Hersheypark Celebrates 50 Years of Kissing Tower in 2025

Date: May 18, 2025

The centerpiece of the Kissing Tower Hill region of the Park, Kissing Tower was manufactured by Intamin Amusement Rides and offers breathtaking views for guests of all height categories from Hershey's Miniatures to Jolly Rancher. The classic attraction gently takes riders up 250 feet in the air aboard a cabin featuring Hershey's Kisses-shaped windows that overlook the surrounding attractions of Hersheypark.

An Icon of Hershey Since 1975

Plans for the addition of Kissing Tower existed as early as 1970 within a 5-phase redevelopment of Hersheypark. In addition to the Kissing Tower, this expansion included the Twin Turnpike (also celebrating 50 years in 2025), the former Tudor Square and Rhine Land regions of the Park and even the Hershey's Chocolate World attraction. Within the Redevelopment Plan document below, Kissing Tower is the circle marked “5205” in the Minetown region - known today as Kissing Tower Hill.

Concept art demonstrates the size and scale of Kissing Tower in relation to surrounding attractions like Trailblazer, Twin Turnpike and the former Sky Ride (1974-1992). Standing at 330 feet tall, the Kissing Tower would become the tallest point not only in Hersheypark, but the entire town of Hershey, Pa.,itself - a superlative still held by the attraction to this day.

The construction process continued into 1975 when the ride's tower took shape. Not unlike modern-day top-off moments like those seen on Wildcat's Revenge and Twizzlers Twisted Gravity, the craning of the Hershey Kisses-lined crown to the top of the structure marked a significant milestone in the Kissing Tower construction process. 

Following the finishing touches to landscaping within the ride plaza and fountain, Kissing Tower officially opened to the public with a dedication ceremony held on May 18, 1975. As the ride was “powered on," balloons filled the air, and riders experienced unprecedented views of the town below for the very first time. 

In its half-century of operation, Kissing Tower remains an iconic attraction and a must-ride for visitors to Hersheypark. For some parkgoers, it's the first ride they experience in the Park's iconic collection and for others, it may even be the site of an “I do!" 

Celebrate Kissing Tower in 2025

Enjoy the sweet views of Kissing Tower in style! As part of a new year of retail offerings, guests can celebrate this historic anniversary with an exclusive line of hoodies, t-shirts and mugs to commemorate its 50-year history at Hersheypark.

Join the Kissing Tower celebration and plan your Hersheypark visit with great online deals for tickets and 2025 Season Passes. For a limited time, guests can also purchase a Summer Fun Card, which includes unlimited Summer visits through September 7 for just $99 per person.

We can't wait to welcome you to The Sweetest Place On Earth - cheers to 50 Kissing Tower years! Thank you to our friends at the Hershey Community Archives for their contributions to this story.