Hershey Nationally Recognized in USA TODAY 10Best Awards 2025

Date: April 30, 2025

Hersheypark amusement park today announced it was named one of the top 10 amusement parks in the country in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers Choice Awards 2025. The Park’s hybrid coaster, water coaster, wave pool, full-service restaurant and official resort were also ranked in the top 10 in various theme park categories. These sweet results represent a record number of seasonal nominations and top 10 rankings for the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania.

• Best Theme Park - Hersheypark ranked No. 8
• Best Theme Park Hotel - The Hotel Hershey ranked  No. 2
• Best Theme Park Restaurant - The Chocolatier ranked No. 4
• Best Roller Coaster - Wildcat’s Revenge at Hersheypark ranked No. 9
• Best Wave Pool - The Shore ranked No. 3
• Best Water Coaster - Breakers Edge ranked No. 5

Thank you to all our fans who voted for us!

Hersheypark is No. 8 Best Theme Park

Hersheypark received the No. 8 spot in the category for Best Theme Park after competing amongst 20 other theme parks nominated out of more than 400 amusement parks and attractions on the continent.

Centrally located within driving distance of five of the largest metropolitan areas in the Northeast, Hersheypark is open for Spring Weekends on Fridays through Sundays through May 18. Daily operations begin May 22, with The Boardwalk At Hersheypark water park opening on May 24. Hours vary by day. 

The amusement park of every chocolate lover's dreams features 121 acres with more than 70 rides, a water park with 16 water attractions and an 11-acre North American Wildlife Park – all accessible via a single admission. Thrill seekers can enjoy 15 coasters, which is the most in the Northeast, and the all-new Twizzlers Twisted Gravity Screamin' Swing debuting this summer. This continues a decade of significant growth with six new major coasters, a water park and the $150 million Hershey’s Chocolatetown region. 

The Hotel Hershey is No. 2 Best Theme Park Hotel

The Hotel Hershey, one of The Official Resorts of Hersheypark, claimed the second spot in the Best Theme Park Hotel category. A member of Historic Hotels of America, the AAA Four-Diamond Hotel is a one-of-a-kind destination with a rich history. Situated high atop the town of Hershey, the resort is known for its refined elegance, signature service and abundant amenities. 

Guests can take advantage of recreation on property, including 5.5 miles of hiking trails, daily fitness classes, an indoor pool complex, an arcade, an 18-hole putting course, disc golf, and an outdoor sports complex featuring basketball, volleyball, tennis, pickleball, spikeball, bocce ball, cornhole and soccer. On Spring Weekends, The Hotel Hershey also offers family-friendly activities ranging from s'mores roasts and chocolate bingo to Hershey Character appearances, glow putting, scavenger hunts and more. Check out The Hotel Hershey Spring Guide 2025 to learn more.

To sweeten a visit, every stay at The Hotel Hershey comes with Hersheypark benefits:

• Extra hours at Hersheypark with Preview Plan
• FREE front gate shuttle service to the exclusive resort drop-off location at Hersheypark
• Best price on Hersheypark tickets

Marking its first spring season, The Villas at The Hotel Hershey offer guests an elevated luxury accommodation experience with 48 reimagined rooms, refreshed furnishings and unmatched amenities. Amenities include access to an all-new exclusive Concierge Lounge, daily Hersheypark tickets and a One-Day Fast Track per person.

The Chocolatier is No. 4 Best Theme Park Restaurant

The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio was voted as a top 5 Best Theme Park Restaurant for the second consecutive year. Since 2021, The Chocolatier has celebrated the life and legacy of Milton S. Hershey by continuing to bring people together for happiness, fun, and, of course, chocolate.

Inside, an open kitchen serves up classic family fare with a fun spin and hints of chocolate for lunch and dinner. An all-new seasonal menu this spring and summer includes a fresh spin on the popular Ferris Wheel Sampler, Cheesesteak Flatbread, Loaded Pierogis, new milkshakes and more. Guests ages 21 and older can also enjoy new craft cocktails like Blueberry Cobbler Old Fashioned and Dirty Root Beer Float behind a Carrousel-themed bar, but the ride doesn't end there! The space features past and present pieces from the Hersheypark ride collection, including Comet car and Tilt-A-Whirl booths. Plus, a second-story outdoor patio and bar provide one-of-a-kind views of Hersheypark. 

The Chocolatier is open year-round and does not require an admission ticket to Hersheypark to dine. Reservations are strongly encouraged.

Wildcat's Revenge is No. 9 Best Roller Coaster

Wildcat is back and seeking vengeance. Wildcat's Revenge claimed a top 10 spot in the Best Roller Coaster contest amongst 20 other coasters in the United States. Opened in 2023 as the first hybrid manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) in Pennsylvania, Wildcat's Revenge combines the best of wood and steel by adding a new steel track with unique elements to the wooden framework for a one-of-a-kind thrilling ride experience found only at Hersheypark. 

The 2-minute and 36-second experience begins as riders of Hershey's height category (48-54") and above climb a 140-foot hill on one of three custom trains, plunge into an 82-degree drop and hit a maximum speed of 62 miles per hour along 3,510 feet of red track on a black steel and wood structure. The pursuit continues as riders stalk their prey through four inversions, including the World’s Largest Underflip, which begins with an upward climb, followed by a counterclockwise 270° roll and a dive down towards the side. 

Wildcat's Revenge received the Amusement Today Golden Ticket Award for Best New Roller Coaster of 2023. The 15th coaster at Hersheypark was also named one of the top new attractions of 2023 by USA TODAY 10Best. 

The Shore is No. 3 Best Wave Pool

The Shore at The Boardwalk is the place to be on a hot summer day! Ranked as one of the top 3 Best Wave Pools, the relaxing, 378,000-gallon attraction gradually deepens from 0 to 6 feet. There's nothing quite like catching waves while being surrounded by iconic roller coasters in Central Pennsylvania.

Breakers Edge is No. 5 Best Water Coaster

In its first USA TODAY 10Best nomination, Breakers Edge was named a top 5 Best Water Coaster in 2025. Located in The Boardwalk, Breakers Edge is a fast-paced, hydromagnetic water coaster that launches four-person rafts through a series of exhilarating drops, high-speed tunnels and uphill climbs. Riders of Reese's height category (42-48") and above experience airtime, g-force curves, tunnels, saucers and lots of splashes.

Visit Hersheypark This Spring and Summer

Guests can save on tickets to Hersheypark when purchased online with the current ticket offers.

If you consider visiting Hersheypark twice in 2025, a 2-day ticket is the best value. Plus, it does not need to be used on consecutive days, so you can visit once during spring and again at any other point throughout the operating year. But those craving endless fun in 2025 should buy a Season Pass, which pays for itself in less than three visits! 

Visitors looking to extend their stay in The Sweetest Place On Earth can book a sweet spring getaway at The Official Resorts of Hersheypark: The Hotel Hershey luxury accommodation, Hershey Lodge resort and Hersheypark Camping Resort campground. Popular packages available on select dates include the Hersheypark 1-Night Package, 2-Day Stay and Play Package and 3-Day Sweet Stay Package.