By Bonnie Siegler
Hershey – simply mention the word and it immediately conjures up the sweet smell of chocolate. But did you know there is actually a Hershey, Pennsylvania, a community located 14 miles east of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania? It is often referred to as Chocolate Town USA or The Sweetest Place on Earth… and for good reason. Within this 14 square mile town is Hershey Park, Hershey Gardens, the Hershey Company, Hershey Bar and even Hotel Hershey, among other chocolate-laden attractions. Being a chocoholic from an early age, visiting this fantasy-like place was a dream come true. I took along a photo of myself at age five holding a Hershey’s chocolate bar the size of my arm for reflection.
Here’s a 36-hour rundown of activities suitable for any age.
THINGS TO DO:
- GOLF: Hershey is home to several challenging and beautifully maintained golf courses. There is the 9-hole Spring Creek Golf Course; the Hershey Country Club with two championship level courses; and Deer Valley Golf Course. I hit a few on the 9-hole course before I gave up, but my husband finished with no problem. I was relegated to driving the golf cart.
- CHOCOLATE MUSEUM: The Hershey Story is the official museum and located–where else? Chocolate Avenue! The museum gives details on Milton S. Hershey’s life and the town that bears his name. Fun for all ages with interactive displays. Find out why Hershey has become synonymous with the chocolate bar and a must-have ingredient for S’mores.
- GARDENS: Hershey Gardens was planned to be a simple garden of roses that Mr. Hershey had requested back in 1937. The rose garden has now blossomed into 23 acres of beautiful foliage overlooking the town of Hershey. There’s also a Children’s Garden and Butterfly Atrium on the grounds. I was more intrigued with the butterfly atrium than the actual rose garden which wasn’t in full flower when I visited. But returning guests told me it’s glorious when the roses are abloom. The scent must be intoxicating.
- SHOPPING: There’s more to buy than just stocking up on sweets at the Hershey’s Chocolate World. Look for The Spa Boutique, The Shops at The Hershey Hotel, Tanger Outlets–with over 50 stores from Ralph Lauren to Coach, and other little shops all within the town of Hershey. I picked up some cocoa-infused body lotion and hand cream thinking this will help my chocolate urges…while consuming less calories.
- EVENTS: Local events are always happening. The first few weeks in April, partake in Hershey’s Springtime Hop, and in June many live musical acts will be performing, from Faith Hill and Tim McGraw to Imagine Dragons. There’s something for everyone’s musical tastes.
- AUTO MUSEUM: Looking for something not chocolate? I really wasn’t but I was reminded that this sojourn wasn’t all about me. So, a visit to the Antique Automobile Club American Museum featuring car histories and interactive exhibits turned into a nice several hours. Classic cars, bikes, and buses are exhibited throughout the 3-floor museum where, as I did, you may enjoy the “cruise through time”. Each decade was featured with unique backdrops and settings. Two of my favorite exhibits were the art deco of the 30s, and the drive-in setting of the 50s and 60s. The latter brought me back to a time when we piled friends in the car trunk to avoid paying the $1.00 admission which was the cost of a film back then. Add window-mounted speakers with poor audio and you had a perfect summer evening. Don’t miss out on seeing the bus from Forest Gump and the one from Speed. Director of Marketing, Nancy Gates, said the 2018 summer exhibit, which runs from May to October, is Six Generations of Mustangs. My husband is already planning a return visit – the personal favorite car of his youth was a white Shelby Mustang with light blue striping. I was more enthralled to see Whitney Houston’s first limo–a Rolls Royce.
- RELAXATION: After consuming what felt like the entire Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory I was instructed to try a spa. The MeltSpa by Hershey offers a Chocolate Escape Package which is cocoa-infused scrub, wrap and massage. Their receptionist, Peyton, proceeded to tell me about all the anti-oxidant benefits of dark chocolate which helped banish my previous lunchtime guilt of eating 3 Reese’s cups. And as Peyton had told me I would feel from the outset of my chocolate escape, I left totally relaxed. The Spa at Hershey Hotel is a luxurious experience of relaxation and rejuvenation and more a destination spa than the day spa environment in MeltSpa. The Emerald Springs Spa takes chocolate out of the stress-reducing equation for any treatment in a serene environment. Since I only had 36 hours in The Sweetest Place on Earth, MeltSpa was a perfect getaway for me.
