chocolate variety. 🙂
While I was a big Hershey fan when young- my palate now craves really dark chocolate- 80 or 90%. But I would have loved visiting here as a child- that’s for sure.
Billie: the bean-to-bar makes than Hershey purchased does makes excellent dark chocolate bars. and wait until you hear about the chocolate spa! It was truly amazing. And the Hershey Hotel is Luxury thru and thru. Definitely not kids’ stuff!
This looks like a great place to take the children. Chocolate and theme park rides – I would be in my element (oops I meant my children of course!) I ate Hershey bars when I visited America. American milk chocolate is very different to the UK. I cannot quite put my finger on why…………..
Hi Phoenicia: Indeed, it is true that America-made milk chocolate tastes very different than British-made milk chocolate. It has something to do with the milk. Each company uses a different form of milk product. Some use a milk powder, some use regular milk. Hershey uses a double condensed milk in their chocolate, which many say accounts for its creaminess and unique taste.
This sounds like an interesting experience. I confess I’m a bit of a chocolate snob, and being Australian have never managed to develop a taste for America’s icon, Hershey. And I am very impressed by the philanthropy practiced by the company.
Hi Yasha: Yes, I believe it was our driver on the Hershey Trolley who said something like, “If you want help a disadvantaged kid, eat a Hershey Bar,” as so much of the Hershey profits are pumped back into the community services. It is quite an inspiring story. Stay tuned for more! 🙂
I didn’t know Hershey owned those other companies or about the Hershey Trust. Pretty cool. Looks like a fun place to visit.
Hi Donna: Yes, I was extremely inspired by the whole story of Hershey. It is indeed a fun place to visit with something for everyone. The Hershey Spa was definitely the highlight for me! 🙂
I love Hershey’s kisses, although they’re more on the expensive side in my country and therefore not many places sell them. As a big sweet tooth I have to say that Hershey’s is one of my favourite. I’ve never been to Hershey but I did get a chance to go to Cadbury’s chocolate factory while I was still living in the UK and I loved it! I will definitely have to give Hershey a visit if I’m ever in the States. Thanks for sharing this very informative post =)
Hi Rosary: I would love to go to York in the UK and experience Cadbury World to see how it compares with Hershey. It was on my list, but I just didn’t have enough time to get to York when I was exploring England.
Sounds both fun and delicious to visit Hershey. Love their chocolate.
We have driven past Hershey but never gone in. I suppose the brand just doesn’t mean as much to non-Americans. I am not even sure you can buy Hershey chocolate here in Australia, although I can’t say that I have ever looked for it.
That is true, Lyn. I believe that the emotional tie-in to Hershey is strongest to Americans. But I do remember driving to the US and always picking up a Symphony Bar as they were so delicious. Thx for stopping by.
I haven’t been to Hershey for nearly 2 decades and from your description, I doubt I would recognize it anymore! What a great share for 4th of July – thanks, Doreen. 🙂
Thx for your comment, Marty. Some things in Hershey have been around for a long while. Like the Hotel Hershey, which was built in 1933. Stay tuned for post on that. It was–and is– quite the place!
I’m sure this a family place to enjoy and explore. I haven’t tried any new Herhey’s chocolate in awhile, time to check out my local Longs for a chocolate fix.
Hi Noel: Yes, some chocolate just brings us right back to our childhood, doesn’t it? That’s why I felt it necessary to include Hershey in my research. So many people have a very strong emotional connection to the brand.
I love some of Hershey’s products, like Reese’s, but not for the quality of their chocolate. It’s more for the nostalgic value of eating something from my childhood. Having said that, now that they’ve bought Scharffen Berger (assuming they don’t compromise its quality), it seems they’ve raised their game!
Hi Rachel: Yes, we’ve all got to up our game to stay in the game, don’t we? I think Hershey has done a superb job in doing just that.
The Vegas of chocolate? Wow, that is pretty good. Have you been to Ghirardelli in SF? I am also inspired by the philanthropic nature of Mr. Hershey. I just read yesterday that he only completed the 4th grade in school.
Hi Charles: I did not go to the Ghirardelli factory in San Fran, but I did experience their chocolate shop. They are now owned by Lindt of Switzerland.
Hershey sounds a bit like Cadbury World in England (I’ve not been, but it is similarly “all things chocolate”). Interestingly, the Cadbury family were also philanphropists, providing model conditions and housing for their workers and their families.
That is an interesting comparison, Karen. I shall research the history of the Cadbury family and find the similarities to what Milton Hershey achieved. I wouldn’t be surprised if he used them as a model for his aspirations.
Thank you for educating me about Mr. Hershey. I had no idea he was a philanthropist. If only this country’s president had an altruistic bone in his body… I look forward to learning more about this American icon.
Hi Linda and Happy July 4th! Yes, I was really pleased to learn the Hershey story. It certainly made the visit much more meaningful to me.
Wow! You were really impressed with your trip to Hershey and the Hershey Company.
Your lively and informative blog makes me want to visit Hershey and Harrisburg. I was particularly impressed with all the good works of Milton Hershey. I love those miniature Hershey bars that come in a variety of flavours. They have been favourites of mine since childhood.
Hi Bev and thanks for your comment. I was indeed impressed with my visit to the world of Hershey. Stay tuned for much more! 🙂
We were so close to Hershey, Pennsylvania when we visited the US last fall and I’m still kicking myself that we didn’t make the detour. Hershey’s candies are an American tradition and symbol but I loved learning that there are some finer brands owned by the company for those of us who really appreciate chocolates. And what an amazing man you’ve introduced me to. He shows that failure is no reason to give up and that philanthropy can have an impact on so many lives long after you’re gone. Loved this post, Doreen!
Thanks so much for your comment, Anita. I love it when I find a great story behind the brand.
Wow, it sounds so fun with the amusement park and resort and of course chocolate! Everything you need to have a good time.
That’s for sure, Emily! Hershey really is an ideal destination for everyone who loves chocolate.
WAs there in 2012. I would go back for sure, with grandkids this time!
Hi Carol: may I ask where you stayed in 2012? There is a lovely new Courtyard by Marriott that I stayed at for 2 nights. I spent one night at Hotel Hershey and one night at the Hershey Lodge. The Lodge would definitely be the place to take your grandkids! Or of course, the campground. It looks lovely.
Love your chocolate posts, Doreen, and in this one, I was delighted to learn that I can visit Hershey and still get my bean-to-bar fix 🙂
Hi Anita: Yes, I was really pleased to see the Scharffen Berger bars at Hershey. Definitely worth checking out! 🙂
I kept thinking to myself, “I didn’t know that” when you mentioned all the companies Hershey owns. I SO wanted to make Hershey part of my route when I head down to Philadelphia next week but it just doesn’t work out. It’s been on my list for ages so I’ll have to try to get down there sometime. Looks like so much fun!
Hi Jan and Thx for your comment. Your situation is the reverse of mine. I had thought I would have to go to Philly in order to get to Hershey. But I then learned that you can fly to Harrisburg (which is just 1/2 hour from Hershey) direct from Toronto. So I opted to forego Philly and head straight for the chocolate.