Hershey is Top Vacation Destination for 2025

Date: December 27, 2024

As we prepare to usher in a new year, we are excited for all the sweetness to come in the town built on chocolate. From new thrills at Hersheypark amusement park to expanded luxury offerings at The Official Resorts of Hersheypark and world-class entertainment at Hersheypark Stadium, take a look at why Hershey, Pa., is a top vacation destination for families, thrill seekers, live music lovers, foodies and more in 2025.

New Twizzlers Ride at Hersheypark

Centrally located within driving distance of five of the largest metropolitan areas in the Northeast, the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania will kick off its 119th season on April 5, 2025. 

Guests can visit Hersheypark as part of four distinct seasonal events, including a sweet summer ahead with the debut of the all-new 2025 Twizzlers Twisted Gravity attraction. This high-thrill pendulum attraction will be the tallest Screamin’ Swing in the world when it opens in summer 2025. 

The one-minute and 10-second experience begins as riders of Hershey’s height category (48-54”) and above ascend 137 adrenaline-pumping feet, defy gravity at speeds reaching 68 miles per hour and experience multiple mind-bending zero G moments as they swing high above Spring Creek in The Hollow region of Hersheypark. 

Manufactured by S&S Worldwide, the all-new Twizzlers-inspired adventure is the newest candy to join the iconic Hersheypark skyline. The attraction boasts the distinct Twizzlers red color throughout the design and features two 20-person gondolas with four Twizzlers-branded zones. Guests can sit in gondolas uniquely themed to Twizzlers Strawberry, Cherry, Hershey’s Chocolate and Black Licorice.

Twizzlers Twisted Gravity will join more than 70 rides with the most coasters in the Northeast, The Boardwalk water park and the 11-acre ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park - all included with Hersheypark admission as part of three experiences in one ticket.

Plus, some popular Hersheypark attractions celebrate milestone anniversaries in 2025, including 50 years of Kissing Tower, 25 years of Lightning Racer and 10 years of Laff Trakk. 

Historic Expansion of Luxury Offerings at The Hotel Hershey

Also coming in 2025 is the addition of nine new Villas featuring 50 new sleeping rooms as part of The Villas at The Hotel Hershey, an elevated luxury accommodation experience with exclusive amenities. This expansion marks the second-largest investment in the 90-year history of The Hotel Hershey. 

Brand new to this historic Forbes Four-Star resort in Hershey, Pa., is The Villas Concierge Lounge - an exclusive gathering space with complimentary food, drinks and activities. Guests of The Villas can start and end their day with continental breakfast, exclusive Hershey Character meet and greets, grab-and-go snacks and fountain drinks, evening hors d’oeuvres, dessert, beer and wine, and s’mores roasts around The Villas Concierge Fire Pit. 

Dedicated concierges are available to assist with making preferred dining and spa reservations, golf tee times and arranging door-to-door transportation. Guests can also show their Villas room key for additional benefits, including 30-minute early access to the resort’s stunning outdoor pool complex and complimentary fountain drinks at the pool and all-day café.

Plus, The Villas guests visiting Hersheypark amusement park this summer receive sweet perks, including Hersheypark admission for each day of stay, a one-day Fast Track pass per person allowing guests to skip the line once on each participating attraction and a dedicated shuttle stop for free front gate transportation - a tremendous value!

New Dining Experience at The Hotel Hershey This Spring

Calling all foodies! This is the last chance to toast farewell to Harvest at The Hotel Hershey. The restaurant will close its doors after brunch on Jan. 5 as it transforms into an all-new dining and tavern experience in spring 2025. Stay tuned for updates on what's next.

Live Summer Entertainment at Hersheypark Stadium

On the heels of a record-breaking summer concert series in 2024, Hersheypark Stadium is gearing up for another incredible season of live music under the stars. The following acts are confirmed for the 2025 Summer Concert Series, with more exciting concerts to be announced soon!

• Post Malone with Jelly Roll on May 28
• Avril Lavigne with Simple Plan and We The Kings on June 7
• Kendrick Lamar and SZA on June 16
• Luke Bryan with Vincent Mason, Mae Estes and Cole Goodwin on July 12
• Summer Worship Nights with Phil Wickham and Brandon Lake on July 18
• Pantera with Amon Amarth on July 25
• Shania Twain on July 26
• Big Time Rush with Katelyn Tarver and Stephen Kramer Glickman on Aug. 1
• Chris Brown with Summer Walker and Bryson Tiller on Aug. 5
• Outlaw Music Festival with Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Turnpike Troubadours and more on Aug. 9
• Jonas Brothers with Marshmello and The All-American Rejects on Aug. 17
• HARDY with Koe Wetzel and Stephen Wilson Jr. on Sept. 6
• Hozier with Gigi Perez on Sept. 19
• Slayer with Knocked Loose, Suicidal Tendencies, Power Trip and more on Sept. 20

Continued Growth of The Sweetest Place On Earth

Within the last decade alone, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts has experienced significant growth at Hersheypark with the addition of six new major coasters, a water park, culinary experiences and Hershey’s Chocolatetown, a $150 million transformative investment in creating the place where fun meets chocolate that opened in 2020.

The company is poised for continued growth as it recently announced plans for Hershey Inn & Suites, its first select service property slated to open in spring 2026 as our fourth Official Resort of Hersheypark.